IT'S A SNAP: THE PROS TELL HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR VACATION PICTURES

Snapping vacation pictures that will be treasured usually requires more than making sure the subject is framed in the viewfinder.

Decisions that help make the difference between good prints and great prints begin before the family bags are packed.

If the camera is already in hand, film is among the first items to consider before embarking.

Long-range planning and review of the vacation itinerary can be put to use here.

Film for 35 mm cameras is categorized according to ISO numbers, typically called the speed of the film. Those numbers refer to the film's silver particles. The larger the ISO number, the more light sensitive the film.

For scenic pictures, film with an ISO number of 50 to 200 would be excellent, advised Pat Patterson of Pat Patterson Photography, 124 N. Main. Action shots, such as a car race, would best be served by film with an ISO number of at least 400, he noted.

"If you're going to take shots in indoor concerts, it wouldn't hurt to take some 1000 film speed with you, too," Patterson said.

Higher speed films are needed in such cases because the flash of an average camera is rendered useless beyond 10 to 15 feet, noted Bill Cheek of Cheekwood Studio, 2336 Kingsway Drive.

Higher speed film can also help in vacation situations where flash is not allowed, such as in some museums, he noted. "The higher the film speed, the less need for flash," Cheek explained.

And film speed has other ramifications. Patterson said, "In choosing which film to use, remember that the slower the film speed, the finer the grain and the sharper the enlargement."

When attempting to capture those moments that beg for enlargement, remember that posed pictures are going to look stiff, advised Marsha Birk of Reflections by Marsha, 3829 Eagle Ridge Drive.

Photograph the subjects in a natural situation, "work around the environment," Birk suggested, adding: "If they're going to be looking at the camera, have them tilt their heads just a tiny bit to the side."

"Expression puts the pizzazz in the picture," Cheek said. "So, if you get in real close, you can really capture those once-in-a-lifetime expressions."

People in the photo usually make shots of buildings more interesting. It is tempting to put the person close to the building then back away in an effort to capture the entire structure, resulting in a tiny person with unidentifiable features.

Charlie Hutchings of Hutchings Photography, 605 W. Main in Jackson, suggests: "Walk away from it, and bring your person with you. Focus on the person, and then you can get the building in the background." The technique will also work well with scenic shots.

Whether shooting indoors or out, learning how to capitalize on lighting, or at least cope with it, is critical.

"Try to put your subject in the same general lighting that you are," Hutchings advised. "If you're shooting in the shade, don't put your person in the sun."

To avoid sun-grins and back-lit situations that lead to unidentifiable faces, it's generally better to shoot with the sun coming from the left or right, Hutchings explained.

Yet, he suggested, don't be afraid to experiment. For instance, when it comes to shooting into the sun, Hutchings said, "If you can live with a little lens glare, it can make it really dramatic, a beautiful picture. But expect the dramatic, not the normal."

If shooting with a flash indoors, Patterson noted, the photographer generally should be no closer than five feet from the subject. On the other hand, he explained, "The further beyond 10 feet you go, the darker the picture will become."

Importantly, flash is not restricted to indoor use. Flash can produce amazing results outdoors, too. "Using the flash mode on the camera while outdoors will help brighten the subject," Patterson said.

Using the flash outdoors is called fill flash because it helps reduce troublesome shadows, often apparent on faces, making the lighting more even.

While there are plenty of technical points associated with photography, those technicalities shouldn't cast a shadow on the sheer enjoyment of taking pictures. "Just have fun and capture the moments on film," Cheek encouraged.

Allowing the kids to have a go at shooting some vacation pictures. It can prove fun and surprisingly fruitful. "Children have more creativity than the average adult, they see things totally differently. They have a creative eye," Cheek observed.

Plus, he chuckled, it's a good way to get the primary photographer in the family in a few pictures.

Pat Patterson shared these tips:

-- When changing film in the camera and the film speed is different from the speed most recently used, remember to change the film speed setting.

-- Never leave film in a hot car.

-- If it will be a while before film is processed, whether exposed or unexposed, store the film in a refrigerator.

-- When traveling through airport terminals, protect film from possible x-ray damage by storing in a lead-lined bag.

-- If print results are not satisfactory, check negatives. If details can be seen on negatives, resubmit to lab for reprint.

-- When resubmitting negative for enlargement, submit original print also as a guide for the lab.

Hutchings stressed the need for care of photo equipment. For example, if going to the beach be sure to keep cameras in a bag, away from sand and water. "They're all electronic now, they're very fragile," Hutchings stressed.