summer recreation
An hour away
Some of the best photos are
found close to home
The Costco
Connection
Costco sells a range of cameras
for all your photography needs
in the warehouses and online at
Costco.com, and photo processing is offered at the 1-Hour Photo
Centers in the warehouses.
Visit the online Photo Center at
Costco.com to see a wide variety
of other photo services, from
photo books to personalized
greeting cards and calendars.
By Ernie Maber
WHAT SERIOUS PHOTOGRAPHER does not
dream of a vacation planned just for photography?
You know: a time to travel, with unhurried chance
after chance to stop and take any photo you wish.
In reality, of course, many of us are much too
busy with everyday events and family to indulge in
such a photo outing. We can dream of it, sure, but I
like to take photos every day, not just on special trips,
and I want to take images that no one else has taken.
If you are serious about photography—and if a
planned photo trip for a few days or a week is just a
dream—consider what I like to call the “one hour
out” photo shoot.
It occurred to me that some of my favorite
images were taken on short trips within an hour of
my home. Some of these outings are planned, but
many are just spur of the moment. So rule number
one is: Whatever kind it is, have your camera with
you at all times. And rule number two follows: If
you have extra lenses, such as a wide angle, a prime
lens and a telephoto ( 28 mm to 300 mm), bring
them along. Be sure to attach those UV filters, have
your tripod in the trunk and you’re good to go.
Living in Saint John, New Brunswick, offers me
the unique opportunity to make a short drive south
to the Bay of Fundy and the Atlantic Ocean, where
I can photograph coastal shorelines, quiet coves,
fishing boats and hardworking local fishermen.
Traveling northeast an hour takes me inland to
beautiful rolling farm country, fields with abundant
wildlife, farmers markets, open valleys with country churches, old barns, covered bridges and some
spectacular waterfalls.
Another drive goes along the Saint John River,
where the scenery changes with each season. Throw
in friendly people, some of the most beautiful fall
foliage anywhere, plenty of fog-bound harbors and
one-of-a-kind sunsets, and I have many photo
opportunities easily available just one hour or less
from home. And chances are that where you live
offers similar treasures.
It’s important to be open about any subject and
take lots of images. When shooting, I’ll have a quick
look at the LCD screen just to check exposure and
composition and then continue shooting, usually in
aperture priority mode, waiting until I get home
and can use the computer to delete unwanted
images. I have found that when shooting I may
think the shots are just run-of-the-mill, but when
they are displayed on a monitor they strike me as
being unique and may end up as keepers.
Choose a destination that you find interesting. If
you’re excited about the trip, that excitement will
carry over into your photography. Also put a little
planning into the outing—it would be a shame to
miss a kayak going through the rapids or hot-air bal-
34 ;e Costco Connection MAY 2012
