We saw the Dixie Chicks at the BB&T Pavilion in Camden, NJ. The venue was pretty awesome--it was both indoor and outdoor, and had a great selection of good food and drinks. (Remember that whole splurging thing? A mixed drink cost $15. EEEEK!!) Larysa and I sat about 12 rows from the stage and sang at the top of our lungs for the entire two hour performance. It was great!
I purposely didn't take my good camera because I wanted this to truly be a vacation. Instead, I relied on the camera on my cell phone which isn't that great. But you know what? That doesn't bother me. I had fun and made some memories, and that's what matters most!
Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of this post for cell phone photography tips!
- Turn off the flash. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but trust me. The flash on a cell phone (or even point and shoot) isn't powerful enough to fill a space like a stadium or concert hall. You'll be much better off going without the flash and relying on natural light.
- Wipe off the lens. Lenses on cell phone cameras can get fogged up or smudged easily. This will make your photos look dull and could affect the focus. Make sure your lens is clear by wiping it off with your finger or the tip of your shirt before you take photos.
- Use the zoom function sparingly. Zooming in once or twice is okay, but once you get beyond that, the quality of the image is usually compromised. To avoid pixelated images, keep the zoom to a minimum.
- Follow the rule of thirds.
- Have a plan. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this advice is universal. A picture might be worth a thousand words, but it doesn't have much value unless you can see it. Make sure you have a plan for how you want to display your photos.
- Have fun! This is probably the most important rule. If you're pursuing a hobby or past time and you aren't enjoying it, you're not doing it right.