JPG: Stories: Ten Tips: Tips on Getting Photos from a Tour Bus Window

Ten Tips

Tips on Getting Photos from a Tour Bus Window

By Allen Freeman

3 Aug 2008

1. First make sure you have a fast camera. Have it set for shutter priority. Some things will be moving right by you and you want to stop the action and cut down on the blurring. (I also take an extra battery and memory card just in case.) Having a zoom lens also helps.

2. Get to the tour early. You want to be one of the first in line for the tour so you can get the seat you want.

3. Pick a seat near the middle or towards the back. Find a clean window if possible. Take a small 2 ounce bottle filled with window cleaner and a cloth. Clean that window! Also bring a jacket or sweater (A cheap one) even if it is hot outside. First of all it can get cold on the bus but mostly you want it to hold your seat. They tell you to come back to your own seat but sometimes I'll find a stranger in my seat when I come back from a 30 minute walk around, where they let you get out now and then during the tour. Discourage them from taking your seat, leave the sweater in the seat. You have the only clean window in the back part of the bus! Don't give it up.

4. As soon as you go to take a photo you'll notice glare. On my last bus tour the whole window was picking up glare from the other windows and it was awful. So bring a hat. Hold the hat to the side of the lens and against the glass. This cuts the glare to zero. I was sitting on the right side of the bus and used the hat on the left side of the lens. It really helps.

5. Anticipate what is coming into your view. This is why you are sitting in the middle of the bus or farther to the back area. (Don't get in the very back; it will take you too long to get back to your seat between stops.) Get 3/4ths of the way towards the back. Now you can see what is starting to come towards you and you have a few seconds (or less) to react. Don't fret. The bus stops a lot and you'll be surprised at what you can get at those stops. Use a vibration reduction lens, or a camera with it. This will also help keep the blurred images down.

6. Wear a watch. When the bus stops and you are told you have 30 minutes to stroll around or maybe an hour, don't forget how much time you have and look at your watch. If you can set the alarm on your cell phone, do it. Don't be late. They may wait a few minutes but that is all. When the time is up they will leave you there. (At least that is what they told us they had done before.)

7. Don't walk too far off. When they say you have 30 minutes to get out and walk around, that includes the time you have to get back on the bus. It will be very tempting to go for that certain view down the hill etc....but only if you have an hour to do it. If you walk away for 30minutes it will take you 30 more to get back to the bus, unless you jog back. Don't forget to think of this.

8. The settings on your camera are set for speed when shooting out the window. This works fine in the bus. When you get off the bus you may need to set it to aperture priority etc....to get better shots while walking around. A lower ISO etc....could be used. Don't be like me and forget to set it back to a higher ISO, shutter priority etc....when you get back on the bus.

9. Allow your wife, husband (or significant other) that you may have with you, to buy something. This will keep them happy while you are completely occupied with getting photos. Don't forget to talk to them now and then so they don't feel left out. Remember, they are more than a seat saver or camera equipment handler. You have to keep them happy so you'll get to do this more often.

10. Tip the driver. This doesn't have anything to do with getting the photo you want but it keeps the drivers happy. They usually don't get paid near enough to put up with everyone and the traffic. Make their day a little brighter.

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