Photos by Bob Crum.
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The weekly topic is frequently derived from a reader's question. Such as this weeks topic, “I bought a new camera: Now what?” Now what indeed! Well sir, my normal camera instructional fee is $427.67/hour. But, having just enjoyed a strawberry margarita, I'll discount the 67¢.

Politely said, this column is about photography, not camera instruction. There are too many brands and models. It's OK to dread reading the camera's instruction manual. Instead, YouTube is a great resource. In the search box enter your camera brand and model and voila... a tutorial! CreativeLive.com and Lynda.com are also great resources. They cost some jingle, but a small price to pay for knowing how to operate your camera. I cannot overemphasize the importance of knowing how to operate your camera! Get intimate with it!

Then utilize Psalm ISO 200. Three Wise Elements of the Mighty Trinity of Exposure; Aperture, Shutter Speed and the Holy ISO. Memorize it! It's the escape from the entrapment of “Auto” mode where your photographic creativity is held captive. No more “P” mode shooting.

Also, the three camera modes that will greatly enhance your “creative” photography are Tv (shutter priority), Av, (aperture priority) and the dreaded “manual” mode. Practice! Practice some more!

With summer well underway, another frequent question: “How to take interesting travel photos?” After all, you're going on perhaps a once-in-a-life-time trip to the Antarctic, Machu Picchu or Spistbergan, so certainly you want some magnificent photos. I get that!

First, regardless of where you go... even Albuquerque... PLEASE do not put yourself in every shot! Put a Post-It note on your camera: ONLY two SELFIES per day! Your travel photos will improve exponentially. Believe me!
If the scenery is recognizable, we'll know where you went. Also, posing for a selfie down at the Antarctic and blocking the view of the mermaid sunning on the iceberg behind you is a lousy shot. We only want to see the mermaid!!! Got that?

Besides shooting tons of photos of the abundant scenery and special points of interest, of course it's appropriate to take a few shots of family or friends traveling with you. Note, however, that candid photos of you and/or your traveling companions admiring the landscape, or the mermaids chilling on the icebergs in the background, is usually better than posed photos. Motto: cheesy is sleazy.

If your vacation is taking you to a place with interesting culture, like Mali, Fiji, or the Bahamas, consider shooting photos of the people involved in local events or occupations. This is story telling with photos... photojournalism. However, to avoid spending your vacation in jail, first learn about photo taboos of the locale. Don't ask how I know this!

A gazillion photos have been shot in our nation's national parks. So what? You're there so why not collect your own photos? Secret: Get away from the crowd... hike a little... even brave bushwhacking... find your unique angle of the iconic topography. Remember: Light is paramount! Set the alarm clock for 5 a.m. for scrumptious blue light photos... the light right before sunrise and after sunset. Also, golden hour photography... the time right after sunrise or before sunset should always be considered. BTW, experience dictates that mermaids look stunning during the golden hours. Just sayin'.

Shoot a lot and don't don't delete photos in the camera while shooting. It discombobulates the memory card. Delete at home. Take plenty of extra memory cards and fully-charged batteries. I do not want to hear that just as you were about to shoot the rarely seen freckled mermaid at the Galapagos archipelago... your camera battery died. The mere thought is horrendous!

Happy photoing.

Send comments, suggestions and/or questions to bob@fillmoregazette.com

On Tuesday, July 18, the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) will close one eastbound lane of Highway 126 at Hopper Creek, just west of Piru, overnight to make repairs to a railroad grade crossing. VCTC’s contractor, J.A. Placek Construction Co., will begin installing temporary traffic control devices and light towers at 7 p.m. One eastbound lane of Highway 126 is expected to be fully closed in the area from 8 p.m. on July 18 through 4 a.m. on July 19.

On Wednesday, July 19, VCTC will repair the railroad crossing at Highway 126 just east of the El Dorado Estates neighborhood in Fillmore. This work will also require an overnight closure lane closure. Temporary traffic control devices and light towers will be installed starting at 7 p.m. One eastbound lane of Highway 126 is expected to be fully closed in the area from 8 p.m. on July 19 through 4 a.m. on July 20.

During the closures, eastbound traffic will be reduced to one lane. Drivers should expect delays. See map below for location details.

“We will partially close Highway 126 to make needed repairs to the Santa Paula Branch Line,” said Darren Kettle, executive director of VCTC. “By scheduling these closures during nighttime hours, we hope to minimize the inconvenience to motorists and businesses in the 126 corridor while ensuring the railroad crossing remains in safe, working condition.”

The Santa Paula Branch Line, owned by VCTC since 1995, is a stretch of railroad track running from east Ventura through Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru to the Los Angeles County Line. It crosses Highway 126 in two locations between Fillmore and Piru. During the closures on July 18-20, VCTC’s contractor will repair and replace a defective concrete railroad-crossing panel.

About the Ventura County Transportation Commission
The Ventura County Transportation Commission is the regional transportation planning agency committed to keeping Ventura County moving. Program information is available at goventura.org.