Do your homework
If you want vacation pictures that will pass the test of time, do your homework before you leave. Unlike calculus, getting picture-ready for a trip is easy and fun. All you have to do is leaf through your camera manual and dream about the things you'll do when you get to your destination.

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Browse your camera manual
Become familiar with all the features your camera has to offer before you go on vacation. Your camera manual will tell you about different settings, how to use the flash, and many other useful picture-taking functions.

Take a few minutes to flip through your camera manual to brush up on all the things your camera can do. Maybe you'll even learn something new!

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Consult the travel guides
Take notes from travel guides about the places you plan to visit. Think of things you want to do in each place. Jot down a short photo shoot list so you don't forget any key moments or sites. You'll want shots that capture the local flavor, such as a marketplace, craftwork, unusual transportation, or native dances.

Giving your camera a check-up
Don't miss that priceless shot of the kids gazing at Grand Canyon for the first time, or the Eiffel Tower glowing in the night sky. Make sure your camera is in working order before you pack up the car or make that trans-Atlantic flight.

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Test pictures
Shoot a short 12-exposure roll of film with your camera and have it processed before you leave. With a digital camera, snap a few pictures onto your picture card and make sure they upload to your computer and print out okay. These are good ways to check that your camera is working.

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Batteries
Put fresh batteries in your camera and pack a fresh set of backup batteries. Remember, a digital camera can drain battery power quickly. Many cameras use AA batteries. If yours does, and you'll have access to an electrical outlet, consider getting a Kodak battery charger and Kodak rechargeable Ni-MH (nickel-metal hydride) batteries. Recharging saves you money and reduces environmental waste. But if you know you'll be on the go a lot, get long-life batteries, such as the powerful Kodak rechargeable Li-Ion (lithium-ion) batteries and a back-up set, so you don't have to worry about running out of power. Even if your camera uses a special camera battery, carry a backup. It's critical for taking pictures on a trip.

Lens
Do a quick, thorough lens cleaning before you go. After all, you don't want a dusty, dirty lens to cloud or speckle your pictures.
To clean your camera lens, use the Kodak lens pen. The lens-cleaning pen is a handy tool. One end removes fingerprints, smudges, and grease marks with ease. The other end has a retractable brush for removing dust particles.
Or blow away any loose debris with a bulb brush or a can of compressed air. Moisten the lens with photographic lens cleaner or by gently breathing on the lens. Wipe with a soft, lint-free cloth or untreated photographic lens tissue.
Never wipe a dry lens or use alcohol or chemically treated eyeglass cleaners, which could ruin the surface of your camera lens.

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Film
Stock up on 400-speed 36-exposure film rolls—about 3 rolls per week. That way, you can take lots of pictures in all kinds of lighting, without taking up a lot of space in your luggage. Remember that Kodak film is available throughout the world, so you never have to worry about running out.

To prevent damage by airport x-ray baggage scanning equipment, carry all unexposed film and your camera with you onto the plane in a clear plastic bag. For optimum protection of your film, ask for a hand inspection at the carry-on checkpoint. FAA regulations in the U.S. currently allow for a hand search of photographic film and equipment, if requested. If your film does go through the x-ray at the carry-on checkpoint, those scanning machines generally have weaker x-rays than cargo scanning equipment and are therefore less likely to damage your film. International airports outside of the U.S. are less predictable—you may have greater difficulties protecting your film abroad.

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Picture cards
Empty your picture cards before you pack. You'll want all the memory capacity you can get. Take enough cards to capture about 100 pictures per week. Depending on the camera, a 64 MB memory card or two 32 MB cards should give you plenty of room to take lots of pictures. But it's always a good idea to bring along a spare 32 MB card, so you'll be prepared if something happens to one card, or you want to take more pictures than you thought you would.

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Photo checklist for a trip

Here's a short checklist to make sure you pack all the supplies and camera accessories you'll need.

1. Camera bag to protect camera from bumps and drops
2. Picture cards for about 100 pictures a week (about 64 MB and maybe a back-up 32 MB)
3. Fresh Ni-MH or Li-Ion batteries, or special camera battery and a set of back-ups
4. Battery charger (if you use rechargeable batteries)
5. Telephoto and wide angle lenses for zooming in and out
6. Kodak lens cleaning pen or lens cleaning solution and photographic lens tissue
7. Camera manual for reference
8. Plastic bag to protect camera and film from hand-inspections in airports
9. A one-time-use camera or two for panoramic shots, beach use, or emergency back-up
10. Tripod (optional)
11. A notebook to keep track of the pictures you take