Keep your camera ready. How many once-in-a-lifetime pictures have you missed because you didn't have your camera with you? It's easy to avoid that frustration by keeping a camera handy. Spontaneous moments make priceless pictures. To capture them, you need a camera with you. If your regular camera is too large to carry conveniently, consider a low-cost pocket-sized model as a stand-by.

Get close. As a general rule, the closer you get to the subject, the better your pictures will be. Getting close eliminates distracting, unnecessary backgrounds and shows the subject clearly. Think about showing just enough of the scene to make the picture clear and interesting. Be sure to check your camera manual to learn the closest distance at which your camera takes sharp pictures. Many point-and-shoot cameras cannot focus closer than four feet from the subject.

Keep people busy. When photographing people, keep them busy! Your pictures will have a feeling of lively spontaneity. To avoid stiff, static poses, prompt your subjects to be active. Their expressions will be more relaxed and natural.

Use a simple background. A simple background focuses attention on the subject and makes clear, strong pictures. Take control and move your subject or your camera to find a simple, uncluttered background.

Place the subject off-center. There is nothing wrong with placing the subject in the center of your viewfinder. However, placing the subject off-center can make the composition more dynamic and interesting to the eye.

Include foreground in scenes. When taking scenic pictures, try including objects in the foreground. Elements in the foreground add a sense of distance, depth and dimension.

Look for good lighting. Adequate lighting is essential to expose film, but good lighting can make your pictures more interesting, colorful, dimensional and flattering to the subject. Strong sunlight is only one of the many types of good lighting. Some people are surprised to learn that cloudy, overcast days provide the best lighting for pictures of people. Bright sun makes people squint, and it throws harsh shadows. On overcast days, the light is soft and flattering to faces.

Hold your camera steady. Sometimes good pictures are missed by overlooking the basics. Holding the camera steady is vital for sharp, clear pictures. When you push the shutter button, press it gently rather than jabbing it. Even slight camera movement can rob your pictures of sharpness. Use a brace to steady your arm or use a tripod if available.

Use your flash. You can improve your pictures by taking full advantage of the flash built into most cameras. It provides extra light when you need it, especially indoors, and it freezes action for sharp pictures. Be sure to stay within the 'flash range.' This is the range of distance which will be properly exposed. A typical range is four to twelve feet. Check your camera manual for the effective range of your flash. Flash can improve pictures outdoors, as well as indoors. Using flash outdoors will soften shadows and brighten colors.

Choose the right film. The three most popular Kodak print film speeds are 400, 200 and 100. All cameras are capable of handling these film speeds. Kodak makes a variety of films at lower and higher speeds; however you may need to check your camera manual for compatibility. For easy speed identification, check the colored strip on any Kodak film box. Kodak Gold Films Regardless of your picture-taking situation, these easy-to-use films offer wide ranges of speeds to capture each and every situation providing clear, sharp prints with brilliant color. They are designed for general picture-taking situations, exposure with daylight or electronic flash, to see color the way the human eye sees color with sharpness unsurpassed with any other film. Kodak Gold 100 Film It is the best in bright sun delivering bright, clear pictures with a striking combination of vibrant, accurate color, and vividly sharp detail. Great for close-ups and still-life shots. Kodak Gold 200 Film When you need an all-around performer, this is it. It turns up the color in variable light with good all-around sharpness. Great for slow to moderate action, this film works in a variety of indoor and outdoor situations. Kodak Max 400 Film When you want a film that does it all with rich color and great sharpness. Ideal for extended flash range, as well as outdoor shots. It has outstanding flexibility in a variety of lighting situations that makes it perfect for sports and action. Kodak Max 800 Film Great for pictures in most light and action conditions. Truly, it's the film that adjusts to the widest range of picture-taking conditions. Kodak Royal Gold Films This full range of color print films delivers breathtaking results providing clear, sharp pictures that are ideal for enlargements and special occasions. Kodak Royal Gold 100 Film This film is excellent for bright sun or flash. This is a medium-speed color negative film that introduces 35mm to the state-of-the-art technology of KODAK ADVANTIX films. It offers outstanding flesh tones and color reproduction and is excellent for enlargements. Kodak Royal Gold 200 Film This flexible, multi-purpose film offers outstanding sharpness and has the finest grain available in a 200-speed color print film. It offers excellent colors and is great for people shots. It uses state-of-the-art technology of KODAK ADVANTIX film. Kodak Royal Gold 400 Film Using KODAK ADVANTIX film technology, this is a multi-purpose film designed for exposure with daylight or electronic flash. Pleasing results may also be obtained under most existing light sources without filters. Kodak Royal Gold 1000 Film Our highest speed color print film. It has the most saturated and accurate colors of any 1000-speed color negative film. ROYAL GOLD 1000 film is intended for low-light situations or subjects that require higher shutter speeds to stop action.