Here are some useful tips for taking photos at shows and concerts:

Flash photography is discouraged during performances, both inside and outside.  There is adequate light on a football field that the photos will turn out.  Remember also that your distance from the field is greater than the range of your flash, and by using a flash, your photos may not turn out right.  If you are using a digital camera or plan to scan the photos, you can always touch up dark photos in the end.  Kodak Premium processing will also provide the same service when you drop off your film.  Digital camera users may wish to adjust the settings on the camera to allow more or less light into the camera depending on lighting conditions.

Don't use disposable cameras in variable light.  If it's dark, don't do it, if it's bright, ok, if it's moving: 800 speed film.   If you don't believe me, take a look at the Fall 1999 Preview show.  Daylight pictures should be suitable with 200 or 400 speed film.  If you are really concerned about perfect photos at night from any distance, either purchase a top model camera or visit your local camera shop and purchase a roll of high speed film.  High speed film is recommended for automatic cameras only, and is rather expensive.  There are also some excellent books on photography and basic picture taking tips, as well as a great deal of articles and websites ranging from tips to equipment reviews.

When taking film to be developed, Kodak or Fuji processing is preferred.  From my knowledge, there really isn't a big difference between them, so it's whatever is available where you are.  Kodak seems to be dominant throughout Pennsylvania.  Best Buy, Giant, Target and KMart have the lowest prices for Kodak processing.  Other stores such as drug stores (Rite Aid, CVS, etc) may have Kodak processing, but pricing is usually a lot higher.  Mail order labs will produce reasonable quality photos, but for the extra dollar in the end, it is faster and more convenient to drop it off locally.

If you absolutely need your photos immediately that day, use the Kodak 1 hour photo service offered at most Target stores.  DO NOT use one hour labs such as drug stores and WalMart.  The Kodak one hour photo produces photos that are pretty good quality, and also provides you with sleeved negatives and an index print.  Conventional 1 hour labs produce curled pictures, and the pictures stick together, which is not at all desirable for display or photo albums, and curled photos are very difficult to scan.  Your other option is buy a digital camera.

For digital cameras, buy something with a decent zoom on it.  6x is suitable for wide shots, or tight shots from short distances.  10x is comfortable and will allow you a little more flexibility in distance.  You're going to have to spend some money on this, and remember that with any digital camera, the closer you get to the maximum zoom, the greater the chance that an action shot will not turn out.   Sony, Canon, Olympus and Nikon are some of the best brands of digital cameras.  Please contact me for purchasing advice, links to informational websites, or visit your local Best Buy or Circuit City.  Digital SLRs are a new technology and are also a good pick for anyone familiar with standard 35mm cameras that is prepared to spend at least $1000-$2000.

640x480 will produce a suitable image for the web but isn't the greatest for reprints or for on screen.  Your best bet is to set your camera for at least 1024x768.  These will be suitable for reprints, can be modified for web use, is very close to the standard 4x6 size, and most importantly will be the best size to look at on screen.  Anything higher than 1024x768 will probably be larger than your screen, but will produce higher quality prints.   They will also produce extremely large files which take longer to write and eat up space faster.  Refer to your camera's documentation details and limitations.

Photos can now be printed at many stores and on several websites.  Printing of photos directly from the website has been disabled until the new online ordering system can be rolled live.  If you would like reprints of anything appearing on the site, please contact the webmaster to place your order.

If you are planning on submitting your photos for a website or otherwise displaying them, landscape style (horizontal) photos are preferred.  For help in finding the right digital camera, try visiting Steve's Digicams and browse through the tips and reviews there.