NEWSLETTER
November 29, 2005
Hello again from your
friends at Arizona Highways Photo Workshops. We hope that you had
a peaceful Thanksgiving and that you were able to spend it with
loved ones. We are busy preparing trips for 2006 and don't have
much other news to report at the moment, so we will keep this issue
short and sweet.
PHOTO TIP - FLYING WITH FILM
Here's a reminder for those of you film users who are flying this
holiday season. New X-ray levels post-9/11 mean that sending undeveloped
film in checked luggage will definitely lead to fogging of your
film. Even the X-ray station at the entry to the boarding areas
can have a detrimental effect. Here are some steps to take to be
on the safe side, and some other advice:
- At home, remove film from any packaging like paper boxes, foil
wrappers and plastic canisters.
- Put the film in clear, sealable plastic bags.
- Make sure there is no film in your camera or pre-loaded in
film backs or film holders in case security insists on putting
them through X-ray.
- Arrive at the airport a little bit early.
- When about to go through the metal detector ask for a "hand-check"
of your film. A hand-check means that airport screeners will visually
inspect the film and may swab it to make sure it doesn't contain
explosives. The goal is to make that process take as little time
as possible for both you and the screener.
- Some screeners may insist that films between ISO 50 to ISO
800 can safely go through X-ray. Having one roll of 1600 or even
3200-speed film, which is more susceptible to fogging, will almost
ensure a hand-check of all film. X-rays are also cumulative, so
if appropriate you can tell them the film has been through or
will need to go through multiple X-ray machines.
- The obvious goal is to minimize X-ray exposure, so if a screener
is particularly testy and is reluctant to hand-check your film,
tell them politely that the TSA regulations require them to hand-check
ANY film that they are asked to hand-check. Being non-confrontational
but knowing your rights is your best bet. Think about putting
a copy of the TSA regulations regarding film in your pocket so
you can be in a stronger position (see the link below). Some of
the slower speed films might be able to go through X-ray machines
up to 5 times before showing noticeable exposure, but it is always
best to keep your film away from X-rays.
- Try to get the film processed before returning home, or ship
it home via a shipping company like FedEx or UPS. Or simply repeat
the steps above and ask for a hand-check on your return flight.
- Hand-checking is more common domestically. International destinations
may not offer that option, so if flying overseas you may want
to ship your film ahead to your destination.
- If you are going on one of our workshops and it starts
in Phoenix, you can ship film to our office so you don't have
to deal with the X-ray machine.
- Traveling alone can be difficult because screeners often insist
on sending your other bags through X-ray while your film is being
hand-checked. So one of your carry-ons and your shoes could be
waiting unguarded while your film is being examined. Don't forget
to keep an eye on your other items so no one walks off with them.
- And of course one bonus of using digital cameras is that digital
users don't have to deal with hand-checking, since memory cards
are unaffected by the X-ray process.
If you're curious about
what the Transportation Security Administration's advises when it
comes to transporting film, you can visit here:
www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1035.xml
SHARING WEBSITES
One of the most rewarding parts of conducting workshops is seeing
our students' outstanding images. Here are a few more terrific sites
our participants have put together. We hope you like them!
Kevin Dyer
www.aworldinfocus.com/
Michael McNulty www.heroicbotanicals.com/heroic/
Peter Legge www.leggephoto.com/
Kevin Zarmer www.zarmer.net/pix/NRimCanyonViewSite/
and www.zarmer.net/pix/NRimFallColorsSite/
LOST AND FOUND
Found on the Slot Canyons workshop in September:
- The book "Wildfire" by Scott Thybony
- A black tripod case with brown handles
- "Under the Tuscan Sun" by Frances Mayes
Found on the Chiricahuas workshop:
- Small pair of leg gaitors
Please call to claim. Items will be held for three months before
we try to find them a good home.
Thank you for your continued interest in the workshops and have
a wonderful holiday season!
Robyn Noll
Director
Friends of Arizona Highways
2039 W. Lewis Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85009
Phone: toll-free (888) 790-7042
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