Everyone has taken the typical vacation shots, such as the kids playing on the beach or in the hotel pool, the "I was there" postcard-type shots from the scenic overlooks, the tourist-type events that can be found anywhere people go to vacation, and so on. With your digital camera and a bit of creativity, you can bring home vacation photos that are a step above the rest and don't match your neighbor's photos from the same place the previous year.

Historic buildings

When on vacation, most of us like to visit historic buildings. We come back with the grab shots that are a dime a dozen. Here you'll see a few examples of what a bit of ingenuity can provide, should you visit Thomas Jefferson's Monticello estate in Virginia or anywhere else in the world.

When you're touring, you often need to be content with whatever weather conditions nature provides. This is especially true when on a guided tour with only so much time at an attraction. Jefferson enjoyed gardening as a hobby, and today Monticello reflects his passion. Why not combine the gardens with his home for a different type of shot?

Set your camera on a tripod and maneuver it carefully into the edge of the garden area so the building appears in the background. Use a wide-angle setting on your lens or use a wide-angle attachment for the best effect; select a small aperture so the foreground and background are both sharp; and, if you're there on a sunny day, use a polarizer to improve the colors and render the sky a pleasant blue color.

If you don't have the time or inclination to use your tripod, find a wall or bench to use as a make-shift tripod to stabilize your shot.

After you've got the garden shot, zoom your lens to a telephoto setting or use your telephoto auxiliary lens to extend your range and zoom in on the most interesting architectural details on the building itself. You can come up with an unlimited variety of shots on an interesting building conveying the structure's character and the care Jefferson's artisans employed a few centuries ago.

Silhouettes

When the sun is going down and before the building lights turn on, set your camera on a tripod and position yourself where light is striking the building from behind to create an outline. Meter-on the light areas so the shaded side goes dark, and then lock your exposure in by pressing the shutter button down halfway, recompose your shot, and you have your silhouette. In this situation, don't use your flash.

Be sure to select a view that emphasizes the features of the building you're silhouetting or something unique to the structure, or you'll end up with just another black block. As with other vacation photos, vary your angle and shoot lots of different shots. You can edit them later to keep the winners and discard the "blah" shots.

Waterfalls

For most, thinking of waterfalls conjures Niagara Falls or other world-famous cataracts, but hundreds of smaller waterfalls beckon the vacationer who gets off the beaten path to seek them out. There are waterfalls available in countless national and state parks that offer just as exciting photographic opportunities.

Set your camera on a tripod, find an effective location, add a polarizing or neutral density filter, and slow your shutter speed down to 1/4 second or slower to provide the free-flowing effect. A faster shutter speed stops the water entirely, removing the flowing effect. Experiment with your shutter speed to determine which effect you prefer. An overcast day is best because it provides even lighting and enables you to use a slower shutter speed, perhaps without a neutral density filter.

A polarizing filter is effective even on a cloudy day because it cuts the light down by 1 1/2 to 2 stops, enabling you to use a slower shutter speed for an improved flow effect without overexposure.

When you're out in a hilly or mountainous area, look for waterfalls from the tiniest streams to the larger torrents, and give them all a try. The possibilities are endless!

Don't forget your cell phone

If you don't have a camera handy, you can always use your cell phone in a pinch. Today, most cell phones have built-in cameras, and some models boast resolutions that rival standalone point-and-shoots!

When shooting with your cell phone, be aware of its limitations. Most cell phone cameras lack an optical zoom, so you may have to move around a bit to find an ideal shooting position. In addition, cell phone cameras typically have smaller image sensors, which can result in increased noise when shooting in low light situations.

You can also use your cell phone as a complement to your digital camera. For example, consider using your cell phone to send vacation shots to friends and family back home or upload them to your favorite photo or social networking site so that others can follow along on your adventures.

If you have an Apple® iPhone or iPod Touch, you may also want to try the HP iPrint Photo application, which lets you print photos from your iPhone/iPod Touch to most HP networked ink jet printers connected to a local WiFi network.

Printing your vacation photos

When you return from your vacation, chances are you will want to print at least a few of your favorite shots to frame, put in a photo album or perhaps use in a scrapbook.

These days, you have a whole host of options available when it comes to printing your digital photos. If you have a photo printer at home, all you have to do is upload your pictures to your computer, select a few settings and print. Many photo printers also accept memory cards and support PictBridge direct printing, which lets you print pictures directly from your digital camera to your printer.

Visit the Print better photos: Digital photo printing tips and ideas web page to discover everything you need for great digital photo printing.

If you don't have a photo printer at home, consider an online photo sharing and printing service, such as Snapfish, which lets you upload and share your photos, order prints and even create personalized gifts. In addition, you can also order prints from your favorite photo lab, or print your own from self-service photo kiosks.

1. If you're in the market for a new printer, consult the HP Photosmart photo printer buying guide to find the perfect printer for your needs.