Stop worrying about megapixels: Megapixels are over-hyped, people don’t realize that all that is changing when you go over about 8 megapixels is the size of the finished photo (which will be huge) and therefore the amount you can zoom in if you are editing it etc. Unless you are doing lots of photo editing and need to zoom in a lot, or you do really need poster-sized prints, then don’t use megapixels as the deciding factor between cameras.

Looking at total zoom: You’ll find there are two types of zoom on a digital camera. You have digital zoom which is fake and is just where software in the camera zooms in closer on the image you already have, and optical zoom which is the real zoom when the lens moves out to focus on an area. Most cameras will quote you ‘total zoom’ though which is the two numbers multiplied together, but that can mask a camera with poor optical zoom. If you have a camera with 2x optical zoom then the manufacturer can stick in a 10x digital zoom and suddenly you have 20x total zoom, the same amount as a camera with 10x optical and 2x digital zoom. So make sure you look at the optical zoom figures when you are considering how much zoom it has.

Not trying them out: While a camera might look great on paper or the computer screen, when you get it then it could be a totally different story. You might find that the LCD screen is impossible to see in sunlight, that the settings are hard to navigate, that it is uncomfortable to hold and hard to get the memory card in etc. These are the kind of things you can only find out if you actually try one out in person. This is easy enough to do though, just nip into a local store that sells the model you want and they are usually happy to let you try out a display model. Take along an SD card or whatever it takes and try it out for a bit, then take your card home and look at the quality of the pictures it took.

Those 3 tips will help you avoid the most common shopping mistakes that people make, so you can find a camera which you are comfortable with, and one which will give you some great snaps to enjoy for years to come.

If you want a funky model then consider getting a pink camera to liven things up, just remember the tips above so you pick the best one.

But look at the shots that you have compiled over the years, don’t you find the same boring shots that you have done the previous years?

It’s like cloning the shots with an entirely different set of subjects and background but the same composition and poses.

To make your beach shots unique and interesting, you have to make sure that you find things that you feel will stand out in your photo. So how do you do this? Here are some ideas that you can use for your next beach album. Happy clicking!

1. Look at the little things
The smallest things that are often not noticed by people are the usually more interesting. For one reason, it is not usually part of photos and for another, it is not usually seen as something worthy to take pictures of. But making what is small and insignificant into something big and important in your photo is the contrast that you need to make your photo very interesting.

Look for instance a shell that has a hermit crab inside it. Take photos of the sand and how the patterns are made when the sea sweeps against it.  Take a shot of your footprint on the sand or maybe a dried coconut washed ashore.

How about a coin dropped by someone or a bottle with a message inside? There are many things that you can take picture of that are not your usual subjects. Go beyond your horizon and see what your imagination and creativity can come up with.

2. Candid shots
Fire squad, all smiling shots are just boring. Although this is great for albums and family reunions, it can get tedious when done all the time, every year in fact. Take shots of your family when they are not looking. Candid shots are great in exposing your subjects personality and character.

3. Action shots
The beach is a place for fun and games and one way you can make your shots interesting is to make sure that you take shots of people doing things, playing volleyball, swimming, sunbathing. The more movement, the more interesting. Make sure though that your camera can capture the movement so you will not end up taking blurred photos. This happens often when the subject is moving.

PENTAX OPTIO W90 WATERPROOF 12.1 MP DIGITAL CAMERA BLA US $331.06 Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 5:19:21 PDT   | Watch this Item

PENTAX OPTIO W90 WATERPROOF 12.1 MP DIGITAL CAMERA GRE US $331.06 Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 5:19:24 PDT   | Watch this Item

Optiz 12MP Max. Waterproof Digital Camera Camcorder NEW US $34.00 (13 Bids) Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 6:26:50 PDT   | Watch this Item

Waterproof Digital Camera Pouch Dry Bag ski Beach Case US $1.00 Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 7:56:36 PDT   | Watch this Item

EXTREME SPORTS WATERPROOF HELMET DIGITAL CAMERA CAM DVR US $65.55 Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 8:12:22 PDT   | Watch this Item

EXTREME SPORTS WATERPROOF HELMET DIGITAL CAMERA DVR 4GB US $75.05 Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 8:12:23 PDT   | Watch this Item