photos 101

**Rich Pomerantz rich@richpomerantz.com>**

Hi Kate -

You've read lots of good advice so far. Know that in the United States 
FAA regulations require (yes require) inspectors to hand inspect film 
upon request. They will try to talk you out of it, and some will refuse, 
no matter how loudly you protest even if you show them a copy of the 
regulation. They best approach is first and foremost, allow LOTS of 
extra time for your check in, second, smile alot, don't be pushy or 
arrogant and if they refuse, let it go through the xray. It's better 
than missing your flight or worse, being hauled aside for suspicion of 
something.

There is no such requirement for hand inspection once you are out of the 
US.

Do NOT put your film in your checked luggage. It will likely be ruined. 
I advise against the lead bag, because if the xray technician is doing 
her job correctly, she will see a big black blob on her viewer, raise 
the power to get a better look, and keep raising it until she can see 
through the lead bag, which the machine does have the capacity to do if 
it is cranked up enough. Once that happens, your film is toast.

Low ISO film like the suggested velvia, or Kodak E100S (ISO 100, another 
pro film used by many garden shooters) or any other film ISO 400 or 
less, should not be affected by one pass through an airport check in 
machine. However, two, or three passes or more, could begin to have a 
cumulative effect. When you fly over, that's one pass. Come back, that's 
two. If you fly anywhere else with the film, you can add it up.

London has many good labs where you can have your film processed & I 
would recommend that route. I'd buy it here, so you know you have it 
(you don't want to get there & have some Murphy's law routine prevent 
you from getting the right film) process it there, then your worries are 
over. Go to the Kodak website and look for a 'Q' lab in London.

As far as actually making good publication quality photos, well for that 
I'm afraid it would take more than a few quick emails. A tripod is 
certainly a must.

Most of all, have fun!

Rich Pomerantz

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