"I blew it! None of my pictures came out!" The best way to avoid this problem is to test your camera by shooting a roll of film and having it processed before you go on a big trip or shoot any picture you really care about. The same is true if you haven’t used a camera for a long time. Get it out and dust it off. Cameras need exercise. "Sitting around is almost as hard on 'em as it is on people."

Next to pencil and paper, film is the cheapest material you use. Use it like water. Many folks will go on an expedition that costs a fortune and pinch pennies on film. Remember, it's the most important record-keeping material you have.

Keep gear simple--beware of gadgets you don't understand. Be sure you've read the instructions before you leave home.

"No man can serve two masters." It's important to concentrate on one camera and film type. Decide ahead of time whether you want to shoot slides or prints, movies, videos or stills, black and white or color.

Numbering your exposed rolls of film right from the beginning and jotting down a few specifics about each one will help the editing process when you get home.