Puerto Vallarta: Cameras & Photography

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Cameras & Photography

Majestic vistas and quaint cityscapes make Puerto Vallarta and environs a photographer's dream. Although Mexicans generally don't mind having picture-taking visitors in their midst, you should always ask permission before taking pictures in churches or of individuals. People who can really use the money may ask you for a propina, or tip, in which case 5 to 10 pesos is customary. Also, unless you're a spy, don't snap pictures of military or high-security installations anywhere in the country. It's forbidden.

If you're bashful about approaching strangers, photograph people with whom you interact: your waiter, your desk clerk, the vendor selling you crafts. Even better, have a traveling companion or a passerby photograph you with them. Digital cameras make it possible to share the photo, at least for a moment, with your subject, and most people really enjoy seeing themselves in your camera. For the purpose of taking photos of indigenous people such as the Huichol, a tour is the way to go, as tour operators will have gained permission ahead of time for photographs to be taken.

To avoid the blurriness caused by shaky hands, get a minitripod -- they're available in sizes as small as 6 inches. Buy a small beanbag to support your camera on uneven surfaces. If you plan to take photos on some of the region's many beaches, bring a skylight, 81B, 81C, or polarizing filter to minimize haze and light problems. If you're visiting forested areas, bring high-speed film or a digital camera to compensate for low light under the tree canopy and invest in a telephoto lens to photograph wildlife; standard zoom lenses in the 35-88 range won't capture enough detail.

Casual photographers should consider using inexpensive disposable cameras to reduce the risks inherent in traveling with sophisticated equipment. One-use cameras with panoramic or underwater functions are also nice supplements to a standard camera and its gear.

Film & Developing

Color print film -- especially Kodak and Fuji brands -- is fairly easy to find in Mexico, but black and white or slide film is not. If purchased in a major city, a roll of 36-exposure print film costs about the same as in the United States; the price is slightly higher in tourist spots and in more remote places. Advantix is available in Mexico, although developing may take one or two days. It's a good idea to pack more film and, for digital cameras, a larger memory card than you think you'll need. One-hour and overnight film developing is fairly common.

Videos

Videotapes are good quality and are easy to find in urban areas. The local standard in Mexico is the same as in the United States: that is, all videos are NTSC (National Television Standards Committee). The best places to buy tapes are Sanborns restaurant-shops (they're all over the place), major pharmacies, photo shops, and at American outlet stores like Wal-Mart and Costco. A 120-minute tape costs about $3.