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Bermuda Photography

Glorious - but bring camera, films and equipment

By Keith Archibald Forbes (see About Us) exclusively for Bermuda Online

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Photo taken in Bermuda with Kodak film, exclusively for Bermuda Online by author Keith Archibald Forbes

Work Permit required if not Bermudian and photographing professionally

Most photographers will find that 200 ASA film is fine for year-round photography, but with the very bright and glaring day light locally, ASA 100 is recommended for outdoor photography in the months April-October. If you are not a tourist taking pictures for your own or family use only, you will need a Work Permit. This applies if you are a non-Bermudian professional media writer and/or photographer and come to undertake any assignment for anyone or on behalf of any organization or company. Bermuda is not US or Canadian (or British for Work Permit purposes) and its own Work Permit laws are much stricter than in the UK. A Work Permit should be arranged well beforehand by yourself if self-employed overseas or by your overseas employer or local representative/client.

This is a requirement of Bermuda Government laws (British/UK laws do not apply in Bermuda). For those who still use film, not digital, bring your cameras, all equipment and a good supply of film. I In Bermuda, where no film is manufactured and all consumer goods are imported, single 35mm films of standard ASA 100 or 200 normally cost twice or more than in in North America. Digital cameras are similarly much more expensive in Bermuda and their warranties will be shorter than in the USA or Canada.

Cameras and batteries

Digital cameras are in two types (a) digital single lens reflex (SLR) and (b) lower-priced digitals which are not SLR. Recommended in (a) are various cameras including the Canon EOS 350D, Canon EOS 20D, Konica Minolta Dynax 5D.Pentax ist DL, Nikon D50 Silver and Olympus E300.  

Recommended in (b) is the Fujifilm FinePix S5200 - shown here, an SLR-look alike. For non-digital, a CR2 lithium battery is far less expensive in USA than in Bermuda. Cameras too are expensive in Bermuda compared to the USA and Canada, and their warranties may be lower in period of time compared to North America. Know in advance that many SLRs are (a) no more expensive than a good compact camera and (b) no longer the heavy objects they once were. 

There are also video cameras, 35 mm compacts and APS cameras. Surprisingly, many North Americans today are not familiar with the Argus brand of 35 mm cameras from Chicago, USA, remarkably good value for money. 

Photo taken in Bermuda exclusively for Bermuda Online by author Keith Archibald Forbes

Film choices and processing for 35 mm non-digital film cameras 

• Fuji and Kodak are readily available locally.
• Konica - hard to find in Bermuda. 
• About US$ 28 for a 24 exposure 35 millimeter film with same day service, compared to one quarter of this or less in Canada, the USA and United Kingdom. Saving to a CD is possible from several for a further $15 (compared to £3 or so in UK and about $5 in North America). There are a number of outlets. 

Photo taken in Bermuda exclusively for Bermuda Online by author Keith Archibald Forbes

Fogging by airport x-rays can be a problem

Basic considerations after 9/11. Before September 11, 2001, when life and travel were less complicated, you had no trouble having your unexposed film hand-inspected at airport security checkpoints. Hand-inspections bypassed the x-ray machine and instead a baggage screener examined the film manually.

Photo taken in Bermuda exclusively for Bermuda Online by author Keith Archibald Forbes

Nowadays, it is not common knowledge that hand-inspection of films is still allowed. If you insist on it to avoid fogging of your unprocessed film, and can show a media or press card to prove it, ask baggage screeners you encounter both in the USA when you come and in Bermuda when you go, to hand-inspect your film. 

Federal Aviation Administration officials in the USA still allow hand inspection and airlines in Canada, the United Kingdom (before you arrive) and Bermuda (when you leave) are supposed to comply with FAA regulations and guidelines in every respect. But be warned that despite the FAA policy remaining, you may get some over-zealous official in or beyond Bermuda refusing. Don't believe British/UK pre-boarding inspection officials at Gatwick or Heathrow Airports who will tell you glibly that no fogging will occur of films under 2,000 ASA. (This author knows from personal experience that British Airport Authority machines will fog the first 6-6 shots of film at 100 and 200 ASA). In which case, ask for a more senior person; be polite and cooperative; if necessary, note the date, time and airport location for a report (in the USA only) to the Transport Security Administration hotline at 1-800 255-111. 

And remember these tips:

• Show your press or media ID and passport. (Do not attempt the hand-inspection if you do not have both. Other forms of ID are not acceptable).

• Never put unprocessed film in checked luggage, always place it in your carry-on bag.

• Use clear plastic canisters only. Or place film in clear Ziploc or similar bags. Don't use black canisters. Don't risk missing a flight because of a search through the latter.

• All film is liable to be damaged by the new x-rays, especially those over 400 ASA. At London Gatwick airport, officials will tell you that the scanners there are capable of accepting films of up to 2000 ASA without damage. Don't believe them, the first ten shots of this author's ASA 200 films were ruined by the scanner on 28 December 2002.

• The faster the film (in ASA), the more likely it is to be fogged by X-rays.

• Kodak has lots of additional suggestions for protecting film and data from the effects of x-rays. It is recommended you read them carefully.

Photo taken in Bermuda with Kodak film, exclusively for Bermuda Online by author Keith Archibald Forbes

Photo taken in Bermuda exclusively for Bermuda Online by author Keith Archibald Forbes