I'll be going to Star Wars Celebration V in Orlando this August and, as you would expect, I plan to take my gear and take plenty of photographs. Conventions like this bring out the photographer in everyone. Whether you are trying to build a portfolio of event photos or just capturing your memories from the show, there are many things you can do to help increase your chances of getting shots you'll be happy with.

I'll be using this space over the next few weeks to share my photography tips for anyone heading to Celebration V (or even San Diego Comic Con).

Time for the first tip:

Make sure you know how to use your camera! A big event like a convention (or any vacation) is an excuse to buy a new camera. That's great, as long as you leave yourself some time to learn how to use it before you get there.

Take some time to read the manual and try out all of the different settings. This way you can quickly make the adjustments you need once you get to the event to make sure you get the shot you were looking for.

Check back here or on Twitter for more tips!