Having a camera on hand as often as possible is key to capturing beautiful images, say local photographers Helmuth Kanduth and Heidi Koehler.

"If you don't have your camera with you, you can miss so many opportunities," says Koehler. "When you have the camera there, you can capture that moment.

Kanduth says, "I travel around and I see pictures.

"Sometimes you only have a split second to take a picture. I see so many beautiful things and they're fleeting."

Kanduth and Koehler's photos are on display for the month of April at the Olde Courthouse Arts Centre. Koehler showed her work in a joint exhibit with fellow Nicola Valley shutterbug John Kay Picken last year, while Kanduth is displaying his photos for the first time.

However, Kanduth, currently the vice-president of the Nicola Valley Community Arts Council, has been involved with the local arts scene for several years, but as a painter.

"I had a camera all my life, but I never really did photography," he says. Later, he adds with a laugh, "Now I'm lazy. The camera is easier to take pictures with than the paints."

Both Kanduth and Koehler agree that digital cameras have made photography much simpler and more convenient.

"There's no reason, I think, to go back to film," says Koehler. "I love the ease. There's so much more going for it."

Although film cameras can still record higher-quality images, digital cameras are quickly catching up, notes Kanduth. The ability to view photos instantly and record many more pictures than on conventional film puts digital cameras at a further advantage, adds Koehler.

Kanduth says, "You can't beat digital cameras, really."

The photographers' current exhibit at the Olde Courthouse emphasizes nature shots, including images of tigers from Koehler's time in China with her now-husband and former tiger trainer, Othmar Vohringer.

Nevertheless, most of the shots come from the Nicola Valley.

"I'm more of an opportunistic photographer," explains Kanduth. I like contrast and I like colours."