Travel photography
Photo: Flickr user Johnathan Nightingale, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- See Modern and contemporary art for photographic exhibitions.
Whether you look at them as the most expensive photographs you've ever taken, or the least expensive souvenirs you've ever purchased... whether you "take snapshots" or "create images"... travel photography is one of the most popular activities for those who travel.
Much of this article discusses equipment for photography, because that is a relatively easy topic to explain. However, note that it is far from the most important thing in getting good photos. A good photographer gets much better photos than the average shooter, and not mainly because he or she has better equipment. Nor is the key difference greater technical skill; as Einstein put it Imagination is more important than knowledge. Of course both equipment and skill are factors, but the key is artistic vision, the ability of some photographers to think about the image they are capturing and plan a good composition. Other factors include awareness of both light and subject, a good sense of timing, and willingness to go to some trouble to get a shot; some of the best photos require things like getting up early to catch the dawn light, climbing a hill to get the best angle, or waiting for hours for animals to turn up. This is Wikivoyage's general travel photography article. Wikivoyage also has separate articles on more specific topics at Travel photography/Film, Travel photography/Full systems for interchangeable-lens cameras, and Video recording. Some travel situations have special photographic requirements; see the articles on safaris, wildlife photography, birdwatching, drones and the Northern Lights for discussion of these.
CamerasOne important choice to make is what kind of camera to purchase and/or bring along. There's no single "best" camera – or even kind of camera – for travel photography.
Building a systemFor travel, you want a camera body plus a single lens or a set of lenses that covers most or all of the types of photo you want to take without exceeding either your budget or the bulk and weight you can carry in…
StorageLonger trips or more photos require more memory, unless you bring along a laptop or another way to back up your pictures and clear your memory card.
BatteriesBatteries are an important thing to think about, because it can be extremely frustrating to run out of battery power right in the most exciting part of your trip.
AccessorizeMany photographers carry along a tripod, and even a little pen-sized model can come in handy if you want to set up timed shots of yourself and yours.g. when hiking), consider a monopod instead.
PackWith expensive photography gear, packing it properly becomes an issue. Specialized cases and bags specifically for packing cameras and lenses are available, but some are bulky and inconvenient.
MoveWith fragile Super-8 film cameras and bulky VHS cameras receding into ancient history, smartphones and digital cameras have made it more practical than ever to take moving pictures of your travels.
ComposeThe basic principles of photographic composition are surprisingly easy to learn, but they will improve your photography a great deal.
PoseSome people get their travel companions into every picture. Others focus exclusively on the places. Try to strike a balance.
RespectAt natural sights, concerts, sport events and in many other context, your camera (or even worse: your tablet) may obstruct the view for some of the rest of the spectators, or otherwise intrude on their experience.
Stay safePhotography equipment can be expensive and the pictures you've already taken at any point in your trip are effectively irreplaceable, so it's always wise to consider their safety when traveling.
Photo tour companiesFor those wishing to travel on a dedicated photography trip, there are companies that cater to this market.
Further learningMany people seem quite willing to spend large amounts on equipment and put a lot of time into photography, yet are reluctant to spend moderate amounts of time and money on training. This seems, to say the least, odd.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Travel photography" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Flickr user Johnathan Nightingale, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons