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What is Travel Photography and Why is it Important?

What is Travel Photography?

When you think of travel photography, what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s the iconic shot of a lone traveler standing on the edge of a cliff, gazing out at a breathtaking view. Or maybe it’s the candid photo of a family laughing and playing in the surf. Whatever it is, travel photography is a genre of photography that captures the essence of travel – the people, the places, and the experiences that make travel so special.

In this article, we’ll explore what travel photography is, why it’s so popular, and how you can get started taking your own amazing travel photos. We’ll also provide tips on how to improve your travel photography skills, and share some of our favorite travel photography examples. So whether you’re a seasoned traveler or you’re just starting to plan your next trip, read on for everything you need to know about travel photography!

Travel photography is a genre of photography that captures the people, places, and cultures of the world. It is a way to document and share travel experiences with others, and it can also be a form of artistic expression.

Travel photography has a long and rich history, dating back to the early days of photography. In the 19th century, photographers such as William Henry Fox Talbot and Julia Margaret Cameron traveled the world, capturing images of the people and places they encountered. In the 20th century, travel photography became increasingly popular, as more and more people began to travel for pleasure.

Today, travel photography is a major part of the photography industry. There are many travel photography competitions and magazines, and there are also a number of online resources dedicated to the genre.

History of Travel Photography

The origins of travel photography can be traced back to the early days of photography. In the 1830s, William Henry Fox Talbot invented the calotype process, which made it possible to produce multiple copies of a photograph. This made photography more accessible and affordable, and it led to a surge in interest in travel photography.

In the 19th century, photographers such as William Henry Fox Talbot and Julia Margaret Cameron traveled the world, capturing images of the people and places they encountered. These images were often used to document the cultures and customs of far-off lands.

In the 20th century, travel photography became increasingly popular, as more and more people began to travel for pleasure. In the early days of air travel, photographers would often document their journeys by taking photographs of the people and places they visited.

In the 1950s and 1960s, travel photography became increasingly artistic. Photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Robert Frank used travel photography to explore the human condition and to document the social and political changes of the time.

In the 1970s and 1980s, travel photography became more commercial. Photographers began to work for travel magazines and tourism boards, and they produced images that were designed to promote travel destinations.

In the 1990s and 2000s, travel photography became increasingly digital. With the advent of digital cameras, photographers were able to take high-quality photographs without the need for bulky film cameras and darkrooms. This made travel photography more accessible than ever before, and it led to a surge in the popularity of the genre.

Development of Travel Photography in the 20th Century

The 20th century saw a dramatic increase in the popularity of travel photography. This was due to a number of factors, including the rise of mass tourism, the development of new photographic technologies, and the increasing importance of visual media in society.

The rise of mass tourism

In the early 20th century, travel became increasingly affordable and accessible for people from all walks of life. This led to a boom in the travel industry, and it also led to a surge in the popularity of travel photography.

The development of new photographic technologies

The development of new photographic technologies also played a role in the increasing popularity of travel photography. In the early days of photography, cameras were bulky and expensive, and they required a lot of technical knowledge to use. However, by the mid-20th century, cameras had become much smaller and more affordable, and they were easier to use. This made it possible for more people to take photographs of their travels, and it also led to a new level of creativity in travel photography.

The increasing importance of visual media in society

The increasing importance of visual media in society also played a role in the increasing popularity of travel photography. In the early 20th century, photography was still a relatively new medium, but by the mid-century it had become an essential part of journalism, advertising, and entertainment. This meant that there was a growing demand for travel photographs, and it also led to a new level of awareness of the power of photography to communicate ideas and emotions.

The rise of digital travel photography

The 21st century has seen the rise of digital travel photography. Digital cameras have revolutionized the way that photographs are taken, processed, and shared. This has made it possible for anyone to take high-quality photographs, and it has also made it easier to share photographs with others.

Digital travel photography has also led to a new level of creativity in the genre. Photographers are now able to experiment with different techniques and styles, and they are able to share their work with a wider audience than ever before.

**Elements of Travel Photography

What Is Travel Photography?

Travel photography is a genre of photography that captures the people, places, and experiences of travel. It can be used to document a journey, share a story, or simply capture a moment in time.

Travel photography can be done anywhere in the world, and it can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. Whether you’re taking photos of iconic landmarks, local street scenes, or the people you meet along the way, travel photography is a great way to capture the beauty and wonder of the world.

Types of Travel Photography

There are many different types of travel photography, and the type of photography you choose to do will depend on your interests and goals. Some of the most popular types of travel photography include:

• Landscape photography: This type of photography focuses on capturing the natural beauty of a location. Landscape photographers often use wide-angle lenses to capture sweeping vistas and dramatic landscapes.
• Street photography: This type of photography captures the everyday life of people in a particular location. Street photographers often use candid photography to capture moments that are both spontaneous and revealing.
• Portrait photography: This type of photography focuses on capturing the likeness of a person or group of people. Portrait photographers often use studio lighting and flattering poses to create images that are both stylish and memorable.
• Documentary photography: This type of photography documents a particular event or journey. Documentary photographers often use a photojournalistic approach to capture images that are both informative and engaging.

Techniques for Travel Photography

There are a number of techniques that can be used to improve your travel photography. Some of the most important techniques include:

• Using a tripod: A tripod can help you to take sharp photos in low-light conditions and avoid camera shake.
• Using a wide-angle lens: A wide-angle lens can help you to capture sweeping vistas and dramatic landscapes.
• Using a telephoto lens: A telephoto lens can help you to isolate subjects and create a sense of depth.
• Using a flash: A flash can help you to illuminate subjects in low-light conditions.

Tips for Travel Photography

In addition to the techniques listed above, there are a few other tips that can help you to improve your travel photography:

• Plan your trip: Before you leave on your trip, do some research to identify the places you want to photograph. This will help you to make the most of your time and ensure that you don’t miss any of the best photo opportunities.
• Be prepared for anything: When you’re traveling, you never know what’s going to happen. Be prepared for anything, from changing weather conditions to unexpected delays. This will help you to stay calm and focused, even when things don’t go according to plan.
• Get up early and stay late: The best light for photography is often early in the morning and late in the evening. If you’re willing to get up before the sun rises and stay out after it sets, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most stunning photos of your trip.
• Talk to locals: One of the best ways to learn about a new place is to talk to the locals. They can tell you about the hidden gems, the best places to eat, and the best times to visit. They can also give you some great tips on photography.
• Share your photos: Once you’ve taken some great photos, share them with the world! Post them on social media, share them with your friends and family, or submit them to a photography contest. Sharing your photos is a great way to connect with other photographers and inspire others to travel.

In addition to the tips listed above, there are a number of specific techniques that can be used to improve your travel photography. Some of the most important techniques include:

• Using a tripod: A tripod can help you to take sharp photos in low-light conditions and avoid camera shake. When using a tripod, make sure that it is stable and level. You may also want to use a remote shutter release to avoid camera shake.
• Using a wide-angle lens: A wide-angle lens can help you to capture sweeping vistas and dramatic landscapes. When using a wide-angle lens, be careful not to let your foreground elements overwhelm your subject. You may also want to use a polarizing filter to reduce glare and improve contrast.
• Using a telephoto lens: A telephoto lens can help you to isolate subjects and create a sense of depth. When using a telephoto lens, be careful not to let your subject become too small in the frame. You may also want to use a tripod to avoid camera shake.

Travel photography is the art of capturing the beauty and wonder of travel experiences through photographs. It can be a way to document your own journeys, share your experiences with others, or simply create beautiful images that can be enjoyed for years to come.

What are the different types of travel photography?

There are many different types of travel photography, each with its own unique set of challenges and rewards. Some of the most popular types of travel photography include:

• Landscape photography: Capturing the beauty of natural landscapes is a popular type of travel photography. This can involve photographing mountains, forests, beaches, deserts, and other natural wonders.
• Cityscape photography: Capturing the sights and sounds of a city is another popular type of travel photography. This can involve photographing city streets, landmarks, and other urban features.
• Street photography: Capturing candid moments of everyday life is a type of travel photography that can be both challenging and rewarding. This can involve photographing people, animals, and other everyday scenes.
• Cultural photography: Capturing the unique cultures of different countries and regions is a type of travel photography that can help to promote understanding and appreciation between cultures. This can involve photographing people, traditions, and other cultural aspects.

What are the essential elements of good travel photography?

There are a few essential elements that all good travel photography should have:

• Composition: The composition of a photograph is the arrangement of the elements within the frame. A well-composed photograph will have a strong sense of balance and visual interest.
• Lighting: The lighting in a photograph can make or break the image. Good lighting can help to create a sense of atmosphere and mood, and can also help to highlight the subject matter.
• Focus: The focus of a photograph is the area of the image that is sharpest. A well-focused photograph will have a clear and sharp subject, while the rest of the image will be blurred.
• Exposure: The exposure of a photograph is the amount of light that is recorded by the camera sensor. A well-exposed photograph will have a good balance between highlights and shadows, and will not be too dark or too light.
• Post-processing: Post-processing is the process of editing and enhancing a photograph after it has been taken. This can involve cropping, adjusting the exposure and white balance, adding filters, and other effects.

What are some tips for taking great travel photographs?

Here are a few tips for taking great travel photographs:

• Plan your shots in advance. Before you set out on your trip, take some time to think about the types of photographs you want to take. This will help you to focus your efforts and make the most of your time.
• Be aware of your surroundings. When you’re out taking photographs, be aware of the people, animals, and other elements in your surroundings. This will help you to avoid taking photos that are cluttered or distracting.
• Experiment with different perspectives. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different perspectives when taking photographs. This can involve shooting from different angles, using different lenses, and getting close to your subject matter.
• Take your time. Don’t rush through taking your photographs. Take your time to compose your shots and make sure that you’re happy with the results.
• Have fun! The most important thing is to have fun taking your photographs. If you’re enjoying yourself, your photos will be more likely to turn out great.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when taking travel photographs?

Here are a few common mistakes to avoid when taking travel photographs:

• Taking too many photos. It’s easy to get carried away when taking photographs on vacation, but it’s important to remember that quality is more important than quantity. Don’t take so many photos that you end up with a lot of blurry, poorly composed images.
• Using the wrong settings. Make sure that you understand the settings on your camera before you start taking pictures. This will help you to avoid taking photos that are too dark, too light, or out of focus.
• Not paying attention to the background. The background of your photographs can be just as important as the subject matter. Make sure that the background is clean and uncluttered, and that it doesn’t distract from the subject of your photograph.
• Not editing your photos. Post-processing is an important part of the photography process. Take some time to edit your photos after you’ve taken them to improve the quality and make them more visually appealing.

Where can I learn more about travel photography?

There are many

travel photography is a genre of photography that captures the essence of a place and its people. It can be used to document a journey, share a story, or simply evoke a sense of wanderlust. Whether you’re a professional photographer or just an amateur with a camera, travel photography is a great way to explore the world and share your experiences with others.

Here are some key takeaways from the article:

• Travel photography is about more than just taking pictures. It’s about capturing the essence of a place and its people.
• There are many different ways to approach travel photography. You can document your journey, share a story, or simply evoke a sense of wanderlust.
• No matter how you approach it, travel photography is a great way to explore the world and share your experiences with others.

So next time you’re planning a trip, don’t forget to bring your camera! You might just capture some amazing images that will last a lifetime.

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Photography Explained Podcast

What is travel photography.

Hi, everybody. Welcome to Episode 38 of the Photography Explained Podcast. In this episode, what is travel photography?

I’m your host, Rick, and each week I will try to explain one photographic thing to you in plain English in less than 10 minutes without the irrelevant details. My aim is to explain things in just enough detail to help you and me with our photography, and no more.

I’m a professionally qualified photographer based in England with a lifetime of photographic experience, which I share with you on my podcast.

Yes, I’m on episode 38. And I’m still having to read that out. Anyway, this is a good one. One of my favourite things.

What is travel photography?

Travel photography is the art of capturing all aspects of a place to inspire others to go there. Travel photography captures and conveys the physical location, landscape, people, and culture. Travel photography educates people not able to visit a location by providing interesting and informative photographs that convey what a place is really like.

Travel photography should make you want to be in that place. This is what travel photography is to me. Okay, all my own words there.

I did have a look on Google to see how people define travel photography, and mine’s better, even if I do say so myself.

Anyway, travel photography is one of my favourite genres of photography. So I’m excited to talk about this in my podcast.

You can listen to the episode here

Or keep on reading. or do both. entirely up to you, 1 what is travel photography used for.

As with landscape photography, all sorts of publications and websites use travel photography – it is potentially anywhere you look. I mean, any photo you’ve seen on any holiday brochure, any travel magazine, or anything about travel really.

That’s travel photography.

Travel photography images are also used a lot in stock where there is a big, big demand these days for travel images. And if you go on Instagram, places like that, spoiler alert, I’ll get on to that later, you will see endless, wonderful examples of travel photography.

2 What is the difference between landscape photography, and travel photography

Now then, this is one of those things I had to think about for a bit. Landscape photography is about capturing the physical environment of a place. I’m using the word place because there are lots of other words you can use, but I’m trying to keep it simple and to the point, so place works for me.

Landscape photography is about capturing the physical environment of a place.

Travel photography is about capturing that plus the whole essence of a place. Travel photography is about capturing the physical environment, and also the soul and heart of a place.

As I said before, excellent travel photography makes you want to be there. That is the difference for me.

3 Why do I love travel photography?

It’s not a good enough answer. Of course, it’s not. Well, travel photography combines two of my favourite things which are travel and photography.

One of my favourite things to do on holiday is to get up early and photograph and video the sunrise. I do this on every holiday, not every morning but a couple of mornings in a two-week holiday is fine.

And what this has done, it’s got me out and I witness things that others do not. Quite often there’s nobody else there. It’s just me watching that sunrise.

Now if I wasn’t into my photography, I wouldn’t see these things. So it’s given me things to see on holiday that others don’t see. It also gets me out into less obvious places, rather than going to the obvious tourist locations.

I hire a car, drive off into the middle of nowhere, park up somewhere and go and wander. Very rarely do I see other people on my own travels.

No, I’m not a loner. I’m comfortable with my own space. So travel photography gives me freedom and exploration and a reason to do it.

4 Who do I take travel photos for?

Not strictly true. I have some other websites. Yes, more websites. More on this later.

5 Can you make a living from travel photography?

You can. And you could probably make a very good living from travel photography. But I would imagine it’s a very, very competitive space. It’s such a broad space, so many people doing it. As you’ll see on Instagram, the endless endless scrolling of amazing travel photographs is quite incredible.

6 Do you need specialist knowledge?

No, you do not. Anyone can do this. knowledge will help you, knowledge of taking photos, processing, the outdoors, and travel locations.

But more importantly, in my book, the determination to find new places as in, get off the beaten track, find new things, and photograph new things.

7 Do you need specialist gear?

No, you do not. Anyone can do this, I would recommend a lightweight camera, I use a Micro Four Thirds camera for my travel photography. And it’s fantastic. It’s an Olympus EM5 Mk 2. No, I’m not being paid to say that. I bought it. And I love it.

And that’s what I use to travel.

Another thing I would say is you don’t need specialist gear necessarily, but the right camera bag will make a massive difference. I use a backpack for my camera stuff, which I also use for hand luggage, funnily enough.

Again, not being paid to say this is – it is a Peak Design Everyday Backpack – had it for a few years and love it.

8 How’d you process travel photos?

With freedom and creativity. Do what you want to do. That’s something I love doing, having the freedom. Like I’ve said before, I love doing my commercial photography work. But when I get the chance to just process photos for myself in Lightroom I just love it.

It’s just great. It’s liberating it’s freedom. Do what you want. I’m sure I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again no harm in it. I get a technically correct photo of something first. And then I, well, I might not always, but sometimes I will go and do something different something a bit funkier have a play, enjoy. But I get the good photo first.

9 How do I start as a travel photographer?

Go out and take photos. It can be where you live as well. Now when we think about travel photography, or maybe it’s just me, I think about that as being me being abroad.

But if you think about it, if I took some photos on my local beach, that’s travel photography, because not everybody lives where I do.

So why not? Travel photography can include where you are nothing wrong with that.

Okay. But as I said before, try to take different things. Don’t do the same as everybody else. Find your own little techniques, and compositions, and photograph things from different viewpoints.

And also share them everywhere. Get yourself and your photos out there in that mad world of Instagram, Pinterest, and all the other social media places of inspiration.

10 Do I need to be qualified?

Or do you need to be qualified? Depending on how you look at this? No, you do not.

11 A word from me about my travel photography.

Well, as it happens, I have two travel photography websites. One of them is called Photos of Santorini , which is quite literally a travel photography website where I write about the photos I took on this wonderful Greek island.

I also have Paxos Travel Guide (not pack sauce travel guide.com as the transcript heard it!) this is more of a travel guide than a photography guide. And I haven’t even managed to add on the photos, yet which is a shame, another job on my list.

But there you go.

That’s two travel websites I have already created. So as you can see, this is something that well, I don’t just love doing it. I have done it and done it a lot. And I also have lots of photos from lots of other fantastic locations which I’m very grateful for

Okay, a quick recap

My one-line summary. Great travel photography makes you want to be there. That is it for me.

So, what do I want you to do now?

1 Do this one thing.

Go out and take some travel photos. Try to convey the meaning of a place in one photo.

2 Let me know how you get on

On Twitter @rickphoto. Share a photo if you want. I’d love to see them.

3 Subscribe to my podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode. This helps me.

4 Rate and review my podcast.

Again, only if you enjoyed this episode. This also helps me.

5 Tell someone you know about my podcast. This also helps me very much.

Okay, next episode..

I’m going to learn to speak before the next episode where I’m going to try to do street photography. Now, I don’t know much about street photography, I don’t really know what it means – I tend to dismiss it, wrongly.

So I’m going to do some work on this one, which I’m going to do right after I finish recording this and then we’ll see what I find out and learn, which I’m looking forward to sharing with you.

Photography Explained Podcast Episode 39 – What Is Street Photography?

Thank you very much for listening to my small but perfectly formed podcast. Check out my website Rick McEvoy Photography where you can find out all about me and my architectural and construction photography work as well as my weekly blog .

And check out my other websites Photos of Santorini and Paxos Travel Guide . You can also check out the Photography Explained Podcast website where you can find out how to ask me a question, find a list of episodes, and also things I’m going to explain in future episodes.

Over time so badly

This episode was brought to you by a very nice cheese and pickle sandwich and a bag of cheese and onion crisps.

I’ve been Rick McEvoy. Thanks again very much for listening to me and for giving me 12 minutes of your valuable time. I’ll see you in the next episode.

Cheers from me Rick (not Eric as the transcript thinks!)

OK – that was the podcast episode.

Want to know more?

Head over to the Start page on the Photography Explained Podcast website to find out more.

And here is the list of episodes published to date – you can listen to any episode straight from this page which is nice.

Let me know if there is a photography thing that you want me to explain and I will add it to my list. Just head over to the This is my list of things to explain page of this website to see what is on there already.

Let me send you stuff

I send out a weekly email to my subscribers. It is my take on one photography thing, plus what I have been writing and talking about. Just fill in the box and you can get my weekly photographic musings straight to your inbox. Which is nice.

And finally a little bit about me

Finally, yes this paragraph is all about me – check out my Rick McEvoy Photography website to find out more about me and my architectural, construction, real estate and travel photography work. I also write about general photography stuff, all in plain English without the irrelevant detail.

Thanks for listening to my podcast (if you did) and reading this blog post (which I assume you have done as you are reading this).

Cheers from me Rick

Rick McEvoy

I am the creator of the Photography Explained podcast. I am a photographer, podcaster and blogger. I am professionally qualified in both photography and construction. I have over 30 years of photography expereience and specialise in architectural photography and construction photography.

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The Complete Guide to Travel Photography

By Megan Spurrell

As travelers, our cameras can feel like a fifth limb—an essential tool with which to move through the world and absorb new experiences. They make it possible to document the people we meet. They provide tangible memories of the remarkable beauty we travel so far to see. Ultimately, they help us communicate what words cannot.

In the digital era, the tie between travel and photography feels more innate than ever. Photography has become more accessible and affordable to dabble in (who even needs a real camera with phones these days? ). On the flip side, it can feel as if documenting and sharing our travel experiences has become half of the seeing itself. In her essay on pushing herself to take a photo-free trip , Allie Jones asks a question we can all relate to: “If you visit a trendy upstate New York museum and don’t take any photos, were you ever really there?”

As the routine of snapping and sharing becomes as habitual as rinse and repeat, others urge us to become more thoughtful with our travel photography. Just because we can photograph and share everything, in a matter of seconds, doesn’t mean we need to. In his feature, Tyler Moss explores the #nogeotag movement , and looks at just how our photo sharing can drastically alter a destination—and decide who gets to experience it. For professional photographers Gray Malin and Alex Strohl , the “how” of nailing their iconic travel photographs has relied more on patience, and analog techniques like driving massive props cross-country, or waiting for the perfect shot in sub-zero temps, than on any new developments.

And, just in case you were starting to let your Instagram feed convince you that you’ve seen it all, we’ve pulled in photo studies from photographers whose work we can’t help but ogle. Jessica Sarkodie shares a refreshing look at the unspoiled beaches of her native Ghana. Cedric Angeles flew to Mongolia for a peek inside the lives of the country’s famous eagle hunters (and yes, there are photos of the eagles in their hunting caps ahead). For Sandy Noto , photographing harvest season in the Dolomites while off-duty yielded gorgeous slices of life.

Of course, if you’re ready to step up your own game, we’ve also got the gear you need—from underwater cameras to camera bags that don’t look like camera bags. And, we’ve rounded up our favorite photographers to follow right now, because as much as we want to cut the social media umbilical cord, there is so much to admire there. You just need to know where to look.

Through the lens

Think before you shoot

Behind the scenes

The gear you need

Everything else you need to know

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How to Take Travel Photos: A Complete Guide

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Travel photography is one of the most exciting types of photography you can pursue. Combining two of life’s great pleasures—exploring new lands and taking photographs—is a thrill any photographer would enjoy. 

While travel photography is open to anyone with the drive to get up and hit the road, there are a few things you need to learn. That’s why we’ve compiled this in-depth article containing everything you need to know about travel photography. We cover everything from camera settings to the best travel gear, so keep reading to find out more. 

What Is Travel Photography

Travel photography is simply taking pictures of different places around the world. But good travel photos are not mere holiday snaps. Travel images should show a location in a new light so they’re interesting even for people who have already been there.

Travel photography involves many different styles and techniques. You can incorporate landscapes and portraits into your travel photography. You can even use more advanced techniques like time-lapse and long exposures.

A travel photographer needs to show more than the obvious. They need to explore each location at a deeper level and look for elements that make that place unique and interesting. It isn’t enough to take pictures of the famous landmarks. A travel photographer needs to look deeper and go beyond. 

Far-flung exotic locations often hold the most romance for travelers, but you don’t have to go far to practice travel photography. Venturing to new locations is always exciting, but you can also photograph places you’re familiar with. Using your familiarity to your advantage, you can give viewers a deeper view of these locations.

Anyone can shoot travel photography. The first thing you need is a desire to explore the world, which is something you probably already have. But continue reading for everything else you need to know about travel photography, from techniques to gear.

Mastering Travel Photography

While travel photography is open to anyone with an adventurous spirit, mastering the art does require practice, knowledge, and skill.

Firstly, you need to understand your camera and its settings. You might be tempted to take the easy road and shoot in Auto mode. But you’ll get far better results and more interesting and unique images when shooting with semi or fully manual settings. 

You should also experiment with composition, and you can try both color and black-and-white photography. These are stylistic choices that’ll give your travel photography a personal touch. You also have to consider specific types of travel photography so you’re ready for anything when you’re on the move. 

The following sections cover mastering the art of travel photography. Click the links in the text for more information on each topic. 

Camera Settings

When it comes to camera settings for travel photography, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, make sure your camera is set to the right aperture and shutter speed for the type of photo you want to take. You’ll also need to adjust your white balance and ISO as you move through different locations.

To learn more about camera settings for travel photography, check out camera settings for travel photography .

A travel photography shot list helps you plan and capture the best photos on your trip. Research the location thoroughly, including famous sights, experiences, geography, and lighting conditions. Look at existing travel photos for inspiration, but aim to create something unique.

Use a spreadsheet to organize your shots by day and time, considering factors like sunrise, sunset, and harsh midday light. Include a mix of portraits, environmental portraits, cityscapes, daily life moments, religious sites, festivals, food, transportation, landscapes, close-ups, architecture, night scenes, and wildlife.

Remember to be adaptable and respectful of local customs. With careful planning and a detailed shot list, you’ll be well-prepared to capture stunning travel photos that transport viewers to your destination. To learn more about creating a travel photography shot list , check out this in-depth guide.

Composition

Good travel photography composition captures the beauty and essence of a destination. Use the rule of thirds by placing important parts of your photo on the intersecting points of the grid. Or take advantage of symmetry by centering the axis of symmetry in one direction.

Direct attention with leading lines, using elements like paths or fences to guide the viewer’s eye to your subject. Frame spectacular views with windows or arches to provide context. You can also use bold colors to lead the eyes or balance the composition.

Change your perspective by moving around, kneeling, or shooting from a rooftop. Get close to fill the frame with your subject or step back to include surrounding context. Play with scale by including familiar elements like people to convey the impressive size of large spaces.

To learn more about travel photography composition , check out this in-depth guide.

Black & White

Black-and-white travel photography can be a powerful way to capture the essence of a place. By removing color, you can focus on the light, shapes, and textures that make a scene unique.

Pay attention to contrast and tone in your black-and-white photos. Look for strong shadows and highlights that create depth and drama. Texture is also important in black-and-white photography, so seek out interesting surfaces like rough stone or smooth water.

Most importantly, use black-and-white photography to connect with your subject and tell a story. Whether it’s a portrait of a local person or a landscape that captures the mood of a place, aim to convey emotion in your images.

By developing your own style and vision, you can create compelling black-and-white travel photos that stand out. To learn more about black-and-white travel photography , check out this in-depth guide.

Unique Perspectives

Taking unique photos of famous places can be challenging, but with some creativity and planning, you can capture stunning images. Start by researching the location and scouting out potential spots for your shots. Arrive early to avoid crowds and take advantage of the soft, golden light.

Look for elevated views or unusual angles to create a different perspective. Use composition techniques like the rule of thirds to emphasize the landmark in an interesting way. Including people in your shots can add a sense of atmosphere and tell a story.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques like light trails or time-lapse photography . If you encounter photography restrictions, think outside the box and find creative solutions. To learn more about capturing unique photos of famous places , check out this in-depth guide.

Documentary Photography

Documentary photography captures real-life events as they happen. It’s a form of visual storytelling that depicts the world around us. Documentary photographers often work on long-term projects to tell new stories through their images.

You don’t need to travel far to find good documentary photography ideas. Look for interesting subjects in your family or community. Focus on the people involved to help viewers connect with the story. You can also tackle big topics by photographing small, local stories related to them.

Visit and scout your locations before the shoot. Get comfortable with the basics of photography, like camera settings and composition. Keep your story personal and critique your work as you go.

If you want to learn more about documentary photography ideas , we have a detailed guide to help you get started.

Train Photography

Train photography offers a diverse range of subjects, from historic steam engines to modern bullet trains. To capture excellent locomotive photos, research train routes and schedules to find the best locations and times. Use natural light to your advantage, with side or backlighting to highlight steam and texture.

Longer focal lengths can compress the scene and show the train in its surroundings. At stations, photograph details like wheels and logos to create atmosphere. Adjust shutter speed for sharp images or creative motion blur, and slightly overexpose for more detail.

For more insights on capturing stunning train photography , check out our full-length article.

Backing Up Photos

It is important to back up photos while traveling, and an external hard drive is a great option. They are compact, durable, and have large storage capacities.

Smartphones and tablets can also be used to manage photos on the go. With the right accessories, they can connect to external storage devices. This allows you to back up and edit your photos without a laptop.

For the best results, use multiple backup methods. This could include an external hard drive, a USB thumb drive, and cloud storage. By having multiple copies of your photos, you reduce the risk of losing them. If you want to learn how to back up photos , check out our in-depth article.

Making Money from Travel Photography

Becoming a travel photographer takes hard work and dedication. You need to learn a wide range of photography skills for shooting everything from landscapes to portraits. Building a strong portfolio of your best travel images is key to attracting clients.

To get your name out there, create a travel website or blog to showcase your work. You can also sell your images on digital platforms like stock photography websites. Selling physical prints of your photos is another great option.

As you travel, look for photography work with local businesses, such as hostels or tourism boards. Capture great travel content and consider offering tours or workshops for extra income.

To learn more about how to become a travel photographer , check out this in-depth guide.

Travel Photography Jobs

Travel photography jobs can be an exciting and rewarding career path for those with a passion for photography and adventure. However, it’s important to understand the challenges that come with the job. You’ll need to have exceptional photography skills, business savvy, and the ability to handle tough physical conditions.

To succeed, you’ll need a strong online presence, including a professional website and active social media accounts. You’ll also need reliable gear that can withstand the demands of travel.

There are many ways to make money as a travel photographer, such as selling prints, licensing stock photos, writing for publications, and teaching. The key is diversifying your income streams and constantly looking for new opportunities. With hard work and creativity, finding paid travel photography jobs can be both fulfilling and profitable.

Get Paid to Travel

Getting paid to travel and take photos is a dream for many photographers. There are several ways to make this a reality. Selling prints of your travel photos through print-on-demand websites is one option. You can also upload your best images to stock photography agencies and earn passive income from sales.

Entering travel photography competitions is another way to earn money and gain prestige. Winning contests can help you promote your work and attract potential clients.

Building relationships with travel magazine editors can lead to regular paid assignments. Learn what they want and deliver high-quality photos to make their jobs easier. To further your success, get paid to travel and take photos by marketing your photography services to people who have the budget to hire you.

Sell Travel Photos

Selling your travel photos can be a great way to make money with your photography. To get started, ensure you have high-quality, well-lit, and properly composed images. They should also be free of technical errors like chromatic aberration and noise.

There are many ways to sell your travel photos. You can sell them through stock photography agencies, directly to clients, or as prints. Each option has its own requirements and markets, so consider your goals before deciding which path to take.

Actively promoting your work is key to maximizing sales. Use social media, email lists, and other marketing strategies to reach potential buyers. If you’re working with a stock agency, ask them what types of images are in demand so you can plan your shoots accordingly.

Learning how to sell travel photos takes time and effort, but with persistence and a willingness to adapt, you can turn your passion into a profitable venture.

Gear for Travel Photography

When packing for a travel photography trip, it’s important to bring the right gear. A lightweight and compact camera body is essential, along with one or two versatile lenses like a wide-angle and a medium telephoto lens.

Don’t forget a sturdy tripod that fits in your luggage for sharp shots in low light. Filters like a circular polarizer and strong ND filter are small but open up creative options when traveling.

Cleaning supplies, extra batteries, memory cards, and rain protection round out the must-haves. With the right travel photography gear , you’ll be ready to capture amazing images anywhere your adventures take you.

Traveling with Camera Gear

Traveling with camera gear can be challenging, but there are ways to make it easier and safer. Use padded cases to protect your equipment from bumps and knocks. A shoulder bag is a good option for keeping your camera close and secure while walking through busy areas.

Always carry your gear in your hand luggage when flying. Most airlines understand the importance of this and are lenient about the weight of your carry-on bag. To deter thieves, hide or remove any camera branding using black duct tape.

Insuring your gear is crucial in case of theft or damage. Take down all the serial numbers and make sure your equipment is fully covered. By following these tips for traveling with camera gear , you can have peace of mind and focus on capturing great photos during your travels.

External Hard Drives

An external hard drive is an essential accessory for travel photographers. Memory cards fill up fast when you’re traveling, and you don’t want to carry a bunch of them around with you. It’s best to take an external hard drive to keep all your photo files in one place.

You’ll need something durable yet compact, which is why we recommend the LaCie Rugged Mini for travelers. It’s an easy fit for any travel camera bag. You have storage options up to 5 TB, and it’s the most durable external hard drive on the market. 

See more of the best external hard drives in our full-length article.

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Cameras for Travel Photography

The Canon EOS RP is a great mirrorless camera for travel photography. It’s lightweight, easy to handle, and has a 26 MP full-frame sensor that captures high-quality images in any situation.

The camera’s autofocus system is fast and accurate, even in low light. It also offers eye-detection AF for portraits. The EOS RP can shoot 4K video and has convenient Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

This camera is ideal for most travel photography needs. If you want to learn more about the best travel cameras , check out our detailed guide.

Mirrorless Cameras

The best mirrorless cameras for travel are compact and lightweight, but still capture stunning photos and videos. Our top pick is the Nikon Z50 . It has a compact body that fits easily in any camera bag. The 20.9 MP sensor produces bright, vibrant images with excellent low-light performance.

The Z50 is also great for travel vlogging. It records 4K video at 30 fps and has an articulating screen for easy self-recording. Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth make it simple to share your adventures with friends and family back home.

If you want to learn more about the best mirrorless cameras for travel , check out our in-depth guide. We cover a range of cameras for every type of traveler, from beginners to professionals.

Compact Cameras

The Sony ZV-1 II is a pocket-sized camera packed with features for modern travelers. It has a high-resolution 20 MP sensor and a versatile 18-50mm zoom lens. The f/1.8-4 aperture provides solid low-light performance.

Vloggers love the ZV-1 II’s 4K video at 30 fps and the special Cinematic Vlog Setting. A built-in mic and wind muffler make capturing audio easy. Real-time AF with face and eye detection keeps subjects sharp.

The Sony ZV-1 II is the ideal compact camera for travel vlogging. It’s a worthwhile investment for creating exciting content abroad. But we have more options in the link above. 

Lenses for Travel Photography

The best travel lenses give you a wide focal range in a compact size. Zoom lenses like the Nikon AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 are very popular. It has vibration reduction to reduce camera shake and improve low-light performance.

Prime lenses are another good option. They are usually smaller and lighter than zooms. The Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM is a great example. This pancake lens is ultra-compact but still gives you a versatile focal length.

When choosing the best travel lens , think about the size, weight, and focal length. You want a lens that is easy to carry but still gives you plenty of options. The lenses on this list are all fantastic choices for your next adventure.

Canon Lenses

The best Canon lenses for travel photography are lightweight, versatile, and capture stunning images. Our top picks are the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM and Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM . These nifty-fifty lenses are compact, affordable, and great in low light.

Other top choices include the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM for its wide zoom range and the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM for landscapes. The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is a popular all-in-one zoom for DSLR users. It has a constant f/4 aperture and weather sealing.

No matter your camera type, there’s a perfect travel lens for you. Look for a lens that’s light, has a useful focal range, and fits your budget. Canon lenses for travel photography help you capture amazing images around the world.

Nikon Lenses

The Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S and Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G are the best Nikon lenses for travel photography. The Z 50mm f/1.8 S offers sharp images and a durable build. It’s great for low light with its f/1.8 aperture.

The AF-S 50mm f/1.8G is compact and lightweight. It also performs well in low light. The 50mm focal length is perfect for street scenes and portraits.

Both lenses are very popular with travel photographers. If you want to learn more about Nikon lenses for travel photography , we have a detailed guide that covers the best options for Nikon mirrorless and DSLR cameras.

Sony Lenses

When choosing the best Sony lenses for travel photography, consider weight, versatility, and image quality. Our top pick is the Sony E 18-105mm f/4 G OSS PZ , offering a wide zoom range, constant f/4 aperture, and effective optical stabilization in a compact design.

For APS-C cameras, the Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS is a great low-light prime lens. Its wide f/1.8 aperture and built-in stabilization help capture sharp images in dim settings. The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 is an affordable and versatile prime for full-frame cameras, ideal for portraits and everyday shots.

Other notable lenses include the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS for its all-in-one zoom capabilities and the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | C for its fast aperture and compact size. To learn more about the best Sony lenses for travel photography , check out our in-depth guide.

Travel Tripods

A travel tripod is a must-have for any photographer on the go. The best travel tripods are lightweight, compact, and easy to set up. They also need to be sturdy enough to support your camera gear.

Our top pick is the K&F Concept Lightweight Travel Tripod . It weighs only 2.4 lb but can hold up to 17.6 lb of gear. The aluminum ball head gives you great flexibility for positioning your camera. And the included carry case makes it easy to take with you anywhere.

If you want to learn more about choosing the right travel tripod , check out our detailed guide. It covers everything from key features to look for to our top recommendations in different price ranges.

Travel Camera Backpacks

When choosing a camera backpack for travel, protection and comfort are key. The best bags are well-designed, roomy, and easy to carry.

Our top pick is the Manfrotto PRO Light Multiloader . It’s sturdy, spacious, and versatile. You can use it as a backpack, duffel, or sling. And it has access from the front and both sides.

The Wandrd Duo Daypack is another great option. It’s made from quality materials that protect your gear from the weather. It has ample storage and the main zipper allows quick access to your camera.

If you want to learn more about the best camera backpack for travel , check out our detailed reviews. We’ll help you find the perfect bag for your next adventure.

Manfrotto PRO Light Multiloader

The Manfrotto PRO Light Multiloader Camera Backpack is a top choice for photographers. It has a sturdy design and plenty of space for your gear.

The backpack is comfortable to wear, even when fully loaded. You can easily adjust it to fit your body.

This bag is perfect for any photography adventure. It’s a worthwhile investment for serious photographers looking for a reliable way to carry their equipment. To learn more about the Manfrotto Pro Light Multiloader, check out our full review .

Think Tank Airport Essentials

The Think Tank Airport Essentials is a camera backpack specifically designed for air travel. It has a smart design, useful features, and fits as carry-on luggage.

This backpack offers secure storage with an efficient use of space and a special lock. The lifetime warranty makes it a one-time investment for years of use.

While it lacks some versatility found in other bags, the Airport Essentials excels at storage capacity, protection, and style. Photographers who want a Think Tank Airport Essentials for their travels will find this bag a great choice.

Weatherproof Backpacks

Protecting your camera gear from the elements is essential. Weatherproof camera bags offer peace of mind when shooting in unpredictable conditions. They feature robust materials and coatings that keep water out, even in sudden downpours.

Our top picks, the Wandrd Prvke , Wandrd Duo , and Lowepro Freeline , have impressive exterior materials that don’t need a separate rain cover. The Prvke’s roll-top design is commonly used in waterproof bags, while the Duo and Freeline include waterproof zippers to secure even the weakest points.

When choosing a weatherproof camera bag , consider not only its water-resistant abilities but also its functionality for your photography style. Look for features like easy access points, ample storage, and comfortable carrying options that suit your needs.

A camera hard case is the best way to protect your photography gear while traveling. The Pelican Air 1525 is our top choice, with its tough exterior and foam-padded interior that keeps your equipment safe and secure. It’s spacious enough for your camera and accessories without being too bulky.

The Vanguard Supreme 46F is another excellent option, especially for adventure travel. It’s waterproof down to 16.5 ft (5 m) and can withstand temperatures as low as -40 C. The customizable Pick ‘n’ Pluck foam interior ensures a snug fit for each item.

For convenience, the Nanuk 935 is hard to beat. Its retractable handle and wheels make transportation a breeze, while the padded dividers keep your gear organized and protected. If you’re looking for a camera hard case that combines durability and ease of use, the Nanuk 935 is a great choice.

Travel Apps

Travel apps can make your photography adventures easier and more enjoyable. Snapseed is a powerful photo editor with a wide range of tools, from basic adjustments to creative effects. It’s free and available on both iOS and Android.

VSCO is another popular editing app that offers a simple, streamlined experience. Its presets are based on real film stocks, giving your photos an authentic vintage look. You can also use sliders to fine-tune the exposure and add fade or grain effects.

When you’re ready to share your travel photos, consider using Spot. This app helps you find picturesque locations and share your own discoveries with other photographers. With detailed maps and tips, it’s one of the best apps for travel photography .

Editing Travel Photos

Editing your travel photos can take them to the next level. There are many techniques you can use to improve your images, from simple adjustments to more advanced processes.

Cropping is a quick way to remove unwanted elements or zoom in on important parts of the photo. Sharpening will make details pop, while noise reduction can clean up high ISO shots. Straightening the horizon line is also important for a polished look.

Other useful techniques include adding a vignette to draw the eye, adjusting saturation and contrast, balancing highlights and shadows, and using digital blending for challenging lighting. For an extra level of refinement, you can even remove unwanted objects.

With practice, you’ll learn which editing steps work best for your travel images. Check out our in-depth guide if you’d like to dive deeper into editing travel photos .

Location Guides

Whenever you’re heading off somewhere new, it’s always best to do some research before you go. Your preparations will be more thorough and more specialized when you have a better idea of what to expect. That means you can hit the ground running when you arrive, and you’ll get better results. 

We have a collection of location guides for some travel photography hot spots. These posts give you a head start when taking pictures in these locations, helping you get unique shots in popular places. 

Let’s drop in on a few of the hottest locations in Europe, Asia, and the US. 

European Cities

Europe is a photographer’s dream, with its stunning architecture, charming villages, and beautiful countryside. From the centuries-old buildings to the cobblestone streets, there’s no shortage of photo opportunities.

Some of the best European cities for photography include Amalfi, Italy, with its medieval stories and dainty houses; Venice, Italy, known for its canals and seafood; and Dubrovnik, Croatia, a seaside location with picturesque houses and Game of Thrones filming locations.

Other notable cities include Prague, Czech Republic, with its historic buildings and Gothic churches; Oia, Greece, with its stunning white buildings and sunsets; and Amsterdam, Netherlands, full of incredible art and historical monuments.

Whether you’re interested in architecture, landscapes, or street photography, these European cities offer endless inspiration. To learn more about the European cities for photography , check out this in-depth guide.

Paris is a photographer’s dream, offering countless opportunities to capture stunning images. From the iconic Eiffel Tower to the charming streets of Montmartre, there’s no shortage of beautiful subjects to photograph.

One of the best spots for photography in Paris is the Trocadero, which offers a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower. The Champs Elysee and Arc de Triomphe are also must-see locations, with the latter providing a great vantage point for capturing the city’s skyline.

Other notable photo locations include the Louvre, with its striking glass pyramid, and Notre Dame Cathedral, which offers both interior and exterior photo opportunities. It’s still striking even after the fire damage. 

For a taste of modern Paris, head to La Defense, the city’s business district filled with skyscrapers and unique architecture.

To learn more about Paris photography , check out this in-depth guide that covers the best locations, tips, and techniques for capturing the city’s beauty.

London offers plenty of photography opportunities, from cityscapes to street photography and architecture. Some of the best locations include the Palace of Westminster, where you can capture iconic photos from Westminster Bridge or the south bank of the Thames. Tower Bridge is another well-known site, offering great angles for traffic light trails and sunrise photos.

The London Eye is a newer addition to the skyline, perfect for creative shots like zoom bursts or portraits inside the capsules. Don’t miss the photogenic wrought iron roof at Borough Market or the beautiful exterior of St Paul’s Cathedral.

For stunning views, head to The Shard, the highest skyscraper in the European Union. Buckingham Palace is a must-see, especially during the Changing of the Guard ceremony. If you’re interested in photography in London , these locations are sure to inspire you.

Rome is a photographer’s dream, with stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant culture around every corner. From the iconic Colosseum to the beautiful Trevi Fountain, there are countless opportunities to capture breathtaking images.

Don’t miss the Vatican Museum, where you can photograph the famous spiral staircase. The Pantheon’s exterior and interior are equally impressive, especially during the blue hour. St. Peter’s Basilica offers great views of the city and a chance to capture the Pope if you’re lucky.

The Tiber River provides picturesque views, particularly from Ponte Sant’Angelo towards St. Peter’s Basilica. Piazza Navona and Piazza del Popolo are perfect for street photography and capturing traditional Roman scenes. To learn more about the best spots for Rome photography , check out this in-depth guide.

Venice is a photographer’s dream, offering endless opportunities to capture its unique beauty. The best time to avoid crowds and oppressive heat is during the low season or early morning. Sunrise at Academia Bridge provides a stunning view of the Grand Canal, while Piazza San Marco is best photographed before tourists arrive.

Don’t miss the iconic gondolas along the waterfront near Piazza San Marco, especially during sunset and blue hour. For a different perspective, head to San Giorgio Maggiore island to photograph the church and Venice’s skyline at golden hour.

Explore the backstreets of San Polo and Dorsoduro districts for charming piazzas, decaying architecture, and canal scenes. Murano and Burano islands offer colorful buildings and glassmaking demonstrations perfect for photography. To learn more about Venice photography , check out this in-depth guide.

Budapest is another fantastic city for photographers, offering endless opportunities to capture stunning images. From the grand architecture of the Hungarian Parliament Building to the thermal baths of Széchenyi, there’s no shortage of photogenic spots in this beautiful city.

One of the best places to start is the Fisherman’s Bastion, a neo-Gothic terrace with breathtaking views of the Danube River and the Pest side of the city. Nearby, you’ll find Matthias Church, a stunning example of neo-Gothic architecture that’s perfect for capturing intricate details and beautiful stained glass windows.

For panoramic views of the city, head to Gellért Hill, where you can capture the entire skyline from the Citadella fortress. And don’t miss the iconic Chain Bridge, which looks particularly stunning at night when it’s lit up against the dark sky. To learn more about the best spots for Budapest photography , check out this in-depth guide.

Japan is a brilliant destination for a photography trip. From stunning landscapes to interesting architecture and fascinating culture, there’s no shortage of inspiration for your travel photography.

Capture the vibrant cityscape of Minato, one of Tokyo’s special wards. Improve your food photography skills at Japan’s many cafés and restaurants, where every dish looks like a work of art. Take adorable photos of tame deer in Nara Park or sharpen your landscape photography in Hakone, with its hot springs, views of Mount Fuji, and gorgeous lake.

Don’t miss the breathtaking cherry blossoms in Japan’s parks during the Sakura season, usually from January to April. Visit the magical Blue Pond in Biei, go on an adventure in Kyoto’s Bamboo Grove, or document the commercial side of Japan in Shinjuku. For more inspiration on Japan photography , check out our in-depth guide.

Tokyo is one of the world’s most vibrant locations, offering a diverse range of subjects to capture. From the bustling streets of Shinjuku and Shibuya to the traditional temples of Asakusa, there’s no shortage of incredible hot spots to explore.

For those seeking modern architecture and vibrant city life, the Tokyo Skytree and Roppongi Hills Mori Tower provide stunning views of the skyline. Harajuku, the heart of Tokyo’s youth culture, is perfect for street photography and capturing unique fashion trends.

If you’re interested in learning more about Tokyo photography , check out our in-depth article to help you plan your trip and find the best spots to shoot. With its mix of old and new, Tokyo is a city that will inspire and challenge you as a photographer.

Etiquette in Japan

When taking photos in Japan, it’s important to be respectful and follow proper etiquette. Always ask for permission before taking someone’s photo, especially if you plan to share it publicly. If you can’t get permission, blur the person’s face to protect their privacy.

Be prepared to show your photos to the police if asked, and avoid using selfie sticks in crowded areas to prevent injuries. In cafés and restaurants, ask the staff for permission before taking photos of your meal.

At night, skip the flash and use a higher ISO and tripod to capture vibrant neon lights. Avoid taking photos in no-photo areas, of children without parental consent, geishas, people on public transport, and those in the middle of prayer. For more tips on photography in Japan , check out this in-depth guide.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a street photographer’s paradise. From the colorful Venice Beach boardwalk to the iconic Griffith Observatory, there are endless opportunities to capture the city’s unique character.

The Santa Monica Pier is a must-visit spot, especially in the evening when the lights come on. Echo Park offers stunning views of the skyline, particularly at sunrise or sunset.

Downtown LA is full of hidden gems like the Bradbury Building with its intricate architecture and the bustling Grand Central Market. For a taste of old Hollywood glamor, head to Union Station or the Hollywood Bowl Overlook. Places for street photography in Los Angeles are as diverse as the city itself, so grab your camera and start exploring.

New York City remains one of the most popular locations for photographers, with countless iconic locations to capture. Central Park offers a variety of scenes, from the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain to the Alice in Wonderland statue. The Brooklyn Bridge is another must-see, with its stunning suspension cables and brick towers.

Grand Central Station and the Chelsea Market are great for street photography and architectural details. Rockefeller Center provides both street-level interest and panoramic views from its observation deck.

Of course, no trip to New York would be complete without photographing the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. For breathtaking cityscapes, head to Brooklyn Bridge Park or find a unique vantage point to capture the Manhattan skyline. Don’t miss the Flatiron Building and the vibrant energy of Times Square.

To learn more about the best spots for New York photography , check out our in-depth guide.

Photography Road Trip

Planning a road trip for photography involves choosing the right vehicle, deciding on accommodation, and mapping out your route. Your vehicle should be safe, comfortable, and suitable for the terrain you’ll encounter. Living out of your vehicle, like an RV or camper van, allows you to stay closer to photo locations and immerse yourself in nature.

When planning your route, prioritize the locations you want to photograph. Research potential spots using apps and websites like Pinterest, 500px, Flickr, and Google’s My Maps. Plot your route, campgrounds, points of interest, and photo locations to make the most of your trip.

Electricity is essential for photographers on the road. Ensure you have reliable power sources, such as a dual battery system, solar panels, or a 12v inverter. Always carry a power bank as a backup. To stay connected, use local SIM cards with data or take advantage of Wi-Fi at cafes and fast food outlets.

By planning your shots in advance and considering factors like lighting, crowds, and unique perspectives, you can capture stunning images that tell the story of your road trip photography adventure.

Inspiration from the Best Travel Photographers

Travel photography captures the adventures and locations you visit during your journeys. It involves many genres like landscape, architecture, street, and environmental photography. Travel photographers often tell stories through their images, focusing on special moments and atmospheres.

There are many approaches to travel photography. You can focus on people, take self-portraits, emphasize landscapes, or try aerial photography. Mixing these approaches can result in a unique style and help you gain recognition as a travel photographer.

If you’d like to learn more about travel photographers , we have an article that goes into greater depth on the topic.

Travel Blogs

Travel photography blogs are a great source of inspiration for your next adventure. They feature stunning images from around the world and provide useful tips for capturing your own travel photos.

Some of the best travel photography blogs cover a wide range of topics, from destination guides to photography tutorials. They showcase the work of talented photographers who have explored every corner of the globe.

Whether you’re planning your next trip or simply looking for some armchair travel, these blogs are sure to inspire you. To discover some of the best travel photography blogs to follow in 2024, check out this list of top picks.

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Travel Photography Tips, Ideas, Examples & Jobs

Have a passion for travel photography but not sure how to take it further? This post covers careers, what gear is best, and tips for improving!

Learn | Photography Guides | By Ashley Darrow

Travel photography is one of the most exciting styles of photography, but it can also be one of the most intimidating to get started with.

I’m at my most inspired as a photographer when I’m on the road.

Even when I’m not headed to an exciting new location, I’ve started to think about all of my photography from the standpoint of travel.

This guide is going to give you everything you need to know to get started with travel photography.

I’ll be covering everything from the basics, to the equipment you need, to 20 travel photography tips that will improve how you approach taking photos.

When you’re ready to hit the road, we’ll start our adventure with some travel photography 101.

Table of Contents

What Is Travel Photography?

Defining travel photography can be a little bit challenging as this is one of the most open and free categories of photography.

In general, travel photography involves documenting people, landscapes, and cultures anywhere in the world.

Your travel photography counts whether you have to hike for thousands of miles or you took a 10-minute bus ride from your home.

Travel photography can be done by career professionals working for major magazines like National Geographic or it can be done as part-time freelance work.

Many travel photographers make their money by taking contract work from tourism departments or brands looking for product photography shot on location.

Travel photographers often find themselves working in challenging conditions. There’s a good chance that you’re going to be snapping pics in low light conditions , rough weather, or even half a world away from the comfort of your own bed.

•  Related: 77 useful travel tips for photographers

What Does Travel Photography Include?

Image Credit: Sam Forson

Travel photography incorporates countless different styles.

Travel photographers often take landscape photographs, architectural photographs , as well as street photography. It’s also common to see food photography and documentary work being done by travel photographers.

As a travel photographer, your goal is to capture and express the story of a particular time and place. You’ll be giving people a taste of what’s happening in the moment while you’re in a particular location.

How Much Do Travel Photographers Make?

Travel photography is made up of a wide range of styles, but it’s also made up of a wide range of pay rates.

If you’re lucky enough to land a staff photography job with a major magazine, you could wind up with a six-figure salary. However, freelance travel photographers can make as little as around $18,000 a year.

Beginner travel photographers often make even less than that as they start to piece together their career.

Part of your pay as a travel photographer will come in the form of comped travel expenses. It’s pretty common for travel photographers to take a job with a tourism department that includes free transportation and lodging as part of their payment.

Is travel photography in demand?

Travel photography is in high demand.

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This demand is being driven by tourism departments, brands looking for more engaged lifestyle photography , and the rise of social media making travel photography a viable path for a content creator.

There are more people taking travel photos than ever before which means that you’re also going to have a lot more competition despite there being more job openings.

How Do I Become a Travel Photographer?

Image Credit: Kamaji Ogino

Becoming a travel photographer is pretty similar to how you would start up almost any photography career.

If you’re a total beginner, you want to start by mastering the craft of working behind the camera. This means learning how to stay in control of your exposure, frame captivating shots, and just get comfortable taking pictures wherever you go.

Here’s a basic outline of the steps you’ll take to start your travel photography career.

• Learn your photography basics
• Identify your travel photography niches
• Build your portfolio
• Grow a social media presence
• Begin reaching out to clients
• Publish your photography
• Grow your business by reaching out to bigger clients
• Continue to promote your work
• Have fun traveling!

I should note that plenty of travel photographers also crowdfund parts of their career.

Building a presence on social media sites like YouTube and connecting that to your crowdfunding platform of choice is a great way to bring in some additional money.

What Equipment is Needed for Travel Photography?

Image Credit: Hiren Lad

In all my years of photography, the one thing I’ve learned is that if there’s anything photographers love nearly as much as taking pictures, it’s talking about their gear.

Whether you see this equipment as the tools of your trade or the raw materials of your art, you’re going to need some equipment to get started with travel photography.

I’m going to cover the standard gear that most travel photographers will gravitate towards, but I’ll also be talking about different setups for film photographers and mobile photography.

I’m going to kick things off with the absolute must: a camera.

You’re not going to get very far in your career as a Travel Photographer without a camera. I’m being a little silly here, but it’s not just as simple as picking up any random mirrorless camera for travel blogging .

So, what camera is best for travel photography?

The absolute best cameras for travel photography are going to be, no surprises here, the latest mirrorless releases from the big-name brands like Sony, Camera, and Nikon.

Those cameras are packed full of the latest features and offer some of the best image quality.

You can also get amazing results, and save money, by picking up older cameras. My Sony a7s II is still my main camera body and my Canon 5D Classic, which was released way back in 2005, still takes pictures that get people asking me “How did you do that?”

You don’t need to spend a lot of money on your travel photography camera. A skilled photographer will be able to take amazing pictures using a point and shoot digital camera from the 90s. It’s craft that makes the photographer, not gear.

Travel photography can also be done with your smartphone. There are plenty of professional photographers out there primarily shooting on smartphones.

I also want to highlight film cameras. Film is the historic origin of our art form. Any film camera from a toy lomography camera to a professional large format camera can help us see our travels in a new way.

With all of that said, there are a few important features that you should look for in a travel photography camera.

• Weather sealed designs are much more important when you’re trekking through unknown territory than when you’re at home in the studio
• Your camera should also be ready for the road. Just like your car, you should take your camera in for a tune-up before a long trip
• Double-check for the specs that matter most to you. For me, that’s low-light performance and color science

Your camera is only half the equation which means we need to take a look at the lenses that will be going on this journey with you.

• Related: How to choose a camera and what is the best camera for travel photography?

I bet you’re wondering which lens is best for travel photography? You don’t need to worry, I’ll walk you through my top pics for a travel lens whether you’re shooting on a brand-new Sony mirrorless camera or you plan on taking a Canon 5D Classic on the road.

The first place you need to start is by asking yourself the most essential question in photography: What types of pictures do I plan on taking?

Here’s a quick breakdown of my recommendations for travel photography lenses based on my experience for a variety of photographic styles and budgets.

• Standard Zoom Lens —A standard zoom lens like the classic 24 to 70mm is the go-to travel lens for so many photographers I know. This lens easily handles street photographs, landscapes, and portraits. Pick this to make a flexible one-lens kit
• Wide Angle Zoom Lens —Wide angle zooms are better suited for photographers who know they’ll be shooting landscapes and architecture. If your wide angle zoom goes up to 35mm, then you can even get away with using that as your every-day lens
• Wide to Telephoto —These lenses have focal length ranges like 24 to 105mm. They are usually affordable alternatives to pro-level lenses that can still capture stunning images. You’ll want this lens if your main concerns are budget and stylistic flexibility
• Telephoto Zoom Lenses —These massive lenses typically top out at 200mm or 400mm focal lengths and are ideal for wildlife, bird, and sports photography. Their size, weight, and cost make them less flexible than other options, but these lenses are a must-have for photographers interested in the styles I just mentioned
• Pancakes and Nifty Fifties —Pancakes lenses have such a small profile they double as a body cap while the iconic Nifty Fifty is a budget 50mm with a huge fanbase. These lenses are perfect for photogs who want to stay ultralight or for anyone who wants an emergency backup lens.
• THAT lens —We all have a lens that, despite never getting much use, we just can’t seem to leave at home. Mine is the Helios 44-2. I take that lens on pretty much every trip even if it doesn’t get much use. Allow yourself a little room for that “fun” lens and you might be surprised by how much use it gets over time

I always have at least two lenses on me when I’m traveling—just in case.

I once dropped an expensive prime lens and watched it roll off the edge of a mountain in the desert. Luckily, I had a pancake lens in my bag so the photography trip wasn’t a total loss.

Ever since then, not only do I treat each of my lenses with the utmost care, but I also make sure but I’ve got backup options on hand.

• Related: How to choose a camera lens and best lenses for travel photography .

Travel Photography Bag

Just like with lenses and camera bodies, you have a few options to consider when it comes to picking the right travel bag for your next adventure.

Before I get too far into talking about camera bags, here’s the five things I always consider when I’m packing a bag for my next trip.

• Camera Bag Size —Size is one of the most important things to look at when shopping for a new travel photography bag. You want to find a bag that’s going to comfortably fit all of your equipment without causing too much strain on your back. Sling bags are great for days out in the city with light gear, but you should look for a comfortable backpack if you plan on covering some serious distance with your gear
• Pack Weight —Here’s a quick piece of advice I picked up from hiking. Your maximum pack weight should only ever be 20% of your total body weight. This means that if you weigh 200 lb, the heaviest your camera bag should ever be is 40 lb. The lighter, the better
• Features —There are some features that I consider an absolute must have in any of my travel camera bags including rugged build quality, plenty of padding and protection for my gear, and easy access to at least my main camera body and lens so I can shoot on the fly
• Style —You could buy the most technically perfect travel camera bag, but if you don’t actually like the way it looks you’re never going to take it on a trip. I definitely believe that form should be second to function when it comes to camera bags, but I’d also be lying if I said it wasn’t a huge factor in my camera bag purchasing decisions
• Your Gear —Your gear is actually going to dictate the type of bag that you’ll be looking for. A travel photographer shooting on a Leica Q2 can get away with a much smaller bag than a photographer shooting with a Canon 1DX

I also typically bring a packable backpack with me as part of my kit. This could be a really lightweight sling bag or something like the Lowepro Runabout.

This lets me leave the bulk of my gear at my hotel when I just want to have a quick trip around a new city taking pictures.

• Related: How to choose a camera bag

Tripods for Travel Photography 

Tripods are an interesting—and somewhat contested—piece of the travel photography puzzle. I never used to take a tripod with me while traveling and that’s because most of my photography was shot street style which means lightweight and handheld.

However, the more I get into film photography and more interesting exposures, the more I find myself relying on my travel tripod.

My absolute number one pick for an adventure tripod would have to be the Peak Design Travel Tripod . It’s fairly lightweight, intelligently designed, and packs down small enough to fit in most of my bags.

Depending on the type of photography you’re looking to capture, you can also use tripods like a gorilla pod or even just take the tripod you have—even though it might be a little larger and heavier than would be ideal for travel.

This roundup of the 7 best travel tripods is a great place to get started if you’re shopping for something designed for the road.

Do I Need a Tripod for Travel Photography?

I’m going to dig into this mild controversy for just a moment. The question of whether or not you need a travel tripod to begin with is the source of some debate for photographers.

Honestly, the answer is maybe. It really depends on the type of pictures that you’re hoping to capture and your personal style as a photographer.

If you like to run and gun while capturing slices of life on busy city streets, you probably don’t need to bring a tripod with you.

Styles of photography that are highly mobile and rely on fast composition changes typically ditch the added stabilization that a tripod brings because it just slows them down too much.

Tripods might also not work for certain events and organizations. Trying to set up a tripod during a rock concert is a recipe for disaster and some museums won’t even let you bring in a tripod unless you pay their professional photography fees.

Then again, there are a few types of photography that absolutely need a tripod in order to work. Long exposures, shooting in dimly lit situations, and using some telephoto zoom lenses pretty much mandate shooting on a tripod.

The long and short of this is that owning a tripod and learning how to use it will make you a better photographer, but it’s not quite a mandatory piece of your travel photography kit.

The Camera Accessories I Always Forget for Travel Photography!

There are so many small accessories that are vital for digital photography that I find myself constantly forgetting. Far from being little odds and ends, these are essential parts of my kit that I’ve started to just leave in my travel bag so I never have to worry about packing them.

I’m talking about SD cards , microfiber cloths, sensor cleaning kits, and all those other little things that you might not miss until you’re in the field and you’ve got a speck of sand on your sensor ruining your shots.

I’ve started making a checklist that contains all these little items before I pack out. There’s nothing more defeating than being in some beautiful destination and realizing you only have enough space on your memory card for a few dozen more shots.

This is the checklist that I use for your average trip. Feel free to adjust things based on the gear that you use.

• Sensor cleaning swab x 2
• Lens cleaning Spray
• Microfiber cloth
• Spare camera batteries for each camera
• Memory cards—one in each camera, extra in the bag
• External SSD if I’ll need to backup files while traveling
• iPad for editing, emailing, and posting pics on socials
• Camera strap
• Camera body cap and rear lens cap
• Remote shutter release
• Chargers and cables

Lighting for Travel Photography 

Lighting is a bit of an interesting topic when it comes to travel photography. We don’t often associate this incredibly mobile genre of photography with the piece of equipment that defines studio work, but there’s some great reasons to take some lights with you on your next trip.

Photographers like Briscoe Park are doing incredible work mixing bold, almost giallo, lighting styles with travel photography. There’s also a wealth of photographers using the dark nights of remote locations as canvases for their light paintings.

I started taking a few small lights with me when I hit the road and it’s definitely pushing my abilities behind the camera.

Lights like the Aputure MC and MC Pro are great for adding lights to portraits, throwing splashes of color into images, or creating other-worldly scenes. The Infinibar or MT Pro, also from Aputure, are solid choices for light painting .

Even something small like the Lume Cube can help gain control over lighting while away from the studio. Just don’t try to haul around your old tungsten lights on your next trip!

Mobile Travel Photography Gear

Before you start thinking travel photography requires a mountain of expensive equipment, you might be reading this article on the only device you need to get started with travel photography.

That’s right, smartphone cameras have come a long way and they are perfectly capable of being your main camera body for traveling adventure photography .

Even though your smartphone is essentially a pocket camera that can surf the internet and make phone calls, you still might want to add some extra gear to make the most out of being a mobile travel photographer.

My biggest recommendation would be to pick up a Moment smartphone case and a few Moment lenses.

These lenses will dramatically change your composition and help make your images look a bit more professional and a bit less like a quick shot on a smartphone.

A lightweight Gorillapod, a photo editing app like Lightroom mobile, and a power bank to keep you charged are a few must-haves.

This might sound a little unconventional, but my smartphone is one of the cameras I use the most. It’s lightweight, can take high quality pictures, and it can be a great budget alternative to expensive cameras because you probably already own one.

I almost never leave the house without throwing one or two Moment lenses in my bag. This is true whether I’m going on a 10-minute walk to the store or I’m about to hop on a 10-hour flight.

Travel Film Photography Gear

Is there any sound more relaxing than the shutter of a film camera when you’re deep in the woods or on top of a mountain ridgeline?

I don’t think so and that’s one of the reasons why I tend to travel with film photography equipment.

Film photography is almost a completely different animal than digital photography. You have to be much more engaged with your subject, composition, and exposure since you only have a few frames before your roll is spent.

Here’s a quick list of the film photography gear that I travel with. Just as a quick note, I’m leaving out things like tripods and camera bags that overlap with digital photography.

• Gallon zip-top bag to store film
• Permanent marker to jot notes on the side of a film canister
• Light meter
• Film (I always try to bring one more roll than I think I’ll need—just in case)

Read our guide to film photography for more tips.

20 Tips to Help You Improve Your Travel Photography

Want to improve your travel photography? I’ve put together 20 travel photography tips to help you up your game the next time you take your camera on vacation.

These tips are going to cover everything from advice for total beginners to some really interesting things that caught me by surprise while I’ve been on tour with my camera.

Tip 1—Get Comfortable With Your Gear Before You Travel 

Image Credit: Amar Preciado

This is my number one tip for travel photography because it applies to experienced photographers as well as beginners. Before you head out on your big trip, take some time to get comfortable with your equipment.

This means packing your camera bag just like you’re going to for your travel photography trip and wearing it around your home city or just walking around your neighborhood.

There’s nothing worse than being hundreds, or thousands, of miles from home only to find out that you actually don’t like that brand new camera bag you bought.

Giving all of your gear a comfortable trial run ahead of time ensures that you don’t run into any sudden surprises while you’re traveling.

I’ve started doing this with all of my travel photography gear and it’s hard to express just how much it’s helped me. Most of the time I’m just adjusting my backpack to make sure it’s got a comfortable fit for a long day of hiking, but there have also been times where I realized that piece of my equipment just wasn’t right for me.

This will also help make things easier when you’re out there taking pictures.

It can be a little stressful to try and line up the right composition in a busy downtown neighborhood of a foreign city. Knowing your gear inside and out will give you a huge confidence boost when you need it the most.

Tip 2—Set Your Travel Photography Intentions 

This might seem like a silly question to ask, but why do you want to do travel photography?

Setting some intentions and being aware of your goals ahead of time is going to help improve your career as a photographer.

If you need some inspiration for your goals, here’s a few that I’ve used in the past.

• Have at least 5 new pictures that I can turn into prints once I’m home
• Spend two days on location, day one focuses on lifestyle photography while day two is all about landscapes
• Get out of my comfort zone and network with other travel photographers shooting the same location

Remember that goals are a lot like onions. They have layers.

Your ultimate goal might be to become a world famous travel photographer with National Geographic calling you every day, but you’ve got to start somewhere.

Let’s say that your goal is to start getting freelance travel photography contracts with tourism departments. You can start from scratch by pretending that you’re on contract to take photos of a particular location.

This will help you with your future goals as well as allow you to build your portfolio in the now.

Tip 3—Always Bring (Your) Camera 

Image Credit: Ketut Subiyanto

Everything starts with the ABCs and for travel photographers this means to Always Bring (your) Camera and always be taking pictures.

You really never know when the right moment is going to strike for your photography. There have been countless moments where I wish I would have had a camera on me to capture a moment that was either beautiful or could have even been historic.

Whether you’re carrying your main camera body, a pocket camera, or even your smartphone, you should always have a camera on you when you’re traveling. Be ready to start snapping pics at a moment’s notice if you spot something that catches your eye.

Worst case scenario, you’ve got another few hundred pictures to sort through when you get home. Best case scenario, you’ve caught the once-in-a-lifetime shot that you might have otherwise missed.

Tip 4—Be Patient with Your Shots

Here’s something that’s happened to me nearly every single time I’ve gone on a travel photography trip.

I’ll be at a historic ruin or in a national park with the perfect shot framed only for there to be dozens of other tourists cluttering up my shot.

When I first started with photography, I didn’t have enough patience just to wait it out. I thought that I would have to spend hours standing at a particular spot waiting for people to disperse.

As it turns out, the longest I’ve really ever had to wait for a shot to clear up has been about a half hour. If you’ve got someone to talk to or a book to read, that’s no time at all.

Don’t pass up on the shots that you want to capture just because there’s something cluttering your frame. Patients will reward photographers every single time.

Pro travel photography tip: Using an ND filter on your camera can let you lower your shutter speed which will cause fast-moving cars and people to “vanish” from your shots!

Tip 5—Learn How to Photograph People 

This travel photography tip can be one of the most challenging to incorporate. Getting comfortable cold approaching strangers takes a lot of social energy.

I know extroverted photographers that have a dozen model release forms printed and ready to go in their backpack. They have no problem chatting up strangers, but it took me some time to build up that confidence.

Here’s a quick template that you can use for approaching strangers for portraits.

Be cheerful and open about being a photographer. You can say something like “I’m a photographer taking portraits today in [Location] and I’d love to take your picture.”

If you’re on a freelance contract or working for a client, feel free to name drop them to give yourself some added credibility.

After snapping their pic, I like to give people my business card, email, or Instagram handle so they can contact me later if they’d like a copy of their photo.

If they say no photos, that’s just business.

It also really helps if you can speak just a little bit of the local language. You’ll be shocked how much more accommodating people can be if you can handle a few lines of the local tongue.

Tip 6—Study Local Laws and Customs 

Photography laws and customs are different the world over. As a travel photographer, you’re going to need to familiarize yourself with local laws and customs—especially when you’re traveling abroad.

Remember that the letter of the law and the local customs might not necessarily be a one-to-one match.

I’m based in the United States and here it’s perfectly legal to take pictures of strangers as long as you’re in a public location. However, social customs dictate that it’s considered rude to take someone’s picture without asking their permission first.

When in doubt, always default to asking permission first. This means asking someone’s permission before taking their portrait or asking permission before taking pictures at a historic site or museum.

Tip 7—Get in Frame 

Image Credit: Dominika Roseclay

This is something I’m still working on becoming more comfortable with.

When I’m in the studio, I’ve got no problem hopping in front of the lens and doing some self-portraiture. However, once I’m out in the field I’m a little bit reluctant to stand in as my own model.

Travel photography is about telling your story. This means that you’re going to need to get in frame for some of your photographs.

Even if it’s just a few shots of you setting up, traveling to your destination, or getting dinner after a long day of shooting, people want to see the photographer behind the camera.

If you’re traveling with other photographers, why not consider making this a game? Challenge each other to see who can take the most interesting photos of your fellow photographers.

You can even take some quick selfies on location to contrast your professional photography. This will make your self-portraiture a little more intimate and warm while your travel photos show off your full talent.

Tip 8—Scout Travel Photography Locations with Your Smartphone

A great way to dramatically improve your travel photography is to scout your locations ahead of time. Before you haul all of your gear on a quest for the perfect photo, go out there with just a day pack and walk around soaking up the scenery.

Location scouting gives you a strong understanding of what speaks to you as a photographer about this location before you even start pressing the shutter button.

I recommend carrying your smartphone or a point-and-shoot camera when you’re out scouting locations.

This lets you take some test shots of a travel location before bringing all your gear out.

Tip 9—How to Always Pack the Right Lenses

I used to be so worried about not bringing the right lenses on a trip, but it’s been years since I’ve felt like I picked the wrong lens for the job.

Part of this is knowing your lenses inside and out. You should learn the basics of your lenses like aperture, how their focal length compresses an image, and which focal lengths are ideal for different styles of photography.

Lenses like the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8  make a great choice for travel. The focal length options on that lens easily handle majestic landscape panoramas and street photography portraiture.

I also recommend taking at least two lenses with you for most travel photography trips. I’ll take one primary lens with me that I plan on doing most of my shooting with and a secondary lens for those “just in case” moments.

Tip 10—Staying Safe While Traveling with Camera Gear 

Being a tourist always carries some risk when it comes to crime. Being a tourist that happens to be carrying $3,000 in photography equipment carries a little bit more risk.

Here’s a few tips that I stick with when it comes to staying safe while shooting with expensive camera equipment.

If you can, try to do your travel photography with a group. Even if you have one other person traveling with you, that company is usually more than enough to deter most would-be thieves.

This might seem a little obvious, but you always want to keep your gear in sight. Unless I know I’m alone in the wilderness, my camera bag is never further than an arm’s reach away.

I’ve got a tip for you that I don’t see a lot of people talking about when it comes to traveling safely with your camera equipment. I like to stay discreet when I’m traveling with my camera gear.

This means I leave the branded Sony strap at home and opt for a much more neutral Peak Design strap . I also throw a velcro patch over things like the LowePro logo on my backpack that might otherwise announce that there’s some expensive camera equipment in there.

If you stay smart and aware of your surroundings, your odds of having an unfortunate encounter while carrying camera equipment will be greatly reduced.

Tip 11—Shoot Some Short Format Video  

We’re all photographers here. This means I can be a little honest with you about shooting short form video.

It might not be your main stay, but social media platforms are putting a lot of emphasis on TikTok style videos. If you can incorporate a little short form videography into your travel photography routine, you’ll have that much better performance online.

There are countless ways that you can build short form video production into your photography routine. You could record a 60 second video demonstrating your setup for the shot or even just an interesting voice over on top of a still image.

Shooting short videos can also be fun. Building this into your photography routine is a great way to improve your skill set while you’re also increasing your social media following.

Tip 12—Find Your Voice by Getting Lost 

Some of the best travel photography stories happen because you get lost. Getting turned around is a great way to change your perspective on things and improve you or travel photography.

This is easily one of the most underrated travel photography tips. Best of all, you can do this from the comfort of your hometown.

Try getting lost on purpose by walking through a neighborhood you don’t usually go to or checking out a city that you might have otherwise overlooked.

While all the other travel photographers are gathered at the tourist traps we’ve all seen a thousand times on Instagram, you’ll be exploring something new while catching refreshing pictures of your travels.

Tip 13—How to Fly With Film 

If you plan on doing some film photography while you’re traveling, you’re going to need to know how to transport your film while traversing through airports safely.

The x-rays used in airport security scanners can damage undeveloped photographic film. The more x-rays undeveloped film is exposed to, the more haze and distortion starts to pop up on the final image.

Film with an ISO 800 and above can be damaged by any airport X-ray machine. Expired and experimental films can also be damaged by x-ray equipment.

Some airports now use more powerful CT scanners. These are often used for checked baggage, but they can also be used for carry-on as well.

CT scanners put out enough x-ray radiation to damage film of any ISO. You should always bring your film with your carry-on luggage in its own zip-top bag.

When you’re traveling through security at an airport, you can ask the security personnel for a hand examination of your photographic film. In my experience, they almost always say yes no matter how busy the airport is.

However, it is at the discretion of airport security and I have had them turn down a hand examination of my film. One trip through an X-ray scanner won’t damage your film, but multiple trips will.

This is why I recommend buying film on location if possible. You can also have film mailed to your hotel or to a friend’s address who lives near where you’re traveling.

Tip 14—Become a Traveler at Home 

Traveling is expensive and it’s not always available for us. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to stop your travel photography plans.

If you’re looking for the true zero-budget way of starting a travel photography career, you have to start in your home city.

While this might not seem exciting at first, keep in mind that the city that you live in is an exotic travel destination for someone else.

Try using all of the  travel photography tips and tricks I’ve talked about in this article while taking pictures of your home city. Even if you live in a sleepy little town, there are compelling stories that you can tell by documenting the life and history of the place you live.

Tip 15—How to Find Travel Photography Inspiration 

No matter what style of photography you’re in, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut. What should you do if you’re running out of inspiration before your next big travel photography trip?

Here are five quick ways I stay inspired and motivated as a photographer.

• Start following more photographers on social media to see what other people are doing
• Research historic photographers and get inspired by how they were shooting when our medium was still new
• Check out international photographers to see how people are shooting across the world
• Get experimental by looking into the weirder side of photography with things like film soup or databending
• When I’m heading to a new location, I like to look at the history, upcoming events, and what photographers are shooting for that local

Tip 16—Turn Regular Trips into Travel Photography Trips 

If you’ve always got your camera with you, and you’re always shooting, every trip you go on is a travel photography trip.

A great way to stay active as a travel photographer who has yet to break into the full-time business is to transform every trip you go on into an opportunity for travel photography.

Whether you’re heading across town for a family dinner or going on a work trip, you’ve got an opportunity to do some trouble photography.

Not everything has to be a grand adventure. You could use that trip across town as an excuse to work on catching shots of yourself in transit, for example.

Tip 17—Becoming a Better Photographer 

Every photographer has an area that they can improve on. Whether you’ve always wanted to be one of those photographers who only ever shoots on full manual mode or you’ve been hoping to add sports photography to your travel routine, now’s the time to start working on those skills.

Skills building exercises can be a great activity during your travel photography downtime. You’re not always going to be on the road to an exotic destination and that time in between trips is vital to your success.

Even if you’ve been a professional photographer for decades, there’s still countless things about this art form that you can learn.

Tip 18—Get Your Photos Seen

Now that you’ve got a portfolio of travel photography images, how do you get people to see them?

As with most freelancing gigs, the name of the game is networking. Here’s a few tips for getting your pics in front of more eyes.

• Be more consistent with social media by posting regularly and using hashtags strategically
• Enter into photography competitions
• Ask local shops if you can display your work
• Get your photos published
• Reach out to travel agencies, tourism boards, and parks departments for freelance work or partnerships
• Network with other photographers

As the old saying goes: It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

Tip 19— Travel Photographer Tips for The Business Side of Things 

Making it as a working travel photographer has gotten harder in recent years, but it’s not out of reach. Here’s a few business tips to help you stay on top of your budding photography career.

Always try reaching out to new clients. Keep in mind that bigger clients are harder to land, but there are plenty of smaller travel destinations that are ideal for a beginner photographer.

You should create a budget for your travel photography work. If you’re just starting out, you don’t need a fancy app. A simple spreadsheet is more than enough for you to stay on top of your money.

You can also try becoming a content creator while you’re working on landing clients. Building up a social media following and generating some income through a site like Patreon can help you stay on the road longer.

Tip 20—How to Tell Your Travel Photography Story 

Image Credit: Ena Marinkovic

You’ve reached the end of my travel photography tips. The last tip, and the most important one, that I’m going to give you is some advice on how you can tell your story.

Travel photography is all about storytelling. This means documenting your journey, engaging your audience, and finding your voice.

Taking captivating pictures without context isn’t enough. Your travel photography needs to speak to people on a deeper level and communicate something yet untold about the experiences behind your journeys.

It’s going to take time to figure out how you want to represent your adventures. The best thing you can do is get started today.

Even if you’re just taking travel photos a few blocks from your home, you’ll be breaking the ice and taking those important steps in finding your voice as a storyteller.

What is the purpose of travel photography?

The purpose of travel photography is to share your journey with the world. Travel photographers help to tell the story of not only their adventures, but also the people and places they encounter whether they are traveling around the world or within a few miles of where they grew up.

Is travel photography a good career?

Travel photography can be an amazing career that is rewarding and potentially very lucrative. It can be challenging to get started, but there are countless photographers who do travel photography as both their main job as well as a side gig.

What is the single best lens for travel photography?

The single best lens for travel photography is the wide angle to telephoto zoom like the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens. This lens allows you to capture everything from sweeping landscape panoramas to sports and wildlife photography .

Is travel photography a job?

Travel photography can absolutely be a job. You can make money as a travel photographer by freelancing for clients, photographing destination weddings , or working as a photojournalist.

Is GoPro good for travel photography?

A GoPro can be great for travel photography especially if you’re interested in capturing video and using stills from that footage for your photography.

Even though a GoPro is a good choice for travel photography, you’re probably going to be better served by a dedicated camera if your main goal is photo rather than video.

Final Words

I hope this guide gives you everything you need to hit the ground running with travel photography. If you’re an experienced travel photographer, I hope you’ve picked up a few new tricks that can help improve your next adventure.

I’ve tried to cover travel photography from nose to tail in this blog, but I’m sure I left a few things out.

I want to hear your travel photography tips, tricks, and experiences in the comments. If you like this article, make sure to check out my other photography blogs .

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Ashley is a photographer, writer, and film critic. When Ashley’s not writing essays on photography, cinema, and theory, he’s out taking pictures with retro film cameras.

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TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY A Journey Into The Realm of Light

There’s nothing we cherish more than our travels and if we had only one thing to say about travel photography it would be this: travel photography is the best way to capture our wanderful moments to eternity and use these memories to warm up our hearts even in the darkest of times.

Although Maria is our website’s main writer, photography-related pages and posts are researched, drafted and revised by Katerina . All Maria does is edit and proofread the copy before it goes live.

Some of the links on this page are affiliate ones. This means that if you click through them to make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more .

What Is Travel Photography

Photography (Φωτογραφία in Greek) is a compound of the Greek words φως (light) and γράφω (write or draw). Wikipedia defines photography as the art, application, and practice of creating durable images by recording light . It’s crazy to think that all we see when we look at photos is light. Crazy yet fascinating.

If we tried to give a definition of travel photography, it would be something along these lines: travel photography is the documentation of all those components that make up any given destination. These include the landscape, both natural and human-made, the people, the culture, the food, and, ultimately, the very history of this place.

Of course, tourism photography is part of the travel photography genre, too. It focuses on shooting hotels, resorts, restaurants, and any other businesses in the tourism industry.

“Photography is a form of time travel.” — Neil deGrasse Tyson

About Travel Photography As a Genre

Travel photography is the broadest photography genre in terms of all the different subjects it covers. It encompasses numerous other areas of photography, such as street, landscape, or architecture photography. This is why it takes a lot more than mere photographic knowledge to excel as a travel photographer.

A good travel photographer must be flexible, well-organised and outgoing. Flexible to adapt to time-related challenges (e.g. waking up early, staying up late). Well-organised to plan photographic trips to the last detail. Outgoing because, well, you can go a long way with a smile if you plan to, say, take portraits of total strangers in faraway lands. Learning a foreign language or three wouldn’t hurt either.

However, there’s something unique about travel photography that makes it stand out from all other photography genres. The purpose of travel photography goes beyond just shooting a spectacular image. Travel photography is a means to tell a story, to inspire, and, above all, to educate people on the diversity of our beautiful world.

Top 5 Travel Photography Tips

In the last decades, many factors have conduced to travel being accessible to more and more people. As a result, travel photography isn’t appealing to professional photographers alone. Pretty much everyone who suffers from wanderlust is keen to perfect their skills in travel photography. Here’s a handful of simple tips on travel photography to help you up your photography game.

1. Research Your Location

Your photographic trips should begin well before you even reach your destination. No matter if you are an amateur or a professional photographer, researching your location is vital if you want to snap those epic shots you’ve always dreamt of. Either you are on holidays or specifically travel for photography, a brilliant idea to help you keep track of all the places you want to visit is to create a personal map (e.g. with Google Maps ) with all the points of interest you want to shoot.

Equally important is to know in advance the best time to visit the photography locations on your list. For example, some places are best enjoyed at sunset, while others should be visited at dawn to avoid the crowds. Do your homework and adjust your day-to-day schedule accordingly.

2. Choose Your Gear Wisely & Learn How To Use It

Even if you’ve decided that you want to invest time and money in travel photography, you shouldn’t buy the most expensive gear right from the start. That’s because you may eventually realise that travel photography isn’t for you after all. Furthermore, it will be easier for you to master the basics of shooting while using entry-level equipment.

Start with an entry-level DSLR or mirrorless camera and keep practising until you’re confident with using the manual mode. Let’s be honest here. There’s no reason why you should spend so much money on a camera if you’re planning to use the Auto settings alone. You’d be better off with a good smartphone if that’s the case. Moreover, always shoot RAW, as it allows you to edit your images afterwards.

Once you know your camera well, start flirting with the various lenses you can buy to achieve diverse results. For instance, with a wide-angle lens, you will be amazed at how an entire village can be squeezed in a single frame. Or, perhaps, you’d like to experiment with a telephoto lens, especially if you are into wildlife photography. The possibilities are endless. It all comes down to your preferences and budget.

If after a certain time you’re still hooked on travel photography, you can start buying other accessories, too. These may include tripods, extra batteries, a flash, or even a drone. At some point, you will know that it’s time to upgrade your camera, too.

3. Keep Practising & Be Patient

If there’s one thing about travel photography that you must always remember, it’s this: you need to practise, practise and then practise a bit more.

Don’t wait until next time you travel to test your camera and its functions. Go on a photography trip around your neighbourhood and start shooting. Shoot indoors and shoot outdoors. Shoot in bright sunlight, shoot in low light, and shoot at night. Hold your camera and shoot, use your tripod and shoot. In a nutshell, play around with all of your camera’s settings and functions (on manual mode, don’t cheat).

Once you come to terms with the importance of practice, it’s time to embrace patience, too. You can’t expect to learn everything in one go. You must invest a lot of time to finally be able to shoot superb travel images.

Furthermore, photography can be a waiting game. Very often, you will find yourselves waiting for the right time to take the perfect shot. It may be the exact moment when the sun dives into the sea or when the high tide comes. Also, bear in mind that weather conditions won’t always be in your favour while waiting. So, it takes a lot of determination, but most of all, patience to make it as travel photographers.

4. Always Carry Your Camera With You

You’ve spent an entire day out shooting and now you feel it’s time you left your camera at the hotel room to go have dinner and maybe enjoy a drink or three. You’re right about the food and drinks part but think twice before you leave your camera behind. Why not experiment with night photography while taking your (probably much-needed) post-dinner stroll?

No matter how well you’ve planned your trip, you never know when an exceptional opportunity arises for a shot you won’t want to miss. It’s better to carry your camera and never take it out of your bag than to leave it behind and regret not capturing that perfect moment in time that unfolded before your eyes and then vanished for ever.

5. Respect Locals & Wildlife

Whether you’re travelling within your country or abroad, you should always respect the locals. Under no circumstances should you make anyone feel uncomfortable for the sake of snapping the perfect shot. Not even a one-billion shot is worth making another person feel uneasy. If you’re dying to take a close-up of locals (and, especially, their children) or shoot during a local event, always ask for permission first.

Similarly, you should be mindful of animals and their well-being at all times. If you’re planning to shoot wildlife, you must always keep a safe distance and avoid any noises or movements that may disturb the animals. This is when a telephoto lens comes handy. On a lighter note, you can get as close as you want to super cuddly kittens or puppies who are willing to pose for you. Just make sure you reward them with a hug and/or a treat after the photoshoot.

From Hobby To Dream Job: How To Become a Professional Travel Photographer

Making a living out of your passion is certainly the dream. That holds for many travel photography enthusiasts who pursue a career in this field. There are several factors in play when it comes to becoming a professional travel photographer. Here’s a list of the five most important steps to take if you’re after a career in travel photography:

• Understand that professional travel photography is all about commitment and hard work. Therefore, make sure you are genuinely passionate about it before taking any further steps in this direction.
• Learn photography. Attend travel photography courses, classes, and workshops. Watch tutorials, read travel photography books, and practise a lot.
• Create a portfolio to showcase your work to potential clients.
• Network and collaborate with photographers around the world and other content creators. Attend conferences and similar events to get in touch with travel brands and tourism boards.
• Remember that competition is hard. Be ready to step out of your comfort zone when pitching yourself for travel photography jobs.

“I love photography, I love food, and I love traveling, and to put those three things together would just be the ultimate dream.” — Jamie Chung

My Journey As a Professional Travel Photographer

Now a professional travel photographer, I started like any other traveller who wanted a few photos as keepsakes from our travels. I always liked photography but I needed a purpose to take it more seriously. When we started this website back in 2018, I found my purpose.

As our travels became more frequent and our website grew into a business, it was time we invested in good travel photography gear. It was then that I took the plunge and bought my first DSLR camera. From that point onwards, there was no looking back. I had found my true calling and I was hooked for life.

At first, I was into landscape travel photography alone, but I soon discovered the endless possibilities of travel photography. I studied a lot. From reading books and registering for online courses to watching video tutorials, attending photography classes and joining photography clubs, I never stopped expanding my photography skills and knowledge.

I patiently learnt the techniques of travel photography and I practised a lot. I still do. Learning about travel photography is an ongoing process. One that never fails to excite those who’ve chosen to be initiated to its secrets.

At some point, I inevitably started exploring the magical world of video, too. During the 2020 lockdowns, I found myself with a bit of extra time in my hands. Therefore, I dedicated most of it to learn the secrets of video-making and YouTube. After that, the sky was the limit. Or not? Soon, aerial photography won me over and I added a drone to my travel photography equipment.

I now work as a professional travel photographer, but it’s not just a job for me. Travel photography still is and always will be my life’s passion.

“Photographing is an emotional thing, a graceful thing. Photography allows me to wander with a purpose.” — Leonard Freed

Essential Travel Photography Gear: What’s in My Camera Bag

• Main Camera Body: Sony α7 III with 35-mm Full-Frame Image Sensor After months of tormenting thoughts and endless sleepless nights watching YouTube reviews and tutorials, I finally gave an end to two of the most haunting dilemmas I ever faced: 1. DSLR or Mirrorless? At first, I hated the idea of turning my back to DSLR cameras and entering the world of mirrorless technology. In the end, I saw the benefits of mirrorless cameras for travel photography. They’re way lighter and more compact than DSLR cameras. 2. Nikon or Sony? Once I decided to upgrade to a full-frame mirrorless camera, another dilemma started messing with my head. As a purist, I couldn’t imagine investing in any other camera brand than Nikon . However, after much thought, I succumbed to the siren call of the dark side and went for a Sony instead. I’m happy I did so and never looked back ever since. Featuring 4K video, fantastic focusing and impressive battery-life, the Sony α7 III is the camera I chose for being one of the best travel photography cameras in my budget for both photography and video.
• Camera Lens: Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD Sony E-mount This all-in-one zoom lens has the ideal focal length range for travel photography, it’s lightweight and, most of all, quite affordable.
• Lens Filters: 1. Hoya UV Filter 67mm for protection. 2. Hoya Variable ND Filter 67mm for cinematic video and long exposure shots.
• Backup Camera For Video: DJI Osmo Pocket That’s hands down the best handheld camera for travel video out there. With exceptional 4K video and offering the simplest way to shoot motion lapse and time lapse, the DJI Osmo Pocket is a fantastic video camera that literally fits in your pocket. Most of all, it’s very easy to use. It’s the only piece of my travel photography equipment that Maria is allowed (and often assigned) to use.
• Drone: DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo When I decided to buy a drone, I went for the DJI Mini 2 instead of a fancier one for two reasons. First, I considered it prudent to test my flying skills on a drone that wouldn’t cost a fortune. Secondly, I wanted to make sure I genuinely liked aerial photography before investing in one of the most expensive drones for travel photography. With 4K video and the option to shoot RAW, the DJI Mini 2 is great value for money. Especially if you buy the combo, which comes with two extra batteries, a stylish bag and lots of other goodies. I enjoy flying the DJI Mini 2 immensely. That’s probably because my feet never stop touching the ground. At last, I can admire spectacular views from above without all the negative emotions I get from my fear of flying when travelling by plane.
• Travel Camera Backpack: Thule Aspect DSLR Backpack I had been looking for a while for a travel backpack that would fit all my travel photography gear, my laptop and my personal items. While I researched, finding travel photography bags to love was the easy part. Finding one that wouldn’t break the bank was the hard part. The Thule Aspect ticks all my boxes and comes at a very reasonable price for what it offers.
• Small Camera Backpack: Benro Swift 100 That’s actually my first-ever travel photography backpack and it’s still my number one choice when I don’t need to carry all my equipment around.
• Travel Tripods: 1. Manfrotto Befree Advanced Alpha Travel Tripod This reliable travel tripod that features maximum stability and easy set-up is the best travel photography tripod you can buy without spending a fortune. 2. Manfrotto Pixi Mini Tripod Fitting literally in my pocket, I’m happy to carry this super lightweight tripod with me at all times. 3. Xiaomi Mi Selfie Stick Tripod This was bought as a mere selfie stick but it comes really handy when shooting a time lapse or motion lapse with the DJI Osmo Pocket.
• External Microphone: Rode VideoMicro When I was just starting with video, I needed an affordable and compact camera microphone to minimise noise interference when used outdoors. The Rode VideoMicro does the job just fine.
• Cleaning Kit : Trivial though it may sound, a cleaning kit for your camera lenses is of the utmost importance and it’s a purchase you should make right from the start. When it comes to cleaning kits, the sky’s the limit. I make sure the cleaning kits I buy include microfibre cleaning cloths, a cleaning pen and an air blower.
• Memory Cards : Shooting RAW and video means that I always carry several fast memory cards with me.
• Portable Hard Drives : I use fast SSD hard drives to store my images and video footage.
• Spare Batteries: There’s nothing I fear more than running out of battery in the middle of a photo shoot. That’s why I’m obsessed with having spare batteries for my camera and drone handy at all times. Fun fact: When I went to the camera store to buy the Sony α7 III, the guy at the counter told me that I wouldn’t need to buy a second battery for it. I ignored him and bought a spare battery anyway. Soon I realised that he was right. However, I have no regrets. It turns out that peace of mind can be bought after all.

Check out our minimalist photography gear list here!

What’s So Important About Travel Photography

As one of the most famous travel quotes goes, travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer . Therefore, who’d want to let these precious memories go to waste? The importance of travel photography lies in its superpower to revoke those memories long after the smells, sounds and tastes that accompany them have worn off.

However, travel photography isn’t just about helping travellers keep the memories of their past trips alive. It’s about showing the world to people who haven’t travelled as far and wide as they’d like.

Not everyone has the privilege to travel as much as their heart desires. Travel photography has the noble mission of communicating the most exotic feelings to these people, making them travel with their minds and souls and inspiring them to roam the world if and when their circumstances allow it.

Last but certainly not least, the absolutely most significant thing about travel photography is that it’s the next most powerful tool in the fight against intolerance, second only to travel itself.

As a means to get a glimpse of cultures and people in faraway lands, this superior form of art can bridge the imaginary gaps that exist between people. It can provide proof that our world is a stunningly diverse wonder. Ultimately, it can teach people that there’s nothing wrong with being different. From North to South and from East to West, travel photography captures fleeting – yet meant to become timeless – moments in the lives of people from all four corners of the globe.

At the end of the day, it makes no difference if the light that goes through our camera’s shutter records joyful or sorrowful scenes. What matters is that it takes but a look at these travel photos to know that the light shines as bright on all of us, regardless of skin colour, age, or gender. And this is what we love about travel photography the most.

“Photography can light up darkness and expose ignorance.” — Lewis Hine

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Travel Photography: What, When, Why And How To Take Images

Mixing different types of photography with travel can give us a lot of opportunities for experimenting and taking our passion to levels that could only exist, due to traveling. Many people who have started to take Photography seriously, have eventually stumbled into one huge dilemma. The eternal inquiry that is simple to ask, but pretty difficult to answer and reduces itself to defining the inner voice, or the personal style.

We as photographers start to shoot everything we find, and by experimenting and watching others’ work, we start to introduce ourselves in the styles of photography we feel keener to. These types of photography define the gear requirements you’ll need to get the minimum valuable photographs you are willing to capture, and when it comes to traveling, gear is always a huge concern due to space and backbone limitations.

Architectural Photography

Traveling offers an extensive buffet of architecture that feels always unique and interesting because it represents the culture of the places we are visiting. It doesn’t matter if you are not interested in the technical stuff around architecture, being able to appreciate its beauty is part of the photographers’ sensitivity.

Study light and color while wandering ancient or modern architecture. Give deep attention to the way shadows play with the shapes and forms of the architectures, be aware of the textures around the walls. Doing this will and it will make you a better photographer as well.

Landscape Photography

The best discipline of photography to cope with an exploring soul. Many landscape photographers enjoy traveling to the lonely places of the earth to get closer not just to nature, but also to themselves. Practicing landscape photography at any level from amateur to professional is an amazing compliment of traveling, in fact, many travels happen due to landscapes watching, seeing and even discovering.

Street Photography

Just as Landscape, street photography and traveling is almost a match made in heaven. Wandering the foreign streets is always a pleasure of traveling, and having a camera always with you for capturing the meaningful unseen stories of the streets, is the best traveling experience I can offer to anybody. Just remember to always keep yourselves inconspicuous and respectful when traveling to different cultures from your own.

Aerial Photography

No other points of view beets what aerial tools can offer. Airplane, helicopter, hot air balloon or even drone; getting a view from above is always an amazing way of doing achieving such images. When traveling try to look for tourist packages that are off the menu and offer this fantastic way of sightseeing from above.

Astrophotography

Astrophotography is done best when the skies are light pollution and clouds free. Thanks to our extensive urbanizations, getting light free ambiances is getting more and more complex as time goes by. Explore deserts and arctic venues for capturing the skies in the most breathtaking ways possible.

Documentary Photography

Traveling to different cultures is definitely a great way to do short term or almost flash projects. Stick to a concept or a statement, and go for it. We are curious creatures the human beings, and we tend to do things differently from others. Try documenting specific things of society with photo essays or narrative photography.

Food As The Reflection Of Different Cultures

Cultures express themselves through dishes and recipes. Such culinary artifacts are in most cases treasured like gold. Explore different cultures through their food, and document the colors, and the sizzling vibe surrounding it. Many cultures bloom with pride about their street local foods, capture those flavors, capture that national pride.

Sports Photography

Stadiums and other sports-related arenas often attract tourists. Many matches celebrate at global scales, inviting people to travel in order to get closer to them. Capturing decent images will require zoom lenses or telephoto, so this is something to consider when packing your bag.

Wildlife Photography

Wildlife photography is the perfect type of photography for those interested in documenting wildlife in its natural habitat. It is considered as a very demanding style of imagery, and there are some things that you need to consider besides your passport. First, you’ll need a lot of patience, so having plenty of time on your trip is crucial.

Wildlife photography suggests to always keep distance to interfere the least possible with the habitats, and also for your own safety when capturing images of big wild animals. From safaris to natural reservations, gearwise, it is very useful to have a capable zoom or telephoto lens. Now, you’ll have to keep this fact in mind when packing your gear, because putting good thinking in which gear to take and which one to leave, will be the key asset for your trip.

Defining a style can be difficult, and in many cases, we as authors or photographers are not the ones entitled to define it but our audience. Not everything is empowered to the viewers in terms of defining a style of photography. We as photographers are responsible for some of the percentage of its scope. At our hands lays the responsibility of choosing the roads to endure in order to perfect that inner voice and creative style.

“a great tip for any traveling photographer, invest in a lightweight tripod.”

It all reduces to the fact that photography style goes hand in hand with defining a personal style or the inner voice. But, choosing one type of photography or various ones is not something you’ll be married to for the rest of your lives; you have the right to change your mind with time. It will only be part of your photographic history, and it must be ruled by the passion you feel.

Don’t feel guilty for appreciating other styles that exceed your scope. It is a huge mistake to get distant from other types of photography just because you are not capable of creating, or are not even interested in making. Keep this concept in mind always; appreciation is crucial for growing as photographers.

originally posted on phototraces.com

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Photography 101: The Art of Travel Photography

Our guide will help you learn all about travel photography, so you can get out there, explore, and capture great photos!

Capturing the perfect photo is an art form, and there is no better canvas than the world around us.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, travel photography is a great way to explore your creativity and expand your portfolio.

Nowadays with the increase in technology, you don't have to be a professional photographer to get great shots, but capturing awesome photos can take practice, patience, and a bit of luck.

Here are a few travel photography tips to get you started.

Find Your Style

The first step for any travel photographer is finding your photography style.

Do you prefer candid shots or posed?

Black and white or color?

Zoomed in or wide angle?

Once you’ve found your niche, stick with it.

Consistency is key when it comes to building a strong portfolio.

Travel photography is all about capturing the world around you, so it’s important to find a style that suits your subject matter.

Landscape Photography

If you’re shooting landscapes, for example, you’ll want to focus on composition and light.

Look for interesting lines and shapes, and pay attention to the colors in the scene.

The time of day can also make a big difference in the quality of light, so be sure to experiment with different times of day to get the best results.

Street Photography

Street photography is all about capturing the everyday moments that make up life in a city.

Look for interesting characters and stories, and be sure to get permission before taking any photos of people.

This type of photography can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.

Portraiture Photography

As any professional travel photographer knows, it’s all about connection for portraits.

You want to capture the essence of your subject, so it’s important to make a connection with them before you start shooting.

Engage in conversation, make them laugh, and put them at ease.

The more comfortable they are, the better your photos will be.

Wildlife Photography

Wildlife photography can be tricky, but it’s also one of the most rewarding genres.

You never know what you’re going to get, so it’s important to be prepared for anything.

Be sure to pack plenty of patience and a long lens, and don’t be afraid to get up close and personal.

Remember, practice makes perfect!

The more you shoot, the better your photos will be.

Action Shots

Professional photographers know that action shots are all about timing.

Whether you’re photographing a surfer catching a wave or a bird in flight, you’ll need to be quick on the trigger to get the shot.

A good way to practice is by setting up a tripod and using the timer function on your camera.

Start with a longer interval like 10 seconds, and then work your way down to shorter intervals as you get more comfortable.

With a little practice, you’ll be capturing amazing travel photos in no time!

Get to Know Your Camera

This may seem like a no-brainer to travel photographers, but it’s important to know all the functions of your camera before heading out on your trip.

Experiment with different camera settings and take practice shots in various lighting conditions.

The more familiar you are with your camera, the better your photos will be, so sharpen your photography skills before you head out.

The last thing you want is to be fumbling with your camera when you should be enjoying the view and capturing amazing travel photographs.

This may be difficult for beginners who want to bring every lens they own, but trust us—less is more when it comes to travel photography gear.

Traveling can be tough on camera equipment, so it’s best to only bring what camera gear you need.

Depending on your style, one camera body and one or two lenses should be sufficient.

And don’t forget extra batteries and memory cards!

Be Prepared

The best way to avoid missed opportunities is to be prepared.

Before heading out on your trip, do some research and make a plan.

Know when the best time of day is to shoot, and be sure to scout out locations in advance.

If you’re shooting landscapes, for example, you’ll want to find a spot with a good vantage point.

And if you’re shooting portraits, it’s always a good idea to have a few backup locations in case your first choice is crowded or doesn’t work out.

By being prepared, you’ll be able to make the most of your time and come home with amazing travel photos.

Above all, remember to have fun!

Photography should be enjoyable, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself to get the perfect shot.

The best photos often come from candid moments, so relax and let the picture happen naturally.

Capturing Travel Photography

Now that you know some photography tips for beginners, get out there and start exploring your travel photography journey!

With these tips in mind and a little practice, and you’re ready to start capturing beautiful travel photos.

Remember to have fun and experiment—that’s half the battle.

The world is full of possibility, so get out there and start exploring!

And who knows?

Maybe one day your work will grace the walls of a gallery with other professional travel photographers or end up in someone’s living room as a cherished piece of art.

So, pack your bags , grab your passport, and see where the road takes you!

Create your own adventure and capture precious memories along the way!

Eager to learn more about travel photography? Check out Chris Hau's video!

Now that you know more about travel photography, you're definitely going to want to capture all of the fun memories as you explore the world! If you want to locate exquisite birds easily, head over to Resilient Reviews because Travis' article on the best monocular for bird watching has you covered!

Eager to learn Photoshop in an hour? Check out Scott Kelby's Course for $29 on KelbyOne !

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Travel Photography Tips

Each place we visit has its own particular look, character, and ambiance. If we want photographs of our travels to be good and lasting, they should capture all of these qualities, and say as much about a place as give the literal look of it.

We are unlikely to long remember the smell and buzz of a flower garden in spring, the awe of gazing for the first time at the mountain we intend to climb, the caress of a tropical breeze, the thrill of a huge roller coaster, the wonder of our first wild bear, or the adrenaline of rafting white water. Our photographs need to bring these and other sensations back, to trigger our memories, and to communicate how we felt to others. To do this, we need to think and feel as much as look when setting out to make photographs.

First and foremost, think about what made you decide, out of all the places in the world, to choose this particular destination. Whatever it is—the beach, the rides, the mountain, the galleries, the food—obviously appeals to you. If it didn't, you wouldn't be going there. That site or activity (or inactivity) is one of the things you want to photograph. But there are probably many other interesting aspects of the place you may not be aware of. That's where research comes in.

Photographers for National Geographic spend a lot of time doing research. This helps us figure out what's there—what the place is about and what subjects we need to cover. Read brochures and travel books. Go to libraries, bookstores, or onto the Web. Talk to friends who have been there. Pick up travel information at the country's embassy. Find whatever you can that is relevant, and devour it.

Understanding the customs and traditions of a place is vital. For one thing, you want to be sure you act in a way that is not rude or offensive while you are there, and it's hard to know what's acceptable and what isn't with some knowledge. It can also help you understand things people do that at first encounter you might consider incomprehensible or even horrifying.

When you arrive at your destination, be open and try to take note of the first impressions—write them down if you have to. (A notebook is an essential accessory for a travel photographer.) When you see a place for the first time from the plane window, or when you drive around a bend and there it is, or as the ship nears some distant island—how do you feel? Where do your eyes go first? What do you notice about the place right away? A smell? The heat or cold? Blistering sunlight? Mysterious fog? A particular building or vista? The way people move? Their dress? Whatever it is, remember it. First impressions are invaluable sparks to creative interpretation, and by definition are not repeatable. You've seen the place in pictures, you've read about it. Now you're there, and all your senses can partake.

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Get out there. The only way to discover the rhythm of life in a place, and so figure out what to shoot, is to experience it. Many places, particularly hot ones, are active very early in the morning and late in the afternoon but rather in a lull around midday. Get up early, stay out late. If you are on a tour that is scheduled to leave the hotel or ship at 9:00, get up well before dawn. Wander around before meeting up with your companions. If the tour goes back to the hotel or ship for lunch, don't go with them. Rather than take the bus back at the end of an afternoon tour, hang around until after sunset and then take a taxi. Use any spare time to get out and look for photographs. Besides availing yourself of more opportunities, time spent discovering the place will enrich your experience.

Get lost. Wander down alleys. Sit in cafés and watch life pass by. Don't eat where the tourists do, but where you see locals. Just set off down a street and see where it leads. Look around the bends, over the rises. Get away from the crowd. I find that if I meander away from the tourists and tourist sites, away from what is too familiar and comfortable, it's much easier to adapt to the rhythm of a place, and to be more observant.

Always have your camera with you and always keep your eyes open. Serendipity plays an enormously important role in travel photography. You never know what you are going to run into, and you have to be ready. Many times you will see what could be a good photograph but decide that the light is not right, or there are no people around, or too many—something that means you will have to come back later. But sometimes you get lucky. You happen to stumble upon a scene at just the right moment. If you forgot your camera, are out of film, or your digital card is full, if you have to fumble around getting the right lens on, the moment may be gone before you can recover. This is true whether you are doing street photography or visiting a natural or man-made site. Mountains, trees, monuments, and other static subjects are, of course, not going to go anywhere, but the ray of sunshine, the soaring eagle, or the embracing couple that add the needed element to your photograph are unlikely to hang around. Think of it as hunting—whenever you leave the confines of your camp, you should be ready and able to capture whatever pops up.

Make time for photography. Like doing anything well, making good photographs requires a commitment of time and energy. One problem with much of modern travel is that the days are chockablock full of scheduled tours, events, and meals. Our trips are usually of limited time, and we naturally want to see as many sites as possible. The itineraries rarely leave room for serious photography. You have to make time. It may help to make photography a scheduled part of every day, so you know you have the time and won't be tempted to get lazy and say, "I'll do it tomorrow." It might rain tomorrow. Don't procrastinate.

When traveling, you're likely to encounter all sorts of situations and subjects. This requires being a bit of a jack-of-all-trades—you need to be able to photograph portraits, landscapes, and everything in between.

Above all, work the situations over. Never be satisfied with your first view of a place or the first frame you snap. It's always possible—and usually likely—that you can come up with something better. Why else would painters make sketches? Get closer, then get closer still. Try different angles, different lenses. Wait for the light, wait for the crowd, wait for a bird to land on the tree branch. Never be in a hurry to get somewhere else. Tell yourself that nothing is more important than getting the best you can get out of the situation you are in. Once you've exhausted every possibility you can think of, you can start working on the next one.

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Landscapes come in all forms—mountains, forests, plains, deserts, swamps, lakes, rivers, seacoasts. Each has its own characteristics, and individual sites within each category have their own too. The Grand Tetons do not look like the Andes—the Nile River is different from the Mississippi.

Whatever kind of landscape you are shooting, think about what the essential qualities are—and not just the visual ones; think about how the place makes you feel, what kind of emotions it stirs in you. Then look for ways to get those qualities and feelings onto film. Is it a rocky, violently wave-washed coast or a bright and sandy one? If it's the former, you want to show waves crashing against the shore, probably in stormy weather. Blue sky and sunlight are more appropriate for the latter unless you want to show the desolation of a resort beach in winter.

Cities and Towns

Like landscapes, each city and town has its own look and feel—a distinctive setting, architecture, or skyline; a famous local site; a particular kind of food or dress. There's always at least one thing that is unique. When covering a town or city, even a small village, you need to do three basic things at a minimum: capture a sense of place, which is usually a wide shot that shows the setting, skyline, or other view that gives a feeling for the whole; landmarks that the place is famous for; the life of its inhabitants. For the cityscapes and wide shots, as well as for the landmarks, it's a good idea to check out the postcard racks in your hotel lobby or at kiosks. They will quickly give you an idea of where the best views are and what is considered well-known enough to warrant a postcard.

Monuments and Other Buildings

When you are photographing buildings, statues, or other monuments, think about what they represent before you shoot. For example: There's a large statue of Vulcan outside Birmingham, Alabama. You could make a perfectly nice image of him standing on his hill on a sunny day, but such a picture would not say a lot about who Vulcan is. A photograph on a stormy evening, with perhaps lightning in the background, would. Cannons on a historic battlefield might look better in fog than in bright sunlight. Get the idea of the subject, then think of the weather, light, angle, etc. that best communicates it.

Photographing Family Members and Friends

We often travel with people we know—taking a family vacation, for example, or bicycling around Tuscany with a group of friends. We quite naturally want to come home with pictures of them as souvenirs of the trip. Be sure to get these, but don't forget that you can also use members of your family and your friends to make your other photographs more effective.

When you are making pictures of your friends, try to strike a balance between a picture of them and a picture of the place. A friend of mine once made a close-up portrait of me in China. It wasn't a great portrait, but more important, it could have been made in my backyard—there was nothing of the place in the frame. Of course, you may want to shoot portraits, or to capture someone's expression at a particular moment, but often you are making the picture as a way of documenting your shared experience. You want to show enough of your friend to be able to recognize him—that vertical speck in the distance could be anybody. But you don't want to be so close that there's no context. If your friend is the primary subject, he has to be strong enough to draw attention and be recognizable but still keep some sense of where he is.

Photographing Strangers

It's best to ask permission if you want to photograph someone, especially if you are working in close. Engage them before you pull out your camera. Learn at least how to say "hello" and "May I make a photograph" in the local language—just showing that you've made a little effort helps. Explain to them what you want to do and what it is about them that made you want to make a picture. If approached in an open and friendly manner, most people will be agreeable—many are flattered that someone has shown an interest in them and what they do. In places where there's a lot of tourism, you may run into people who are tired of being photographed—many tourists are not courteous enough to ask permission, and local people can come to feel abused and exploited. The only way to overcome this is to spend time with the people or to go to parts of the place less frequented by tourists.

In many tourist destinations, people may ask for money if you want to photograph them. Many of these places are desperately poor, and people have few ways of getting hold of cash. The money they ask for is usually not very much to us, but may represent quite a lot to them. How you deal with these situations is up to you, but remember that every time you buy a postcard, you are happy to spend the money for a picture somebody else took. Why not spend a little on your own?

You cannot always ask permission, of course. If you are shooting a street scene or a wide shot of a market, you can't run up to everyone and ask if it's OK. In general, people do not mind this sort of photography—it's only when they're singled out that they get uncomfortable. But not always. Be sensitive to the scene in your viewfinder. If people are getting nervous, ask permission or move on.

Make use of people to give your images life and scale. If the facade of a particular building appeals to you, the picture may be that much better if you show people walking in front of it. They will give it scale and also let viewers know what sorts of people live there, how they dress, and the like. An outdoor café may be more interesting crowded with people than empty.

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Photography is a medium of communication and a combination of technology and art. Here, in an Ultimate Guide to Travel photography , we are really going to have the journey. Yes, the journey begins here by exploring all about Travel photography. We all would have wished or might have thought to visit some particular place at least once in our lifetime, right! Maybe because we have either liked those places or it might be out of our curiosity to know about that place.

You will be here knowing step by step namely what is travel photography, the scope and career in travel photography, the best travel photography courses and colleges , jobs and salaries, and essential equipment needed for travel photography.

Travel Photography

For no doubt, we all love to have it in our various stages of life. Just image you are going for a visit to one of your Uncle’s home from your home town. Driving your car nearly 500 km and with your friends with you. Won’t you get down from the car at least every 2 hrs and enjoy that particular place and its surroundings? Will, you do not capture those lovely places and moments? Travelling gets more interesting when you enjoy those moments and cherish those in your memories in the form of beautiful images.

What is Travel?

The travel actually refers to the action of moving from one place to another of some length. The mode of traveling can be by roadways, railways, airways, and even waterways. You experience a different feeling when the mode changes. For instance, it is totally different when it’s through walking, motorcycles, car, bus, train, airplanes, boat or ship, etc.

Some do believe that travel is about the fact of how long one has moved from one place to another, namely the length of the journey. While some others believe that, travel is all about how good you have

What is Travel Photography?

Travel Photography is one of the genres in photography where one can fulfill their two wishes together. Yes, you read it correctly. Photography and Travelling. It is where you showcase or document different places with the landscapes, people, their culture, livelihood, lifestyle, and many more.

“The World is just like a Large Book. Those who do not Travel would have probably always read-only one Page.”

It is to mention that Travel photography plays a huge role in knowing the different parts of the world. In fact, it keeps us most of the time filled with adventurous journeys, risks, and thrills.

Types of Travel Photography

The best travel photography is always capable of establishing the reality of the place. Moreover, it brings in the feeling to the viewers as they themselves were there in that particular place at that particular moment. Further, we will be knowing more about how to make successful travel photography, what are the techniques used in it, and why Travel Photography is so prominent.

Actually, Travel Photography includes all the photography that comes during your journey from starting point to the destination place. For instance, whether it’s people, animal, place, thing or food, etc… and even anything that comes in the way.

Let’s see, some of the types of photography. It includes Landscape Photography, Architecture Photography, Street Photography, People and Culture Photography, Food Photography , Documentary Photography, and Wildlife Photography.

Nature and Landscape Photography

The most pleasing and attractive photograph that one acquires during their travel photography is the Landscape photography with its natural background. Apart from the technical settings in travel photography, it also demands for good composition. Some would try the composition with Rule of Thirds concept in mind while there are occasions where the composition in Golden Ratio excellently.

People and Culture Photography

If you ever think of a place anywhere in the world, you would surely come up with several thoughts. For instance, about the people residing there, their lifestyles, their clothing, the food they eat, and many more, etc… In addition to this, how can we forget about the culture of the people over there? Hence, comes the people photography where all these are reflected in the images.

Architecture Photography

The buildings, historic places, monuments, museums, abstract buildings, the textures, all of these, and more come our way during the journey of travel photography. Whether its day with shining light or filled with clouds or blue sky or even in the low light, all make a different result. Photographers always find the various features of architecture through their images.

Wildlife Photography

During some of our journeys, we come across wild animals, and birds by chance. Usually, professional photographers have a pre-planning for wildlife photography and visit their destination purposefully. While a travel photographer intends in exploring the various locations. Hence, in such situations, some places are found with not only people but also with the wild-lives. With this in intention, although if the person is not a wildlife photographer, he or she gets all set and ready with the necessary camera equipment for the same.

Just go through our article on An ultimate guide to Wildlife photography and the know the wonderful aspect of wildlife photography.

Street and Documentary Photography

Obviously, every place is not the same. And will not give the same images every time even if you visit the same location number of times. Now, think of a street that you have seen earlier some months back. Even though it is still available there, you won’t get the same things as before.

The experience in street photography is something that one finds difficult to compare with the just previous street photographs. Because of its differences, it’s unique.

The Uses of Travel Photography

Travel Photography plays a vital role in various other areas or sessions. For example, in education, in bringing awareness, giving information, entertainment, and also in tour and tourism. When the relevant images in addition to its information is provided, the effect and the result is remarkable.

One of the prime factors for revealing and expressing the unknown facts about many things around the world is because of photographs being captured. And many of those are the ones acquired and cherished during ones travel.

As such travel photographs are been used in many important streams. Without which knowledge about the place, people over there, their lifestyle can be hardly known to other parts of the world.

The larger world has lots of things to show. We being in the digital world, love to travel different places leaving back all our stress and pressure of work. The memorable travel photographs become a treasure in all such situations.

Where are Travel Photographs being used?

Disclosing the unknown or expressing the reality and facts of the place, people, and things are some of the purposes that come out from Travel photography. The main aim of travel photography is to create awareness or showing the unexposed places. So, it is used in all kinds of educational purposes, travel, and tourism departments.

Moreover, the travel photographs are also much helpful for some of the government departments or agencies that work for Government projects, welfare organizations, etc… Also, the media, newspaper, magazines, books, social media, has a huge requirement for travel photographs. After all, these media would fail to express and impress the viewers, readers, and audiences without these images.

• Travel Photographer

It would be simply meaningless to mention here the definition of “Who is a Travel Photographer?”. The moment you got to know “what is travel photography?” and “what are the types of travel photography?”, you would have undoubtedly made up your mind with who will be called as a travel photographer. Of course, the one who takes photographs of all or any of the above-mentioned types of photography by traveling from one place to another.

But, you must not get confused about the terms “Traveler” and “Travel Photographer.” A traveler aims to travel to different places, irrespective of the length of the traveling distance. Whereas, a travel photographer aims in photography for which he or she needs to travel to different places.

The Role of a Travel photographer

A travel photographer needs to be always ready to explore new destinations. They need to sometimes follow an adventurous life and face new challenges and risks. Despite all these, they are the ones who learn first about any place and then let others know about it. Indeed they witness the most of any place during the journey until they reach the destination.

A Travel Photographer has the power to make many things possible. The unlimited bunch of travel photographs by any photographer is considered to be the milestones.

Best Travel Photographers

There are many legendary photographers who have made a remarkable impression through their work in this category. Either as a Landscape Photographer or Documentary Photographer or Architecture Photographer. Some do it for their passion or some do as their profession.

Here are some of the best Travel Photographers who considered as inspirations to the beginners or armatures. Their works and contributions has been a medium for expressing their vision too to the world.

• Chris Burkard
• Steve McCurry
• Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi
• Mattia Passarini
• Yasmin Mund
• Bill Bradshaw

How do I become a Professional Travel Photographer?

Basically, photography is an art of visual storytelling. To make travel photography as a profession, you need to have more patience and should work hard till the end. Because that patience and hard work are the two important factors, that will surely help you to become a professional. Here are some of the tips to become a travel photographer,

Travel Photography Education

Develop the basic knowledge about photography Each photographer should have a clear idea and should know about the fundamentals of photography. As well as should also have a basic camera and gear knowledge.

Completing Professional Photography Education The Photography Educations help a photographer to know in detail regarding photography and act wisely in the field. So, getting proper photography education is essential.

Improve Editing Skills A good photograph is valued by its presentation. Editing plays a vital role in this. Hence, it is worth to learn and apply the editing skills.

Equipment and Skills

Get proper Camera Gears and Accessories A wrong combination of gears and accessories can destroy the entire journey of travel photography. A photographer needs to have a proper selection of cameras and suitable equipment as per once comfort and need.

Apply Marketing Strategy Here, marketing strategy doesn’t merely mean about selling one’s photographs. Rather, marketing skills also mean to make your ideas, and views reach others through your photographs. To establish our works, marketing either online or offline plays a major role.

Improve observation and research skills Observation is the most required basic skills that might make a photographer different from others. Our deep observation around us and the presence of mind while we go out to a location, really adds benefit in our photographs. On the other hand, research on our location or field of visit makes us to pre-plan the traveling as well as our photography.

Final Approach and Efforts

Choose proper platform A good work is always praised when it makes an impact on the viewers. It may be one image from hundred of several images that you have capture in one particular travel photography. Magazines, online websites, media etc., likewise there are many medium through which we can reach the audience. So, it is necessary to have knowledge regarding technologies and facilities available and making use of it.

Hard work Patience and hard work are two essential factors for any work or job. Whether you work independently or under a company. If you are capable of working hard and have patience definitely you too can make a great impact through your work. and reach great heights.

Additional Skills required to become a Travel photographer

Even though if you have knowledge about camera and photography, editing, and another technical part. There are some of the other basic skills that are necessary to become a professional photographer. They are,

• Creative thinking
• Presence of mind
• Self-confident
• Perseverance
• Acceptance of surrounding
• Observation skills
• Communication skills
• Getting out from your comfort zone

Physically and Mentally should be ready

As we all know that to fit into any job, we have to be healthy both physically and mentally. He or she to be well prepared for any journey at any time.

Ready to handle situations

Each situation will be different from others. A photographer should be capable of handling situations wisely. A travel photographer needs to be ready to face every challenge as per the stress and pressure of work, etc… Since we don’t exactly know what the situation will be all through our journey.

While one is traveling, it is very obvious that one must be ready to face varied situations. Although the skill to tackle problems and situations is not added as one of the skills. But, it is one of the factors necessary which improves by every journey.

Whatever your subject is, either the still subjects such as architecture, landscapes, or the moving expressive faces; one has to take care of getting the best outcome from it.

Travel Photography Courses

There are various photography courses available for different duration and structures. Whereas the completely dedicated travel photography courses are offered by very few reputed colleges around the world. Some of them offer certificate courses while a few others offer degree and diploma courses in travel photography. This degree in photography provides the most comprehensive training for someone serious about this profession.

What education do you need to be a travel photographer?

First of all, education is important for any profession. To become a travel photographer basic education of +2 and need to join any Photography colleges for Diploma in Travel Photography Course. Knowledge, education, and information are the most important things for one who needs to be a professional photographer. Photography education is no different. The next step in travel photography education is to start learning and researching about various different places. It indeed creates interest in you to know more and makes you internally confident to capture the best during your travel.

The basic requirement for education is the willingness to come forward and get ready to learn things.

Since after taking photographs from various other places, you need to establish your work to the audience. Hence, education for editing, digital marketing is so much important. Knowing more about various genres and types of travel photography, allows one to accept the essential skills, tips, tricks and develop one working skills.

Travel Photography Courses After 12th

Is travel photography a good career, different courses in travel photography.

Requirements for photographers vary as per the field and industry. Some may require only a high school diploma or equivalent, others may require additional training or an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Photographers often start their careers as interns, assistants, or related positions gaining experience as they move on learning.

The extent of the education you need to be a photographer may depend largely on your goals in the field. Good technical abilities, knowledge of equipment, and in-field experience.

• Certificate Course in Photography is a few months course
• Professional Diploma in Travel Photography is a one year course
• PG Diploma in Travel Photography is a one year course
• Bachelor of Visual Arts is a three years course

Best Travel Photography Colleges

There are limited colleges around the world that provides complete education related to travel photography. Hence, choose wisely, which photography course would fulfill your requirements and needs. Creative Hut Institute of Photography Provides one year Professional Diploma in Travel Photography.

Job opportunities in Travel Photography

Travel Photography offers a broad range of potential career opportunities in many areas. From working as a photojournalist or a media correspondent to a blogger, etc… There are plenty of ways to combine your love for traveling with photography if you have got passion, determination, and talent.

Travel Photography Jobs

• Freelance Photographer
• Photojournalist
• Destination Wedding Photographer
• Resort Photographer
• Travel Blogger
• Travel and Tourism Departments
• The Travel Magazines
• Online Travel Websites

If you are creative minded and if you have the motivation to turn your dream into reality. Now more than ever there is huge need for strong photographic content and images. Indeed these make an impact on various career options.

How to make Income as a Travel Photographer?

The professional photographer is mostly said to be the one who makes income over his particular category of work. Here are some of the tips to make an income,

• Selling stock photography
• Selling photos to magazines, tourism boards etc…
• Different assignments
• Advertising and or publishing house
• Blogging/vlogging
• Selling printed photographs
• Freelancing as clients needs
• Online courses
• In-person workshops

What is travel photography salary?

As a Photographer during the early stages, it is obvious that the earning will be less. Our continuous efforts, help us to prove our self with our effective photography works. And thus, the income increases gradually.

A Travel Photographer can earn an average of Rs. 7,000 to Rs 18,000 per month or project at the beginning according to the work and platform one selects for earning. It can be gradually increased if we work completely with passion. Some individuals even earn Rs.50,000 per month because of their work quality. Maybe not every single month. But, on average Rs.25000/ per month or project depending upon your work.

Scope of Travel Photography

When one gets to know more about certain places, its people, their lifestyles, its history, culture, religion, food, architecture, and monuments. Then it indeed helps you to get the idea of the subject while one is in the field.

During the trip, when we go to various places we should always respect the people, their land and all the surrounding for what and how they are.

As a travel photographer, your each trip to another destination should have an aim.

Travel Photography Tips and Tricks

Also, keep in mind that all the gears and camera accessories are valuable assets, so keep things safe and sound. While going for a trip make sure to have sufficient and proper hard disk and memory cards. Always keep the camera with you as easy access for grabbing it and taking pictures as soon as possible. Such that you won’t miss single wonderful frames and actions. While going to some common and famous places, try to avoid crowds so that you can get a better perspective.

• Find a niche or specialty
• Invest in good camera gear and equipment
• Be flexible, travel photography requires commitment
• Try to apply the knowledge gained through photography education
• May research on the possible subjects before taking images
• Always carry a notepad or notebook or anything that enables you to note the important facts
• Improve observation quality
• Have respect for everything around you
• Always have your camera with you
• Maintain presence of mind
• Be creative and bring-up own style

Travel Photography Equipment

• Perfect Camera Body
• Lens and Equipment
• Wide Angle Lens
• Telephoto Zoom Lens
• Drone, not compulsory
• Memory Card
• Camera Batteries
• Travel Tripod
• Lens Filters
• Lens ball for some creative shots
• Camera and lens cleaning kit
• LED or Torch Lights

Some of the Best Cameras for Travel Photography

• Canon EOS R
• Fujifilm X100F
• GoPro Hero7 Black
• DJI Mavic Pro Drone

Travel Photography Guide

As a travel photographer, your each trip to another destination should have an aim. Its not only about the landscape. In fact, its a full package comprising people and culture, architecture, street, lifestyle, food and any kind of photography possible there. Once you return from the trip and go through your images, you would definitely feel a complete satisfaction.

A professional photographer of any genre requires proper knowledge about photography and should develop creative skill to make uniqueness. As the words from Herry Miller states,

An Ultimate guide to travel photography is an effort to provide the sufficient information and details in this field. In the hope that it may provide our readers with the necessary skills, education, job opportunity, salary details, how to make a career, and to earn income out of it.

The specialization in Travel Photography is offered by very rare colleges in the World. Creative Hut Institue of Photography offers one year Professional Diploma In Travel Photography.

Develop the basic knowledge about photography Acquire Professional Photography Education Improve Editing Skills Getting proper Camera Gears and Accessories Awareness on Marketing Strategy Improve observation and research skills Choose proper platform Work hard with dedication, commitment, and creativity View to know how can one become a Photographer?

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Travel Photography Explained

A Personal Perspective from Travel Photographer: Clint Burkinshaw

Importance of travel photography, the photographer, proactive and reactive photography, travel photography gear, quick access bag, lighter weight camera body, lens choice, travel tripod, safety and security, travel photography tips for beginners, tip #1. know your gear, tip #2. reduce complexity and keep things simple, tip #3. noise is better than a blurry image, tip #4. get lost, tip #5. respect local customs, tip #6. mix up your shots, tip #7. take the time to post process your photos, tip #8. maintain your gear, tip #9. backup your photos.

Travel photography differs from other subcategories of photography. It is a genre that has few limitations to its image qualifiers, but will also test the photographer to great lengths due to the abundance of challenges faced. Within the travel photography genre, one can expect to see a vast range of images aimed to capture anything from the combination of landscapes , portrait, street, culture, food, underwater scenes and more.

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However, the unique component at the heart of travel photography, is that the images from the vast range of subcategories are aimed to capture and share moments in time from different cultures, an alternate way of life, and varied geographical locations from around the globe.

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5-day summer photo tour | black sand beaches, waterfalls & glacier lagoons, 8 day summer photography workshop in iceland, 3 day photo workshop in the icelandic highlands.

Travel photography goes further than just capturing a great image. It’s there to tell a story, educate and inspire.

So what exactly is travel photography? In this article, I'll share with you my own perspective as a travel photographer, why travel photography is important, what you'll need to get started and above all, how to stay safe on your travels.

To me, travel photography transcends just “landscape” or “portrait” photography. It’s about capturing and documenting that distant place in a single frame, pulling the viewer into the shot and making them wish that they were there.

A good travel photo will be more than just a slice of time captured in a rectangle. It will tell a story and convey emotion. Travel photography is a source of inspiration and driver to see and experience the best our world has to offer. Subsequently, it brings out the best in me.

• See also:    Tips for Planning a Photography Trip to Iceland

Travel photography is all about bringing the world to people and exposing to them what else is out there. It’s about educating people about the customs of other cultures, showing them how they differ from their own.

The world is far grander and more exquisite with beautiful differences than just the area that surrounds us. Bringing nature's majesty to the people, inspires and promotes the diversity of this planet and helps encourage others to explore and see the great outdoors.

• See also:    25 Useful Tips to Quickly Improve Your Landscape Photography

Anyone can do a bit of travel photography, just as anyone can do landscape or portrait photography, regardless of what the definition of “professional” is.

There are essentially two main groups of people engaging in travel photography. One group consists of those who travel for the purpose of photography, and the other group consists of people who travel for the sake of travel and take photos to compliment their travels.

While there is no reason to promote one group over another, it is still a good idea to prioritise your intended scope prior to planning your trip, as the experience will be somewhat different.

• See also:    How to Become a Professional Landscape Photographer

There are two main categories for which one needs to focus their skill development and preparation within. These consist of proactive and reactive photography.

Reactive photography becomes significantly evident when engaging in street, cultural or wildlife shoots. These unpredictable and dynamic scenes tend to present golden opportunities, which seem to come and go in the blink of an eye. Photographers need to be incredibly quick and demonstrate the skills to make the most of these opportunities and capture the images in an efficient and effective manner.

Proactive photography in essence is being “proactive” about your next photo shoot, by doing things in preparation (like researching your upcoming location) prior to arriving.

Of course, no matter where a photographer goes and what he shoots, being proactive is always encouraged. However, there are more prevalent and anticipated situations where proactive photography will be much more beneficial.

Landscape photography is a great example of this, as the success of such photos can heavily depend on the preparation gone into the shoot. Additionally, these scenes also require quite a bit of reactive photography when on site, in areas such as lighting and newly discovered composition opportunities.

• See also:    How to Start Taking Landscape Photos with a Smartphone

When it comes to what equipment to take, travel photography has its own unique considerations in contrast to other photography categories. What to pack will also depend on the trip itself. As a travel photographer, if I could give one imperative tip; it would be to ‘go light’!

As mentioned previously, much of travel photography is reactive. This means, being in the right place at the right time, and NOT missing that golden opportunity. For this, being ready with equipment that is not going to slow you down, is vital.

First of all, you'll need a bag that’s going to allow you to get your gear in and out quickly. When that opportunity presents itself, you need to be able to access your camera extremely fast.

For this, I recommend a day pack with a side access pocket which can be undone in a single zip, giving you access to your camera body with an appropriately attached lens. Also, if the voyage is a long one, quick access will help you keep your sanity with the hundreds (if not thousands) of times you’ll be grabbing your camera. Hybrid camera bags are good for this, and also allows you to take additional non-photography related belongings.

When I previously mentioned “going light” is the key for successful travel photography, I very much meant it. If you’re going to be walking for hours on end each day, or going on regular hikes, lighter weight equipment is going to help you out with your photography much more than you think.

A lighter body with fewer lenses than normal, gives you the opportunity to go further with ease and allows you to get your camera out more often than not, especially in those times when you might think twice. So shelf that hefty camera body, and take something much lighter.

Thankfully, full frame sensors are fitting into smaller and smaller bodies these days, and the choice has grown substantially.

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The type of lenses you take is also key to getting great photographs. While taking enough lenses to cater for all situations, going overboard with too much lenses only works against the photographer. I recommend taking nomore than four lenses for short trips, and no more than 3 lenses for longer trips.

For landscape lovers, an ultra-wide angle lens is an absolute necessity.

A nice standard zoom for a walk around street photography lens is very useful, combined with a fast prime for nice low depth of field shots to really enhance favourite subjects.

Telephotos aren’t generally required for standard travel photography (depending on the trip), but is something to be considered based on photographic intentions.

• See also:    The Best Lenses for Landscape Photography in Iceland

One good thing about going light with your camera body and lenses is the fact that it’s now possible to downsize the tripod. A smaller smaller (or lighter) body and lens combination means a lighter weight tripod and all of this together will cut down the weight required to carry on the shoulders. It’s also quite helpful to have a tripod that folds up small to fit in your day bag. This means one with 4 leg sections.

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Caring for both you and your equipment is paramount when it comes to travelling in a foreign environment. Depending on the location visited, there may be areas which should not be ventured into.

Walking around at night, or even walking around with your expensive equipment during the day, may put you and your possessions in danger. Always seek local advice for do’s and don’ts in the area, and take them seriously.

Having strong familiarity with your equipment is one very important aspect of travel photography. Walking busy streets will often throw all kinds of lighting conditions at you, and within these hectic, constantly changing conditions, golden opportunities come and go within a matter of seconds.

Being able to act quickly with the right lens and appropriate camera settings, is an absolute necessity to capturing these magic moments.

Another crucial aspect is to not over complicate your setup. If you’ve got an inappropriate number of lens (because you just “need” the best of the best for each situation) and organised in a fashion that makes you scramble each time you want to change things up. You’re doing it wrong.

Have a nice high quality lens that’s capable of a broader spectrum, with a simple setup, that’ll allow you to snap photos with ease. The more complicated and burdensome things get, the less photographs you’ll take.

You can always work with an image that's slightly noisier than you’d prefer, but you can never work with an image that's blurry. If lighting conditions are ever a question, and you’re doing a whole bunch of that reactive photography talked about earlier, then always bump up the ISO a bit to be on the safe side.

• See also:    Understanding Image Noise in Your Landscape Photography of Iceland

In the kindest way possible, of course! Taking the time out to spend a day wandering the streets, is one of the best things that could be done for street photography. You’ll discover places you never would have had normally. Getting off the tourist trail is also a great way to get authentic and interesting culture shots.

A major part of travel photography is being sensitive to foreign customs and cultures. It’s very common for other cultures to find it rude (or an insult) to be photographed. Especially without permission. This needs to be heavily be considered when in a foreign place photographing people and cultural scenes. Do your research, respect customs, and ask people before taking a photo. A simple kind gesture will go a long way in terms of getting what you want and doing the right thing.

• See also:    Golden Myanmar | 12 Day Travel Photography Workshop

Instead of sticking to just one genre of photography (e.g. street shots), mix it up and shoot a range of different subjects. Photograph everything from food, people, to landscapes and wildlife. After all, it’s about capturing as much as you can about that distant location.

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Instead of waiting till the trip is over to start processing your photos, take some time out along the trip and process as you go. This could mean spending a few hours a couple of times a week, in a cafe, with your laptop. Even an extra drink or two after dinner at a local restaurant will go a long way when it comes to progressing your photos.

Also, use the time to catalogue, label and rate your photographs, as it will save you a huge task later on. If you plan on writing about your trip in a blog or article later on, take as much notes as possible. Some things you just don’t remember once you get home.

• See also:    5 Simple Lightroom Post Processing Tips for Landscape Photography

A dirty lens or a flat battery are two things easily avoided, but could very much be responsible for missing those golden opportunities. Keeping your spare batteries charged and lens clean will give you a big head start in making sure you catch that magic moment around the next corner.

There’s nothing worse than losing your camera, and coming to the realisation that all the photographs you’ve taken of your trip, are now gone. Backup as often as possible onto a USB hard drive and store it in a separate bag to your camera.

About the author:  Clint Burkinshaw is a travel photographer based in Australia. You can find more of his work on his  website  or by following him on Instagram .

There's no better way to get started in travel photography than to get out and about! Join one of our photography workshops and tours and you can begin taking your photography skills to the next level!

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Just What Is 'Travel Photography'?

This year’s Travel Photographer Society (TPS) competition culminated in a beautiful exhibition of interesting and unique work from travel photographers all over the world in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Surrounding the exhibition, TPS also held a series of talks by prominent travel photographers. In his standout presentation and follow-up blog post, Pics of Asia ’s Etienne Bossot questions us deeply about the ethics surrounding travel photography and just what constitutes the genre.

Throughout the engaging 15 or so minutes of his talk, Etienne takes us on a journey through what it means to make travel photographs and raises some valid points about the crossover of genres that are redefining travel photography. He also questions some of the world's biggest travel photography competitions and the role they play in shaping what people consider to be travel photography.

Taking a look at social media, he also questions why people take the photographs they do and asks you to question if you're looking for success as defined by Facebook likes and not  by authenticity in your work.

So, just what is it that makes travel photography? What separates it from fine art and commercial work? What is authenticity? Does it matter? When you travel, are you doing it to create images or to have a unique experience that you can bring home?

The full blog post can be found on Pics of Asia  and on the TPS competition site. For more from Etienne, check out his great collection of blog posts and tutorials on travel photography and swing by his gallery in Hoi An, Vietnam, if you’re in the neighborhood.

Dylan Goldby is an Aussie photographer living and working in South Korea. He shoots a mix of families, especially the adoptive community, and pre-weddings. His passions include travel, good food and drink, and time away from all things electronic.

I enjoyed it a lot but it doesn't address the fact that, in years past, a travel photographer showed you unique things you'd never heard of before much less seen. It would be easy to think he's advocating to travel around the world, photographing people of various cultures who dress like us, have the same kinds of jobs as us, and are walking around checking their smart phones for messages. In my opinion, a large part of the problem is the merging of cultures. There're fewer interesting subjects to shoot. There is no solution. I hope someone can show me how I'm wrong.

Can someone give me the highlights from the video as I'd probably fall asleep listening to it.

It's actually very watchable and I'm a huge critic of boring videos. Anyway...

Most "Travel" photography is staged, based on the photographer's preconception of what an area and it's people look like and the things they do. These get repeated and imitated over and over. Rather, we should record, in a creative and original manner, the reality of these places and people. Near the end, he talks about representing the "travel" aspect of travel photography but I didn't really understand what he meant by that. Maybe I was falling asleep! ;-)

Travel Photography - How to Blend Your Passion with Profession

Out of the different genres of photography, travel photography is the most appealing to many. A travel photographer gets a chance to experience places, people, and cultures while doing photography. And one tries to bring the viewer to the same experience through the photographs. It offers a fair share of the adrenaline rush, money, and accolades. However, choosing to combine a life of wanderlust with your profession has its own set of challenges. Like other career and business options, travel photography can offer you every bit of joy and learning experience that you want both from traveling the world and from the career of photography, provided that you can manage and scale things up, focus on brand building and market your work effectively.

Pro-tip: Remember that travel photography will require you to do the miles, most often on your own, and there will be serious expenses to be incurred and work to be done.

Before you respond to the call of adrenaline and decide to quit your nine to five to dedicate yourself to travel photography business, take cognizance of the pros and cons.

Travelling is a fantastic activity that rejuvenates the mind and soul to the hilt. Each destination comes with its unique charm and beauty, which you capture through the lenses (photography). You can cherish the travel memories for long and share the beauty of the places you travel to with the world.

Someone has aptly said that a picture paints a thousand words. No wonder travel photography is not only amazing but soul-stirring. And nowadays travel photography has also become an interesting and lucrative business. It is such a rewarding thing that you will grow creatively, and the joy that you will experience in your heart will be unparalleled.

What is Travel Photography? 

Travel photography is primarily about photographing places in all their glory. As a travel photographer, you will travel to lots of places and capture them through your camera. The places can be tourist attractions, natural landscapes, hotels and resorts, cultural experiences, and outdoor adventures. Most professional travel photography is in some way or the other linked with the tourism industry, generating imagery for magazines, brochures, advertising, merchandise, and online media.

Top reasons why you should become a travel photographer:

Develop your respect and love for this beautiful planet When you step out of the hustle-bustle and chaos of your fast-paced life in cities and see the natural beauty and abundance of this fascinating earth, you feel ardent love and need to save this planet. When you capture the enchanting beauty of the places, you feel grateful and happy. You understand the lessons which your parents and teachers taught you in school about being sensitive to our environment and the planet. Travel photography strengthens the bond with our planet and makes you value it more than ever.

Learn the virtues of flexibility and patience 

Travel photography helps you grow at a personal level. It changes you significantly. When you are sensitive to the planet, you become more flexible and develop patience. It is one of the best learnings from travel photography that Nature runs at its own sweet pace and yet accomplishes everything it aspires.

Similarly, you feel that you have become more patient with people, with circumstances. Success doesn’t always come fast; one needs to persevere and show some patience. Similarly, in photography, also you need lots of patience and perseverance. You have to wait for hours to capture that perfect and mind-boggling sunrise. And if you give it the time it deserves by being patient, then you will have some of the best shots in your portfolio. Flexibility is another great lesson you learn through travel photography. There have been times when you face undesirable circumstances such as flight cancellation, a flat tire, sudden change in weather conditions, etc., but you should never hold on to an itinerary and schedule and should show flexibility instead. You won’t regret it.

Make your life an adventure

You will never find any shortage of places to see and capture in your camera. Even your entire life is not enough to photograph our vast and beautiful planet. There are endless places you can shoot. Make a list of the places you will travel to and shoot. You will be spoilt for choice. There are endless options, and it is the most beautiful dilemma to choose which places to shortlist for travel photography. So don’t miss out on any opportunity and photograph as many places as you can and build a treasure of your photographs.

Feel and mingle with your environment

Let lose yourself in your environment, be natural, and absorb every bit of it. Even ask your co-travelers to do the same. Don’t get into posing and constantly smiling. Capture natural emotions as they will come out more beautifully in your pictures. For travelers, landscape photography is one preferred approach. Be it doing travel and street photography, animals, or inanimate objects, you will find a lot of choices in picking up a theme or subject for your next set of travel photography portfolio. It is important to note that external conditions such as the weather and lighting play an important role in getting that perfect shot. So, make sure to know the right time and right vantage point to click a memorable photograph and fulfill your wanderlust and engage in travel photography.

Revel in the opportunity to capture fascinating places and moments

Every time you travel, you come back with pictures of beautiful places and moments, some of which may leave you spell-bound, and some leave the effect of absolute tranquillity. You get to capture your dream destinations, the places which looked picture-perfect in a magazine/internet. You capture those moments which leave you in awe. One such place where you can click such pictures is Rajasthan. The picturesque beauty and history of Rajasthan make it a perfect destination for travel photography. Wherever you travel in Rajasthan, you will be inspired by the “Lands of Kings,” which is one of the best places in the entire world. Such is the charm of majestic Rajasthan.

Here are 4 top useful tips on how to get started in travel photography

Play around with angles and shots, capture emotions and moments, plan the travel photography shoot well, always be ready with your gears.

Wondering how to get into travel photography? First things first. You don’t have to be obsessive about your gear. You can start shooting with your smartphone, regular cameras, or DSLR. The best lens for travel photography is what you have. Since there are so many types of subjects, one type of lens would not be enough. Instead of focusing on the subjects which your lens is suitable for is the thing to do. What is essential is to start. Many photographers prove that it is not the equipment, but the creative vision that helps one to sift the best from the rest.

Similarly, there are no specific types of DSLR made for travel photography; even an entry-level DSLR can take some good photos. The best camera for travel photography is the one that can give you a wide scope of getting the best shots. Also, the best lenses for travel photography would depend on which type of shots you are looking to take. If you are looking for wide-angle shots, then a wide-angle zoom lens like a 16-35mm lens would help you take great shots. The more pictures you take, the more you will come to know about camera angles, subject/object interplay, lighting conditions, and post-processing. Thus, when you start, it’s best to start on a slow scale and then upgrade your travel photography gear as and when you feel you are ready to transcend the next level of photography expertise.

Take pictures from different angles, and maybe you can use wide-angle lenses to give more context to your images. Step out of your comfort zone and make silly poses and have a good time alone with good pictures. You will surely get some good shots which will be interesting. But first, you need to know some crucial terms like eye angle, Dutch, establishing shot, cut-in, cutaway, low angle, perspective, reverse shot, over the shoulder (for shots).

Similarly, in angles, you need to have some degree of proficiency in close up/ extreme, medium shot, worm’s eye view, bird’s eye view, longshot, or POV. The interplay of framing, angles, shots, and positions provide a different viewpoint, a different aspect of focus to the viewer, and convey varied emotions.

When you visit a lovely place with amazing landscapes, views, and the environment, apart from capturing these beautiful things to capture the feeling of being there. More than the aesthetics, it is about telling its own story to the viewers. This virtue can be enabled by allowing the subjects to be captured in their familiar environment or surroundings. The special bond of the familiar place can stir emotions and can be radiated into your shots.

Also, they need not be overwhelmed with elaborate directions. Just subtle guidance would be enough to keep the subjects at ease and bring out the natural pose without feeling self-conscious or uncomfortable. Another way to conjure emotion is to avoid having them standstill. Give them something to do, and see their involvement in the activity, bring out their genuine emotion.

It is always better to plan things before heading out for travel photography. Take ideas on how to capture emotions and the surroundings when you are on your travel photography trip. Spend some time to assess how you will be capturing the place in its full glory. Answer questions like,” How will I get there?” ‘Does the place have photographic potential,’ ‘Will the potential be affected by the time of the year or the time of the day?’, ‘How do I arrange for traveling around the different spots to get incredible shots?’.

An hour on Google can provide you both – the inspiration as well as the information to plan your travel photography trip well. While you plan on which places will be worth the shot, you also need to factor in unexpected issues like delay, seasonal changes, or poor lighting conditions.

For many photography enthusiasts, the sudden change in weather can be a blessing in disguise. It can present an unexpected enhancement to the subject (Think of a layer of snow covering the city landscapes, or sudden rainfall leading to lush greenery).

Wherever you travel, be prepared with your camera and the supporting gear . Be prepared to take advantage of an opportunity to click photographs. You never know you might click your masterpiece at a very humble place or in any other place where you had never thought you would.

To summarize, you can say that there is a vast difference between taking photos on your trip or traveling specifically to take photos. The proof of the difference will be in the quality of the images captured by your camera. These travel photography tips and techniques aptly showed why you need to explore travel photography as an option. These tips will factor in for elevating the overall photography experience to a new level of subtlety and sophistication.

Now that you know the benefits of travel photography, here are our top 9 travel photography tips for beginners on how to turn your travel photography passion into a business.

1. choose travel photography only if you love it deeply. it’s going to be tough..

Adventurous photography has many niche genres, like wildlife photography, industrial photography, landscape photography, etc. Learn about the types, the corresponding skill requirements, the temperament that is needed, the challenges involved, and of course, the monetization models involved. Make sure that you understand all the dynamics before making your final decision. Follow both your heart and mind. Once you have made up your mind on selecting travel photography as your specialty, you then need to focus and prioritize it and pursue it with all your passion. Half measures will not do.

2. Invest time, effort and money to learn the tricks of the trade

Falling in love with someone at first sight, is sensitivity at its highest. Planning to get married and start a family with that someone is sensibility at its highest. We are talking about marriage here. Marrying your passion and your expertise - technical, aesthetic, and commercial. Think like a pro. Start learning the tricks of the trade by interning for free as you take pictures with a second-hand camera or taking some travel photography courses. Interact with peers and seek travel photography tips by browsing good travel photography websites. Study books and magazines on travel photography. Learn from the masters. You can also attend travel photography workshops , seminars, and other training programs to learn from the best.

3. Clearly Describe your Travel Photography Service

Define your travel photography service in unambiguous terms. Enable your clients and prospects understand the quality of work that you deliver, prices that you charge, value-added services that you render, and the scale of projects that you work on. Define the mode of payment, and the terms and conditions for hourly rates, weekly commitments of time and project deadlines. Defining your service will help you to make money with photography while traveling.

4. Create your professional travel photography website

Even as you continue to learn and inculcate the skills of professional travel photography, you must not forget to market your work. Build a professional travel photography website to showcase your travel photography photos. Sort and curate your work and select the best travel photos of different genres that you have for your portfolio website. Regularly update your portfolio website and add new work from recent travels. Your website is your showcase window to the world and the first point of contact with potential clients and collaborators. Get inspired by these awe-inspiring photography portfolio websites created on Pixpa.

Here’s a great guide on how to create an online portfolio website.

Pixpa is an all-in-one platform to create a travel photography portfolio website easily without any coding knowledge. Take a free trial and start building your portfolio website now.

5. Use social media to generate exposure for your work

Travel photography gets a lot of attention and response to social media. People love to like and share beautiful, picturesque images of places they would love to visit. As a travel photographer, learn to leverage social media to your advantage. Choose one or at max two social media platforms and focus all your energies on sharing high-quality posts regularly. Interact with people who comment and share your work and build your fan following. Look through the metrics of likes, shares, and comments to understand the market trends , the quality of work, and areas for improvement.

Instagram has emerged as the preferred platform for photographers to share their work. Travel photography is especially popular on Instagram, with many hub pages promoting travel photography. Learn how to use photography hashtags on Instagram to get success as a travel photographer.

6. Start a Travel Photography Blog

Add a travel photography blog to your portfolio website. Starting telling visual stories, share travel photography tips, and behind-the-scenes insights of your travels. Create photo stories of the places you are visiting. Talk about the culture, experiences, and share your explorations through your blog posts. Your blog will gradually become a magnet for attracting admirers and potential clients alike.

Tip: You can add a blog to your portfolio website on Pixpa easily. Learn more.

7. Explore Ways to Earn Money through Travel Photography Passion

Here is the challenge. Capturing the best travel photos as you travel across the world is one thing and making money from them, quite another. Always be looking to sell your skills, brand your work, and get a better bargain. You may try publishing your work on some of the best travel photography platforms, online tourism platforms, and wildlife adventure photography and conservation platforms that offer a good amount of money. 

There are a lot of stock photography websites where you can sell your travel photography images. There are also many travel magazines that regularly post travel photography jobs. Build your relationships with travel magazines and understand their requirements. You can plan your travels wherein you are shooting images that a travel photography magazine or website would be interested in paying. 

Tip: Get an established photography agency to market and sell your travel photography work  

8. Network! Join a Travel Photography Group

How about socializing with buddy travel photographers at a cool theme restaurant on the weekend? You get to know each other, bond over shared interests in adventure photography, learn cutting-edge technical tricks, and, most importantly, get recommended to clients by senior professionals. Network, share positive vibes with your tribe, and get recognized within the community of travel photographers for your work.

There are also several online travel photography communities that you can join. Fellow travel photographers are more than happy to help each other out with insider tips on the places they have visited.

9. Build and Grow your Client Relationships

Travel photography is not just about the camera. It is about exploring people, places, cultures, geographies, and practically whatever the roads serve your way. Flag each place you visit with a bit of self-promotion. Associate with noble causes and look to attach yourself to social campaigns. For example, you can try your hand at wildlife photography to spread the word on endangered species and animals that are on the verge of extinction. Amidst all the frenzy of meeting people, new clients and new assignments will pop out of nowhere.

Keep the faith and have the resolve to overcome a few challenges that the trade might throw your way. If you love photography and the freedom of working while traveling places, travel photography is for you. Leap with preparation and trust that the net will appear.

So, what are you waiting for, when the lush vistas of unexplored terrains beckon your inner creative side? Don't think too hard about how to be a travel photographer. Simply pack your bag and camera, make note of the tips and tricks of the trade and embark on your travel photography journey today!

Create your travel photography website easily without any coding knowledge on Pixpa. Take a free trial and start building your portfolio website now.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I prepare to be a travel photographer? To prepare yourself to be a travel photographer, you need to first prepare yourself to be a good traveller. This includes being flexible and patient, planning well but being prepared for eventualities, and always being on the lookout for an opportunity to capture an interesting moment or place. Having a sense of adventure is important in travel photography.
• What makes for good travel photography? Good travel photography always tries to capture the emotion of the moment and the place in each photograph. Make sure to capture not just locations, buildings and monuments but also people, events and moments. Your travel photography should be able to visually narrate the story of your journeys and not just the destinations.
• How much money do travel photographers make? According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary of travel photographers in the United States was $44,193 for 2021.

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Going Deeper Underground: Photographer Alexey Fokin on the Moscow Metro

Moscow’s metro system is mainly known as being one of the most beautiful in the world, but photographer and actor-in-training Alexey Fokin (1995) is more interested in the gritty, human side of it. Born and raised in Russia’s hectic capital, he knows the city inside-out, and loves to go underground to capture the diverse faces of this metropolis.

Whereas most sane people would try to avoid the chaotic rush hour in the subway, Alexey enjoys getting up early, taking his camera, and capturing Muscovites making their way to work. “People are rude, everybody wants to sit down, and you’ll see faces looking like they want to kill somebody. And themselves,” he laughs, “but then suddenly, there’s a smile.” Preferring the busy stations in the city centre which connect two or more of the 14 lines, he walks through the tunnels, rides the escalators, and boards the trains – looking for scenes worth shooting.

It is hard to imagine that Alexey only took up photography two years ago. But his shots effortlessly show what life inside one of the world’s busiest metro systems is like. They display everything you expect, and more. The lovers, the cleaner, the babushka, the businessman, the tourist, the youngster, the beggar, the child. They tell you their stories with their eyes, their newspapers, their pets, their musical instruments, their flowers, their groceries, their phones, their clothes. Some with the stunning architectural backdrop of the famous stations, others in sober and at first sight unnoteworthy settings.

He likes to think of the Moscow subway as an underground metropolis in itself, as “another city with other rules”. Even though he considers it to be different from its actual streets, this subsurface universe reflects the many different faces of the capital: “Maybe poor, maybe homeless, maybe with money: all of them in one place, where they are just looking for each other, sometimes confused. So many lines of love you can find there.”

With over 200 stations and countless kilometres of underground streets, Alexey notices that people behave in ways they wouldn’t above ground. You can find people – and animals – who actually live in Moscow’s parallel world. They are smoking on the trains, drinking, getting very intimate, feeling like ‘normal’ behavioural codes do not apply to life underneath the surface.

As he is currently in his last year of acting school, Alexey is busy every day from early in the morning until late at night. But his free time is inseparable from his camera, and his intention is to make a collected photo essay about life in different metros worldwide.

Until then, he continues to show how the metro is quintessentially part of Moscow culture. He believes that everyone in Moscow has a metro story, and he does a damn good job in telling several of them through his captivating work.

©AlexeyFokin @fokinman

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The largest country in the world at 17,075,400 square kilometres (or 6,592,800 sq mi), Russia has accumulated quite an impressive reputation. Covering more than an eight of the Earth's land area, 142 million people live there making it the ninth largest nation by population . Still known for its impressive days as the expansive Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), Russia was the world's first and largest constitutionally socialist state. A recognized superpower, the USSR was known for its excellence in both arts and science winning many awards in both fields.

Russia changed drastically after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, but it continues to be a powerful and important nation. It has one of the world's fastest growing economies and the world's eight largest GDP by nominal GDP. Russia is also one of the five countries which officially recognized nuclear weapons states. In conjunction with this title, Russia is also a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the G8, APEC and the SCO, and is a leading member of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

A European city in a country that lies over a vast part of Asia, Moscow holds one-tenth of all Russian residents . The city is located in the western region of Russia and is the capital and epicentre of political, economic, cultural, religious, financial, educational, and transportation happenings. "Muscovites" , as residents are known, tend to be cultured and worldly. This may be due to the many scientific, educational, and artistic institutions that are based here. An intoxicating mix of the exotic and the familiar, it is the largest city in Europe with the Moscow metropolitan area ranking among the largest urban areas in the world.

The city is situated on the banks of the Moskva River which flows through much of central Russia. Moscow is actually located in a basin for the Volga, Oka, Klyazma, and Moscow rivers. The city of Moscow is 994 sq. km with 49 bridges spanning the rivers and canals that criss-cross the city.

Forests are another part of Moscow's make-up. They coveer over a third of the territory in the region. A variety of animals like elk, wild boar, deer, foxes, weasels, lynx, martens, and birds make their home here.

Located in the UTC+3 time zone , Moscow has a humid continental climate. The summers tend to be warm and humid and the winters are long, cold, and hard. High temperatures occur during the warm months of June, July and August at about 23 °C (73 °F). Heat waves sometimes grip the city anywhere between May to September with temperatures spiking up to 30 °C (86 °F). Winters are harshly chilly with temperatures dropping to approximately 9 °C (15.8 °F). There is consistent snow cover for 3 to 5 months a year, usually from November to March.

Update 10/07/2009

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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