Do you have a travel photo album filled with pictures that could just as likely have been taken in your front yard as in front of the Eiffel Tower? There are methods for avoiding travel photography pitfalls. Professional photographers will introduce you to them.
Now that you have mastered people, landscape and trophy shots, it is time to put it all together, grab your camera and take some shots while traveling.
P R E P A R A T I O N
One way to ensure that you will come back from your travels with excellent photographs is to prepare before you leave. Begin with research and do lots of it. Read travel guides for information on where you are going and what you are going to see when you get there.
Study postcards.
Another great resource is postcards or pictures of famous sights you will be visiting. If you canít get your hands on any prior to your trip, make sure to pick up a good selection of postcards the moment you arrive at your destination. Familiarize yourself with the pictures; study the vantage points that other photographers have chosen. This will give you a good idea of where you should try to take your photographs, at what time of day or night, and from what angle.
Use postcards and photographs to spark your thought process. Try to imagine ways to personalize the photos you will take of the same sights. How will you make your pictures unique? Envision the details that did not make it into othersí pictures and postcards. These details may include a scene of everyday life or tantalizing glimpses of a different culture.
Practice makes perfect. Another way to prepare for the challenge of travel photography is to take day trips to local attractions, and try different ways of telling a story about your trip through photographs. Experiment. Preparation will help you to take a better picture faster. When traveling, you typically do not have a lot of time to spend in one place. By thinking ahead, you will be able to snap your photos in a flash and quickly move on to the next sight.
Read more: Alt om professionel bryllupsfotografering
E Q U I P M E N T
It would also be wise to experiment with your photography equipment before your journey begins. Buy some film before leaving, take some test shots and have them developed. Check them over carefully to ensure that your camera is working properly. If there are any problems, have your equipment repaired. Make sure that your camera batteries are fresh, and always carry a second set of the correct type for your camera.
You can never have enough film. Don’t try to save money at the expense of missing a great photo opportunity. If you are flying, do not put your film in baggage you plan to check. High-tech bomb-detecting devices can damage unprocessed film, causing color loss or white streaks in photos. For the most part, modern X-ray machines will not damage your film when scanning unchecked baggage. Therefore, you do not have to invest in an expensive lead film-protection bag. Simply put the film in a clear zip-lock bag, which will make it easier to search (if necessary).
If you find yourself in inclement weather, do not give up. There are ways to protect your camera and still get your shots. You can put a clear filter in front of your lens and tape a plastic bag around the camera. However, if you do not want to risk damaging your equipment, waterproof, single-use cameras are ideal. These inexpensive cameras can even be used while snorkeling down to a depth of about 10 feet.
Although tripods are not the most easily transported piece of equipment, they are a tremendous help. The steady image that you are assured to see in your pictures may be reason alone to consider bringing one on your trip. Tripods also allow you to set up your composition so that you can study it hands- free or hold out for the perfect lighting.
If you cannot travel with a tripod, use this alternative method to increase your control over the composition: Try resting your elbows on anything that offers solid support, such as a fence or railing. You can also rest the camera itself on the support. Use your fingers as wedges to level the camera and hold it steady. The trick is to watch the edges of the frame carefully and try to notice any vibration or wobble. If you do not see any, then you can be assured of a steady picture.
More stories: