Travel Photography Primer

There is something wonderful about travel… and it’s even greater returning home with some spectacular images that you’re really proud of.

Travel Photography Essentials

With the latest camera technology it’s easy to take stunning travel photographs… but it’s never been more difficult to stand out from the crowd. To create images that will make people look twice, you have to be a step above average. You have to come up with photographs that go beyond simply recording a travel scene to imparting a feeling or an emotion. What did it feel like as you stood there, taking the photograph? The more you think about what you’re creating rather than just grabbing the camera and snapping away, the better your end-product will be.

Here are the essentials to make your life as a travel photographer a breeze.

Travel Photography Essentials # 1: Check your Batteries

As long as you have electricity, travel photography has never been easier. And even on remote islands, lodges often have generators that will let you power your camera and laptop batteries at certain hours of the day. Unless you’re trekking in a wilderness area, there shouldn’t be too many places where power is going to be a major issue. So make sure you don’t run out of battery power.

Always start your trip with a fully charged battery and always have a spare battery as well. In fact, never walk out of your hotel or leave your tent without it. Also, double-checked that you’ve packed your battery charger.

Travel Photography Essentials # 2: Take Plenty of Memory Cards

Due to the high cost of memory cards, it may not always be possible to take sufficient cards for your entire trip. The number of cards you need depends on the size of the raw files produced by your camera’s sensor, how long you’ll be gone, and how many photos you think you’ll take each day.

Shooting in RAW is always recommended so don’t even think of setting your camera to JPEG just to fit more photos on your memory card. If you can, take at least one extra 8 GB card to last you until you have the time to download your images.

It’s also a good idea to clear your memory cars onto your laptop and at least one backup storage device at the end of every day, but this, of course, isn’t always possible.

Travel Photography Essentials # 4: Laptop or Storage Device?

If you want to travel light, a laptop and power supply might be out of the question. The next best thing is a portable storage unit that can read RAW file formats, allow you to enlarge and review your work, and even copy and edit images for a slide show ( which is great for show-and-tell when you arrive back home!).

The latest back-up drives are both light-weight and relatively cheap, so compared to the cost of travel, it’s crazy not to take them! Many professional travel photographers take two backup drives to hold their precious memories as an extra precaution. Stolen or lost equipment can be replaced, but not the images you’ve already taken.

Travel Photography Essentials # 5: Clean your Sensor

Most of the latest DSLR cameras have an anti-dust system that repels and deflects dust from sticking on the sensor. Unfortunately these systems aren’t foolproof and damp or windy conditions can be challenging when you’re changing lenses.

Ensure your sensor has been properly cleaned before leaving on your trip. It’s also a good idea to pack a purpose-designed sensor cleaning kit or brush. A proper clean with fluid and a swab may be needed in some conditions, while a brush will remove most of the larger, problematic spots. If not, be prepared to spend a lot of time in post-production cleaning up spots on your images!

Travel Photography Essentials # 6: Keep your Essential Gear with You

If you’re travelling by bus, train or plane, you need to ensure your full kit is packed in your hand luggage. If you can take your gear in a single case that is never separated from you, you don’t have to be worried about arriving at your destination without a camera in the unfortunate event of your luggage going missing. Essential gear to keep with you at all times, include not just the camera and lenses, but memory cards, batteries, battery charger, laptop and backup devices.

Travel Photography Essentials # 7: Check Files at Night

It’s important to check your files for success or otherwise each night, either on the back of your camera, using a large storage device, or on your laptop. If there are a few mishaps, you may have a second chance to retrace your steps the following day rather than return home empty handed. Even if it’s impossible to go back to the same locations, assess what you could do differently the next day to get closer to your expectations.

Travel Photography Essentials # 8: Download Methodically

Be methodical about the way you transfer your photographs from your memory cards to your computer or storage device. One suggestion is to label each card and shoot in order. Don’t clear off the cards until you’ve had the opportunity to check whether all files are backed up to your laptop and / or backup drives. Labelling your memory cards has the added advantage of ensuring you don’t over-write the wrong one.

Travel Photography Essentials # 9: Make Notes

If your trip is jam-packed with experiences, chances are you’ll forget a lot of what happens unless you take notes, and keep brochures and tickets as you go. Consider keeping a travel diary so you can write down the names of places you visit and people you meet. Also jot down your impressions ~ the smells, sounds and tastes of your trip, and even quotes that people say. These notes can later be turned into informative captions for your blog entries, articles or photo books.

Travel Photography Essentials # 10: Do a Preliminary Edit of your Best Shots

If you have your computer with you on your travels, do a preliminary edit of your best shots in Lightroom, Photoshop or Elements. Upload them to your iPhone or website, and can share them with friends and family as you go.

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