Everybody loves travel photography. It's one of the best ways to enjoy taking pictures and to enhance your traveling experiences. Taking awesome travel shots requires a bit of preparation in anticipation of what you might encounter on your journey. Don't just hang a camera from your neck and use it like a tourist. Try to challenge yourself to find the most interesting angles, the best light, and the best ways to tell the story of each place you visit.
Try to pack as light as possible. Being a travel photographer means you're going to walk a lot and carrying heavy gear will turn it into a very uncomfortable experience. Stick to one body and no more than two lenses.
A tripod can be a very useful tool when traveling, but many are heavy and hard to carry. Find a travel tripod. They're usually made of carbon or aluminum and they're small enough to fit in your hand luggage.
A GoPro camera is also a really good idea. It's fun to use and it can really help you get creative with your photos and videos.
Image credit: Ray Demski
Probably the most important part of travel photography is the will to explore. That often means getting up in the morning to find the best light and not settling for what normal tourists visit. It's also advisable to keep a low profile. Tourists with flashy cameras are a favorite prey of burglars. You might also try covering your camera with gaffer's tape to make it look worn out and unattractive.
Here is an awesome set of travel photography tips from COOPH.
Learn more about travel photography from these recommended books:
- Travel Photography: A Guide to Taking Better Pictures
- The Traveling Photographer: A Guide to Great Travel Photography
- Travel Photography: The Leading Guide to Travel and Location Photography