Travel photography has really picked up in the last decade or so. Since the rise in affordable entry level digital SLR and compact cameras it has never been easier to get high quality images of the beautiful places you visit. Many people just take photos to prove they have been somewhere, or as prompts to remember their travels by, but travel photography to some is an art and a way of earning a living. To do it as a living you need a lot more than a nice camera and this article will give an indication of the skill you need.
Buying and understanding a decent camera and lens is perhaps the most important thing. Digital SLRs are what all of the professionals use now, not only because of the ability to review photographs as you take them, but also because film is now seen as an unnecessary expense. Cameras generally come with entry level fixed focal length lenses which will only really permit you to take photos in very specific circumstances, so it is necessary to buy a nice lens as well.
On a par with owning the equipment is having a good knowledge of it. Spend some quality time with the manual and play around with the settings, getting a feel for the effect aperture, shutter speed and ISO (film speed) has on the end result, as well as their relationship with each other.
After you got the technology and the know how you just need to travel and take as many photographs as possible. Reading about how to take photographs is nothing compared to what you learn actually out there taking them, but there are a few pointers you should bear in mind before you go. Taking pictures at midday is not advised as it results in very flat pictures; taking them in late afternoon or early morning captures those really dramatic long shadows. It is vital you always look at how you can use your environment too. If you need to keep your camera steady you should use a nearby tree or a wall, and you should try taking photos from all kinds of positions, no matter how ridiculous you look.
Practice makes perfect with this, like with many things. The more you photograph in different conditions the faster you will learn and the better you will become at improvising. At some point along the line you will start seeing everything through a lens.
Buying and understanding a decent camera and lens is perhaps the most important thing. Digital SLRs are what all of the professionals use now, not only because of the ability to review photographs as you take them, but also because film is now seen as an unnecessary expense. Cameras generally come with entry level fixed focal length lenses which will only really permit you to take photos in very specific circumstances, so it is necessary to buy a nice lens as well.
On a par with owning the equipment is having a good knowledge of it. Spend some quality time with the manual and play around with the settings, getting a feel for the effect aperture, shutter speed and ISO (film speed) has on the end result, as well as their relationship with each other.
After you got the technology and the know how you just need to travel and take as many photographs as possible. Reading about how to take photographs is nothing compared to what you learn actually out there taking them, but there are a few pointers you should bear in mind before you go. Taking pictures at midday is not advised as it results in very flat pictures; taking them in late afternoon or early morning captures those really dramatic long shadows. It is vital you always look at how you can use your environment too. If you need to keep your camera steady you should use a nearby tree or a wall, and you should try taking photos from all kinds of positions, no matter how ridiculous you look.
Practice makes perfect with this, like with many things. The more you photograph in different conditions the faster you will learn and the better you will become at improvising. At some point along the line you will start seeing everything through a lens.
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