Travel photography has seen a huge rise in popularity in the last ten years or so. This is because there has been a surge of affordable professional standard cameras, and so it is not just the professionals who can get amazing looking photographs of their travels. There are many reasons for taking photos of your journeys, maybe just to prove you've been there or to solidify a memory, but some have sought to do it as an art and a profession. To do this, a nice SLR will only take you part of the way, but this article will point you in the direction of the rest.
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.
As with most other technical skills, getting good at travel photography is a matter of lots of practice. Becoming good at reading situations and what they require only comes with long hours trying out different things in different situations. Before you know it, though, you will be looking at the world through the eyes of a travel photographer.
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.
As with most other technical skills, getting good at travel photography is a matter of lots of practice. Becoming good at reading situations and what they require only comes with long hours trying out different things in different situations. Before you know it, though, you will be looking at the world through the eyes of a travel photographer.
About the Author:
Practise your photography skills and soak up the culture whilst staying at one of these hotels in Nice.
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