Photography Tips While Traveling
by: Robert Bezman
Whether you’re embarking on a family vacation or your family
reunion, it’s going to be a special time. When we think of trips
we’ve taken, we tend to remember them best with photographs. Here’s
some ideas to enhance your vacation as well as your memories of them.
Location Preparation
1. Since you know where you’re going (that's a minimum requirement),
doesn’t it make sense to check out the location before you get
there? Create a list of attractions, accommodations, special points
of interest, amusement areas, shopping, etc. A good source to help you
do this is: the Places and Travel section of msn.com or the TripFox.com
Destination
Guides.
2. Figure out the photo opportunities for each appropriate venue.
Anyone can take a “that’s nice” picture of the kids
at an amusement park. Wouldn’t you rather capture a “WOW”
photo that could be hung over the mantle?
3. Depending on the location you’re traveling to, you can see
what books are written about them that highlight the best photo opportunities
for the entire area
4. If you’re cyber-savvy, start at google.com and search using
different combinations of: your destination, best photography locations,
for images of the location, scenic spots, etc. The options are endless.
5. If you’re off to a non-big city area, scout out the national
parks in the area. The great thing about national parks is that the
scenery is usually so breathtaking, that a so-so shot looks outstanding,
just because of the subject. Once in www.nps.gov, do a search on photos
and you will be presented with terrific shots of all the parks
Photography Preparation
OK, you’re either traveling through or you’re at a wonderful
location full of photo opportunities. You began this leg of your trip
at the crack of dawn and as you’re pulling into the most scenic
overlook for 400 miles, the sun is just starting to crack the horizon.
You instinctively pull the car over, grab your camera and your tripod,
and look for the best spot to set up. Just one tiny little problem…
YOU FORGOT YOUR TRIPOD! Rather than smack yourself on the forehead then,
why not plan these things now, before you leave?
Your list should include AT LEAST the following consideration…
1. Do I need to repeat – BRING YOUR TRIPOD? It doesn’t
take up much room, and as explained at www.best-family-photography-tips.com/tripod-photography.html,
tripods allow you to capture entirely new categories of photographs
that won’t be possible without one
2. Memory. Of course, bring all the memory you have, but also pack
your portable storage device (explained at http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com/digital-photography-tutorial.html)
3. If your camera has a hot shoe, bring your external flash, and any
additional equipment that can be used to help with bounce flash
4. Remember your external shutter release cable for those long exposures.
How else are you going to get that “angel-hair” look of
the waterfalls?
5. Don’t forget the basics like: batteries, battery charger,
camera bag, and additional lenses and filters (if applicable on your
camera)
6. And just in case you need it, bring the manuals for your equipment.
Finally, don’t get so wrapped up in taking perfect shots that
you don’t enjoy the trip. Remember to use the tripod so that you'll
be in at least some of the photos.
Article courtesy of www.best-family-photography-tips.com,
where you can see some sample pictures including more photography tips.
Copyright 2005 Robert Bezman. All rights reserved. - About
The Author - Robert Bezman is a professional photographer and owner
of Custom Photographic Expressions. Robert has created www.best-family-photography-tips.com
to help the digital photography users create better photographs. Robert
has a blog at http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com/family-photography-news.html.
- robert@best-family-photography-tips.com
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