Photography Tips For Traveling

Whether you’re embarking on a sun and surf vacation or a family reunion , it’s going to be a special time we’ve taken, we tend to remember them best with pictures. Here’s some ideas to enhance your trip as well as your memories of them.

LOCATION PREPARATION

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.

Next, figure out the photo opps for each appropriate venue. Anyone can take a “run-of-the-mill” photograph of the kids at an amusement park. But wouldn’t you rather capture a WOW photo that could be hung over the mantle?

Whether you’re going on a family reunion vacation or a vacation at the mountains, check out the books written about the destination and highlight the best photo opportunities BEFORE YOU GET THERE.

If you’re taking a vacation at the mountains to a more remote area, scout out the national parks in the area. The great thing about national parks is that the scenery is so breathtaking, that sometimes even a simple snapshot looks outstanding… just because of the location. Once in www.nps.gov, Do an Internet search for possible photos at the National Park Service or simply do a Google search on the location. Phenomenal shots will present themselves all over the place!

PHOTOGRAPHY PREPARATION

Here’s a typical scenario… you’re up at the crack of dawn (OK, not realistic for many of us, including me, but go with me here) and you’re just pulling into the most scenic overlook for 400 miles as the sun is starting to break the horizon.

You instinctively pull the car over, grab your camera and your tripod, and look for the optimum location to set up. There’s just one tiny little problem… You Didn’t Take Your Tripod on this family reunion. Rather than smack yourself on the forehead, why not plan for these things now, by constructing a list BEFORE you leave?

Your list should include AT LEAST the following:

Tripod
Do I need to repeat – BRING YOUR TRIPOD? It doesn’t take up much room, and it allows you to capture entirely new categories of photographs that wouldn’t be possible without one

Memory
Bring all the memory you have. But don’t stop there; also pack your portable storage devices if you have any.

Flash
If your camera has a hot shoe, bring your external flash, and any additional equipment that can be used to help with bounce flash. Also, don’t forget to use it during the daytime to make your pictures really POP.

Shutter Release Cable
Remember your external shutter release cable for those long exposures. How else are you going to get that “angel-hair” look of the waterfalls without camera-shake ruining the image?

Remember the Basics
Don’t forget the basics like: batteries, battery charger, camera bag, and additional lenses and filters (if applicable on your camera).

User Manual
And just in case you need it, bring the manuals for your equipment. It’s only when you start to use things that you realize you forgot how!

Finally, don’t get so wrapped up in taking the perfect photo that you don’t enjoy the trip. And, remember to use the tripod so that you’ll be in at least some of the pictures.