TRAVEL

PHOTOGRAPHY

 

Photography in travel ~ The world has became more accessible and enjoyable as travelling and photography combines into satisfying artform. On travel photography, you can simply go to the most mysterious corner on Earth and take a whole lot of interesting photographs to cherish among friends, family and colleagues. With convenience and shorter travelling period, you can put in the advancement of our photography devices in good use by these 10 travel photography tips stated below.

 

1) Equipment Knowledge ~ Before you embark on a trip aboard or a short vacation, you will need to bring along a photography device capable of taking beautiful pictures. On obtaining the optimum quality shots, you have to study your equipment thoroughly on it's menubook and by your experience with it. With sufficient knowledge on your photography device, you can respond quickly and surely to your desired shots. Here are some briefings on the five standard groups of these devices:

Digital Compact Camera ~ These are small digital cameras built to fit into the pocket of your jean. Being light in weight and compact in size, these photography devices display LCD/LED viewing monitors rather than viewfinders, lithium battery rather than standard AA batteries and simple automatic shooting mode rather than full comprehensive modes. They however have tiny CCD image sensor and small lens upfront only capable from 3X to 6X zoom. Compact Cameras put importance on simplicity, lifestyle looks and their compactness over quality photography and controls.

Standard Point-And-Shoot Camera ~ This plentiful group of Digital Cameras is most common as they ranged from cheap plasticky cameras using AA batteries to those highly priced metalic ones with comprehensive manual controls. With their size being convenient enough to fit into a handbag, these P&S cameras are able to house a more powerful zoom lens of 5X-10X, stronger flash, intensive controls, digital viewfinder along with bigger monitor and accessories adaptiveness. Better ones are upgraded with quicker CMOS image sensor, coated glass lens and robust casing like the similiar grouped waterproof cameras. P&S Cameras are good for common usage and standard photography.

Digital Proconsumer Camera ~ These cameras are also labeled as Bridge Cameras as they stood between the common P&S cameras and the professional DSLRs. They are best spotted with a longer zoom lens of 10X-40X range, higher raised flash and DSLR alike bodysize but light and compact enough to fit into a bagpack. By utilising a small CCD image sensor with their versatile zoom lens for massive magnification of shots, Proconsumer Cameras suffer of lower quality photography, blur images and camera shake. Better ones house built-in stabilizer, RAW mode and manual controls to improve on these disadvantages. These cameras proved to be more versatile than P&S cameras on macro, wildlife and sport photography yet are perfect for Hobbyists or Enthusiasts needing smaller, cheaper and lighter companion digital camera than DSLRs.

Digital Single-Lens-Reflex Camera (DSLR) ~ These professionally used cameras are the premuims with comprehensive manual controls, large robust casing and the adaptiveness to take wide variety of interchangeable lenses ranging from wide-angles to long telephotos and photographic accessories. With their superior lenses and larger image sensor, these cameras are capable of quality shooting at harsh condition and lowlight. DSLRs can be adapted with filters, accessories, remotes, flash strobes and other photographic devices to the need of many different photography situations hence they are prefered by pro photographers and those who want top quality and diversified shots over their higher costs and weights.

Film Based Cameras and SLR ~ These are older cameras especially Single-Lens-Reflex ones built before the years of the above digital cameras, that still exist in condition to be used. They use the previous technology of negative films which are needed to be processed and developed into paper photos unlike the digital method above that stored electronic images into storage cards and viewed on monitors, televisions and projections. Films and their processes cost higher that the digital process but good travel photographs can still be obtained by those who kept these cameras mainly due to existing lenses and accessories.

2) Preparation ~ Planning is the key for smooth and proper photography. Before you depart on your trip, you should prepare by obtaining maps, itineraries, travel resources and routings of your destinations that convert your photography into enjoyment. Find weather conditions and pack appropriate clothings with suitable padded bags for the climate. For professional gears, a relector is light and a great way to capture extra light as do with portable strobe flash units. Bring appropriate filters, a light but sturdy tripod, multiple lenses, a mini gray card for white balancing, cables and charger with your DSLRs.

3) Sustainability ~ Once you start your photography, you have to assure that you are able to do so over a lengthy period thus you won't miss worthy shots. A missed photograph can't be replaced or reshot as you might be on the move of a tour or an appointment. To sustain photography, you have to bring along extra batteries, storage cards, films and even an extra camera. Choose large memory of 4-8GB in storage card and battery charger with the right conversion plugs. Some would like cameras that uses the easily obtainable AA batteries than the longer serving lithium battery.

4) Mobility ~ As you are likely to move around as a traveller, you should only bring appropriate photography equipments and accessories to be as mobile as possible. Putting the right camera, most versatile lenses and a light tripod into a camera backpack is ideal for travel as it eases the burden on the shoulders and makes hiking around with heavy gears more comfortable. A single Proconsumer camera as well as a P&S or a DSLR can be carried on belt pouch while a Compact camera is the best in a pocket of your pants.

5) Improvisation ~ To get smooth sessions on photography, you have to learn to blend into the crowds while being mindful to local customs and religious beliefs. You should sometimes move against the crowd to shoot faceward or put the sun behind you. You have to improvise for difficult lighting during landscape photography by adjusting the camera's sensor from being confused by extreme light, harsh shadow and reflective surface. One can simply focus the camera's sensor on the appropriate spot and then adjust shooting angle. For nature photography, you have to use surrounding elements to support the aspect of your shot or help cradle your camera for stability. Move smoothly to avoid surprises to the wildlife and learn to breathe slowly with macro shots.

to be continued .....