How to Travel With Your Camera

Preserve memories by having everything you need on hand and knowing how to make the best use of your camera.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Airtight Resealable Bags
• Camera Accessories
• Camera Bags
• Camera Batteries
• Cameras
• Film
• Cameras

1. Pack your camera bag with film, spare batteries, replacement parts and repair tools.

2. Familiarize yourself thoroughly with your camera and equipment before you hit the road.

3. Choose a subject. Try to include people in your shots. If photographing a person, ask for permission whenever you can to avoid offense.

4. Get close to the subject, making it the dominant element.

5. Position the subject of the photograph off-center for greater visual interest.

6. Look for unusual viewpoints, simple backgrounds and dramatic lighting.

7. Add depth to scenic photos by including the foreground.

Tips & Warnings

• A 35-mm camera with both automatic and manual exposure with a 28-mm to 80-mm zoom lens provides the ideal range for travel photographers.
• Pack plastic bags and silica gel to protect against humidity, dust, sand and water.
• Check the seasonal weather patterns to ensure favorable conditions if photography is an important part of your trip.
• Avoid paying local people to take their photograph. Offer to send a copy of the processed shot instead.
• Photographing potentially sensitive spots such as airports, government buildings and border crossings in politically unstable countries can be dangerous. In such areas, avoid photographing evidence of poverty as well.

[beautyqueen26]

on 7/28/2009 Five stars! I've been thinking about investing into a digital camera for family vacations. This info will really be useful.

[sabrinacareer]

on 7/28/2009 cool article

[omghow]

on 6/2/2009 Thanks for sharing.

[gdrr]

on 5/21/2009 Step 4... but not too close. When doing close-ups of people, if you put your camera close you will exaggerate the closest feature, most likely their nose.What step 4 might mean is that when taking landscape photos and you have a friend in the frame, have them close enough to the camera to be recogisable.

[lestigre]

on 5/14/2009 Nice tips! New thoughts on the airport and poverty bit, didn't know that! Thanks!