What I've learned from traveling with my camera....

[jeffclow]

I've been traveling with a DSLR for several years now and I've learned a few things that I thought I might share:

1) You really do need to carry your DSLR with you whenever you travel - even though it is a hassle versus carrying a point and shoot. Invariably, a great photo opportunity occurs the one time when you decided you didn't want to carry the "big" camera and left it behind.

(By the way, one of the over the opposite shoulder secondary camera straps - like Black Rapid or Carry Speed - makes it A LOT easier to have your camera with you at all times)

2) Taking every lens you own probably is waste of time for the vast majority of us when we travel. I normally carry only two lenses and one is usually a 35mm f/2.8 or 50mm f/2.8 prime that is relatively small and will cover a lot of situations if you allow your legs to be your "zoom".

3) Eat the local food whenever you can. Don't eat fajitas in Jamaica - eat a beef patty (which is a turnover like treat filled with flavorful spicy beef). Don't eat a hamburger in Barbados - eat a flying fish sandwich with the local banana and yellow mustard pepper sauce.

4) Learn to say thank you in their language in every country you travel. It is amazing how that one little thing makes such a difference when you interact with locals.

5) Ask the locals where they would take an unsual photo. I have had several shots suggested that ended up being great images because a local told me where to go that was off the beaten path. The guidebooks seldom talk about "great photo locations".

My hope is that others who read this will also share in this thread what they've "learned" from their travels.

How about you?

[d2creative]

Originally Posted by jeffclow

1) You really do need to carry your DSLR with you whenever you travel - even though it is a hassle versus carrying a point and shoot. Invariably, a great photo opportunity occurs the one time when you decided you didn't want to carry the "big" camera and left it behind.


How about you?

This is exactly why I bought an M9. No more lugging the dslr!

[jeffclow]

Originally Posted by d2creative

This is exactly why I bought an M9. No more lugging the dslr!

That would definitely work as well.

Anyone else have any travel photo tips they'd like to share?

[d2creative]

Originally Posted by jeffclow

2) Taking every lens you own probably is waste of time for the vast majority of us when we travel. I normally carry only two lenses and one is usually a 35mm f/2.8 or 50mm f/2.8 prime that is relatively small and will cover a lot of situations if you allow your legs to be your "zoom".

Some more things, a couple related to this.

1. Take a small day bag with you, stuffed inside your main gear bag or in your clothing luggage.
2. Once at your destination, take only what you need for the day in the smaller bag. Leave the rest at the hotel. At a minimum, lock your used memory cards or backup drive in the safe. The gear can be replaced, but you can't replace the images.
3. Make sure all your gear is insured either through business insurance if you are a pro, or through a rider on your homeowners insurance. The freedom of knowing that you are protected from theft, accidents, etc is another huge weight lifted off your shoulders.
4. Don't check your gear. Ever. You can always buy new clothes and a toothbrush when you get where you are going but if your gear doesn't show up your are screwed!

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Good info guys!

- Wil

[humminboid]

Uhmmmm, yes...good tips all. In my business, we were taught to think security...always. I had a colleague, that whenever he needed to go to the inner city on business, hired a paroled murderer as a bodyguard.

Try to blend with the population. Impossible in some countries or areas, but at least not obviously a "rich" tourist. A smile and a few phrases in the local language will work wonders.

I put on my levis and parka, and spent the day wandering the fringes of the area where my co-worker hired his bodyguard to go into, with no trouble at all. Of course, I was young and immortal, and probably very lucky, because when I told another co-worker what I had done, his face got pale, eyes bigger, and he said, "You did WHAT?" I didn't do that again.

Some countries are fine, but in most, including the U.S., directions from a local can land you in places where you may easily be robbed, or worse.

But, if you let that completely govern your thinking, you will never get off the boat or leave the hotel, and that is no way to live.

Stick with the group, or guide! Your safety and enjoyment is their main concern, or should be. If it doesn't appear to be, complain long and loud!

Also, have the proper customs forms for your equipment filled out, copies made and with you, like the passport. Extra funds, in small denominations for "tips" to officials may grease the skids a bit.

Take only the minimum you need. You may not have enough magnification for that little life bird you see, but for the other 90%... you got it! Small and unobtrusive is best, IMO. A good P & S, extra batteries and memory, with an auxiliary flash will cover 90% of what you will need, and is much lighter to carry.

Make it look like it's not worth stealing...disinformation! A diaper bag provides pretty good cover; the more garish, the better!

Duct tape in non-vital areas is easily removable and, artistically applied, can make a camera or bag look like the dog's dinner.

Best yet; a jacket with largish pockets will accommodate camera, lens, memory and batteries with grace and panache! I have two: an army camouflage field jacket, (I know...not so graceful) and a Safari jacket.

[BigEasy]

Super, Jeff!

[AlxCab]

Thanks for all the info, however I'm second guessing taking my SLR with me on my Europe trip in a couple of months. Anyone shoot in England, Germany, or Spain they're willing to share some info with me? I'm traveling to those three countries and it's my first time abroad and would appreciate any specifics.

[spluloacle]

Originally Posted by humminboid

Duct tape in non-vital areas is easily removable and, artistically applied, can make a camera or bag look like the dog's dinner.

What about a bag made totally outta duct tape?????

[texxter]

My tips for travel photography.

• Read "Within the Frame" by Duchemin and "Spirit of Place" by Krist. Both great inspirations.
• Travel light - unless photography is the purpose of the trip, in which case you may want to take more with you. I have done entire trips with a D700 and 35mm lens. Once I get the new Fuji X100 I will be traveling with that camera and little else.
• Don't photograph postcards, try to photograph the spirit of the place, its people and the interplay of land, architecture, people and culture.
• Engage with people and avoid "shoot and run" - your pictures will be better and locals will feel better about photographers.
• If you promise to send someone a print, please do send it.
• Try to work alone if you can - whenever I am traveling with family I usually make my best pictures when I leave alone in the morning or evening to do my own exploration and work.
• My most cherished travel images are those I took in people's homes when they invited me to partake of their life. In Guatemala, Peru, Mexico, Spain, people were happy to open their doors to me and let me be part of their lives for a little while - then the pictures came later.
• Don't sweat the technical stuff too much - it's more about images that conjure up the spirit of the place than the technical perfection of the file - in my opinion.

Here are some of my favorites travel pictures:

New Mexico - Taos Pueblo - the last tourist of the day
Peru - the hat maker
Mexico - the girl in the taxi
Mexico City - leaving your ideas for future generations
Spain - Proud Spaniard and his wife
Peru - the beautiful weaver Maria
Guatemala - Mayan women in church

[lfmerrell]

A police officer told me buy a starters pistol, place it in your check on luggage and declare it with the TSA. They then lock, tag and get an extra special tracking on that declared starting gun containing luggage.

True or not I do not know but the source was very credible. This is for domestic flights.

[Hanky]

Do not be imtimidated by TSA, I let that ruin my trip to Kiev. It's almost a joke the things people bring onboard. On my next trip I will use a backpack with my 70-200 and 1.7 tele. with personal items included that I don't want on the carry on. Now I have read that aluminum monopods will be rejected for carry on based on the potential use as a rifle.

[KenJulio]

Things you should carry-on:
Bodies
Lenses
Charger and battery
Memory cards(if shooting digital) and film

Everything else that's not going to hamper your shooting gets checked in, ie, tripod, monopods, flash(es)

[L Stegall]

Originally Posted by texxter

My tips for travel photography.

• Don't photograph postcards, try to photograph the spirit of the place, its people and the interplay of land, architecture, people and culture.
• Engage with people and avoid "shoot and run" - your pictures will be better and locals will feel better about photographers.
• If you promise to send someone a print, please do send it.
• Try to work alone if you can - whenever I am traveling with family I usually make my best pictures when I leave alone in the morning or evening to do my own exploration and work.
• My most cherished travel images are those I took in people's homes when they invited me to partake of their life. In Guatemala, Peru, Mexico, Spain, people were happy to open their doors to me and let me be part of their lives for a little while - then the pictures came later.
• Don't sweat the technical stuff too much - it's more about images that conjure up the spirit of the place than the technical perfection of the file - in my opinion.

This really mirrors my thoughts on travel photography and the best way to learn about other people/cultures. It is amazing what learning even a few words of the language will get you and being open to meeting people and trying new things.

90% of what I shoot are the small details of the larger story of the spirit of the place. When walking around a city, I'll favor my 16-35 or my 50 mm for exactly that reason, although I usually have more than that I bring along.

The one practical tip I can offer is to always throw a few zip lock bags into your camera bag. I've used them to move bodies and lenses from hot to cold and cold to hot without the dreaded fogging problem (just leave them in the bag for 10-15 minutes to acclimate) and, if you are ever in a real downpour and your bag isn't waterproof, well, your gear is still better protected than it would have been. I go for plain bags (true of luggage as well) and being low key about what I'm walking around with.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by AlxCab

Thanks for all the info, however I'm second guessing taking my SLR with me on my Europe trip in a couple of months. Anyone shoot in England, Germany, or Spain they're willing to share some info with me? I'm traveling to those three countries and it's my first time abroad and would appreciate any specifics.

Sharing info:
Too bad you aren't going to Belgium.
If the weather is crud, and it often is, hit every cathedral/church you come across. Each one is different. The interiors vary from austere to mind blowing. You won't ever see churches like that in the States. Obviously a tripod helps. Learn to use anything solid and more or less level to brace the camera if you don't have or can't take a tripod inside.
I spent a fair bit of time in Germany. Mostly along the Rhine River around Worms & Heidelberg. Tell me where you're going and I may have some help. I haven't been to England or Spain.
If they still print them, the green Michelin Guides are the BEST!
Hit the streets early and late. The bus tour Griswolds are a middle of the day breed. Avoid if possible.
Back in the day, I carried a 24-70 zoom on a 35mm film camera. It handled most of what I needed a camera for. Do the math for your sensor and pick a lens accordingly. EDIT: Before I had the 24-70 I carried a 35mm camera and 50mm lens and a TLR with a 105mm lens. That combination worked too. It had to work. That's all I had.
Jaeger Schnitzel, or Jaeger Toast. Don't miss it. Pommes Frites (fried potatoes) in a paper cone with toothpick & mustard is perfect street food.
Have fun!