Travel photography can be challenging and highly rewarding, especially when you anticipate and capture a moment that sums up the essence of a location. Professional travel photographer Valerie Martin shares seven tips to help you shoot better photos on your next holiday.
01 PACK LIGHT Keep it simple. Resist the temptation to pack your entire kit and consider the weight of your gear before heading out the door. Everyone is different, but I prefer a lightweight cropped-sensor digital SLR, with an 18-200mm zoom lens that allows me to capture most situations. I also include a 10-20mm lens for wide angle shots and a longer lens (300mm or more) for wildlife. A lightweight tripod comes is great for slow shutter speeds and I also carry a hard drive, filters and of course the essentials – memory cards, charger, cables and spare batteries.
Monk in doorway, Lalibela, Ethiopia. When visiting one of the churches in Ethiopia, I saw this doorway and asked a priest to open it for me. I then asked a priest to pose in the doorway and quickly took a few images before the moment was lost. I took a few images with and without flash but prefer this image without flash. 1/25s @ f/5.6, ISO 400, no flash.
02 THE RIGHT TIME OF DAY It may seem obvious, but good lighting is key to capturing a great photo. Often referred to as the "golden hours" early morning and late afternoon are the best times to shoot. In the late afternoon when the sun is low in the sky, great detail in landscapes is often revealed. It is at this time that colours are highly saturated providing you with drama and contrast. The same can be said with early morning light and there are usually fewer people around too. Although it can be an effort to get up and out first thing in the morning, it is well worth the effort. The varied seasons also have important effect on light. And remember, if you want to photograph at sunrise, be there at least one hour before first light to capture all the colours. Once the sun appears over the horizon, the colours change very quickly and the light is less dramatic.
Sunrise, Turimutta Beach NSW. Canon EOS 550D with 10-20mm lens @ 10mm, 5s @ f/8, ISO 100, tripod.
03 SHOOT AT NIGHT Although it is a practice often overlooked, take your camera out at night. You can capture a totally different feel of a city or landscape. Use your tripod to take long exposures. This will open up an endless array of possibilities for your photographs and add another dimension to your work.
Women in Sapa, Vietnam. Two women rest with their heavy baskets in Northern Vietnam. 1/200s @ f/7, ISO 125.
04 BAD WEATHER? NO SUCH THING! Weather forecasts are not always accurate! Make the most of overcast or rainy days. Although photographing in unpredictable weather is challenging, this is when you can often capture very compelling images. Use these low-contrast days to your advantage, you can always adjust them effectively in post production.
Gondar Castle in the mist, Ethiopia. Early morning mist provided a unique photo opportunity with this magical perspective on Gondar Castle. 1/320s @ f/5.6, ISO 100.
05 MAKE THE MOST OF ISO One of the great advantages of digital photography compared to film is that you can change the ISO any time. Having spent much of my photography career working with film, I really appreciate the flexibility of being able to change the ISO as the lighting changes.
I avoid the "auto ISO" setting on the camera and set my own ISO for every situation. Usually 100 ISO is good for bright sunny days, while 200 and 400 ISO are ideal for overcast days or at markets. Most modern DSLRs and mirrorless interchangeable-lens compacts produce good results at settings as high as 3200 or 6400 ISO so don't be afraid to use these settings to help you in low-light situations or if you are shooting fast-moving subjects. Shoot some test shots so you know how your camera performs at its highest ISO settings. Remember, the higher the ISO, the higher the noise.
Sistine Chapel, Italy. By increasing the ISO you can photograph indoors without the need for flash. 1/50s @ f/4, ISO 800.
06 ANTICIPATE Develop an awareness of what makes a good photograph and then be ready for opportunities as they come. Try to visualise the shot you want before it happens and use the extra moment or two to adjust your settings. Speed counts; know your camera intimately and remember, sometimes the final shot will require setting up the scene. The more familiar you are with your location, the better your images will be.
Monk on ledge, Ethiopia. After an arduous trek up a mountain, this monk appeared on the ledge for a moment. I quickly snapped him before he disappeared. 1/250s @ f/11, ISO 100.
07 PHOTOGRAPH PEOPLE For me, the essence of a country can be documented by photographing its people. When capturing landscapes or landmarks, the decision to include people in these frames can change a scene completely.
Don’t be afraid to approach people and ask if you can take their photograph – remember, a smile goes a long way. Most people are delighted and very excited to see their image on the back of your camera so do take the time to share with them the moment. For portraits, position your subject accordingly. Pay attention to the available light and the background. To get the best out of your portrait, it is important to encourage interaction as this will make your subject feel more comfortable in front of the camera.
Street photography, where you capture people from a distance, usually without them knowing, is another option. This style of photography generally produces less personal results but can be interesting. Usually a telephoto lens is required and it involves taking numerous images to get one good shot. Caution may be needed in some countries where “sneak” shots with a long lens can land you in trouble. Be respectful.
Girl with braids, Northern Ethiopia. I spotted this girl outside a church in Ethiopia and quickly moved her out of the harsh light in front of a tree trunk to get better lighting. 1/80s @ f/5, ISO 100.
Valarie Martin is a Sydney-based freelance photographer. She has had an exciting and varied career and has worked as a press photographer in London, a freelancer in the United States and a senior staff photographer at Australian Consolidated Press. Her photographs have been published in many publications including Gourmet Traveler, House and Garden, Belle and the Qantas inflight magazine. She is passionate about travel and sharing her photography knowledge which led her to start running photography workshops abroad. Her new luxury tour to South Africa leaves next March. For more information about her tours and workshops, check out www.valerie-martin-photography.com or www.icotravelsa.com
