30th July 2015

From Holiday Snaps to Travel PhotographyBy Matt Widgery

A bit about this dude Self confessed photography nut First picked up a camera aged 5 (Boots 110 Easy Grip) Still got it Earns a living shooting portraits, bands and commercial work Teaches workshops around the world Founder FramedPlanet.com international photography news and

entertainment website. Part of the F Stop Lounge international photographers collective Has a YouTube channel which you should all subscribe to immediately! Is at www.mattwidgery.com if anyone has one of those internets at home.

http://FramedPlanet.comhttp://www.mattwidgery.com

How to avoid gas ruining your holiday

How to stay married and avoid the divorce courts

How to make a thousand pesky tourists disappear in broad daylight

How to come away with a set of photographs actually worth a damn

What were going to learn today

Dont let G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) ruin your holidayOr, how to pack what you need to take great photos, without needing a sherpa to carry it around for you!

Henri Cartier-Bresson only used a 50mm in his personal work!

You dont have to limit yourself to just a single prime but you may find it liberating to try.

You will miss some shots, but youll get your eye trained on that focal length. Youll start to see the world in those frame lines.

For street I use an 18mm (28mm equiv.) lens. I like to get close!

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, its

A Super Zoom!

Pros of a super zoom lens?

Wide range of focal lengths in one

No need to change lenses

keeps dust and moisture out of camera

Lighter than carrying a bag of lenses

Can often be had cheaply (unless youre a Fuji user)

Cons of a super zoom lens?

Variable aperture so image darkens when you zoom in (like your kit lens)

Optics of a zoom never as good as a prime

Wider the focal range there worse the optics (although modern lens designs and post production software are freakin fantastic these days that I wouldnt worry too much.

Not very bright (the lens, hopefully not the photographer). You may want to pack a prime with a f/2.8 or brighter) aperture for low light shots.

Spend more money, get better photos?The best camera for travel photography

The best camera is the one you have with you- Chase Jarvis

A few tips for choosing the best travel camera

Size and Weight

Low light capability

AF speed

Weather Sealing / toughness

Manual controls easy to get to

Other stuff you probably shouldnt forgetEssential Travel Photography Gear

Useful bits and bobs

Tripod. Light Weight = good! Carbon fibre cheaper than ever now.

Essential for astrophotography

long exposure shots of water or other cool stuff well come on to in a while

Useful bits and bobs

Filters

ND Filters cut out light so you can shoot wide open in the day

Allow you to get very long exposures for cool effects like smokey water & Making a thousand pesky tourists disappear in broad daylight!

Cut out glare from glass and water.

Increase colour saturation especially in foliage and skies

How to make a thousand pesky tourists disappearPhoto credit: Etienne Gaboreau

useful bits and bobs

Graduated Filters

Darker at top than bottom.

Bring detail out in the sky and maintain detail in the shadows.

Useful bits and bobs

Spare cards and batteries

Bring at least one spare card and battery with you

Both can fail unexpectedly

Both can fall in the sea

If the card is full and your battery is dead youre screwed!

Useful bits and bobs

Camera bag

Branded stuff is attractive to thieves

get a camera bag that doesnt look like a camera bag

For travel pick a smaller bag so youre forced to take less stuff!

How to stay married and avoid the divorce courts

Get up at sunrise but dont insist the whole family comes too

If you spend all your money on camera gear

Leave enough for the hotel

Some more tips for a pleasant trip for all

If youre travelling with non-photographers dont keep them waiting for hours while you get the perfect shot

Find some time to go out and shoot while the others are shopping or at the beach

Book a photography specific holiday so you can indulge your passion with like-minded people and expert guidance

The meat and potatoesHow to make better travel photographs

Light matters

I got up at 4:30am to get this light

Mostly the light sucksIf youre with a tour group they will leave after the good light is over and get back before the good light comes back.

Harsh shadows and midday sun are what youll have to deal with. Embrace them! Look for shafts of light, and remember to expose for the highlights.

Photo series can be more powerful than single images

Its about people and places, not pictures!

The journey is as important as the destination

Get

Clo

se

Get Creative

Try out new techniques

Think like a photojournalistTell the whole story

Food

People

Culture

Religion

History

Landscape

Wildlife

The Final ProductMake a photobook and keep your memories safe.