Trip Photography
We take pictures every time we go on a trip. We take them as evidence that we have been to this place, perhaps with family, friends or a special person. We take them to remember beautiful views and unusual subjects. And we take them because inside us we are creative.
Sometimes we are able to take truly memorable photographs. Most trip photographs, though, turn out mediocre and lose their charm.
When we return home and resume our normal working lives, they are lost in the shuffle. The furthest we go is uploading some photographs into social media.
Is it possible to improve our trip photography? That depends on many factors.
Before embarking on a trip I assess the role of photography in the trip. Is photography going to be an important part of it? If so, I pack a DSLR camera and some lenses. If, on the other hand, the trip is for other reasons, I rely on the mobile phone for casual photographs.
If I decide photography is important in this trip, I try to plan ahead. For example, I read about attractions that would make good photographic subjects, and think of the challenges I may face photographing them. Because trips are always time-limited and I don’t have the luxury of returning, planning ahead helps me get it right the first time.
When we reach our target subject sometimes it is so large that finding an optimal spot to photograph from is time-consuming. When I was in Berlin with family, I photographed the imposing Bundestag from what I thought was a good viewpoint, but later my German friend complained that I had picked a terrible point to photograph it from.
So it makes sense to ask around for the good spots for photographing a site. If you have friends who lived in this place, or who visited there, you might ask them for suggestions. If you are lucky enough to have a guide on your trip, they could be an excellent resource. In Egypt’s Giza, an enterprising youngster working with tourists helped me find a good spot to photograph the Sphinx saving me a long detour.
For a trip that is virtually dedicated to photography – to Sundarban for example – I minimize social interactions so I can be alert for possibilities coming up ahead. Camera ready, I look for photographic opportunities – birds, wildlife, nature – all day as the boat cruises the rivers and canals of the magnificent forest. This approach is obviously not recommended for fun trips with family or friends.
Most people think they are done when the trip is over and they have uploaded some photographs to social media. But then, a year or two down the line, they need a photo and are dismayed when they cannot find it.
The best way to preserve your trip photographs is to download them to your laptop as soon as possible and organize them. If, like me, you photograph profusely, culling bad or flawed photographs helps. Using a photo management software like Lightroom or Picasa, you can mark your good photographs for quick retrieval later. This marking is crucial if, at a later date, you need to find those good photographs in a hurry. Backing up the photographs into a pen drive or external drive will ensure that your photographs survive in case your laptop crashes.
facebook.com/ikabirphotographs or follow “ihtishamkabir” on Instagram
Comments