Feature Articles – Travel Photography
Explore magnificent locations, see top places to do photography, and find sensational hotels and places to stay.
Ghost Hunting Photography
We have some super crazy good ghost hunting articles.
UP NEXT – Our Iceland Adventure Featured Article!
Ready yourself for a journey to an otherworldly realm! The captivating air of Iceland is sure to leave you spellbound and stricken with a feverish case of puffinitis. Our relentless pursuit of puffin photography will take us on a wild ride, so strap in and stay tuned to hear about our incredible adventure in this next featured article.
In the meantime you can read about the puffins in the second half of our Puffin Photogaphy Tour Page.
Costa Rica – La Fortuna & Arenal Feature Article
As we journeyed through the world, we were lucky to come upon a place of astonishing beauty – so captivating that it filled our hearts with wonder and excitement. It was an expedition of perfect bliss.
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HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY LOCATION
Choosing the perfect destination for travel photography is essential to capturing stunning images during your trip. For example, our adventure through the Canadian Rockies yielded thousands of breathtaking photos in just one week. However, during our first three days in Hawaii, we only took 50 shots. It’s crucial not to rely solely on a location’s reputation for its scenic beauty; the potential for producing dynamic and award-winning photos must also be considered.
As a photographer, selecting the right location for your next travel adventure is crucial. It can make or break the success of your project and the quality of your photographs. Here are some tips on how to pick the perfect photography location:
1. Research:
You can start by researching different locations that pique your interest. Please look for visually stunning places with unique features to make your photos stand out. This could include natural landscapes, architectural wonders, or cultural landmarks. Use social media, travel blogs, and photography forums to gather inspiration and ideas if you are still looking for what you are looking for in our photography hot spot location guides.
2. Accessibility:
Consider how easy or difficult it may be to access the location you have in mind. Are there any restrictions or permits required to shoot there? Will you need to hike or climb to get the shot you want? Will you need to carry heavy equipment? Make sure you are physically able and willing to meet the demands of the location before committing to it.
3. Travel:
Will you drive or take a plane or boat to your location? Please look at the cost, time, and logistics of traveling to your chosen destination. It may only be worth the effort if it’s affordable and convenient.
4. Don’t Assume:
Refrain from assuming that the entire area will be suitable for capturing dynamic photography just because you have seen a few vibrant images while researching. Don’t let a few isolated examples influence you. Take the time to thoroughly explore and assess the environment and the surrounding area before making any assumptions about its dynamic photographic abilities.
5. Timing:
The timing of your visit can significantly impact the quality of your photographs. Consider the season when planning your trip. Golden hour, the time just after sunrise or just before sunset when the light is soft and warm, can make for stunning photographs—similarly, visiting during a season when the landscape is in full bloom.
6. Weather:
Keep an eye on the weather forecast for your selected location. Weather can significantly affect the mood and atmosphere of your photos. For example, shooting during a cloudy day can create a moody and dramatic effect, while shooting during a sunny day can give a bright and cheerful feel. Be prepared for any weather conditions and adjust your shooting style accordingly.
7. Reputation:
While it’s important not to rely solely on a location’s reputation, it’s still worth considering. Look for places popular among photographers with a history of producing stunning photos. However, look for new places too! We like to do photography that differs from others to be unique and creative.
ONCE YOU ARRIVE AT YOUR DESTINATION
1. Consider lighting:
Lighting is one of the most critical factors in producing high-quality photos. When selecting a location, consider the time of day and the sun’s direction. Depending on the style of photography you want to achieve, you may prefer soft, diffused lighting or dramatic shadows and highlights.
Remember that different locations will offer other lighting conditions, so be prepared to adjust your shooting style accordingly. Golden hour, just after sunrise or before sunset when the light is soft and warm, can make for stunning photographs. Similarly, visiting during a season when the landscape is in full bloom is ideal. Bare trees rarely make dynamic, jaw-dropping photos.
2. Scout the Area
It’s always a good idea to scout the location beforehand, especially if you plan on taking photos of the Milky Way. While technology can be helpful, physically visiting the location to see where the sun will rise or set or where the Milky Way will appear on the horizon is different. It’s best to scout out the location before your shoot; otherwise, arrive early to give yourself enough time.
Camera Settings for Photography How-To
Aperture:
It is generally used to control the depth of field (control how much is in focus from your subject’s back). If your shutter speed drops to 1/30th sec. or lower because you lack light, you must put your camera on a tripod to avoid blurry pictures. Anything handheld below 1/30 sec will be blurry. The higher the “f” number, the less light will come in, and your shutter speed will drop to let more light in.
When your “f” number goes up, your aperture closes. At f-22, you are barely letting any light in. When taking your shot, always watch your shutter speed, look at the bottom of the screen through the viewfinder, and check your shutter speed. Do not let your shutter speed go too low when hand-holding. Sometimes, you cannot get a super high f stop because you do not have enough light. This will happen quite often, such as a sunset. Again, put your camera on a tripod, and now your photos will not blur except for any subject moving in the image.
You might want the opposite effect. That is when your subject is entirely focused, and the background is blurred, called the bokeh effect. You will use your lowest F-number, such as 2.8 or 3.5. You can go as small as your particular lens will allow. Shooting in Aperture Priority allows you to control this.
Shutter Priority:
If you have moving subjects such as people moving, you will want to shoot in shutter priority to ensure your images come out sharp. When people move slowly, shoot at 1/250th sec, and adjust your ISO accordingly. If they move very fast, increase your shutter speed to about 1/1000th sec. If it’s a bright sunny day, go as high as 1/1200 second for fast-moving subjects.
Using Manual Mode:
If you have moving waters here, you can do your long exposure running, milky water shots. You will have to use a tripod for this effect. All of your settings will vary depending on the lighting and what neutral density filter you have. You will shoot in manual mode for the milky waters.
ISO is always 100 or as low as your camera will allow. The aperture is f22. Your shutter speed will vary depending on the light. Take some test shots to decide on your shutter speed after you put your neutral density filter on. (It’s like sunglasses for your camera to stop light from coming in).
You can use your shutter release or your 2-second timer to prevent camera movement. Voila. You now have your milky water exposure. You will want at least a 5-second exposure for water. (If you don’t have a neutral density filter, you may not get over 1/15th of a second in the sun. That does not give you a good effect). You can go to our store to buy your ND filter. We like a 3.0 for super long exposure in the daytime, and we have a ten-stop filter for bright sunny days.
The Artist/Photographer – Pamela Goodyer
Pamela Goodyer has traveled to many continents to capture and document the incredible beauty of Mother Gaia. She has seen sights that most people only dream of, and her passion for sharing these wonders with others keeps her going. She believes art should be dynamic, vibrant and cheerful, just like the world around us.
As she looks out over the vast expanse of the Grand Canyon, Pam feels a sense of awe washes over her. It’s moments like this that make all the sacrifices worthwhile. She knows that capturing the true essence of Mother Nature requires a deep connection with the world around us, and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to achieve this.
Pam sets off on another adventure with her camera in hand, eager to capture the world’s beauty through her lens. She climbs mountains, hikes through dense forests and wades through freezing streams, all in pursuit of that perfect shot. Her unwavering determination and boundless energy fill her spirit with abundance and contentment.
Despite the challenges she faces along the way, Pam never loses sight of her ultimate goal: to create art that uplifts and inspires others. Her work is a celebration of life, love and everything in between. Each piece she creates is imbued with a sense of joy and optimism that radiates from every brushstroke.
As her Fine Art continues to grow in popularity, Pam reflects on how far she’s come. From humble beginnings as a novice photographer to an internationally acclaimed artist with a growing fan base, she knows that her success results from her unwavering passion for her craft. But Pam refuses to rest. She knows that true greatness requires constant evolution and improvement. So she continues to push herself, seeking out new challenges
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