Take Better Travel Photos Issue 02

Take better travel photos • Summer 2012/ Issue 2 • 25 tips from the pros • How to take an award-winning photo • Street, macro & snow photography • Top DSLRs and compacts • iPhoneography

The ultimate guide to travel & holiday photography

Take better travel photos Summer 2012 | Issue 2 | £4.50

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a sizzin trip t ling o wortCuba £2,50 h 0!

6 mini guides

Macro ▶ Action ▶ Markets ▶ Snow ▶ Holy places ▶ Road trips ▶

tips from the pros

How to…

>> Get creative with a compact or iPhone >> Capture the northern lights >> Shoot great street scenes

+ the best compacts & DSLRs reviewed

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GET INSPIRED From epic landscapes

to bustling cities,our planet brims with photo opportunities.

So start seeing the world through a photographer’s eyes…

IN THIS SECTION: » How to take an award-winner 10 photos with the wow factor p10 » Cuba: street photography Getting up close and personal p26 » India: framing the scene The fine art of composition p36 » Jordan: beyond the postcard view Petra without the clichés p42 » 25 photo tips from the pros Master the basics fast p52

TAKE BETTER TRAVEL PHOTOS

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get inspired

winning ways

hot shots

There are holiday snapshots, and then there are competition winners. Here, the winners of the last two years’ Wanderlust Travel Photo of the Year competitions reveal how they took their shots, and the professional judges explain why they won

Lone tree, Lake Wanaka, New Zealand Photographer: andrew deer, IT professional Won: landscape category, 2010

“The sudden change in air temperature as the dawn sunlight broke over the surrounding mountaintops of Lake Wanaka generated strong winds across the water.

I was forced to act as a human shield to protect my tripod from being buffeted.

The lone, exposed tree in the shallows had no such respite as it twisted and bent in the onslaught.”

Judge’s comment: This image is deceptively simple and yet is powerful because of this simplicity. The first flush of light on the sky and tree is just enough to give us the sense of dawn. But it is the movement in the branches of this old tree and the water surrounding it, which adds the perception of strength and timelessness to this ancient landscape. [PH] Nikon D200, Tamron 18-270mm lens @ 35mm, ND filter, 7.1 sec @ f18, ISO 100, tripod

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Composition – what you include in your picture and what you don’t – is the first skill of photography. Fresh from a trip to Ladakh in northern India, Steve Davey explains the basics Pictures Steve Davey

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tick a modern DSLR on auto, and in most circumstances it will produce a reasonably well exposed, focused shot. But no amount of hi-tech wizardry can tell you where to point the camera in the first place, or how to capture the interest in a scene. Framing the world in a satisfying and dramatic way is the most important skill in photography, equally relevant whether you are using a £5,000 DSLR or a camera phone. There are various ‘rules’ of composition, but ultimately it’s about experimenting and developing your photographic eye.

Rather than rushing in and clicking away, the key thing is to pause, and to try to previsualise the image. Ask yourself what it is about the subject that makes you want to take a picture in the first place.

If someone were standing next to you, what would you point out to them? This is the essence of the subject, and what you should try to photograph.

Your main tool in doing this is composition, in its widest sense: a seamless blend of lens choice, angle, viewpoint, subject distance and where you place objects in your frame. Want some practice? You don’t even need a camera: try previsualising on the train in the morning, or walking around a supermarket. You’ll reap the benefits when you hit the road…

Be bold

Prayer flags in front of the Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, Leh Be bold and exaggerate the rules of composition.

The rule of thirds states you should place your subject on an imaginary line that divides the image into three. This will give a more balanced composition than if you place the subject in the centre of the frame, but it can be quite predictable.

I have coined the ‘rule of not centred’, which says that you can place the subject anywhere as long as it is not in the middle of the picture.

In this picture the horizon is placed at the edge of the frame, and the prayer flags are silhouetted in a bold diagonal that fills the sky and leads the viewer’s eye to the figures.

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GET INSPIRED

COMPOSITION

SHOOT FROM THE SIDE

Statues and prayer books, Chemrey Gompa, Ladakh, India Standing straight in front of your subject and shooting away will often give you a fairly dull record of what something looks like. Simply by walking around it, or off to the side, you can completely change its relationship with the background.

Shooting from the side allows you to include other significant features in your shot, and gives your picture more depth – your eye is being led into the scene, rather than stopped short.

You also now have the chance to experiment with depth of field – the amount of the scene which is in focus.

HOW TO LIGHT INTERIORS When shooting a subject on more than one plane, the flash will only light the foreground. Up the ISO to allow you to hand-hold in natural light.

CREATE A VISUAL STORY

Masked Cham Dancers photographed by a Buddhist monk, Korzok Gustor, Lake Tsomoriri Isolate details to create an entertaining picture. Noticing a monk taking a snap, I included two Cham dancers in the shot – contrasting the modern with the traditional. Neither element should be central, and by placing the monk near the edge, he appears more to be leaning around the corner. Lastly, I scanned the edge of the frame and made sure I had a good crop on the bunting at the image’s top.

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get inspired

PETRA 25 top tips

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Photographing an Icon

PETRA

Jordan’s rose-red city adorns a million postcards, so how do you capture a fresh perspective? Pro travel photographer Paul Harris works the angles

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rom the Euphrates to the Red Sea, the Nabatean civilisation carved out a unique place in the culture of the Middle East, and nowhere more so than in the construction of Petra. At the peak of its power around the time of Christ, this extraordinary sandstone city was subsequently lost to the outside world for 800 years. 2012 marks the 200th anniversary of its dramatic ‘rediscovery’ by the AngloSwiss explorer Johann Burckhardt.

Renowned for its highly preserved tombs, temples and facades, Petra is a Unesco World Heritage Site and Jordan’s biggest attraction for visitors, archaeology aficionados and

photographers alike – which can make for a thronged experience. The crowds aside, Petra throws up some interesting photographic challenges, which can be overcome with a little thought and planning on how to avoid and improve on the clichés.

Creating a sense of place and connection with its culture and history will enhance both your own experience and those who may not have a chance to visit one of the great wonders of the world.

All photographs taken by Paul Harris and Wanderlust Journeys: On Assignment participants Yani Davis, Malcolm Cartledge, Claire Waring & Pawel Lipski

Picture 1 the alternative icon What: Carved out of the mountainside to the west of Petra, the Monastery (Ad Deir) is the largest monument on the site.

It’s also much less crowded than the picture-postcard Treasury below.

Where: To the west and 200m above the ancient city. From a higher viewpoint like this, you can give a real sense of its location.

When: Mid to late afternoon, when full sun brings a warm hue to the sandstone. It does mean you have to do the hour-long hike in the heat of the day; leave time to get down!

Technical details: Canon EOS -1D MkII, ISO400, 24-105mm lens (set at 45mm), 1/250sec @ f4.0 Tip: Focus on the facade, and then recompose to show the landscape.

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Just enjoy Relax and enjoy the Laotian landscape and you’re more likely to take great shots of it

25from the pros

ESSENTIAL PHOTO TIPS Have a plan, get down low, use the light... taking better travel photos starts with a few easy techniques.

Here, five professional travel photographers help you snap smarter

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get inspired

25 top tips

1

enjoy yourself

When you’re in a photogenic spot and the weather or circumstances turn against you, the burden of expectation can ruin all enjoyment of your trip. Relax, and have faith in your own skills. You can’t beat Mother Nature. If you put yourself in the right place at the right time, sooner or later you’ll get lucky. The best pictures will come when you are enjoying your photography the most. DN

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tips & skills From epic auroras to

magical macros, start picking up the skills and techniques for great travel photos

in this section: >> Finland: the northern lights How to capture the aurora p68 >> 5 minute guide: shooting macro Get ready for your close-up p78 >> Get creative with a compact Think first – then point & shoot p84 >> 5 minute guide: shooting snow How to get your whites whiter p88 >> The art of iPhoneography Got an iPhone?

Get snapping! p96

Take better travel photos

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TIPS & SKILLS

PHOTO TRIP: FINLAND

How do you capture the magic of the aurora borealis on camera? Amateur snapper Nick Boulos learned from the pros on a sub-zero photo safari in Finland

NORTHERN EXPOSURES Pictures Nick Boulos & Andy Keen

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GET INSPIRED

COMPACT SKILLS

QUALITY in a COMPACT The latest compacts are as well specified as many DSLR cameras, and can produce equally impressive results. Keith Wilson passes on four ways to extend your compact’s creative abilities

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here is an incredible amount of technology packed into today’s digital compact cameras. With that technology comes plenty of creative potential. But if you want to fully realise your camera’s quality and capability, you need to step out of the comfort zone of always shooting on Auto. Now is the time to explore some of the other settings by experimenting with cropping, close-ups and long exposures, and approaching your subject from a completely different angle.

Not only can it be fun, but you will find that your compact is more versatile than you realised – and you’re more capable than you think!

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TIPS & SKILLS

COMPACT SKILLS

CROP WITH DIFFERENT FORMATS

Getty; Keith Wilson

The wide view Use the panorama setting, in order to get a more sweeping image of your subject

Many digital compact cameras now have a choice of formats in addition to the main 3:2 aspect ratio. Typically, the other format options available are 16:9 (panorama), 4:3 and 6:6 (square).

But how often do you consider whether your composition could be improved by choosing one of these alternative formats when framing your subject? For example, for a tighter crop with less background, use 6:6 (called 1:1 on some cameras). For enhancing the sweep of a wider view, choose the 16:9 crop for a panoramic result.

What many people don’t realise is that the 4:3 format uses all the pixels available on the image sensor; the other formats, including the 3:2 aspect, are actually cropped frames of the sensor’s total array. The live view on the camera monitor adjusts accordingly to show the new framing whenever the format alters. Although the dimensions of your image (and therefore its enlargement potential) are affected by cropping in this way, the overall image quality is not.

In most compacts the choice of formats is accessed by scrolling through the menu, but some models have an external slider switch, which offers a more immediate way to compare how your composition is changed by being framed differently.

1

2

3

4 Pick of the crops

The pixel arrays of the four formats in a compact camera using a 10 megapixel image sensor are: 1 16:9 – 3648x2056 2 4:3 – 3648x2736 3 3:2 – 3648x2432 4 6:6 – 2736x2736

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Since 1993, Wanderlust has been helping travellers escape the crowds and seek out the most unique cultures, wildlife and activities around the globe.

With a mix of inspiration and practical advice Wanderlust is the ultimate magazine for independent-minded, curious travellers.

DON’T MISS OUT – SUBSCRIBE TODAY ▶Get 8 issues of Wanderlust, the UK’s leading magazine for travellers. ▶Receive a free Footprint guide to Travel Photography, worth £19.99.

Authored by Steve Davey, Consultant Editor to Take Better Travel Photos – and distilled from his 20 years experience as a professional travel photographer – this book covers everything from buying a camera to selling your work. ▶Every Wanderlust subscriber receives a £50 travel voucher, which they can redeem against a trip booking with one of our tour operator members shown below.

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kit & cameras Time for a new camera or some added extras?

Welcome to our buyer’s guide

3 steps to buying the right camera With hundreds of models to choose from, buying the right camera can be a baffling process.

So let’s try to make life a little simpler…

in this section: >> Choosing the right camera Pick the best one for you p102 >> 10 of the best compact system cameras The new breed p107 >> 10 of the best compacts Pocket-sized perfection p110 >> 5 of the best travel DSLRs For full manual control p113 >> Smart storage Keep your shots backed-up p114

Take better travel photos

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q What kind should I choose?

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uying a camera is a big decision. Too complex a piece of kit, and it can weigh you down. Too simple and you might find it too restrictive. You need to consider what size, weight, price and functionality is right for you, your style of photography and your style of travel. dslrs Many people think that if they are serious about photography, they need a digital Single Lens Reflex camera (DSLR – cameras with changeable lenses and a through-the-lens optical viewfinder). Yet many who do invest in a DSLR use only the kit lens that comes with the camera and leave it on Auto. If that is you, you may well do better with a smaller, simpler camera.

A DSLR will generally have the capability to give better quality pictures, giving you maximum control over your camera settings. They are also generally superior to compacts in their speed and accuracy of focusing, ISO performance and ability to handle extremes of contrast. compacts If photography isn’t your main reason for travelling, and you are only going to view your pictures on a computer or print a few at a small size, then a good compact camera will be more

than adequate. More important will be the creativity of the photographer and actually having your camera with you at all times – far more feasible with a compact camera, or even a phone!

Even if you have a DSLR it is worth investing in a compact as a backup.

Some compact models are designed to be rugged or waterproof, which can be useful if you are in wet or dusty conditions. Also, underwater housings for compacts will be far cheaper and smaller than housings for a DSLR. compact system cameras If you are looking for a middle way, there is finally a good option.

Previously you had to buy a so-called bridge camera, which inherited many of the worst qualities of both DSLRs and compacts. Now there is an option that combines the best of both formats.

The new breed of compact system cameras have the large sensors, RAW capability, interchangeable lenses and functionality of DSLRs combined with the compact design and reasonable price of a compact. Most of the big manufacturers have models, and the technology is rapidly evolving.

They are seriously worth considering for the travel photographer, although don’t get too carried away: DSLRs still offer the highest quality and greatest range of interchangeable lenses.

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KIT & CAMERAS

THE BUYERS’ GUIDE

The new breed of compact system cameras are seriously worth considering

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STEVE DAVEY’S MINI MASTERCLASSES Four quick-reference guides to common photography scenarios you’ll encounter on your travels

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139 TAKE BETTER TRAVEL PHOTOS

Page 135 SACRED PLACES Page 137 MARKETS Page 139 ROAD TRIPS Page 141 MOVEMENT

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mini masterclass

sacred places

sacred places

When discretion is the There’s more to the Taj Mahal than the classic shot along the watercourse – part of snapping better Steve Davey offers in-depth advice on photographing India’s star attraction

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✁

he most important thing to keep Some of the best angles for photography in mind when photographing will put you between the people praying and religious places is just that: they what they are praying to. Be aware of what is are religious places. Not causing behind you, not just what you are pointing offence is far more important your camera at. than any picture you might want to take.

On a practical level, many religious places There have been many times when I have have dark interiors, which can be hard to deemed it inappropriate to take pictures, photograph. Use a higher ISO sensitivity only to see a traveller bumbling in, and a wide-angle lens to avoid camera shake. disturbing people at prayer or striding Sometimes it can be hard to show the through the middle of a religious service entirety of a religious building, so look for without the slightest concern. The onus details. An offering or a carving, shot with is on you to ensure that you are not the rest of the building or with praying disrespecting a religious place – look into pilgrims in the background, will convey what you should and atmosphere. Be prepared to shouldn’t be trying to spend some time. Don’t just ABOVE: If you photograph a detail up close with a wide photograph. Don’t rely on swoop around a building aperture, the background Westernised local guides. snapping away. Sit quietly and will be out of focus but still recognisable. This creates They will often pay more heed observe, and you will see a more meaningful picture to any potential tip than to the – as in this image of priests things and be able to sensibilities of rural and photograph unobtrusively. at Narga Selassie church, Lake Tana, Ethiopia. religious people.

Steve’s 3 best tips

1

Work sensitively and discreetly Not only will you get better pictures, but you won’t offend any locals who are praying. Be careful of standing in front of, and obstructing, any worshippers.

2

increase your iso In low light levels, increase the ISO sensitivity and take a number of shots to avoid camera shake ruining your pictures. This is less disruptive and will give more atmospheric pictures than using flash. A wide-angle lens will show camera shake far less than a telephoto lens.

3

pack a monopod In low light levels, a monopod (one-legged tripod) can help avoid camera shake and is more discreet and portable than a full tripod.

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