Thinking about traveling photographically....

  Planning a trip?  In my opinion the trip begins in many ways the moment you decide you are going.  With that in mind taking pictures is a major portion of the joy I get from a vacation. As much as we like to think of ourselves as  photographers on the road because we are on vacation and have time for photography. In reality we are more vacationers than photographers.

 I can say this most assuredly because I have been guilty of thinking I am a photographer on the road and not really a vacationer. and I was wrong.  The mindset of a photographer on the road is not the same as a vacationer. Because the trip is about the shot and the rest is all  filler. That is not to say that they do not immensely enjoy traveling. However there purposes are clearly defined. This clarity allows them to deliver on consistent pattern. Where as we may find our efforts more haphazard.

To start when do you rise? are  up not just at sunrise but hours before sunrise so you h can get a chance to setup and scope out your site. So you even know exactly where that sun will first peek above the horizon.  Ask yourself if your best shots are taken at  times it is comfortable for you. are you shooting most things the first time you have seen them. Or did you scout the location at several different time to see when the light would hit it best.  Are you traveling with someone so you have to m be mindful of your time? These are not the the concerns of someone who is trying to get the right shot. Do you even know when you should be "done" because you clearly understood what you were trying to capture before you even pulled your camera out of you bag When you get back home are you planning on coming back because you  would like to see it at a different time of year.

 It doesn't mean  us vacationers can’t benefit from the lessons of professionals.   Examples are .. researching the place  before we think about which camera to bring.  Carefully deciding what equipment your likely to use and willingly leave equipment you are not. Be willingly to be a little uncomfortable to get the right shot.  Taking the collapse-able tripod because some shots don’t work unless you  have it  with you. Be willing to ask people locally to  point you in the right direction. Enjoy yourself I am not the only one on a journey.

We will talk about equipment another time