Travel photo tips: on location…

There’s a lot to take in when you’re shooting in an exotic new location. John offers these tips to help you stay focused… Never believe what other travellers tell you about the places they have visited. In my own experience, I have found wonderful people, traditions and locations in destinations where no-one wanted to go. Likewise I have been very disappointed with places that were popular with travellers or photographers. Spend time with the people you’re photographing and get to know the customs of their culture before you start shooting. You can’t imagine how much more relaxed it makes them, and this will be reflected in your shots. If you’re going to be travelling through underdeveloped countries, make sure you’re carrying water purification tablets with you. Be wary of setting your camera to A, S or P mode when working with difficult lighting, such as when someone is backlit. You may risk under- or over-exposed images. It’s better to use manual mode and expose for a person’s face. Don’t be afraid to use bracketing when you’re working in fast-changing light. Shoot small videos or record sound while you take pictures. The results will prove superuseful when you’re putting together a story or giving a presentation about your trip.