Travel Photography On The Road

That old saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” is never truer than when you’re recording images during an overseas trip. Photos captured on a digital camera become memory joggers that will help you recall a year spent teaching English as a second language in China or the details of the volunteer mission that you took to Haiti.

Preparing Your Camera for the Trip

Spending time with your camera equipment before traveling will make recording those special moments a hassle-free experience. First, pull out the camera to re-familiarize yourself with the settings; then take a few shots. If you need to refresh your memory on downloading to a computer, do that too. Be sure to play around with the photo editing program, if you use one.

What about the camera equipment itself? Is the battery charged? Are you brining an extra one? Be sure to include several memory cards plus a card reader for easier downloading to a computer.

Do you have a backup plan? Don’t erase that memory card before camera images are stored in at least two places. A mini hard drive or DVD make convenient archival devices; or if you’re lucky enough to have a fast internet connection, store photos online on sites such as Picasa, Flickr or Smugmug.

During Your Overseas Trip

Make charging camera batteries a nightly practice so that you're always prepared. And, download photos on a daily basis, naming them to a folder that makes sense to you. This will help identify where and when the photos were taken. Every couple of days, put that backup plan into motion, using a mini hard drive, DVD or online storage. Then, clear the digital card, but be sure to do so through the functions in your camera. This protects the card from corruption.

And what about those photos? Follow these tips before clicking the camera shutter:

• Shoot away from the sun
• Take advantage of the light, aiming for early morning or late afternoon photo sessions, if possible
• Think small to capture the details, zooming in for close shots
• Go big to record a grand scene, zooming out as wide as you can
• Try a different perspective by kneeling down, shooting low with the lens
• Include people in your shots, giving photos energy. But ask first, many cultures are sensitive about photography

Sharing Your Photos With the World


Think small to capture the details, zooming in for close shots

How will you share photos with family and friends during the trip? Simpler is better on an overseas trip because you're there to volunteer, explore and teach, not spend hours behind a laptop. Uploading photos to Picasa, Flickr, SmugMug or another online storage site is an easy way to share with family and friends, plus it acts as backup storage.

Before uploading, take a few minutes to make adjustments to the photos such as adjusting color, light and sharpness. This takes a few minutes but will improve the quality of the photos. And, only upload your best shots if you really want friends and family to view them.

Once you're home, consider making a photo book of your trip from one of the many sites on the internet. A few captions included with an assortment of photos will make a lasting memory. Another option is to create slideshows set to music.

And, one last tip. If you're short on luggage space, and who isn't these days, purchase one camera that does it all. A small camera like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-Ts1 takes excellent photographs and video recordings. It's waterproof, shockproof and dustproof, while still offering image stabilization and a decent wide angle lens.

Remember, you're overseas to experience a country and it's culture. Be sure to get out from behind the lens to view it with your own eyes.

Example Travel Photography by Andrew Dunkle


1. Hong Kong skyline. Moody and overcast.


2.Hong Kong skyline by day. The famous Star Ferry makes for a good foreground subject


3. Stanley Market in Hong Kong. Blurring the background can help to focus your intended subject.


4. Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. The early morning is a great time to photograph.


5. The early morning also means no crowds. This shot would be impossible late in the day.


6. This time we have a BIG crowd leading up to the Arc de Triomphe.


7. Moving the camera while the photo is taken allows the subject to stay focused, while blurring the background.


8. Zoom lenses are fun to play with, and allow you to compress the space within the image.


9. Looking for a new angle on a subject that has been photographed countless times.


10. Sometimes a clear foreground and background can help keep the interest of the viewer.


11. Use a tripod and a slow shutter speed to create motion.


12. Have fun and happy travels =)