Travel Photography: The World Through A Camera

[Agnes Riley]

Photography has done a great deal to change the way we document and share our travels. Back in the 18th and 19th century, when the Grand Tour was in vogue, travel journals were all the rage. Nowadays, a picture is worth a thousand words, and it's increasingly easier to snap a shot. Film cameras are a relic of the past, decreasing even further the costs associated with photography, and nowadays any half decent mobile phone has camera capabilities, turning anyone among us into a budding photographer. Whether you're travelling along the Spanish coast with an Alicante car hire on touring Egypt and discovering the Pyramids, here are some tips for your travel photography endeavours.

1. Choose the right camera for the job. Are you going to take photographs for National Geographic or simply want to update your Facebook page? If you simply want to take a few shots to remember your holidays, don't take an expensive camera.

2. Remember to take extra batteries as well as extra memory cards. The last thing you want is to come across the perfect shot and realise you lack the power or memory space for it.

3. The bigger the camera you're taking, the more you should invest in a quality camera bag. It will protect your equipment as well as your shoulders when you have to carry it.

4. If you're taking a nice expensive camera, consider getting insurance for it. Accidents happen, so it's always best to prepare for the worst case scenario.

5. Avoid clichéd shots.

7. Unless you want to be part of that almost bonding experience that has people holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Even if you have to tell yourself you're doing it "ironically".

8. It isn't always ok to take photographs. It should go without saying that many museums have rules about whether you can take photographs inside, or whether you can use flash if you do.

9. It isn't always ok to take photographs. Some countries also have rules about taking photographs of certain locations, such as military buildings.

10. It isn't always ok to take photographs. If you want to photograph a local, ask their permission first.