Since the arrival of Digital Photography there has been a surge of new enthusiasts swamping the world. There is also a growing number of people re-kindling their passion when they used to use film. Regardless on whether you have a compact (point & shoot) camera or an SLR (single lens reflex) you will find my journal on travel photography useful in your own journey. The dictionary definition for "Travel" is to move or go from one place or point to another. This could mean walking to the corner shop or simply checking your postbox. It could also be your own home when you move from one room to the next. You don't have to spend thousands of dollars to go to a new environment to be inspired. All the photography we need is all around us all the time. I will take you on a personal journey on how I see these things. I often hear many say that they are not creative. This is a mis-conception. We simply need the key to unlock your creative minds and I will hand you the master key.
My journey begins with the question of why we take photos? I simply feel good and find photography to be a kind of therapy and soul searching tool to explore the environment we live or visit. It's not really deep its just something I need to do on a very regular basis. I happen to make a living from it but I also have as much pleasure and passion passing on to others the process in which I work. As you will discover in other chapters it is a journal not so much on the technical aspects of photography but more so on the creative possibilities that will inspire you to cook up your own projects. Having worked as a tourguide/tutor/photographer for the last ten years I realised that all my work experience would combine nicely to re-invent myself to look closely at what and how I see travel photography. I feel as though there is a definite change in the world of photography for both amateur and professional photographers. With globalisation comes economic and social change. The internet has played an enormous role in sparking a flame in everyone's creativity. Inspiration online is abundant. We live in a visual wonderland.
I think the biggest challenge is looking at the environment you live in or used to live in. Even going back to the place where you spent the first ten years of your life is a good idea. Your perspective on the world will change if you approach it with an open mind. Don't be dismayed if your images don't work out at first as this is a very long journey that will keep you enthralled for the rest of your life. Taking into account that you understand where all the functions on your camera menu are, you can begin to cook up some ideas. You are the waiter and the chef. The waiter hands out the menu and controls the orders (functions) that go through to the kitchen. A good chef uses the correct ingredients and combines them in such a way that all our senses are blown away with an appetite craving for more. Photography works on your visual senses and the ideas are like the ingredients that go into a visual delight when it appears. There are a few suggestions I will make along the way to assist you in achieving this process. Traditionally, we have been taught to shoot certain genres of photography like portraits, landscapes or a still life.
Certain inhibitions have prevented us from pursuing all genres. As a travel photographer I need to record all three genres to communicate the story. Certain personality can embrace portraits with ease and others fill more at home with a still-life as it doesn't answer back. Others feel a gob-smacking landscape is a gift from heaven. My approach is to tackle all three genres. You are free to pursue your own choice of genre but to add a little spice and push yourself a little courage to step into the unknown is worth a try. Never give up and make sure to dedicate at a few thousand images before you turn away from any genre. Technically you will have problems but generally if you place close attention to detail, watch the light and subtract any elements from your photograph that you don't need - you will come up with awe inspiring images to hang on your walls.
1st process is to put yourself in the mood. There will be days when you don't want to shoot but with a little discipline you can train yourself to get in the right frame of mind. Much like a routine to push yourself to do physical exercise. You can use photography as a means of regularly exercising the mind. Its not a deep and meaningful experience you have to achieve . It is simply a distraction from your everyday routine. If you are in a rut, spend a few minutes surfing the numerous photo galleries for ideas that will hit you like a lightning bolt. Always carry a note pad to write down your ideas as they come. They will come to you in the oddest places when you least expect it. Be aware of these moments as they will come to you daily.
