Travel Photography Part 3: Shooting the Images

So on the last blog post I spoke of preparing for your trip, packing for it and ensuring that all your equipment arrives safely.  This post will be a short one as there is no need to spend too much time one how to take a photograph but just because it is short does not mean it is not important. 

As I explain what I do to ensure that I get every shot possible, I will follow the path made on Monday's post and put up the pictures we took. 

Travel photography means that you are someplace unfamiliar and are out of your element, which can prove a recipe for disaster. If you shoot digital, this is less of a concern because you can look at the back of your camera to see the images. With film you do not know how badly you did until you get home. In either situation the best thing to do is stick with the basics.

Shot 1: Eiffel Tower

I start every morning the same way. I check the camera settings, each and every one of them, to make sure they are where I want them to be. On digital it is RAW, maximum file size, color and set at native ISO levels. On film it is ensuring that the camera ISO setting matches what I am after and that the camera is set to manual mode. 

By having the cameras at the same setting every morning I can ensure that I am starting off on the right foot. If I change ISO because I am entering a building, I will put the lens cap in my back pocket when it normally goes in my shirt pocket. When I leave and want to put the cap back on I will look for it in my shirt pocket, remember it is in my back pocket and switch the ISO back. 

When I am hand holding, I will stand with my feet shoulder length apart, arms tucked in and two hands on my camera. I know what the slowest speed I can hand hold and have noticed it changes based on the camera.  A rangefinder I can drop to 1/30 or even 1/15 of a second. The lenses are short and there is little enhancement of my movements. On my Nikon D800 I hate to drop below 1/125th of a second. It will pick up any movement whatsoever.  

Knowing these things BEFORE you go on vacation is essential. Just remind yourself of your own limitations and look for ways to help you overcome them.

Shot 2: Musee de Orsay

Shot 3: Lourve

Shot 4: Notre Dame

When shooting on a tripod, I set the camera to a timer shot set at 2 seconds. So when I press the shutter button it will wait two seconds before taking the image.  This allows any movement to dissipate before the image is taken. 

If shooting in a church where tripods are not allowed, I will do two things.  The first is to set the camera on manual mode, set at the largest aperture such as f/2.8 and then set the camera for 1/60th of a second. I put it at the highest ISO that I am willing to accept and go for it. The images will come out dark but a church is dark to begin with.  Shooting in RAW gives me enough flexibility to bring out the shadows a bit.

The second thing I do is set the camera down.  I can set it on a pew or on the floor. I can then set take an image, and while not as well composed as if it was on a tripod, gives me something to work with.  

When possible bracket your images.  If you have a great shot try it at different exposures to ensure you 'got the shot'.  

That is it.  Simple, basic but important.  ​​​

Shot 5: Sacre Coeur