Photography News issue 22

Technique 29

Photography News Issue 22 absolutephoto.com

Travel kit Packing for travel photography is always a matter of priorities. “Your most important gear is your eyes and your legs”, says Chris Coe, co-founder of the Travel Photographer of the Year. “Travelling with masses of gear can hinder your creativity,” he continues, “so to remain unintrusive and mobile, I’d advise a small, lightweight camera with high- quality prime lenses, plus one telephoto zoom and a tripod”. Prime lenses cut down on weight, but a standard zoom can be very versatile, allowing a better range of framing if your movement is restricted. It’s a good idea to consider a backup inharsh environments. Your choice of bag makes a difference in how comfortable you are and helps you refine what you’re taking. Opt for one that’s comfortable when fully loaded. Shoulder bags are great for a few hours, but if you’re carrying more than a couple of kilos, a backpack is better at cushioning the load. If you can’t leave items at home, but might not need them every day, try taking a broader range of kit and using your accommodation as a base.

Any processing route you take should also chime with your original intentions for the pictures

Checking your post Sets of travel images also benefit from consistent processing and this can mean anything from synchronising the look of the colours, to cropping, and special effects like adding texture. That’s not to say that this kind of editing should take precedence over getting the most from an individual picture in terms of its exposure, but consistency in other areas can be really helpful. Of course, any processing route you take should also chime with your original intentions for the pictures; how you wanted to convey the atmosphere of your location, the story of the people or the place. If you want to show off the textures and fine details of an abandoned building, or the wares of a bazaar stall, HDR processing or using the Clarity setting in Lightroom can help, but if your subject demands smoother tones, it’s not going to be too fitting. Similarly, if you want to portray a gritty realness in your scenes, then black &white will work well, but if the hues or the place are more important, it’s not going to be all that appropriate. Basically, no processing should ever be used without considering its effects, and how it changes the mood of the photo.

Getting out there Like those early photographic explorers returning from exotic lands with pictures that amazed the people back home, the last step in any travel project is making sure your images are seen. Travel actually makes this a lot easier than many other types of photography, because there’s always a narrative at work, or a purpose to the image, which you can use. How you choose to show your work depends on the audience, says Chris: “while a good website is your online business card, a blog can also help you tell the story of your images muchmore easily.” Photo books also present you with an excellent way of sharing your travel shots, as do slide shows and multimedia installations to tell the complete story of your adventure. And of course competitions, like TPotY are a superb way to use your travel shots, too. As well as the competitive aspects which can see you striving to produce your best work, competitions, says Chris, “show your work to an audience who might otherwise not see it. Travel Photographer of the Year has a huge reach internationally, and past winners have seen a huge difference in their profile as a result of the exposure.”

Above Peter Karry’s miniature landscapes won him runner-up in 2014’s Natural World Portfolio.

This month’s technique features images from the previous winners and commended photographers in the Travel Photographer of the Year competition. The contest was created by Chris and Karen Coe in 2003 and this year’s contest is open to entries now via the tpoty.com website, and the closing date is 1 October. As with previous years’ winning and commended images, 2015’s best shots will be exhibited in the UK and abroad, as well as featuring in the Travel Photographer of the Year book. You can see last year’s entries in residence at the Royal Geographical Society in London from 24 July to 5 September 2015. There are ten categories to enter this year, and of course some great prizes as further reward for your efforts! Get your travel shots noticed worldwide