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travel planner - knowing your destination
Before you leave
Out of all the places in the world, you have made a decision on a particular destination. Something about this place spoke to you. If it didn't, you wouldn't be going there. Undoubtably you have a specific feature or location in mind that you plan to see and photograph. There are almost certainly other interesting aspects and features there that you are not aware of. This is where proper research comes in.
This involves knowing basic words and phrases, customers, transportation systems, and points of interest. You must be comfortable with all those but also know where lesser known sites are. Be informed of any festivals, celebrations or exhibits. Finally, knowing how to get to locations (especially the lesser known) and the right time to be there.
Using Pinterest
Pinterest is a social media site that is not unlike a cork board. You can easily add and sort any information you have viewed online. Once you activate your page you add a "pin it" button to your browser. Now you can start "pinning" any images or topics to your travel planner board for your upcoming destination.
As soon as I start thinking about a destination I open a board on Pinterest (if you want you can keep the board private). Don't forget to search Pinterest itself; with over 50 billion pins there is always great info and photos with many links to relevant sites.
Google Earth
Google Earth street view has become quite complete. It can be used to see "real" images of hotels and the surrounding neighbourhoods prior to booking and let you take a virtual walk to see what's close. It also let's you mark interesting locations. On a recent trip to Creole, Italy, I used Google Earth to find great cycling routes as well as free parking at Punta Sabbioni for day trips to Venice. Using Google Earth in conjuction with Startraks software I sourced a great location for photographing the sunset. Google earth has become a staple for the travel planner.
Travel Guides
There are a few very good travel planner sites, all with excellent information and advice.
- Lonely planet - Lots of valuable information on destination, tours, museums and more. Lonely planet are known for their excellent and extensive published tour books.
- Rough Guides - Travel information with nice galleries and quality guide books.
- Fodors - Reviews to help you find the best travel destinations, hotels and restaurants.
- Condé Nast Traveller - Luxury travel ideas guides from the UK's leading travel magazine. "Be inspired to travel the world in style"
- Frommer - Information on destinations around the globe. Includes activities, feature articles, guidebooks and message boards.
- Traveldk.com Eyewitness travel guides are rich with detail and photography as well practical information for getting the most out of your destination.
Flickr
Flickr is a largest database of amateur and professional photos. You can search by keyword and will see a plethora of photographs for every location. Many will be poor quality but you may get inspiration from the subject matter. You may also get some great ideas.
Getting off the beaten path
Use search engines to scan your destinations and view forums and travel blogs. You will get first hand information about past travellers' experiences and on how to access difficult areas for photography On the Hawaiian Islands I explored many wonderful trails by visiting and reading hiking forums. Many of these trails have no markings indicating the start so without clear directions I would never find them.
Once you have arrived
Postcards
A great place to start are local markets and gift shops. View the local postcard and the destination books, these will point you in the direction of some of the lesser known places, as well as the iconic locations.
Tourist information offices
Tourist information offices employ local people who will have insider knowledge about the area and will often guide you if you tell them what your objectives are.
Know the customs
I cannot stress enough how important it is to know basic phrases and to have an understanding of the local customs and traditions. You want to be sure you act in a way that is not rude or offensive but it also goes long way in helping to establish a rapport. This in turn will present more photo opportunities.
Keep notes
Either use a notebook or your smartphone to record your impressions, locations and information, be detailed: the smells, the sounds and your overall impressions. This becomes invaluable when reviewing and captioning the photos back at home especially if you have been to multiple locations.
Plan your day
If I were to give just one piece of advice for travel photography it would be to 'start your day at dawn'. The light is less directed and the shadows are softer. The early morning and the late afternoon are the times you will capture the most beautiful images. In the early morning you can also enjoy the essence and uniqueness of location without the distraction of too many people. Start at a pre-chosen and then shoot till the sun is overhead. The midday is a great time to get to know the location and culture or visit a museum. When the sun starts lowering in late afternoon it is time to pull out the camera and continue to dusk.
Wander
Meander, get off the beaten path, and explore the town or city where the people live, away from the boutiques and shops. Here you will find the traditional restaurants and shops with more reasonable prices and experience the real culture; the photos there will also be more authentic.
Apps for your smart phone
There are many wonderful travel apps that work even when your phone is not connected to a local provider. Here are couple I have found quite useful:
Poor or non-existent, internet service is a common problem regardless of the accommodation. As a precaution always download everything you will need prior to arrival. This includes all booking confirmations, guides and maps and transit schedules.
CityMaps2Go
Offline maps
Free
Reliable and easy-to-use global travel companion. Find directions with detailed offline maps, in-depth travel content, popular attractions and insider tips.
Book your hotel or guide and enjoy restaurant reviews and shared user content.
Triposo
Offline city guides
Free
City guides including hotels, highlights, guides, museums, parks and more, easy to use and works offline so you don't have to worry about finding Wifi.
Sun Seeker
light tracker
$9.99
Provides a flat view compass and an augmented reality camera 3-D view. It Shows the solar path, its hour intervals, equinox, winter and summer solstice paths, rise and set times and more. Sun Seeker also has a map view showing solar direction for each daylight hour.
Lumy
light tracker
$2.99
Lumy lets you keep track to the Magic hour, a period around sunrise or sunset at which the light is often soft, warm and perfect for taking photographs, videos. Professional photographers, cinematographers swear it as the time of day with the best lighting. Lumy helps you keep track of those Magical hours. It will send you reminders that the time approaches.
additional travel photography resources
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