Travel Photography: National Photo Month

May 1, 2:20 PMSF International Travel ExaminerBob Ecker

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Travel Photography:

By Bob Ecker

May is National Photo Month and as we all know, photographs are an integral part of the travel, and travel journalism experience.  Look around, from National Geographic to guide books, to travel sections and the web, some of the best images that have been published exist in the travel realm.  Exotic locales, unusual events, magnificent flora and fauna (Galapagos article) all can make for exquisite shots.  However, simply owning a camera (it need to be expensive) doesn’t make you a travel photographer.  It really does take some experience, patience, thought and eye, and hopefully some very good light.

What is Travel Photography?

Obviously, millions of people shoot photos of their travels in order to bring back images, a record of sorts from their trips.  But it’s more than that – great photographs – whether shot by me, you, professionals or amateurs can arouse memories, stimulate ideas and bring smiles to viewers.  Worth way more than a thousand words, superb travel photos –like winning prose - can elucidate, enlighten and flesh out a place.

I asked a few travel photographer friends to chime in on this subject.  “Travel photography has but one goal, to make the viewer want to be there. Sometimes, photos tell a story while at other times they are simply pretty pictures. But at all times, good travel photographs help turn tourists into travelers; exploring the environment, people, and cultures within the context of the place they call home,” said Marc Longwood, Sacramento based Advertising & Magazine Photographer and ASMP Member.

Long time Boise, Idaho stock photographer David Ryan remarked, “For me, "travel photography" may be defined as the photographing of people and places that will tend to describe and illustrate those people and places.”  Marin photographer Roger Archey said, “Travel photography is an instant memory of times good and bad. It's like a visual "smell" that triggers a flood of recall.”  A visual smell, I like that.

South Bay freelance travel writer and photographer, John Jerney said, “It's about becoming part of the experience to the point where you add your expression to what you see and hear around you.  It's this involvement, I believe, that adds that special dimension to what otherwise might be yet another flat photograph of a person or destination.”  Well stated.  And San Francisco Upscale Travel Examiner Lee Daley told me, “Travel Photography captures the essence or the spirit of a place and/or its people.”  She’s absolutely right.  Capturing spirit is what it’s all about. 

Importantly, travel photographs can be magical because often the photographer is himself inspired by the subject matter.  See - it’s all up to us - how we visualize the frame, place our subject and compose the photograph to combine light, shadow, movement, detail and depth of field among other elements that go into the finished shot.  Remember, the best travel photographs in the world begin not on a map, but in our imaginations.

c. Bob Ecker

All photos: c. Bob Ecker

Lighthouse on Quebec's Gaspe Pennisula 

Positano beach