Top 10 Travel Photography Tips

Fitzroy Falls, NSW

Ever wanted to know what some good tips are for travel photography? Here is the top 10 tips from our photography crew. 

1. Research possible destinations, this includes accommodation, living expenses, extra tour costs, laws and anything else that will get you more familiar with the destination
2. Pack light. I know I always have trouble deciding what I really need but when it comes to travel photography, only take the bare minimum. Consider what your most basic needs are whilst you are over there and leave everything else behind. This means 1 camera bag, 1 camera, 1 hard drive, 1 lense etc. The research you've already done will help you decipher these needs easily.
3. Spend 90% of your day travelling around your destination location. Take up every opportunity you get to snap a great photo. Be sure to check out a range of different destinations where you are. You never know what will be a great photograph until you find one!
4. Budget! You don't want to end up coming back broke so book cheap flights and find relatively affordable accommodation. Make smart choices when it comes to travelling overseas, if you want avoid taking transport, do it. You will be much happier with yourself upon returning home. You may find the best photograph from your destination is lying just around the corner.
5. Photograph the people. Nothing expresses a culture better than the members of it's society. Photograph people candidly, rather than in a posed nature. Try to capture people going about their everyday lives and you will find the originalities of the people of the location are revealed to you.
6. Take notes. Write down the experiences you have while away at your chosen destination. Sometimes it's the small things you take note of that will end up selling your photograph and story later. Don't be afraid to do a little people watching to take note of the people too!
7. Know your hardware and software. Only use the tools you understand. If you are just starting out you may consider a simpler, easier model of camera. You might even consider buying a DSLR without an interchangeable lense. Often times they do the job you need and will suffice until you become more confident in photographing. Also using software such as photoshop can help to enhance the quality of photos you can produce.
8. Travel insurance is essential. When it comes to overseas holidays where things can go wrong, it's best to play it safe and get insurance. So if you end up in hospital or lose your luggage to can still have peace of mind.
9. Back everything up! In this day and age there is no excuse for not having your photos backed up. As soon as you take a break be sure to back files up on another hard drive and in cloud storage on the internet. That way you never lose a shot!
10. Don't work too hard! Remember you have paid a lot to be at your destination. Be sure to take a night off to let your hair down and have fun. The memories you make while travelling stay with you far more vividly than the photos you capture and never look at again.

Have fun, stay safe and capture some stunning art work. This is a wonderful career and can be incredibly rewarding to your soul and your wallet. There is a whole world out there for you to discover!
If you want more about travel photography check out More travel photography tips from National Geographic

Mesmerising Melbourne

St Kilda

Melbourne is a city I would love to live in. If it wasn't for such volatile weather, it would be a no brainer, but unfortunately, I prefer the all round warmer climate of Sydney. Otherwise, Melbourne really has it all, amazing views, good vibes, (no lockout laws), amazing art/culture and a strong music scene. 

Despite visiting Melbourne countless times and taking hundreds upon hundreds of photos, this spontaneous snap outside Luna Park whilst walking to the St Kilda beach has to be one my favourite photos. The gradient of blues from top to bottom, the mix of silhouetted trees to the actual brown and greens contrast really well with each other. To top it all off, the poking out of the Great Scenic Railway roller coaster gives the photo well rounded variety. 

To find out more about this amazing city, visit http://www.visitmelbourne.com/

Jumping into Japan

Sapporo, Japan

Lisbeth's factual opinions about Japan:

1. One will never be bored of Japan
2. Have you seen, smelt, and tasted the food there? Amazing!
3. The culture, history, architecture, and so much more make Japan such a photogenic place for a photographer to be in
4. I love Japan

Japan is a country which I will never ever tire of. Seriously. The abundance of delicious food will always make a person like me crave the place over and over again. However, there are also the shrines with its calming and spiritual auras against the busy, lighted up streets of the cities which can make a photographer have much to capture whilst in the country. There are just so many photo opportunities the country provides. 

The photo above was taken in Sapporo (札幌) at the Sapporo Beer Museum. It houses 'Sapporo Beer', one of the most popular and oldest beer brands in Japan. As I was in Sapporo during the snow season, my camera settings had to accomodate to the difference in lighting. When capturing photos, increase the exposure compensation on the camera - it can add to the textures and stop the photo from looking grey. Also make sure to stay warm and wear comfortable clothing as capturing photos in snow is only fun when you're comfortable! Japan is truly a place for people who seek out to explore a different culture, understand the history, try scrumptious food or see spectacular views - what more could a photographer want?!

Author: Lisbeth Wong

La Tour Eiffel est magnifique

Paris – the city of lights. One of the biggest Tourist Capitals in the world and it’s largely due to the wonderful architecture of the Eiffel Tower.

I was fortunate to have been in Paris during Bastille Day (French National Holiday) and the fireworks at the Eiffel Tower were a sight to behold. But the day before, I visited the Eiffel Tower during daylight and it was equally amazing. You don’t realise how amazing it is until you are right next to it and observe the fine architecture and design behind the masterpiece.

In the Eiffel Tower, the three lookout levels, including the very top of the Eiffel Tower are a must-do experience. It’s the perfect place to get a lookout onto the whole of Paris.

My greatest treasure from visiting Paris was the fireworks on Bastille Day. The video below is priceless experience. Many people talk about how amazing the Eiffel Tower is and for photography and video lovers, it never fails to deliver.

Author: Amit Balakrishnan

The Calming Canvas of Coffs Coast.

Ever felt like getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life? Ever wanted to capture the beauty of a beach or the sun setting over a set of stables on a farm? Well  you can do it all in one day in Coffs Harbour on the North Coast of New South Wales in Australia. One of my personal favourites destinations is this seaside country community. Coffs has everything you need to capture destination photographs and nothing you don't.

Situated about halfway between Sydney and The Gold Coast this is the perfect place for a short getaway with ample amounts of great photo opportunities.

In my 4 day stay I was able to capture many wonderful things. From the beaches to the bays and the big banana, to the open farmlands and outback bush, there is too many great places to name!

I loves the fact that it is so easy to capture the feeling of this place. The picture above was taken when I found a little lookout in Sawtell as I was out one day. The harmony between the ocean and the bush in the photograph is a perfect summary of the Coffs Coast. The entire region is a mashup of country towns and coastal suburbs. The best part about Coffs is everything is pretty close to the central shopping district where most accommodation is so you're not spending hours looking for one great location.

I recommend starting at Jetty Beach and adjacent headlands. Beach shots can be a great place to start when trying to capture the essence of Coffs as many locals spend much of their time at or around the beautiful beaches around Coffs Harbour. If you'd like to know more then visit the Coffs Coast Website!  

Fabulous Fiji

Fijian Paradise

The group of 12 boarded the plane ridiculously early in rainy Sydney eagerly awaiting our paradisiacal getaway. A few hours later when we landed, it thunderstorming and morale was low, all we wanted was sunshine, cocktails and relaxing days by the beach/pool. Luckily for us, it was a passing tropical storm, and by the time we got to our hotel, the sun was shining, cocktails were being poured and we chose our spot by the pool.

Fiji is truly a tropical paradise, with countless islands with amazing beaches, the friendliest people ever and all round good vibes, one would never want to leave. I captured the above photo on a day trip to a tiny island which only took 10 minutes to walk around. I purposely tilted the photo slightly and actively tried to contrast the greens, blues and yellows most effectively with the framing of all the different elements. This shot was more about composition rather than technical specifics on the camera.

There are countless activities for one to be a part of in Fiji, with spectacular boat cruises, inflatable water parks and just the general endless fun one can get up to on a beach, Fiji really has it all. To find out more, check out http://www.fiji.travel/

Moments in Malaysia

Batu Caves, Malaysia

I travelled to Malaysia in February this year for the first time in my life. I had always wanted to go after befriending numerous Malaysian friends at the beginning of my university career. They were constantly hyping up the scrumptious food choices (and the cheapness of it) they had back in Malaysia and with that, it was one of my main reasons to go. However, once I got to the country itself, I realised it was much more than (truly delicious) Malaysian food; the culture, the attractions, the history and much more makes the country a truly fascinating place. 

The photo above was taken at the Batu Caves in Selangor. When I reached the site, I was amazed by the sheer magnificence of it and quickly snapped a photo from afar just to emphasise the size. It is a limestone outcrop which features three caves with Hindu temples and shrines. There are monkeys which frolic around the steep 272 steps and in the caves. Climbing to the top of the steps will provide you with another fantastic opportunity to take photos of the stunning skyline of the city centre, Kuala Lumpur. 

For more inspiration on photography in Malaysia check out this article which illustrates the vibrancy of the country itself - http://www.timeout.com/kuala-lumpur/travel/malaysias-most-photogenic-spots


Author: Lisbeth Wong

London lovin'

Westminster region in London with a great view of The Big Ben

London was my first big overseas trip and I had no regrets. By the end of it, I came back wanting to live in the city one day. But more importantly, it was this place that made me discovered my passion for photography. Quick tip: low ISO, high aperture and low shutter speed to get the most out of it.

London is a classic urban city. It has the city area and the suburbs – very much like Sydney. It has wonderful sights of the world, such as London Eye, Big Ben, and a display of its history with Trafalgar Square. Along with that, it is known for its sport with the Lords Cricket Ground and various football stadiums, such as Wembley.

When you enter the main city area at Westminster, there are a host of places to see. But definitely go on the London Eye for a 360 view of the wonderful city. I went during summer and there was still daylight until 9pm, which is great for photography! The one area of Westminster provides a host of opportunities for experiences and photos to treasure. Definitely worth a visit!

Author: Amit Balakrishnan

Greetings with Guangzhou

Huacheng Square, Guangzhou

China was my first international experience at age 18. I learnt many things on that journey; about China, my country and I.

I spent just 10 days in Guangzhou but gained 1000 great memories of the people,  culture and hospitality of this wonderful city. From the moment we dropped our bags we didn't stop! From Canton Fair to Canton Tower and Huacheng Square; there are many wonderful buildings in Guangzhou that are striking and architecturally advanced.

My particularly favourite photo is the one above as it was snapped very quickly, in the rain with not much light. I loved the reflection of my friend and made sure I had enough room to include it in the photo. The contrast of water on the ground and clouds blanketing the skyscrapers there is just enough to create quite a wild mood. Whenever I come back to this photo I love how there is balance in the photo; of colours, shapes and textures. 

I had so many wonderful photo opportunities in this city. One photo will never sum up everything about this city. From the simple rice paddy fields to the opulent new hotels emerging in the sprawling city - whatever you travel to Guangzhou to photograph, there's 1000 other spectacular photos waiting to be captured too.

The people I met and the memories I made are far more distinguished in my mind than the landscapes offered in this city. It needs mention that the beautiful people in Guangzhou have a special place in my heart due to their hospitality, kindness and sociability. Don't rule out portraits of people from the places you visit, as a means of documenting a new place. They're a great way to sum up the culture of a place without explaining it in words. 

If you'd like to know more about Guangzhou then visit - http://www.chinahighlights.com/guangzhou/attraction/ for more info.

Hectic Times in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Harbour

As soon as I landed in Hong Kong, we were hit with a typhoon warning for the evening. Being my first major holiday away from Australia as an adult, I was stressing out a bit. Luckily for us, the typhoon just missed the city overnight, and the rest of the trip we were blessed by beautiful clear days. Hong Kong was such a unique experience, an extremely bustling city with deliciously cheap food, great shopping locations and stunning views. 

I took the above photo along the star walk on the harbour in the late afternoon. It was a rather muggy day and the smog gave the sun this wonderful orange tinge. I was so happy to be in the right place at the right time to capture this moment, because just fifteen minutes later, it lost the amazing orange glow. I purposely positioned the sun between the two poles to initially draw the focus upon it. Despite going to more picturesque locations, I feel this was my best/favourite photo of Hong Kong.

Other highlights of the trip included visiting the picturesque Lantau Island (and the giant bronze Buddha statue), going to Disneyland, seeing the views of the city from up on Victoria's Peak and drinking at the highest bar in the world at the top of the Ritz Carlton Hotel. For more information go to http://www.discoverhongkong.com/au/index.jsp

Photographers Gonda-like it in Venice!

Venice, Italy

When in Venice, one can never miss the canals which wind itself around the city and of course the classic Venetian gondolas which come along with it. It's extremely fascinating to explore a place built on water and the history behind it. This is followed with the amazing architecture and what happens to the city during high tide. As the world's only pedestrian city, a photographer is literally able to take photos without the hassle of getting interrupted by automobiles and vehicles. 

This photo of the Grand Canal was taken from the Rialto Bridge which was completed in 1591. My Canon IXUS 230 was used with:

• Aperture: f/9
• Shutter Speed: 1/500
• ISO200

One thing you must definitely see in Venice is Basilica di San Marco. Unworldly Italian architecture is absolutely a photographer's dream! Otherwise, there are numerous museums to be explored or even getting lost walking around the city and find yourself coming across stores with Venetian souvenirs and antiques (and buy yourself a mask whilst at it). Another way to see the city with a different view is to take a Gondola which will take you around the canals of Venice and bring you to the little-known parts of this beautiful city.

For more explicit inspiration on photography locations in Venice check out The Wandering Lens' blog post on Venice photography: http://www.thewanderinglens.com/venice-edition-photography-location-scout/

Author: Lisbeth Wong

A photographer's dream into Lake Matheson

Lake Matheson - a photographer's dream

One of the most underrated sights in New Zealand are its vast array of lakes with mountains in the backdrop. When you think of the best place to see lakes, you think of Lake Matheson.

Lake Matheson is located on the West Coast of the South Island in the Glacier Region, and is a short drive from Fox Glacier.  Lake Matheson is a photographer’s dream. Many visitors have come to love the glorious reflection provided by the lake (on its day!).

Going around Lake Matheson is a comfortable 1 hour walk, with the scenic views at each viewpoints. On many of these lookouts, you find a crystal clear lake with the glorious Mount Cook in the backdrop. It’s a great sight to behold. Take the opportunity to take thousands of photos when hiking. Each photo shows a different view and you won’t regret it. Ensure to use a low ISO, high aperture and low shutter speed to get the best shot.

Nearby Lake Matheson is Fox Glacier, where you can enjoy more hiking, or even skydive! I was fortunate enough to have done the Skydive at Fox Glacier and was an experience I will remember for my whole life.

At Lake Matheson, you get an amazing experience of natural scenery when hiking. It’s a phenomenal place.

Author: Amit Balakrishnan