JBLog

Having recently returned from North East Africa, I've been putting together a guide to the area. I'm compiling a few highlights of my 'in country' experiences to benefit those who will come after me. Time to start a rough guide to travel photography.

As you prepare to head overseas, here are some tips and tricks to make your next outing one of your best.

1. Go Small
The minibus has seating for 10. There are currently 14 people, 2 chickens and a screaming infant inside. It's the only 'bus' that is going your way. The driver wants to take that huge camera backpack of yours and strap it to the roof with his somewhat suspicious looking bungie cord. It's raining. A smaller bag will go a long way in these tight situations and carrying only your essentials will keep you shooting instead of preoccupied with extra gear.

2. More Power
Your one luxury item - a power converter/adapter. Use it. Nightly. The battery bar on your camera is not as accurate as you think. The look of abject horror on your face as your camera powers off should be a reminder you'll want to avoid. Pack a spare. Keep it charged.

3. Portrait of a Culture
There is simply something powerful about looking into another human beings eyes. A closeup portrait can capture your exotic local like nothing else can. Trade your photo of another nondescript building for the chance to peer into the eyes of a wisened old man. He'll likely represent his culture in a way the youth of the day simply can't. His weather beaten face, the lines around his eyes, that hard but joyful smile... they'll all add up to a photograph you'll cherish. Take the time to share a cup of tea and some conversation before you ask to take a picture. You'll likely walk away with some great stories worthy of the photo and make someone's day in the process.

4. Herds
Traveling with others? Though documenting the experiences of the crew is wonderful, having 500 shots featuring a group of tall, pale people basically sucks. Face it, that 6th century mosque would look considerably more amazing without Karen's ugly sunhat and white sneakers in it... and why does she always wave? If you're trying to capture the native flavor of your experience keep your fellow travelers at bay.

5. Bring Your Camera To Breakfast
Don't recognize what's on your plate this morning? Take a photo! At the very least you'll have something to show your doctor when you get home. There are so many elements to culture. Don't limit yourself to the obvious! From the bathroom to the beach, capture the details that make this place so far from home. Street signs, auto name plates, menu's, footwear, you name it!

6. Back It Up
Just do it. Nightly. I generally travel with a laptop and lot's of smaller CF cards. Leave the pics on the card, copy them to the hard drive and burn a set to a CD or DVD. If your budget allows, have enough CF cards to handle the duration of your stay without formatting.
Should a card go south, your laptop expire while plugged into an ungrounded 220 outlet, or a disk get scratched, you're covered.

7. Plain Jane
You're a target. A camera bag that screams look at me I've got 5K of equipment on my back does little to help the situation. Personally I love LowePro bags for their simplicity and plain jane looks. A flipside 300 is a favorite. If you're in a culture where bags are common, pack an insert in your checked bag, buy a local bag and go stealth.

8. Travel Kit
I split up my essential gear from the things I don't need while in the field. Those cables and blank disks, the battery charger and power converter, laptop, etc. - they're dead weight while on the road. Grab a soft lens case, stuff it with all the small, non-shooting gear and pack it in your checked bag. You can leave these things behind at your hotel room to lighten your load. I simply haven't found a good reason to pack everything into my camera bag just because it's photo 'related'.

9. Get Up!
While you're fighting the urge to pee, hoping to lay in bed for another half an hour, photo-ops are passing you by. Along with the best light of the day, early mornings offer a unique opportunity to capture the local culture. Depending on your locale, the men are in the tea shops, the local produce stand is buzzing, and the ladies are sweeping off the walks. Fishermen are coming-in, vendors are setting up, and farmers are taking their beasts of burden to the fields. Don't miss it! While you may be used to a 9-5, in many cultures these middle hours of the day mean staying out of the heat. Get up, get out, and get shooting!

10. Color
Though global travel may conjure up images bursting with color, the reality on the ground may look considerably different. You've got to make it happen. Many cities are draped in pollution and in cultures where conformity is the norm, yellow brown may surround you. Hunt for it, long for it, find color where you can. Markets are a great place to start. Produce stands, piles of textiles, and exotic foods will becon you. On the streets, look for those kids playing with the bright yellow ball, on the beach that fishing boat in 5 different hues.

11. On Hand
Though your camera is cozy and safe, stowed away in your backpack, while you're sucking air, looking around for that perfect shot, it'll fly right past you. Though pretending to depress the shutter may help you cope, the only cure for missingtheshotosis is to keep your camera on hand! If that 400mm is attracting unwanted attention, go for a smaller profile - strap on a wide angle, put your battery grip in your bag and minimize your hardware footprint while keeping your gear at the ready.

12. Closer
Details, details. While I love the use of negative space, make sure your getting as much detail as possible from your primary subject. Get closer. Look at the hands of that old fisherman, into the eyes of that little girl, the dishes on the table. Build a scene and tell a story with an intimacy most shots lack.

Flip Side: Don't miss an overview shot to place the above details in context. Also, cutting off your subjects feet is bad form. If you're not capturing a full head to toe, frame from just above the belt and up.

13. 90 Degrees
Take a look at your last batch of pics. Is every one in landscape orientation? Get a battery grip with the extra shutter button and start shooting portrait. You'll be surprised at how much distracting background you'll avoid and how much closer you'll be inclined to get to your subject.

14. Stock
Selling stock? Think captioning. Use a little more negative space than usual to give your buyers a place to put their tag line or logo.

15. Ride It Out
Taking local transportation is a sure fire way to snap a bundle of great pics and provide a platform to get a few photo's you may have no other way of capturing. Taxi's are often cheap. Hire one. Roll those windows down and get at it! See locals on top of the buses? Then get up there!! Take a front seat or window seat at every opportunity. If you're cramming into a minibus, take the seat where the window slides open - usually in the second to last row. If you're short on fast glass, bump up the ISO and fire away. A little noise in a photo you actually have is better than a perfectly nonexistent pic.

A word of caution: Keep your gear secure. I generally put my closed bag on the floor with my legs through the shoulder straps so I can snap away without it disappearing. Stop lights are a favorite spot for snatch and runs. Keep your neck-strap wrapped around your wrist or around your neck both when stopped or in motion. Traffic is sometimes REALLY tight, be careful how far you're hanging out that window.

Jason LaBombard is a veteran photographer and global traveler. From the jungles of South America to the deserts of North East Africa his passion for evocative and compelling photographs drives him. See his personal portfolio at A Servant's Work