Travel Photography

We've all heard the saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words." And if we didn't believe in the power of images to communicate, we wouldn't spend so much time capturing and sharing them. But photographs don't happen in a vacuum. There's the photographer, who interacts with the subject and their surroundings. That's where the trouble with photography comes in—managing the effects we as photographers have on our subjects and their environment, whether they are ancient historical sites, natural wonders, people or wildlife.

The topic is huge and filled with controversy, but I'd like to share with you some common ethical problem situations that arise in travel and wildlife photography, and provide some perspective on how you may want to address them on your own adventures.

Carnival in Venice is one of the great festivals in the world to photograph. The artistry of the costumes, the outrageous colors, the mystique of the masks, and the medieval setting make this a very special event.

I travel the world on assignment for National Geographic Traveler. Although I often have a translator who can also be my photo assistant, I still prefer to travel and shoot with as little equipment as possible; it keeps my mind focused on the subject, not which gadget or lens to pull out of my bag. I use everything I carry with me, except a few back-up items, which I leave in the hotel.

How do you know if there’s a tiger shark swimming nearby if you can’t see it?

I was asking myself this very question on an underwater photography documentary expedition to the Western Philippines a few years ago. It didn’t take very long to start seeing the clues.

A trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon is one of life’s great adventures. The thrill of running world-class rapids, the awe-inspiring scenery around every bend and the surprises of hidden inner canyons all contribute to a life-changing experience. 

Bryan Formhals will chronicle his journey with photography from the beginning, when he picked up a camera as a cure for writer’s block, to the present, in which he edits La Pura Vida. He will share a selection of his photographs as well as his ideas about social media and photography on the Internet.

In this video on travel photography, professional photographer Ashok Sinha will share “behind-the-scenes” information on photographs that successfully capture his passion for travel and diverse cultures.