Travel photography

Taking photos on a trip is a way to record your journey and keep happy memories. For most travellers today, a DSLR or mirrorless camera has become an essential piece of travel gear. A DSLR is a camera that uses a single lens with a reflex viewfinder, while a mirrorless camera is lighter and easier to carry. If you are a beginner, consider the following points when choosing a camera:

2. Aperture and Shutter Speed

Aperture is the device inside the lens that adjusts the size of the light opening. It controls the amount of light, depth of field, and image sharpness. A higher f-number means a smaller aperture, greater depth of field, and sharper background. Shutter speed is the device that controls exposure time. The faster the shutter speed, the better it captures fast-moving subjects, but it may let in too little light, in which case you need to open the aperture to compensate.

Focal length is the distance from the centre of the lens to the image plane, such as the film or sensor (CCD). In general, a shorter focal length gives a wider angle of view and suits close-up shots of large scenes; a longer focal length gives a narrower angle of view and has a magnifying, closer effect.

Also called dynamic range or latitude, it describes how the camera's sensor handles the range of colours. The higher the value, the wider the range, and the more truthfully it reproduces detail in both highlights and shadows.

Resolution is an important specification of a DSLR. It determines the size of the photos you take: the higher the resolution, the larger the image dimensions.

Macro means bringing the subject close and magnifying it, with a focus on capturing very small objects. Macro modes differ between DSLR models, so check carefully when choosing a camera.

DSLRs achieve zoom through the lens, which is why DSLRs on the market usually don't list an optical zoom ratio. Instead, they are sold with lenses of different optical zoom ranges to suit photographers' different needs.

White balance lets your camera use 'white' as the reference to balance other colours; exposure compensation fine-tunes the exposure of your photos. Also choose batteries and memory cards carefully.

Following these principles will help you choose a DSLR that suits you. Today the main DSLR brands include Canon, Nikon and Sony, so pick whichever you prefer.

Different cameras use different memory cards. Common types include CF, MS, SD, MMC and SM cards, of which SD is the most widespread. Be sure to bring a spare card with ample capacity that matches your camera model.

Digital cameras have a relatively simple structure and straightforward controls, making them easy to pick up. As technology has advanced, digital cameras have become more refined in design and easier to carry.

2. Smartphones

With each new generation, smartphones have grown more powerful, with higher pixel counts and more features, especially from well-known brands such as Huawei, Apple and Samsung. Combined with apps that enhance photo quality, smartphone photos have improved so much that they can rival those taken with a camera.

If you are not just a traveller but also a photography enthusiast, or you are setting out on this trip specifically for photography, you will need to consider bringing the following 'weapons'.

1. Lenses: Serious camera work is all about lenses. The essentials are 28mm, 35mm, 50mm and 135mm lenses. A 20mm, 24mm, 85mm or 200mm lens is enough as a supplement. Of course, if you have specific requirements, bring whichever of your lenses you need.

2. Tripod: Choose a portable one, and make sure the strap is comfortable to carry.

3. Camera bag: If you carry a lot of gear, a backpack-style bag is more comfortable. Its dust and rain protection should be excellent.

4. Accessories: Lens hoods, shutter releases, UV filters and polarizing filters are all essential. You may as well bring a range of other filters too.

5. New technology: Recent photography gadgets are worth a look too. The DJI range, for example, makes traditional shooting more convenient, and there are new tools such as drones and gimbal stabilizers.

Polarizing filter: Deepens the color of the sky and eliminates reflections from non-metallic surfaces.

Camera bag: A good camera bag should be practical and durable, as well as good-looking and stylish.

Shutter release: Used together with a tripod for long exposures.

UV filter: Can stay fitted to the lens at all times. It protects the lens while also filtering out ultraviolet light.

Tripod: A compact one is ideal. It comes in very handy for self-portraits and for shooting sunrises and sunsets.

1. Shoot with the camera you know best; familiarity is one of the keys to producing great work. Before you set off, research your destination to learn the best times and angles for shooting. You can also study the work of accomplished photographers to give yourself the most favourable conditions.

2. When photographing landscapes, use a tripod and shutter release, and stop the aperture down to its smallest setting to maximise depth of field.

3. When shooting large white subjects, add 0.5–2 stops of exposure compensation. When shooting black subjects, reduce it by 0.5–2 stops.

4. Keep an eye on subtle changes in the light, especially around sunrise and sunset, when the light shifts by the second. When the light is a little dim, don't rush to switch on the flash. Often the shot looks better without it.

5. In complicated lighting, bracketed exposures can produce unexpected results. When photographing flowing water or waterfalls, long exposures can deliver wonderful surprises.

6. When photographing distinctive buildings, pay close attention to the light and the building's colours. Shooting with the light falling on the front of the building, or using light and shadow to shape its tones, is essential.

1. Get to know your camera's structure and functions and use it fluently. This is the key to producing great photographs.

2. Bring memory cards with ample capacity, so you don't discover you've run out of “ammunition” just as you're firing away. Don't leave spare batteries and chargers at home. If you're heading to regions with extreme weather, consider bringing a backup camera.

3. When photographing people, always get the person's permission first. Some sights display no-photography signs; obey them to avoid trouble.