Travel photography - Help?!

[sam_franklin]

So with my D5100 and 18-55 Lense arriving on Thursday I'm going to be experimenting all the time (obviously?!). One of the main reasons that I wanted it now was because I'll be off to Munich with school at the beginning of February and I have a couple of travel photography questions from a beginner:
- What should I take on a day, obviously my camera and lense but any other helpful things to take? (Please consider I don't have much equipment but I'll be able to buy a couple of small items if you have any good recommendations.)
- How should I set up my camera? M/A/S/P?
- What photos make the best travel shots?
- Any tutorials you think are good?
Thanks everybody!

 

[Awiserbud]

I dont think travel photography is any different to "normal" photography, except you might be limited with regards to weight and what you are prepared to carry around with you. personally i think a tripod is a must, plenty of spare memory cards as you never know when you will get the chance to upload them to a pc, and spare batteries.
then perhaps a good bag to carry all your gear....the list goes on.
With regards to what sort of photos make good travel shots....thats a bit like saying "i want to do what everyone else is doing" Your the photographer...you decide what makes a good travel (or any other type of) shot, obviously the usual landmarks might be a good start, however i think this is a question you will have to answer yourself.
Setting up your camera is not something you need to change for travel, its something you need to change depending on the situation and it sounds a little like you may have a bit of learning to do. but before you do that ask yourself what it is you want. what shots do you expect to get and then learn how to achieve them.
Photography has a very steep learning curve so don't expect to be shooting like the professionals overnight, it all takes time and lots and lots of practice. Munich will be a good place to start. good luck and enjoy.

 

[The_Traveler]

If the 18=55 doesn't come with a lens hood, get one.
Find the best f stop for your lens in regards sharpness, etc and, if you have the time and enough light, shoot at that f stop for max sharpness.
Learn to hold your camera steady.
Take extra battery and enough storage that you can take 2-300 pictures a day.

Look for pictures that are emblematic of where you are and that aren't available on post cards.
Shoot early in the day and late in the day as much as you can.

Find out about privacy rules in Germany as regards street photography.

 

[sam_franklin]

I dont think travel photography is any different to "normal" photography, except you might be limited with regards to weight and what you are prepared to carry around with you. personally i think a tripod is a must, plenty of spare memory cards as you never know when you will get the chance to upload them to a pc, and spare batteries.
then perhaps a good bag to carry all your gear....the list goes on.
With regards to what sort of photos make good travel shots....thats a bit like saying "i want to do what everyone else is doing" Your the photographer...you decide what makes a good travel (or any other type of) shot, obviously the usual landmarks might be a good start, however i think this is a question you will have to answer yourself.
Setting up your camera is not something you need to change for travel, its something you need to change depending on the situation and it sounds a little like you may have a bit of learning to do. but before you do that ask yourself what it is you want. what shots do you expect to get and then learn how to achieve them.
Photography has a very steep learning curve so don't expect to be shooting like the professionals overnight, it all takes time and lots and lots of practice. Munich will be a good place to start. good luck and enjoy.

Thanks for your tips, I didn't mean to sound too open ended although I think I did. It was more of a post to gain advice for an amateur about other people's travel photography. But I agree I have far to go in photography, don't get me wrong!

If the 18=55 doesn't come with a lens hood, get one.
Find the best f stop for your lens in regards sharpness, etc and, if you have the time and enough light, shoot at that f stop for max sharpness.
Learn to hold your camera steady.
Take extra battery and enough storage that you can take 2-300 pictures a day.

Look for pictures that are emblematic of where you are and that aren't available on post cards.
Shoot early in the day and late in the day as much as you can.

Find out about privacy rules in Germany as regards street photography.

I'll do some experimentation on Thursday!

 

[tirediron]

Having done a LOT of travel photography in my life, my preferred method is to leave the camera in 'P'/Green Box mode so that if I do see a shot, I know that I can snap it, and stand a reasonable chance of getting a decent image; maybe not ideal, but better than nothing at all. When I do have time, I will usually switch to manual to allow me to employ the optimum settings for the scene I want to capture.

As for equipment, in addition to batteries, as mentioned, and LOTS of memory cards, a polarizing filter and small tripod are two things that I consider essential to my travel kit. I would also considering putting the touch on Mom & Dad for the 55-200 or (even better), the 70-300, selling them on the fact that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it would be unfortunate to have to miss that perfect shot for lack of a different lens!

 

[bsinmich]

I agree with tirediron above. Set the camera on automatic and as you decide you want to do something else then you can experiment and take time to do a specific job you want to do. Batteries and memory cards are a lot lighter to carry than 50 rolls of film. You should also try early morning and later evening shots. You can get to see what you are doing at the time so it is easy to take another at a slightly different adjustment. Be sure to have the instruction manual with you.

 

[sam_franklin]

Having done a LOT of travel photography in my life, my preferred method is to leave the camera in 'P'/Green Box mode so that if I do see a shot, I know that I can snap it, and stand a reasonable chance of getting a decent image; maybe not ideal, but better than nothing at all. When I do have time, I will usually switch to manual to allow me to employ the optimum settings for the scene I want to capture.

As for equipment, in addition to batteries, as mentioned, and LOTS of memory cards, a polarizing filter and small tripod are two things that I consider essential to my travel kit. I would also considering putting the touch on Mom & Dad for the 55-200 or (even better), the 70-300, selling them on the fact that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it would be unfortunate to have to miss that perfect shot for lack of a different lens!

I wish I could but I already owe them money for the body :/ but thanks for your help. A 70-300mm is on my list (I might buy a Tamron) and then hopefully a 50mm.

I agree with tirediron above. Set the camera on automatic and as you decide you want to do something else then you can experiment and take time to do a specific job you want to do. Batteries and memory cards are a lot lighter to carry than 50 rolls of film. You should also try early morning and later evening shots. You can get to see what you are doing at the time so it is easy to take another at a slightly different adjustment. Be sure to have the instruction manual with you.

Thanks

 

[Awiserbud]

The 50mm f1.8 is a fantastic lens, Image quality will blow your kit lens to bits, not that the kit 18-55 is a bad lens, it isn't, Its actually a very capable lens for what it is, but the extra aperture, narrow depth of field, and image quality you get from the 50 makes it a must have in everyones kit. Its also perfect for travel as its small, light, and relatively inexpensive. but as i said you will get some fine shots with the kit lens, and the more you get used to it the more you will appreciate the 50 once you decide to add it to your kit.

 

[sam_franklin]

Does anybody know the standard rule for street photography in Germany?

 

[CaptainNapalm]

Invest in a comfortable, weather resistant and good quality camera/accessory bag.

 

[sam_franklin]

The camera and lense arrived today and I have to say I'm looking forward to it. The 18-55 actually offers surprising versatility but I can see why some people might feel limited.

 

[skieur]

Does anybody know the standard rule for street photography in Germany?

Apparently you are supposed to get a model release if you plan on publishing a shot of someone taken in the street, although this is most often ignored according to many who do street photography in Germany. If someone does get a take down notice, they either ignore it, slightly blur the face of the subject, or take the image down from their site.

 

[emh]

I wish I could but I already owe them money for the body :/ but thanks for your help. A 70-300mm is on my list (I might buy a Tamron) and then hopefully a 50mm.

I would recommend considering switching your planned purchase order and getting the 50mm prime before the zoom, unless you have a specific need for a long lens soon. The 50mm is a much more fun lens to play around with and a better tool for learning photography, at least in my opinion.

I started out with a 16-85mm and a 70-300mm and then got a 50mm. If I were to do it again, I'd definitely get the 50mm before the 70-300mm.

As for what to take (besides what has been mentioned), make sure you have some way to protect your camera from the elements in case you get caught in bad weather with no immediate shelter. Some bags come with an integrated weather cover, which usually works well.

 

[techniker]

I purchased my canon 60d a week before my road trip to Montana. The 18-200mm ef-s kit lens was nice because I have wide angle and zoom in one lense. Compared to a 50mm f1.8, its heavy and comber some, but that's balanced by not having to carry multiple lenses.

Absolute minimum is a camera bag, lens cleaner and a large ziplock or trash bag to protect the camera from the rain. My bag has an integrated waterproof cover.

When I got home, I was most disappointed with how "washed out" a lot of images were despite being properly exposed (someone please correct me, would I called this polarized light? Interference??). I purchased a circular polarizing filter for about $60 and it works very well to correct that. If there is one accessory beyond the basics, I would recommend a polarizing filter. But please learn how to use it correctly.

The biggest part of traveling is the experience. Try not to document everything, you will miss the trip and he anxiety of getting good shots to bring home to mum and dad will put a damper of the new experience. So, put the camera down every now and look at how people stand, patterns, colors, textures and shapes that would make a good photo.

Have fun.

 

[weepete]

I think it depends where you are with your phtography. The 50mm is great but be prepared to "zoom with your feet", and this might mean walking a lot to get a shot that you want with this lens. I took my second ever trip to london last year and packed only my 50mm on a D10. I got some shots that were pretty good but, I had to go a long way out of my road to get them. Fair enough though I had time, but if I was going somewhere new I'd pack my 75-300mm too because while the nifty fifty is a great lens you need time to get good shots, and you already have a 50mm option with your kit lens.

There were a few times on that trip I missed shots because I didn't have a zoom, and a few good shots that could have been great with it. Don't get me wrong, allways try and find the angle and the money shot, but finding a way to shoot with what you have and get great images is the way to go IMO