Travel Photography tips: Simon Woolf
Have you ever been in the dilemma of heading off on a once only trip overseas, and not knowing what camera or equipment to take? Well ... it happens to me all the time!
When I am on an assignment, and I can tell you I have been all over the world with my photography, you have to consider everything from the jobs pre-requisites, to whether it's going to be humid, wet or dusty, and will there even be power!
When I head off on holiday, it’s a different story. I usually want to travel light, and not have a lot of gear restricting my mobility. I want to be able to shoot both wide and long, I'm also looking to for quality, and I don't want to look like Tommy Tourist. If I want to play the tourist card I'll use my phone!
So, it’s a Lightweight DSLR (13megapixals or above) with a Sigma 18 -250mm lens. I love that lens as it has a great range, it has optical stabilisation, and has the ability to shoot in macro too. Best of all, its durable and light! I often pocket a 10mm fisheye, as it’s able to gain me a difference in places. I also take a small gorilla pod. You know those small tripods that can wrap themselves on a pole, or just sit on a wall somewhere, just so you can get those quality night shots. Not everything should be photographed in excess of ISO 2500 at night! I also shoot RAW files, and low res Jpegs simultaneously, so that I can quickly send Jpegs home to the family, or do Social Media bit, so that people can see what I am up to.
I download each and every night on a lightweight laptop, and then onto a small drive. I keep my cards, until I get home. Yep, my media travels with me three in different places ... just in case! I would be gutted to lose my memories from a great trip away.
That's me!
I get home, and I print proof sheets of everything. You know those old fashioned contact sheets. I then print big images of my best shots, and also try and make a coffee table book. I like the tangible and tactile! Framed photos, and especially beautiful photo books have legacy, and I really want my imagery to last the test of time.
The best advice I can give to gain great travel shots is be ready for anything, make your exposure count ( i.e. meter well. Don't be too dark, or too light ), back up your superb photos properly, and then print them. Most of all have fun. After all, you are capturing your memories!
