Behind the Lens: Interview with a Travel Photographer

1. Capturing the Moment: An Interview with a Travel Photographer

Karen has been a passionate traveler for as long as she can remember. Ever since leaving her hometown of San Diego, she has been fascinated by the beauty of our world. A few years ago, her desire to document her travels through photography turned into a career when her images started gaining attention on social media. We caught up with Karen to get her insight on capturing moments with a camera.

Is there any specific planning you do before taking photos?

Karen replies, “Absolutely, lighting is one of the most important elements of photography. I don’t just arrive to the location I am shooting and start taking photos. I make sure to observe the spot before beginning my process. I track the direction of the sun, note the shadows, look for interesting perspectives and angles and take it all into account. I might also try different lenses to capture the moment in the most beautiful way.”

What kind of gear do you use?

Karen is very particular about her gear and uses only the best equipment. She is currently using the Nikon D850 and a variety of lenses including the 14-24mm, the 20mm, and the 105mm. She also travels with several additional accessories and filters such as a flash gun, polarizing and ND filters and ND grad filters.

Can you provide any recommendations for aspiring photographers?

Karen advises, “Listen to your instincts. Asking questions and seeking advice from photographers you admire is great, but be sure to make the pictures your own. Take risks, explore different perspectives and experiment. Mistakes are part of the process. Don’t be too afraid to make them. And most of all, have fun!”

2. Exploring Hidden Wonders through a Photographer’s Eye

Travelling changes perspective, leading one to experiences and shows that many don’t get to have. When the journey is taken through the lens of a camera, that perspective is heightened and seen in a new way. Through photography, hidden wonders peek out and demand attention.

Capturing the beauty of the world is easier than ever before, but often, the little details go undocumented – the fur of a lion, the glint of the sun on the shore of a beach, the texture of a city alleyway at night. These subtle yet stunning instances, where light and texture and color combine in a unique moment, often don’t make it off the page – but when they do, the viewers’ perception of the world and its contents is changed.

To witness some of the hidden wonders that lie in the shadows – both literal and figurative – a photographer must be willing to get creative. Setting up elaborate scenes, timing shots just right, adding composition and color contrast – all these elements work together to produce powerful looks and vibes that seem to come out of nowhere.

Fashion a New Perspective: To bring hidden wonders to life, the photographer must acquire a different angle and think outside the box.
Work with the Light: Utilizing natural or artificial light to emphasize texture, composition, and emotion of the scene creates an unforgettable image.
Let the Setting Speak: Locations present a deep canvas that can set the entire tone of an image. Searching outside the expected areas can lead to revelations.

Each photo taken is an individual journey, a story of exploration and snap glimpses of hidden wonders, even if only existing for a brief moment. In the face of stunning imagery, one can appreciate all the secrets revealed.

3. Finding Inspiration and Challenges Through a Creative Lens

The creative side of life has a lot to offer us in terms of finding inspiration and challenges. Whether you’re an artist, photographer, writer, or just looking for a break from the everyday, there’s something special to discover when you take a look through the creative lens.

Appreciate the Little Things
One of the most valuable joys in life is to appreciate the little things and take in the small moments of beauty that can often be overlooked in the hustle and bustle of life. Looking through a creative lens can help us to appreciate beauty in the everyday. A ray of sunshine streaming through the window, a fragrant flower, a bird perched on the telephone wire, the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze. These moments give us a little pause and a little perspective.

Find New Ways of Expressing Yourself
Taking a creative lens can also help us discover new ways to express ourselves and our passions. Drawing a picture, painting a landscape, learning a new instrument, writing a poem or story, taking a photo or making a video. There are so many creative outlets to explore and enjoy! They can help us explore our emotions, learn new skills, and find inspiration.

Learn and Grow
Finally, looking through a creative lens can often offer us challenges that we can use to learn and grow. We can use our creativity to come up with solutions to problems or work with others to create something new. Being creative also encourages us to stretch our minds and come up with new ideas. By looking through a creative lens, we can learn and grow in new ways and find a sense of fulfilment.

Appreciate the little things
Find new ways of expressing yourself
Learn and grow from challenges

4. On the Road with a Professional Photographic Vision

Travelling with a professional photographic vision can be an exciting journey. With a professional camera and lens, photographers can take both stunning landscape and portraiture shots. Here are some tips to help you capture the best of your travels:

Bring the right gear: Make sure to pack essential camera and lens equipment. For landscapes, bring a wide-angle lens and a tripod. For portraits, a telephoto lens is essential. Don’t forget to bring extra batteries and memory cards if you expect to take many photos.
Find the right composition: Take a few extra steps and find the right spot and angle to take photos – look carefully for patterns or texture, and adjust your camera settings for the best picture.
Play with the light: Experiment with lighting. The angle of light can affect the mood of a photo, as well as its color and contrast. Sunrise and sunset, when the light is at its warmest, are particularly beneficial to capture a soft and magical atmosphere.

For a professional photographic vision, timing is of the essence and split-second reactions can bring great rewards. Get a feel for the destination before the shutter is released and you will be able to capture the hidden feel of every scene.

It’s also important to be mindful of the local customs and culture when travelling with a camera. Artistic and ethical considerations should always be taken into account before taking photographs.

With the right equipment, composition and approach, a professional photographic vision can make for an unforgettable journey.

As a travel photographer, capturing unforgettable moments of beauty and life around the world is a passion that drives Jules in all his creative pursuits. His work can be seen in various publications, both online and in print, and hopefully continues to inspire and ignite the curiosity of adventurers everywhere.