The Traveling Photographer: The Basics

Course details

Traveling is a time of discovery, shared experiences, and bonding with family and friends. Travel is also a time to experiment and grow as a photographer. In this course, the first in a series about traveling to major tourist destinations such as Hong Kong and Paris, photojournalist and Strobist.com founder David Hobby shows you how to photograph your journey like a professional, without dispelling any of the magic of the experience.

You'll learn to plan effectively, choose the right gear, interact with the people you meet, take photographs efficiently, and—most importantly—create the mental space and time to actually enjoy your journey. David visits some nearby interesting destinations, proving that a great travel experience is not always about a far-flung destination. Along the way, you'll learn how to "decode" any city as a true traveling photographer.

Learning objectives
Thinking like a photographer while traveling
Choosing gear wisely
Balancing travel with photography
Taking time to craft an image
Being a chameleon
Meeting people
Managing photos from a trip

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Introduction
02 - A roadmap for the course

1. Before You Pack - Big-Picture Considerations

03 - The three axes of this series
04 - Pro tip - Be a thinking photographer
05 - Why do you take pictures
06 - The trip should come first
07 - Pro tip - Every possession is a burden
08 - The difference between traveling pros and traveling amateurs

2. Gear and Planning

09 - Choosing your gear wisely
10 - Pro tip - Lenses in and be aware
11 - Research and planning strategies
12 - Pro tip - Pray for bad weather
13 - Travel logistics - What to carry, what to check
14 - The physiology of travel
15 - Cell phone options and essential apps
16 - Washing clothes on the road
17 - Circadian rhythm
18 - Pro tip - Drop everything for amazing light
19 - Balancing travel with travel photography

3. Travel Photo Taxonomy

20 - Types of travel photos - An overview
21 - The vacuum picture - For just remembering
22 - The moment picture - Taking time to craft an image
23 - The trophy picture - The one for your wall
24 - Pro tip - Restrictions lead to creativity

4. Tips for Interacting with People

25 - The camera as a gateway to meeting people
26 - To focus on people, know your gear
27 - Carry a pocket portfolio and give a print
28 - Watch your body language and make eye contact
29 - Pro tip - The best way to meet people
30 - Pro tip - Be a chameleon

5. After You Shoot

31 - One approach to managing photos on a trip
32 - After you return

The Traveling Photographer: The Basics

Authors

David Hobby