Until the masterpiece button was invented, it is important to remember and follow the main rules of photographing while traveling. Then there will be something to show the grandchildren or remember yourself. As an example for each rule, I will take some of my travel photos that roughly fit these rules.
1. OBSERVE THE RULE OF THIRDS
The oldest rule of photography, which all photographers know about and "fundamentally" ignored by amateurs. That is why, instead of happy themselves against the background of the sea, more than half of the lovers take off their heads against the sky from which trees grow.
Mentally divide the future image into three parts vertically and the same amount horizontally, place the subject at the intersection of imaginary lines or on the lines themselves and you are guaranteed to get a compositionally balanced image.
2. BREAK THE RULE OF THREES
Don't be a slave to the rules. They are there to be broken sometimes. You can always place the subject in the center or introduce some kind of imbalance in the frame, the main thing is not to get carried away at first. 
3. USE NATURAL GUIDELINES IN THE FRAME
Roads, bridges, wires, a river or skyscraper lines - use them to create depth in a shot or as a guideline that will lead the viewer to the main subject.
4. DO PANORAMAS
Sometimes it is panoramas that will help you understand your emotions that you experienced during the journey. Landscapes in the mountains, high-altitude views of a city at night or just a beautiful historical place can often be conveyed much better with the help of panoramas. 
Panoramas are easy to make, often without the need for an expensive tripod and panorama head. Simply shoot continuously at a location covering one-third of the frame area. Any popular panorama stitching program will do the job. 
5. ALWAYS PROCESS PHOTOS
Any photo can be improved with a photo editor, only pseudo-photographers can be proud of the fact that "there is no photoshop, everything is natural." We are not talking about changing pictures or photo collages, but simply pulling details out of the shadows, adding contrast or saturating the color of the sky is a must. Often even simple cropping will turn a boring shot into a masterpiece. 
A slow shutter speed will add a creative element to the shot, creating the illusion of movement in the photo, whether it be blurry figures of people or jets of a waterfall. Try shooting with a shutter speed of one second, experiment with aperture and sensitivity. The result will appear already from the third attempt. 
7. LOOK FOR AN UNUSUAL PERSPECTIVE OR ANGLE
Reflection in the water, an unusual angle from below or from above will help create something different from the pictures of your travel companions. Here you can experiment without restrictions and forget about all the rules for a while. 
Especially unusually dressed or in a funny situation. It really brings the standard travel albums to life. As for me, this is the most difficult rule, but without it, travel photography is impossible. 
9. PAY ATTENTION TO GEOMETRY AND COLOR
Combine with color, geometry and object placement, look for interesting little things. The front door, an element of an old facade or linen on a rope in the photo often look more advantageous than in life. Pay special attention to unusual combinations of colors and geometry of objects. 
10. BE PATIENT
Often a cool photo is obtained when you patiently wait. This applies to both the right light and scenes with animals or people, or, conversely, the absence of people. Any object can be filmed without tourists if you do not want to see them in the frame - for this you just need to wait. Very rarely successful shots are obtained offhand. 
Any location at night looks completely different, artificial or moonlight adds drama and mystery to the picture, hides flaws that are visible during the day, such as debris or dirt. The same bridge in Budapest, looks completely different at night.
For shooting in the evening, you will need a light, inexpensive tripod. The shutter speed can be made longer, from 5 to 30 seconds, the aperture should be clamped to values of 11-22. The result in the photo will help you see your journey from a completely different perspective and cause white envy among the audience.
12. DON'T FORGET THE LOCAL "WILDLIFE"
Shoot pigeons or cats at your grandmother’s villages, squirrels in city parks, and when traveling around Thailand or Indonesia, don’t forget that local monkeys have been waiting for your camera’s shutter for a long time. 
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It will be of interest to anyone who wants to make money on photography. In the article, Brendan talks about where and how much he earns, and also gives some tips for beginners.
Gone are the days when the job of a travel photographer was simply to provide photographic material for all kinds of travel publications. Things are no longer so simple, and the level of competition among photographers today is higher than ever.
But still, it seems to me that there have never been so many travel photographers in the world. When in doubt, just check your Instagram feed.
So if travel photography is no longer a traditional career, how do all these people manage to make a living? I wish I could answer this question, but I can't. Today everyone has their own way of earning. All I can do is tell about myself and how I manage not to turn into a bum (albeit with difficulty).
First, a little about myself
I am 30 years old, I am a travel journalist from Canada. For the past five years, I have been working around the world as a so-called "digital nomad". During this time, I managed to visit about 80 countries on 6 continents.
I started by writing articles, but soon moved on to photography as an additional way to earn money, until I realized that I liked creating visual images more than writing. Photography became my drug and I ran after every opportunity to get it.
Early in my career, I used a Canon T2i along with an 18-55mm kit lens. Today I have a Canon 6D, 16-35mm f/4, 70-200mm f/2.8 IS, 50mm f/1.4 and various other gear like Cactus flashes, a 3 Legged Thing and a GoPro 3+.
Where and how do I earn
Before moving on to the "how", let me talk about the "how much". Traveling the world, I spend an average of $2,000 per month on living. This includes accommodation, transportation, food, etc.
I don't have a home, so this $2,000 is really all my expenses. Thus, in order not to slide into begging, I need to earn a certain amount every month ...
But a little more is desirable. And before you ask, no, I don't have savings, a trust fund, and a rich "mommy" (although I might not refuse that).
In general, I take this approach to money, which I call the "octopus". After two years of trying to survive in traditional journalism, I realized that in order to make good money as a freelancer, you need to try as many different activities as possible.
That is, if I have 8 different sources of income, bringing in $250 a month each, I will earn my $2000.
And even if I lose one of them, it won't be the end of the world. There will be many others.
No. 1: Work for a magazine / newspaper
To be honest, for me this source of income was the most modest in 2015. There is simply not much demand for it today. Yes, some of my work has been published in major media. For example, my material on Iceland was printed on a spread of The Guardian. But traditional journalism is not what I would like to strive for.
Too much repetitive work. 95% of the time is spent behind a computer screen and only 5% in the field. Today, I only do traditional journalism if the publication contacts me. In 2015, I made about $150 a month from traditional journalism.
#2: Photostocks
No. 3: Direct Selling
It is currently my biggest source of income. For a year now, I have been a permanent employee in a company that pays me $1,000 a month. They get to choose a couple of photos each month for use in social media and marketing projects.
These photos need to have a certain style that they want, so I spend most of my time creating them.
In addition to my biggest client, I have a number of others who contact me directly. However, so far, in 2015, there have been few, so let's just say that I made $1,000 a month from this method, although there were some other small sales.
#4: Use Social Media
For better or worse, at the moment, the richest travel photographers in the world are not the ones who work best, but those who have promoted themselves better than the rest.
Brands, travel communities, restaurants, and hotel chains are constantly vying for big-name photographers, giving them the opportunity to take advantage of their product: visit places, taste dishes, and stay in hotels.
Of course, this is very beneficial for the most famous photographers as well. In fact, some of the most active Instagram users can basically only make money from their followers. Believe me, I have personally seen the daily rates of some of these stars, and they certainly do not live under the bridge.
For people like me, with a fairly modest social media following (44k on Facebook, 53k on Twitter, and 22k on Instagram), I wouldn't recommend relying on this method. However, from time to time, orders also come from there.
In 2014, I worked with a major automotive brand, a car rental company, and a couple of travel communities. I haven't worked with anyone this year yet, although mostly just because I'm busy with other things. You need to find a balance between where you want to be and where you get paid. Unfortunately for my wallet, I always only do what interests me and only take on certain projects if they suit me.
#5: Blogging
Until 2014, blogging was my main source of income. I made money on my blog through advertising and orders. However, in 2014, this income stream largely ceased to exist for me, despite a significant increase in traffic.
But even though the blog no longer brings in as much money, but thanks to the audience (the blog attracts about 1400 unique visitors daily), it directs readers to other sources of income.
For example, a product review I did in December 2014 brought visitors to Amazon through an affiliate link. This product sold very well, and other things were bought along with it. On this affiliate link and I earned myself a pretty penny. Of course, this option is not very reliable.
In January and February, I made $300 and $400 in affiliate sales, respectively. In March - only $50.
I also still make about $200 a month from ads. So let's say only $300 a month.
No. 6: YouTube
I have been using YouTube as a source of income for quite some time now. I started over two years ago in Africa when I embarked on my epic scooter ride from Bamako to Cape Town. However, I quickly realized that YouTubers are interested in learning about something new, and not just watching some dude on a $ 600 scooter slicing through the expanses of the Congo.
Less than a year ago I started a YouTube channel with tips, tutorials, reviews and videos from around the world. It has become much more popular and currently has over 5,000 subscribers, 375,000 views, and makes about $125 a month.
No. 7: Training
It seems to me that most people in the world would like to learn how to take photos on their own, and not buy photos. And for this reason, training has become the main source of income for a large number of photographers. In fact, it happens that the highest paid photographers in the world are not always the most talented, but they are often able to teach very effectively.
Many of the photographers sell books, video tutorials, and give workshops as an extra income.
I started doing the same. I can boast that my travel photography workshop in Peru next month is already sold out. The second workshop will take place over two weeks in July throughout Peru and Bolivia (still bookable!).
However, in 2015, I still haven't earned anything from teaching; although, as I said, this can be a worthy source of income for travel photographers who know how and love to educate their audience.
#8: Freelance journalism
My work as a journalist remains a back-up source of income, and I only really do it when I feel like I don't have enough money. Well, I mean, yes, usually every month. Most of the clients of this type of activity are Internet publications, and it is no longer paid as it used to be. However, writing helps me deal with some of the bills.
On average, I get about $400 a month from this.
No. 9: Saving
When you travel, saving money is also making money. Quite often, exchanging a couple of photos for a free hotel room or tour fully justifies itself. For example, I often did this when I was in South Africa. Safaris are expensive, so I took some photos for local businesses to use for marketing purposes in exchange for free safaris. And everyone benefited from it.
So how much do you earn?
Simple math tells me that in 2015 I made about $2,325 a month as a travel photographer, although I think it's more likely to be closer to $2,600.
Yes, I know it's not that much. Especially if you spend $2,000 each. But how many people can afford to travel every day? Of course, I would like to earn more, but I'm not complaining. Every day I see and do what another person saves his whole life for. At this stage, I would not like to do anything else.
Finally
The truth about travel photography in 2015 is that the quality of the photos themselves are often less important than the person who took them. It can be said (and many say so) that the world of travel photography has become corrupt. Many of the world's most famous travel photographers are no longer exploring and looking for new and interesting places to shoot, but go where the money is.
Thus, many of them have turned into "corporate/marketing photographers".
But how can you blame them for something? The world of photography has changed significantly over the past 5-10 years. The stocks are currently filled with pictures from every corner of the planet where magazines and newspapers can take them. Travel photographers in their traditional form are becoming expendable.
Despite this previous statement, I believe that the travel photography community is now stronger than ever. Yes, traditional sources of income are dying, but the developing world offers thousands of different opportunities for those who are willing to take risks and try their hand at this industry.
And, yes, the competition there is very high, but, in general, business is booming, and the amount of camaraderie among fellow photographers, instead of envy and jealousy, pleasantly amazes me almost every day.
So, if there is a conclusion to this article, then I would like to make it encouraging. No, you don't have to be the best photographer in the world to be successful in this field in 2015, you just have to be brave and diligent. Anyone who is willing to take risks and work hard can earn good money as a travel photographer.
I left my home in 2009 with $500 in my pocket, a soap box and a desire to spend the rest of my life studying the planet. Looking back, I realize that it was naive. However, without this naivety, I would never have taken the first step towards my dream. Today I'm fighting for survival. All my sources of income can dry up in one second.
But I don't worry about it anymore, I just work on and enjoy every moment.
Great travel photography has the power to take the viewer to that place and make them feel like they are there. It can evoke memories of distant lands and local people or culture that the viewer may not have seen before. You may have heard the usual advice about travel photography, such as “get up early” and take photos during the “golden hour”. But here you will learn about six secrets that look mundane, but you have probably never tried them. They will help you take amazing photos.
#1 Walk around
Often the biggest piece of advice for any would-be travel photographer is to simply walk. It's unbelievable how many different photo opportunities you'll find just walking around the city rather than using trains, buses and taxis. You will not only be able to better understand the geographical side of the city, but also pay attention to points that are often missed when using transport.
Just make yourself a convenient map, set a route and take a walk. Once you've completed a route, set another one and hit the road again. Sometimes you may not see anything and it will be a waste of time, but every once in a while a photo pops up that will make you glad you took this walk.
#2 Look for places to create panoramas
Climbing up for an aerial view of the area is a great way to take great photos. But it will also help you understand the location of the city and help you find potential filming locations. There are often well-defined vantage points in most places, and there is nothing wrong with heading to these photo spots, even if they have already been taken before.
But in addition to that, try to find out if there are other places that can help you take pictures from a higher vantage point.
The great thing these days is that you can find tons of information online about every place. Therefore, always try to include shooting from a high vantage point in your itinerary.
#3 Change hotel
A great trick for taking pictures of cities and being able to take more photos is to change your hotel. So instead of staying in the same place for a week, try to stay in two different hotels in different parts of the city.
By choosing hotels carefully, you can take photos from the rooftop bar or even from your room with different views of the city. Often these photos can be better than those taken at the viewpoints, as they can only be taken by a hotel guest.
But another benefit of staying in a hotel in another part of the city is that you will learn about the area and naturally spend more time there. This will mean that most of your time will be focused not in one place, if you were staying in one hotel, but in two.
Obviously if the city is small you don't need to do this, but in a big city like Moscow or London it can be useful and help you take more photos.
On a recent trip to Bangkok, I was able to photograph a beautiful cityscape from my hotel room balcony.
#4 Talk to local photographers
Let's be honest, no matter how good a photographer you are and how well you plan your trip, a local photographer will always have an edge because it's their hometown. So why not use this to your advantage.
Reach out to a local photographer and ask a few questions or get some tips on places you could photograph. Obviously, it's important not to try to copy photos, but to get advice on what you want to photograph. This will be more beneficial than contacting a guide as the photographers will understand your needs and help you get the shots you want.
You never know what they might tell you or show you a few places you didn't know existed. Think of it as a loan, and if one day someone contacts you for information like this, do the same.
Editor's note: please exercise due diligence and take the usual precautions when meeting someone you do not know personally. Always put your safety first.
#5 Get a translator
While not entirely necessary, a translator can sometimes be helpful. This is especially true if you are photographing from special places, like religious buildings or even women in some cultures.
Having an interpreter can mean they can ask permission for you, talk to locals to calm them down, and even help you get a model's license. You could hire an interpreter for just one day or for the duration of your stay, but they can make a big difference when filming in a location where you don't speak the local language.
#6 Ask tourists
Increasingly these days, editors want to see spontaneous photographs and not just another standard image of the Eiffel Tower. Sometimes you can take these photos naturally with things happening in front of your eyes. And sometimes you may need to tweak something to shape that story.
One of the best ways to do this is to use other tourists. First, if they are from your country, you will be able to communicate without any problems. Secondly, and most importantly, they would probably like to have some great photos from the trip for their own use.
Just explain what you're doing and ask if they're willing to get involved. Then take their email address and send them copies of the photos when you get home. The bonus here is that you have their email address and if one day you need a model release, you can contact them.
Just be mindful of the time. No one wants to spend half their day off posing for photos. Work fast, take some photos and let them enjoy the ride.
Conclusion
Travel photography often requires you to think “outside the box” as you rarely face the same situations. Over time, you'll build your own arsenal of solutions to potential creative challenges. In the meantime, use the tips above to create great travel photos.
Now anyone can take good travel photos on a smartphone. It's amazing! But for a professional photographer, this is more of a challenge - his shots should really stand out among amateurs, so you should always strive to expand the horizons of your knowledge and skills. Tips from Joel Santos, Canon Ambassador, Professional Travel Photographer and Naturalist
Be rational
Be smart about preparing your gear before your trip. How far will you have to walk today? How comfortable is your backpack? Will the equipment survive in filming conditions?
Seemingly obvious things, but at the beginning of my career, I packed an overly bulky backpack countless times. Extra equipment only burdened, not really helping the creative process.
I consider that the trip was successful if I managed to find and capture a unique story. And it doesn't matter who or what exactly I photograph - a landscape, a group of people or one person. But such pictures are not easy. There is a lot to learn to create truly interesting photo stories. Sometimes, to find the plot, you have to walk long abandoned paths, so I must be sure that I can physically carry all my equipment.
The total weight is the most important factor when choosing equipment for a project. Paired with a lens like the new EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM, the EOS 5DS R is a compact package that I can take quality photos and still enjoy the process.
In addition to light equipment that will not pull you to the ground, it is important to get a comfortable backpack - it should not be heavy, it should have a lot of lining and be sure to have a belt on the waist so that the weight is distributed evenly.
be ready
A travel photographer should not get hung up on the expedition plan: not all trips can be carefully thought out in advance. My most successful trips were adventure - almost everything was unpredictable, only the flight was planned.
But if I don't know where I'm going to be, who I'll meet in that place, and where I can sleep after landing, I always try to prepare well. For example, if I'm heading to a country whose language I don't know, I find an interpreter to help me connect with the locals, potential characters in my stories. That is exactly what I did when I went to the western part of Mongolia to photograph hunters with eagles. I wanted to capture the whole family in the lens, but I did not know where to find those who wanted to, so I went to explore the area.
In addition, I always try to learn as much as possible about the country itself and the area, about the current customs and the mores of the inhabitants - this is the only way I can bring home truly sincere photographs, and consider the trip a success.
Shooting in different parts of the world, I learned another important lesson: not all people have seen a professional camera! Agree, a large lens aimed at the face can be somewhat confusing. Therefore, you need to think in advance which lenses are more suitable in such conditions.
For example, going to Ethiopia to shoot the tribes of the Omo Valley, I decided to start with a more inconspicuous and compact model (EF 50mm f/1.8 STM). When I found a common language with the locals, I switched to a larger and more versatile model. You could, say, switch to the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM when people feel more comfortable in front of the camera. This is an excellent, relatively compact lens that produces images of uncompromising quality.
be patient
Patience is the main weapon of a travel photographer. And do not think that the decisive shot will come to you almost after the landing gear of the aircraft touches the asphalt. Be patient, sometimes it takes a lot of time to fully immerse yourself in the local environment. Getting in touch with the residents and asking questions is a good way to understand the culture, but never forget to be patient when interacting with the hero of your future photo story. Prepare for the fact that it will take some time before people feel comfortable in the company of a stranger and his camera.
In many cases, I needed to earn trust so that others could relax. Otherwise, it would not have been possible to take a beautiful and natural picture.
For example, I had to walk 35 kilometers across the steppes of western Mongolia with a family of nomadic Kazakhs, carrying my equipment behind me. Only after that they began to take me and my project seriously. They made sure that I was really interested in their life and I came to them with good intentions. A similar adventure awaited me in the snowy northern Mongolia with the Tsaatan reindeer herding people.
Ultimately, my patience paid off tremendously. I was able to capture a series of beautiful shots - each one reflecting a unique and difficult life in one of the most remote and beautiful places on earth. These photos have been featured in publications such as The Guardian, Huffington Post and New York Post.
You can spend as much time as you want to earn people's trust or to get, climb or swim to the perfect shooting location. The main thing is not to lose patience, because the result is always (or almost always) worth it.
Be unique
I get the impression that now many photographers are rubbing the same "instagenic" places to holes and taking the same type of pictures.
The essence of the art of photography lies not only in a beautiful picture - the plot is important here, and best of all a new one. It is not enough to repeat one to one real picture to be considered a travel photographer. Success in this craft comes only to those who shoot unique shots that expose something unknown - a place, a group of people or a story.
In addition, in order to improve my skills, I am constantly experimenting with lenses and shooting from new angles, under different lighting, etc. With the right technique, I can improve my artistic skills and photograph in my signature style.
I am a travel photographer and spend a lot of time on trips that I pay for out of my own pocket. Sometimes you have to travel thousands of kilometers just to get a single shot, so I appreciate really reliable lenses.
Travel photography is a very competitive field, so it's important to get creative and find your own style of photography. One of my calling cards is large, expressive backgrounds that add another color dimension to the subject of a photo. My favorite take. The telephoto EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM gives you the ability to play with background scale while keeping your subject in sharp focus. With it, I can freely work in my own style, creating unique photos.
I am sure that I can take high-quality pictures in any conditions, whether it is the scorching sun in the desert or tropical downpours. It is a tough lens with unrivaled optical performance. It should certainly be in the arsenal of every travel photographer. Now I'm nowhere without him.
About the author. Joël was born in Lisbon and has been dedicated to the sciences for a long time, but for the last 15 years his passion has been travel photography. He has photographed for Microsoft, IKEA and National Geographic. In 2016, Joel won the "Best Travel Photographer of the Year" award. His work is widely represented in exhibitions, he leads photo expeditions to the Arctic and other places, and is the author of nine books. In addition, Joel is actively researching new shooting technologies. For the past few years, he has been experimenting with drones, producing amazing documentaries and photographs.
Thanks for the material
They say that a travel photographer has the best job in the world: traveling around the world, shooting - what could be better? To some extent this is true, but sometimes the best job in the world turns out to be the most difficult, because often you have to rely only on yourself.
Careful planning is the key to the success of every trip or expedition. However, anything can cross out a trip planned by the minute: people, transport, their own health and equipment fail. Very often, troubles arise where you do not expect them at all, therefore
it is important to take into account the maximum number of risks and have a backup plan to protect yourself from negative consequences.
You should not become attached to the regime light and, like a starving vampire, show up on the street with a camera only at sunset or dawn. You can search and find unusual stories day and night. For example, the midday sun with its harsh shadows will be useful when shooting
interesting geometry on the streets of some town.
If you are too lazy to carry a backpack with equipment, devote time to reconnaissance and looking for interesting angles, because when the light comes on, there will be no time for searching and throwing.
During normal times, you need to come to the location prepared and know exactly what and where you want to shoot. Of course, the weather and conditions can make their own adjustments, but, as they say, whoever is aware is armed.
Characters or heroes are an integral part of every photo story. Faces, emotions, everyday life, small details that are often left behind the scenes are valuable material that magazine editors love so much. In addition, a character in the frame can emphasize the scale of an epic scene or bring the picture to life.
Portrait is a psychologically complex genre: touching, intimate and very personal. For this reason, the photographer must know not only the technical and compositional component of the portrait, but also be a good psychologist, understand people and be able to win over a person.
A good portrait shot is like a little story that has a continuation: it always says something and does not leave the viewer indifferent.
There are beautiful people and not so good people. There are interesting characters and vice versa. Choosing this or that hero, you need to clearly understand why it is he, and not someone else. It is completely pointless to break into someone else's life and try to take truly sincere photos on the run.
It is worth starting work only when you become your own, and you are no longer noticed. Invite your Sims for tea, tell a joke, and let them play tricks on you. Be prepared for the fact that adaptation may take several days, but then you will feel the difference: the attitude will change beyond recognition. When you stop being an outsider, you start to notice things that ordinary tourists will never see.
You should never force strangers to take pictures. The character himself must want this and be interested in the process. No need to rush. In a hurry, the essence and details are lost. Don't chase the top 100 shots a day and don't panic if nothing is taken. Will be removed! If you have one really cool shot a day, then this day can be considered successful.
Photographing children on a trip is always a gamble. You have no idea what will come to his mind now, you do not speak the same language with him. However, language is not needed to communicate with children, because photographing can become part of an exciting game. Under no circumstances should you give your child
filming money. Encouragement is a form of gratitude, not a market relationship. Usually they give some sweets, but for small residents of remote villages, a pencil or a notebook will be a much more useful gift.
On our planet, there are practically no places untouched by progress. Adidas, Coca-Cola and Facebook are replacing traditional clothing and unique lifestyles. To find something real and authentic, you have to turn off the tourist trails and give up basic amenities.
But, as practice shows, it's worth it.
Returning to the old routes, I try to find the heroes of my photographs and present them with printed frames. They react differently: someone does not understand what to do with this photo at all, for someone a picture on paper is a pleasant unexpected surprise that will remain in memory. It is amazing to watch how children grow and change - in photographs and live.
Constantly feeling sorry for yourself and being lazy is another great way to “not take off”. You need to get up for every sunrise shoot, regardless of the weather, and use all the time available to search for scenes. Unfortunately, the understanding of these simple truths often comes too
late when you get home.
There is no shame in studying the work of other authors before a trip. Analysis is not needed to remove the same thing. It allows you to clearly set the task: what, where, when and how to shoot. You don't have to copy the greats to do something well yourself.
If you are planning a trip to an unfamiliar country or area, find a guide who will accompany you throughout the journey. This will save a lot of time and money and even solve some security issues. The guide must be local and know the region like the back of his hand. Ideal when the guide has experience with photographers and knows where to go and who to contact.
Good physical fitness matters. This does not mean that before the next trip you will have to spend six months in the gym, but it does not hurt to keep your body in shape.
When working out a new route or direction, do not be too lazy to devote an evening to studying the customs and mentality of the locals. This will avoid awkward situations, conflicts, and people will treat you with great respect.
In addition to beautiful pictures, an amateur backstage movie with yourself in the lead role will help you tell about your adventures. To do this, there are now all sorts of means. Take on an expedition a videographer partner who will chronicle and collect material for an action-packed film. It is interesting for people to look not only at the result of work, but also to observe everyday adventures - those that usually remain behind the scenes.
On business trips, I always take two “carcasses” with me.
During shooting, I try to keep both cameras ready: with a “telephoto” and with a “staff” or some kind of fix.
This eliminates the need to constantly change lenses and increases the efficiency of shooting.
For the last couple of years I have been shooting on the Sony A900 and A99. Recently switched to A7R. From optics I use Sony and Minolta lenses. Favorite “telephoto” is the old and heavy “big white tube” Minolta AF 80–200 mm f / 2.8 HS APO G. The most popular fixes are Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T * 85 mm
f/1.4 (SAL‑85F14) for close-up genre portraits, Sony Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24 mm f/2.0 ZA SSM for landscape and Sigma AF 50 mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM.
Bitter experience has taught me that carrying two cameras around my neck is a thankless and disastrous business, so I only wear cameras on my shoulder. For reliability, I fasten the belt to the straps of the backpack using a small carabiner.
For photo processing, in 100% of cases I use a lightweight ultrabook with an IPS display and Lightroom. Photoshop has to be used only for deep retouching of studio portraits.
Stitching panoramas is done in Kolor Autopano Giga.
As for storage for footage, it's only memory cards up to 32 GB and solid state drives. I try to give preference to medium-sized cards, as it is better to lose 32 GB of photos at a time than 64 or 128.
At an altitude of more than 3000 meters, due to low pressure, classic hard drives often fail, so the most reliable option is an SSD. I also recommend making backup copies of the content and keeping the second disc in the backpack of a partner or guide. This will save valuable staff
in case of loss of your personal case.
Usually when shooting I prefer natural light, but I always carry a small reflector with me.
Soft, diffused light is the perfect support for creative experiments. In portrait photography, it is important to keep an eye on the background: it should be darker than the main subject and uniform. By the way, background experts are sleepy children: early in the morning, in some God-forgotten village
they look out of the doorways and windows of their dwellings, welcoming travelers, thus providing the photographer with a perfect black backdrop.
Another important rule: you can not save on shoes and equipment. The money saved will certainly not pay off the lost time and nerves.
An important component of the photographer's creativity is the presence of his own recognizable style. It goes without saying that this is the result of hard work, rethinking many things and constant practice.
A good photographer differs from everyone else in the ability to see what others do not notice. You need to shoot clearly and clearly: there is a place, there are heroes, there is a story and there is a plot. Combining all these components into a single whole, we get a good picture that says something about the state and life at this time in this very place.
Every photographer wants to be on the cover, because getting the cover means getting the whole issue. For this reason, do not forget to shoot interesting scenes both horizontally and vertically - such a shot can be decisive. Never argue with an editor: whatever you think about your shots, the editor knows best how to make his magazine.
A real photo trip is always going beyond the comfort zone, an adventure without sunbeds and cocktails. Instead, there are amazing people and the most beautiful landscapes on the planet.
