Travel Photography
One of the fundamental aspects of good travel photography in contrast with a snapshot, which means taking a record of a subject, is to capture the atmosphere of the place. Here is where the photographer's feelings and skill comes into play - only the photographer can express what he saw and felt - the success or failure of the image rests on how well he conveys that.
Travelling to interesting and exotic places does not guarantee
successful images. Much more is required.
"Camera angles, and perspective combined with powerful content, composition, depth and other parameters are always decisive when determining whether a photo does justice to the theme, and that governs how the picture later communicates with the viewer. " National Geographic Photographer
An example - recall the time you saw a wonderful scene. The atmosphere was memorable. The depth, the singing of the birds or the freshness and purity of the place - you had to take a picture.
So, you did. However, when you got home and saw the images on your computer you were disappointed. Those images did not communicate the same atmosphere and sense of wonder you had felt on location. Why not?
Please read again the comment above in yellow and therein lies the answer.
Black & White or Colour?
Digital photography has made it possible to photograph in colour and later in the computer the photographer can decide if the atmosphere can be better portrayed in black and white or colour.
Colour plays a big part in the creation of atmosphere. it is harder to create an atmospheric image in black and white than in colour. The reason is that once you remove the colour the image can only stand on the tones.
When choosing to shoot a scene it is important to have a clear idea of the location and what mood you want to communicate.
In photographing Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, I had the advantage of knowing the locations of my interest very well.
My aim was to photograph the old Lisbon with its houses, doors, the steep and narrow alleyways, cull-de-sucks and lots of steps, (See photo above).
When I got back to London I had to decide - colour or black and white. Personally, I feel that black and white conveys the atmosphere best.
The guide books are helpful and can create an idea of the kind of pictures the photographer would like to do, but there's nothing like spending an hour or two walking around the location studying the possibilities.
