Much of the travel photography advice culled from the Internet is less than reliable. Here at the National Geographic Society, we have the unparalleled advantage of working with some of the world's best photographers. Here—free for the taking—we present you weekly trinkets of travel photography wisdom from our esteemed experts. Happy shooting!
How to Get the Best Light
"Creativity is unpredictable, but craftsmanship is the essence of the art," says Traveler photographer David Alan Harvey, who drapes his celebrated photographs of Cuba and Brazil in seductive, defining light. "The secret is to work the edges of the day. You have to push the envelope on light, particularly if you're working in color. Shoot at dawn and continue in late afternoon, into sunset's warm tones, and even half an hour beyond, to capture subtle flickering firelight. Experiment with exposure and film speed to make the most of available light." A few illuminating secrets:
- The best light is in the early morning and before sunset. But good light also depends on location and time of year, so plan your day well.
- Don't be afraid of bad weather: You can get a great light in fog and when the sky is dark and stormy.
- Resist the temptation to use higher ASA film when the light fades. Instead, work with higher contrast, slower-speed (50-100 ASA) film. You might get fewer good shots, but the ones that turn out will be spectacular.
MORE PHOTO INFO: For more photography tips from National Geographic Traveler photographers, click here, or sign up for one of our travel photography seminars. Plus, join our Flickr pool, download Traveler's free photo of the week for your computer's wallpaper, and navigate photography websites like a pro.
Photo: A family frolics at sunset on Playa Ramirez beach in Montevideo, by David Alan Harvey, published in the November/December 2002 issue of National Geographic Traveler.
David Alan Harvey always has great advice and simple ways of improving your photography. I would add to this list to always carry a camera with you. There are so many times that I see something that catches my eye, but I don't have my camera. I try to make it a point to always have my camera with me.
Travel and Stock Photos
Posted by: Jacob | June 18, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Topo Explorer would be more attractive to users if it offered the ability to buy single map credits at a time. The $24.95 cost for an initial 25 credits feels prohibitive and unnecessary. This acts as deterrent and I'm much more inclined to visit my local outdoor store and pick up a single map.
Posted by: Tina | June 20, 2008 at 02:05 AM