Doesn't it feel overwhelming...

 

when you travel to a large exciting city (NYC, Paris, Rome) and in the attempt to take it all in, you end up taking thousands of mediocre shots? You feel you need to see every monument, museum, and historic building. You end up not thinking and start firing away at every little opportunity. I guess the key is discipline and trying to focus only on a few scenes and shooting that to the best of your ability. I've noticed that some of my best pictures were taken in the familiarity of my local area.

 

 

<p>I travel quite a bit and I have never taken "thousands of mediocre shots" of any city or country side. What is the point? I travel to experience the location and the people who live there (plus the food). Photography should add to the experience; I don't let it detract from the experience. Slow down and realize you don't have to photograph everything. </p>

<p>I believe there is a sort of exoticism that sets in when people go to new places. The mediocre shots are the result of seeing something new and for some reason the quality "filters" get turned off. I don't think it is unusual or even all that bad, but I do think that it passes with time--time shooting at least, if not time there.</p>

<p>For me, and I have been shooting seriously for over 30 years, I just know why I go somewhere and I think that is the secret to getting over it. When I go to NYC, I really go primarily to visit the museums and galleries or I go to work (visiting ad agencies, designers and galleries) and know photography is not the purpose. I am there to have fun and get inspiration (when not working), not to create serious work or even "photograph". I can end up shooting hundreds of shots but most are just what I went there to do--fun! On my last trip, I got an idea while I was waiting for my wife and got a pretty cool little series of street photos all in one place and shooting from the hip. But most of the time, I just do crazy things or shoot what I run into and have never gone out to shoot or taken time to shoot, that's not why I went there. I actually have ended up with many images taken this way in my portfolios, however, they were all just bonuses for me. Taking that attitude, I am never disappointed and always pleased with what I did while there.</p>

<p>When I want to photograph, then that is the purpose of my trip and I generally do it alone. I rarely do or think about anything else. This way, I get below the surface and don't have my attention diluted nor am I ever confused with what I am doing.</p>

<p>I wish I had discovered this secret earlier in my shooting career as I had several disappointing "vacations" and I am sure my family did also, but am glad I finally figured it out!</p>

<p>I think when I travel I shoot like I'm 3 photographers. One wants to get the cliche shots, one wants to explore find gems in every day life and the last wants to document everything he finds interesting. The cliche shots end up being the most mediocre. Enjoy the trip and enjoy shooting and take second before releasing the shutter.</p>

<p>Depending on how long you are there, leave the camera at the hotel the first couple days, enjoy the city and make notes on things/areas you would like to photograph. Pick a day strictly for photography and go to it. This way you get to enjoy the city and you will slow down when you are doing photography, since you have already been to these spots, you aren't worried about missing out on anything. Just MHO.</p>

Darin is absolutely correct. And by looking first you can plan the best light for each shot.

<p>I know some people used to get out their 8x10 view camera to take that perfect shot, but I have to work my way to it by flexing that creative muscle. So I end up taking mediocre shots in order to work my way to the better one. Not just snapping away, but snapping and thinking.</p>

<p>I've come back to the hobby after being dorment for the last several, so I am a little rusty. I've been getting more serious at it during the last several months. I spent seven days in Havana (my first time to Cuba). The first day of my shoot was subpar as I was drawn more to the fascination with the city. After that excitement worn off, I paid more attention to making better photographs.</p>

<p>The wife and I have had this discussion often. Are we on vacation or are we POA (Photographer(s) On Assignment)? She's an architect and likes to take 10 or more shots of every building, often with multiple lighting Morning afternoon, evening, late night. I on the other hand prefer a few shot of buildings that I think interesting. So, I usually spend some amount of time standing around watching.waiting. That's when the sidewalk cafes, and pubs come in handy. </p>

<p>And Darin is on the money I always spend at least 1 or 2 days without the camera. </p>

<p>I'll always have my camera with me, as I don't want a missed opportunity. I think a good strategy would be to carry a point and shoot in your pocket for the first day, as you may need to document a place that you want to return to later.<br>

<br /> I found myself making better photographs back in the film days because I was forced to slow down and think. These days, it's all too easy to shoot first and think later.</p>

<p>When I travel, I photograph like I do at home. I find out about subjects that interest me and show up at an appropriate time. Then I make images. I don't try to "take it all in." I try to make a personal interpretation of a city. I rarely do record shots of landmarks unless there is an unusual light or feeling in the air.</p>

<p>It feels a bit overwhelming, but less from a photographic perspective and more from a "seeing and experiencing it all" perspective. I try to visit any big city for at least 6 days where ever I travel (when I can). When I went to London a few years ago I spent 9 days there, 8 of which were in the city itself (and 1 day on a trip out to Stonehenge, Windsor and Bath). By the final 2 days (last full day and the half day before heading to the airport) I was feeling rather tapped out on things that I "had" to see. I still saw some nice things, Victoria and Albert, Picadili Circus, general wandering, etc, but I had run through my complete list of "Need to see" by then and it felt more relaxed.<br>

Of course I have my sweaty hands gripping my camera with anticipation as I walk around, but less feeling like I need to snap hundreds of pictures (film here folks, ain't no thousands I am snapping), and more wanting to experience things and see what leaps out at me for pictures. Who knows, maybe being limited by film helps me a bit because I don't feel like I can just snap away. Or maybe not at all and I'd still limit myself quite a bit with digital as well.</p>

<p>In the digital age it's all too easy to switch to machine-gun-snap mode, and generally you get what the effort you put into it deserves. I recall wandering around Venice one Sunday in 1996 with my Rolleiflex T, terrified to take photos because I had just two rolls of 120 film with me. An unusually high percentage of them turned out well (yes, the location helped) because I concentrated on getting things right. <br>

As to walking around for a couple of days without the camera, noting the light, etc. Great if you've got the willpower; I certainly haven't.</p>

<p>I guess that I am in a minority but, photography is one of the primary reasons that I travel. <br>

Regarding the mediocre photographs - is your photography in areas that you are more familiar with better? It is not reasonable to expect that you will achieve really good imagery, just because you are in a strange location.<br>

is your photography important enough to devote some time to research the areas you will visit? If it is, then use the Internet as a resource and make a plan of what and where you will want to shoot. I will admit that this is difficult when traveling with a non-photographer and just about impossible when traveling with a group of non-photographers.<br>

I missed out on a lot of shots during a recent trip to Alaska with three friends who were much more interested in the fishing available than the photographic opportunities. We had only one rental vehicle, so I couldn't branch out and explore on my own. I believe that a photographer needs to be considerate regarding the feelings and needs of his or her companions.<br>

As for just looking around for a few days, that is not feasible when you are on a limited time-frame.<br>

One think that can help a photographer achieve some decent and unusual imagery during a trip is to get out very early in the morning to shoot and shoot well into the evening.<br>

I am traveling to China for two weeks this April and I have researched the areas in which I will be staying for photographic opportunities. I have a list of shots that I want in each location - such as night time shots of the cormorant fishermen on the Li River near Guilin; folks practicing Tai Chi with a lake in the background in Beijing or performers putting on their makeup backstage at a Chinese Opera.<br>

It has taken some research to learn the best way to shoot the cormorant fishermen and I know where and how to hire another fisherman to take me out in his boat and shoot. I have learned several places where I can go backstage to see performers putting on the makeup.<br>

I plan on coming home with thousands of images. Some of them will be mediocre but, many of them - am confident - will be good!</p>

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<p>Much of this effect stems from the mindset people have when planning their trip. Whether they are touring a city or a whole state, everyone wants to see it all! Setting a deliberate, realistic schedule in advance will do wonders for your pictures.</p>

<p>I'd argue that the digital disease can magnify the effect, but any photographer can fall into the 'spray and pray' trap. </p>

<p>I would like to come back with a thousand photos. But, the weather is not always cooperative.</p>

 

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<p ><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=488200">HC Lim</a> , Feb 27, 2010; 03:28 a.m.</p>

 

<p>I would like to come back with a thousand photos. But, the weather is not always cooperative.</p>

 

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<p>Ah, but even bad weather can be sexy! I wouldn't miss an opportunity! Have to say, though, that it takes me a day or two for a place to 'grow on me' - I'm a real tourist in that time, and after that, I'll become a photographer.</p>