Travel Photography Tips

I’ve heard it so many times before “but my phone takes great photos!” and sure, that may be true, but my phone photos don’t do a justice for some of the amazing things I see when traveling! After a lot of experimenting, I have found a combination that really works well for me:

• Nikon DSLR with a 35mm lens
• Sony rx100

DSLR and a 35mm lens

I started out with a simple Nikon point and shoot, but was always frustrated by not being able to capture the exact shot I wanted, so I purchased my first DSLR a few years ago and haven’t looked back! The camera body itself doesn’t matter that much as long as it’s some form of DSLR, and the lens I like best is a 35mm prime.

It’s an inexpensive lens, but is a fairly close view to what you are actually seeing so it’s easy to tell a story from your viewpoint with your photos. Also with a large aperture capability, you can increase your shutter speed to make up for not having a tripod and never worry about blurry photos! It’s lightweight, and compact, also great for stowing away in a purse or backpack. I typically only bring one lens, and have rarely found myself in any situation where I would need something else.

I started out with a Nikon D3100 which was perfect for learning and have recently moved up to a D7200. Like I said before, the camera body doesn’t really make that much of a difference as long as you have a lens and know how to use it. I really liked that the D3100 was small and very light which made it really easy to carry around! The D7200 is a bit more bulky but can connect to my phone easier and has more advanced capabilities. I would only recommend getting a DSLR if you are planning to take the time to learn how to use it. Youtube tutorials paired with trial and error are wonderful and have taught me a lot!

Sony rx100

This little sucker has done nothing but impress me since the moment I bought it! I picked an m2 up gently used on Ebay and cannot say enough great things about it! I love to go to concerts when traveling and often point and shoot cameras are the only type allowed in the venue, so the search began for a point and shoot that would fit my needs. I wanted something small, that could support RAW format, and be charged using a micro-usb cord. Just searching for point and shoot cameras that supported RAW images put me in the right area which is where I started learning about the Sony rx100.

There have been many times I’ve debating leaving my DSLR at home, and just carrying around my little Sony! Often times the images rival my DSLR and it’s so easy to use! It hooks up to my phone easily for image transfer which is very convenient for posting to social media.

My other favorite feature is being able to use my phone as a remote shutter. I can prop the camera up on a ledge or wall, and easily take a photo of myself without it being a selfie and without having to as a stranger for help. This has come in handy a lot since I travel alone fairly frequently. It has also been handy when I want to take a photo with friends, but also be in the photo!

For most things my little Sony camera is exactly what I need! I would consider bringing it as my only camera, but I also just love working with my DSLR and practicing my photography skills to leave it behind.

Editing Photos

I typically throw all of my photos into Lightroom and tweak them slightly before posting them or printing them. I bought the monthly subscription and have been really happy with it! If I’m on the go and want to make a quick post, I actually use Instagram to edit photos! I edit them how I want, then send them as a direct message to myself. The photos are saved on my phone in the Instagram album but have not been publicly posted on my Instagram so I can then post them to Facebook or send them to family. It works as a quick and dirty editor to give that extra “pop” to photos.

If you have any questions or comments, send me a message! I love to learn about what other people use for photography since it’s a hobby that I am constantly expanding.