Take a Shot
Advice from a Camera Obsessed Traveler
Everyday while traveling, I like to drop a few pics on Instagram to update the world on what I was up to that day. Most people were absolutely shocked to hear that every single one of those photos were take with my cell phone.
I truly love photography. It's probably a symptom of being involved with Yearbooks since I was 11 years old, but I'll take it. I experience most activities in life through the lens of a camera. So, for my trip to the British Isles, I wanted to be prepared. I brought my brand new DSLR Nikon camera, multiple lenses, and a couple of SD cards. I even found a purse that wasn't too big that would fit my camera and wallet. Imagine the mix of excitement and disappointment I felt when I realized that I could take beautiful photos just as easily on my Google Pixel 2. Here are some pieces advice for cameras and some tips and tricks for anyone hoping to catch a candid (or not so candid) moment:
- Don't go out and spend money on a big, fancy camera. It takes time to get to know a camera and its settings and you don’t want to miss out on capturing the perfect moment because you can’t figure out how to turn on the flash. The new phones on the market today take phenomenal photos with a simple click of a button.
- If you already have a big, fancy camera and you want to bring it with you, come prepared. Keep in mind that most trips are pretty fast paced and you will constantly be on the go. Get a bag that isn't too big, but will protect it. You can even get camera bag inserts that can make any bag camera friendly, which is what I did. Bring SD cards, a spare battery, and your charger. I even found a phone SD card reader so I can drop pictures from my camera onto my phone
- If you choose to use your phone, make sure you bring an external battery. Also, download some photo editing apps you can use offline, like Adobe Lightroom.
- Ask your friends to take pictures of you. Better yet, ask people to take pictures of you and your friends! You're going to want to preserve these memories.
- At the end of the trip, I like to set up a photo album on Google Photos and share it with all of the traveler and their families.