Travel Photo Tips
for Spectacular
Ecotourism Keepsakes

Travel photo tips can be some of the best trip prep you can do before all your ecotouring holidays.

Part of the traveling green ethos is to leave no footrpint and to take nothing improper from the environment. Proper keepsakes are authorized mementos--nothing off the black market, nothing poached, nothing related to an endangered species, nothing illegal and usually no agricultural or fresh meat/produce items.

No matter where you journey, photographs are an ideal way to record your ecotravels and they become an invaluable collection of personal keepsakes.

The travel photo tips we have included here are aimed primarily at recreational digital photographers. Since all my rolls of film from my trip to Thailand and Cambodia were ruined by the airport X-ray machine when the officials wouldn't hand-check my exposed film cartridges, I switched to traveling with digital cameras only. And I have been most pleased with the results. At the very least, digital allows you to see whether or not you got the shot you wanted so you don't have to wait until your film develops to see what shots worked well.

Before you take off, if you have valuable cameras and lenses, it is wise to take digital stills of the equipment you'll be traveling with, record their make, model and serial numbers, and make sure they are covered by your insurance policy. Homeowner's or renter's insurance may cover your photo equipment while you are traveling away from home, but it pays to ask that question and make sure.

Recreational Digital Photography Basics

Photo Tips: General Prep and Security

• Memory and Storage. Based on the megapixel size you will likely take most of your pictures with, calculate (using your camera instruction manual) how many and what size memory cards you might need. I like to travel with more memory than I think I will use so that I don't have to erase shots to make room to take more. On my trip to Morocco, I easily took over 470 shots at 10MP each. Having more memory than you think you need allows you to take all kinds of shots you might have avoided taking... it frees you up to be more spontaneous and creative with your photos. And who knows... you may never return to that place or have that experience, and for that reason, your photos are truly priceless.

• Power. Take extra camera batteries so that if you cannot charge your battery when you need to, you are still able to take photos with your spare(s). If your camera takes rechargeable abtteries, bring your charger, power cord, and electric plug adapters for the countries you will be visiting. Even if you don't need to charge your battery, charge it overnight when you can so that you don't run out of juice if for some unforeseen reason you can't recharge it as anticipated.

• Cargo or Carry? I always carry my camera on my person. That way I can take photos at any time when I am traveling, but just as importantly, if my luggage gets lost or delayed or damaged, my camera is safe.

• Camera Bags. And to keep it safe, it is smart to carry your camera in a well-padded bag that offers protection from being banged around. Whether your camera is a point-and-shoot and you can carry it in your day pack, or whether you have an SLR body and more than one lens, find a camera case or camera bag that will be easy to carry with you when touring and trekking around. For example, if you need a camera bag to carry a camera body and a lens or two, it might be helpful to find a bag small enough to fit in your daypack (minimizing the number of bags and straps you'll have hanging across you). Or perhaps you can find a camera bag big enough to carry your essentials (perhaps a water bottle, light jacket, guide book, snack, etc.) as well as your camera gear. When deciding how much you'll be bringing in your day packs, think about weight... you could be toting your gear for hours on end, so pack with an eye for economy.

This is me where I like to be...behind the lens.

• Be One With Your Camera. While we're talking about security, when you are most focused on photographing the amazing sights on your trip, that's when thieves could be likely to snatch your bag from you. In public places, keep your bags on your person at all times if possible. No matter how enthralled you are with your surroundings, always be mindful of your gear and keep it close.

Photo Tips: Subjects

• People. If you are obviously taking a stranger's photo, always ask before taking their picture. Certain groups and individuals are leery of or object to having their picture taken, either for cultural or personal reasons. If language is a barrier, one way to break the ice with people you'd like to take pictures of is to let them handle your camera--let them touch it and look through the viewfinder and show them shots you have taken and even let them see a digital image of themselves. Especially if they are not familiar with cameras, once they understand what you are doing, they may warm up to being photographed. It also helps to be more personal than another faceless tourist pointing a camera at them or their home.

Some folks, particularly in touristed areas, will ask for and expect money before they let you take their picture. If you don't want to pay for shots, don't take their photo.

Do a little research on the customs and superstitions of the country you'll be visiting so you will have a general idea of what to expect when you are behind the lens. In Islamic countries, for example, taking photographs of traditional Muslim women is not always acceptable.

• Buildings. Certain buildings and facilities are officially off limits for photo taking, particularly government and military bases, airports, etc. Do read up on your destination and pay particular attention to any cautions such as these to prevent unwanted altercations from photo no-no's.

• Museums. Museums and galleries sometimes allow photo taking, sometimes not. They will usually publicize their policy with signage at the entry. Generally, flash photography is not permitted in museums.

Shooting from varied vantages and getting creative with your framing can send you home with some snazzy snapshot keepsakes.

• Vary Your Framing. Take a variety of shots of your subjects... try vertical and horizontal, notice your background but keep your foreground strong, pay attention to your composition (is it pleasing to your eye?), think about taking different viewpoints of something to give you something more than the standard front-on perspective, and make sure your finger or camera strap or windswept hair isn't making a cameo in your shot.

Find Travel Photo Tips helpful? Check out Ecotourism Tips.