The amazing images in this years’ Travel Photographer of the Year Award, got me thinking about when is a photograph a travel photograph.

When we go on holiday, are the pictures we take travel photography or are they snapshots? When does street photography, landscape photography and any other genre of photography in a foreign location change into travel photography?

To basically understand what is travel photography, here are my notes about what it is that defines a travel photograph.

Picture or Portfolio

Travel photography is about telling a story, and however brilliant the photographer that usually means creating a portfolio of images. So travel photographs are likely to be part of a bigger piece of work.

Travel Photography has a Purpose

Travel photography is about place, and will describe either the land, the people or culture.  The purpose describes which, e.g.  ‘to capture the vivid street scenes and the simplistic yet diverse lifestyle of Cuba’.

People

Photographs that include people should place the subject in the specific travel location. These should either include people going about their everyday business or be environmental portraits, which record details of an individual within their environment. The people should contribute to the story.

Nothing Taken Out

A travel photograph is meant to be an accurate record of a place and a time. So however tempting it may be to clone out a rubbish bin, it should stay, even if removing it would have made a better image. Post processing can add warmth and impact but should not change the reality and truth of the original scene.

Travel Photography is Not All Foreign

Travel photography does not have to be taken in far flung places, often completing a portfolio at a location you can easily revisit is a big advantage. The variety of weather and seasons makes it look as though the pictures were not taken on your annual vacation.  Slough or Singapore both are compelling destinations.

Travel photography is all about capturing a time and place, a location or event. Portraying a feeling about the land, people or culture. Most of all though it is about telling a story.

Where I Buy

I buy my equipment from Wex because of their exceptional customer service. I once returned a camera after 30 days, and the next day they called to return my money to my account. Their prices are always competitive and they offer good prices on the trade in of your used gear