If it was up to my wife, every photo taken on a trip would be a ‘people’ image. If it was up to me, it would be an image of a ‘thing’ . So we have compromised to do a mixture of ‘people’ and ‘things’. It took some time to figure out what those ‘things’ are that catches the eye: A visual imprint on the cornea that registers in the brain for a fleeting second. Something so impulsive that you have to stop and try to capture it in the best way you can.
This is probably as much ‘instinct’ as a learned habit to look beyond the obvious. It is not unlike developing an ‘eye’ to see well-camouflaged wildlife in the rugged bush. Three topics always seem to catch me off guard: Angles, bridges and advertising signs.
Angles: The fascination herein lies in the mind of the designer. What inspired him or her? How practical is it? How esthetic is it within the environment? What does it look like from a different angle?
Bridges: This must be a man thing. Call it a ‘Tim the toolman’ instinct: If there is a gap, ravine or river, we can fix it and cross it. The deeper, the better, the wider the more awesome. It was not uncommon during the Roman era and beyond to build a bridge in honor of an important dignitary’s visit and then for such a person to unveil it. For most part, it simply shortens the distance between point A and point B. All the while giving engineers a free reign on their imagination.
Advertising Signs: Business is tough. And it is always fascinating to see how proprietors try to attract attention. Some are subtle and others are bold. Some signs want to inform while other want to shock. Within them all, they carry an universal message: to lure you in, to take the next step or to change your mind.
Today, technology is so advanced on smart phones that cameras are almost obsolete. Yet there is still something to be said to look at a viewfinder (digital screen), select the light setting, focus and snap away. Trying to capture something that will not require Photoshop as it will simply speak for itself.
Quick Tips:
1) Unless you are a professional photographer, carry a small camera. There are amazing point-and-aim cameras on the market. My personal choice is a Canon Powershot.
2) Ensure that your camera battery is charged every night for the following day (or that you have a few external batteries at hand for older cameras). Murphy’s Law will intervene…
3) Clean that lens often with a soft cloth. Even the best shot can be ruined by a fingerprint on dust on the cover (or fog in humid climates).
4) Get a good camera bag that is comfortable. I carry my charger and USB cable with me at all times. It does give you away as a tourist though, so be aware of any ‘grab-and-run’ scenarios.
5) Keep external storage at hand if you cannot download your images. It is amazing how many images you capture in a day.