Visit any popular travel destination, scenic viewpoint or historical landmark and you’ll likely see crowds of people waving a phone or camera around, all capturing similar images that you’ve undoubtedly seen before. If, like me, you’ve often wondered what’s around the next corner or over the next hill, then there’s only one thing for it: go and take a look! Travel photography doesn’t necessarily need to be to far-flung destinations. In the UK, we’re lucky to live in an incredibly diverse country with easy access to mountains, coastlines and rivers. Venture a mile or so from a car park or visitor centre and you’ll often leave 95 per cent of the crowds behind.
However, with a bit of time, effort and an adventurous spirit, getting well off the beaten track will offer the intrepid photographer the opportunity to visit, explore and photograph scenes, views and subjects that most people rarely get to see. A multi-day overseas trekking expedition in the wilderness or remote corner of the globe provides a wonderful opportunity to put adventure into your photography. Get back to nature and you’ll return refreshed, invigorated and with a card full of images different from the rest.
Adventure travel photography comprises landscapes, waterscapes, long exposure, wildlife, low-light, night, architecture, street and portraiture, to name a few. Additional skill sets such as navigation, expedition planning, fitness and creativity will all help to enhance the experience, rewarding the photographer with a great sense of satisfaction. How far you want to explore is up to you!
Planning an adventure
Your destination may have come from your bucket list or a photograph in a magazine, but wherever you head for, it pays to go through your checklists and pack the right kit
The first and most obvious consideration is where to go? There are so many wonderful places to choose from. Planning and researching any adventure trip or expedition should all be part of the fun, whether overseas or closer to home. There are many factors for the adventurous photographer to consider.
Your chosen location may come from the seed of an idea, a bucket list