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Travel photography

 * See Modern and contemporary art for photographic exhibitions.

Whether you look at them as the most expensive photographs you've ever taken, or the least expensive souvenirs you've ever purchased... whether you "take snapshots" or "create images"... travel photography is one of the most popular activities for those who travel.

Much of this article discusses equipment for photography, because that is a relatively easy topic to explain. However, note that it is far from the most important thing in getting good photos. A good photographer gets much better photos than the average shooter, and not mainly because he or she has better equipment. Nor is the key difference greater technical skill; as Einstein put it Imagination is more important than knowledge. Of course both equipment and skill can help, but the key is artistic vision, the ability of some photographers to think about the image they are capturing and plan a good composition. Other factors include awareness of both light and subject, a good sense of timing, and willingness to go to some trouble to get a shot; some of the best photos require things like getting up early to catch the dawn light, climbing a hill to get the best angle, or waiting for hours for animals to turn up.

This is Wikivoyage's general travel photography article. Wikivoyage also has separate articles on more specific topics at Travel photography/Film, Travel photography/Full systems for interchangeable-lens cameras, and Video recording. Some travel situations have special photographic requirements; see the articles on safaris, wildlife photography, birdwatching, drones and the Northern Lights for discussion of these.

Cameras
One important choice to make is what kind of camera to purchase and/or bring along. There's no single "best" camera – or even kind of camera – for travel photography. The kind of pictures you want to take, how much flexibility or ease-of-use you want, your budget, and how much you want to carry all factor into it.

Digital cameras
Digital cameras are the most common choice today. They tend to fall into several categories of ease-of-use and features. The ideal camera would be cheap, lightweight and high quality; it is fairly easy to get any two of those but almost impossible to get all three. The design engineers can make trade-offs and customers can make choices. The main types of digital camera are:

 * Point-and-shoot or compact cameras tend to be cheapest, smallest, and easiest to use. Most ordinary travelers will be happy with these. The smallest ones fit your pocket, are light and moderately priced, and can be taken almost everywhere. This is the cheap and lightweight choice, but does not give top quality, mainly because the sensors are too small.
 * There are more advanced compacts with features such as “superzoom” lenses (covering a very broad range), faster lenses (letting more light through, better for stop-action or low-light shots), better lenses (less optical distortion), larger sensor sizes (better low-light performance, less noise), and others. A number of trade-offs apply — you can't have everything.
 * A category of compacts with APS-C or bigger sensors and quality lenses have emerged in this century. In some terms they're similar to MILC (see below), but the lens can't be changed. These cameras usually have no zoom (due to prime lens), a few hundred dollars higher price, and a bit more bulk. While less versatile, cameras like this can suit a photography enthusiast who knows exactly what she wants in terms of image quality and other camera facilities. Some vendors that offer such models are Fujifilm, Ricoh, Sony, Leica.

 * DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) cameras have the most features (e.g. interchangeable lenses, various exposure control methods) but you pay for it in complexity, size, and expense. They have much larger sensors than most compact cameras. Normal SLRs, digital or not, have a mirror that reflects light up to the viewfinder and flips up out of the way when the shot is taken. Sony have a variant called an SLT which uses a stationary mirror to divide the light between viewfinder and sensor.
 * Full-frame (sensor is 24 by 36 mm, same as a 35 mm negative) DSLRs are available from several vendors — Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony Alpha. Leica offer a full-frame rangefinder camera. When the first full-frame digital cameras hit the market in 2002, they were huge, heavy and around $8,000 for the body alone. As of October 2019, there are several models with reasonable size and a body-only price in the $1200–3000 range. These may be the best choice for top quality, but there are substantial costs in both money and weight.
 * APS-C (around 24 by 16 mm but varying a little by brand). An APS-C sensor is large enough that quality can be quite high, but APS-C bodies are significantly cheaper than full-frame. As of late 2019, some APS-C body plus kit lens combinations are under $500, though some high-end bodies are well over $1000. All the companies with full-frame DSLRs have cheaper APS-C models as well, while others offer only APS-C.
 * Until about 2015, APS-C was nearly the only choice for the enthusiast amateur or even the pro on a budget, and it is still the most common type of DSLR and very much a viable choice. Since then, though, full-frame sensors have become cheaper and mirrorless (see below) cameras more powerful. The latter in particular is encroaching on the markets that APS-C once had to itself.
 * APS-C cameras can use lenses designed for full-frame DSLRs or even for film cameras, but the field of view changes because of the smaller sensor. The effect can be estimated by multiplying the focal length by a constant, 1.5 for most brands and 1.6 for Canon. For example, on a Nikon or Pentax APS-C camera, a 100 mm lens acts much like a 150 mm lens on a full-frame camera. This effect is often an advantage with telephoto lenses but can be a problem when you want a wide-angle lens.

 * Mirrorless or MILC (mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera) or EVIL (electronic viewfinder, interchangeable lens) cameras are similar to DSLRs but, like a rangefinder, they do not have a mirror; they use an electronic viewfinder instead of optical. Ideally, they offer the advantages of a DSLR in a somewhat smaller package, with the added benefit of being able to visualize how the photo will turn out including color and exposure adjustments, depth of field, etc. It took until the mid-2010s for the technology to mature enough to match DSLRs in quality and ease-of-use; some people consider them the wave of the future and suggest that they may soon eclipse DSLRs, much as SLRs largely replaced rangefinders a few decades ago, while others consider them far less important. That may not be entirely true, but certainly they are an interesting alternative if you want high quality while keeping down the weight.
 * Current mirrorless cameras have varying sensor sizes.
 * Sony has long offered both APS-C and full-frame MILCs.
 * Most of Fuji's models have APS-C sensors, but the company also sells two very expensive medium-format MILCs.
 * After a mostly unsuccessful attempt at small-sensor mirrorless earlier in the 2010s, Nikon introduced full-frame MILCs in late 2018, along with a new lens mount and several lenses, and introduced its first APS-C MILC in late 2019, using its full-frame mirrorless mount.
 * Since 2018, Canon has added four full-frame MILCs (plus several lenses) as alternatives to its existing APS-C mirrorless line—though unlike Nikon, Canon's full-frame and APS-C mirrorless mounts are mutually incompatible.
 * Leica have dominated the rangefinder market for decades and once had a line of SLRs, but that did not sell well. Now they have formed an alliance with Panasonic and Sigma for the full-frame MILC market.
 * Pentax sold both APS-C and small-sensor MILCs in the past, but offers none as of mid-2020. Their K-01 was the only MILC with the same lens mount as DSLRs so it could take a huge range of lenses, but it sold poorly.
 * Samsung used to sell APS-C MILCs, but has none as of mid-2020.
 * Hasselblad offers a very expensive medium-format MILC and a number of lenses.
 * As of mid-2020 the largest players in this market are the Sony Alpha (rebranded from NEX) and the Micro Four Thirds system, but competition is fierce and that might change. Most current full-frame MILCs sell for at least $2000 for the body alone, but Canon offers an entry-level body for $1000. Discounts are not uncommon, and some manufacturers (most notably Sony) continue to sell older full-frame bodies alongside their newest products at even lower prices.
 * Micro Four Thirds (18 by 13.5 mm sensor) is a joint standard with several companies involved, the most important being Olympus and Panasonic. Several abbreviations are in use — μ43, m43, m4/3 and MFT; we use μ43 in Wikivoyage's articles. The "four thirds" refers to the 4:3 aspect ratio used; 35 mm film, full frame cameras and APS-C all use use 3:2. The focal length multiplier is 2; a 100 mm lens on μ43 acts like a 200 mm on full-frame. Both Olympus and Panasonic offer a range of bodies and a range of lenses, and you can mix and match across brands.
 * There are other players as well. Leica offer a few bodies and a number of lenses, mostly jointly developed with Panasonic. Voigtländer have three super-fast F0.95 manual focus μ43 lenses at focal lengths equivalent to 35, 50 and 85 mm.

 * Rangefinder cameras are no longer common, though they were the main type used in news and travel photography until SLR (single lens reflex) cameras appeared in the 1950s, many famous photos were taken with them, and they still have users who swear by them. A rangefinder is lighter and quieter than an SLR because it does not need the mirror flapping up and down in the camera body, which means that camera size, noise and vibration are all lower. The main disadvantage is that, because there is no through-the-lens view, neither zoom nor long telephoto lenses are supported.
 * Leica offer full-frame digital rangefinders and lenses, high-quality but also high priced, and Voigtländer have a line of cheaper Leica-mount lenses. The US Voigtländer distributor has a web site with much good information on rangefinders and on older cameras of other types.

 * A few vendors — only Sony and Olympus as of mid-2017 — offer devices that turn a cell phone or tablet into an interchangeable lens digital camera; these take the same lenses as Sony NEX or Olympus μ43. The device has no viewfinder; you use the phone or tablet screen for that.

A full-frame sensor is 1.5 times larger (2.25x the area) than most APS-C sensors, 1.6 times larger (2.5x area) than Canon APS-C, and 2.0 times larger (3.6x area) than μ43. We discuss the effect of sensor size in Wikivoyage's article on advanced photo systems.

Other options
Many travellers today carry some sort of digital camera, and most of this article discusses those. However, they are not the only choice.
 * Most modern cell phones have a built-in camera, and these are often as good, if not better, as a low-end digital camera, especially in video. If you are carrying a phone anyway, using it as your camera is a zero-cost and zero-weight solution. Phone cameras (especially the higher-end) generally take perfectly acceptable photos in good conditions — for example, if the light is good — but they still are behind dedicated cameras when conditions get challenging. Virtually all cell phones include flash, and it is now common for phones to have multiple lenses that act as optical zoom (because it would be too bulky to fit a traditional zoom lens in a cell phone). You can also purchase small tripods designed for some models. A wide range of apps are available to enhance the performance of cameras in smart phones and edit the resulting images.
 * Similarly, most tablets have cameras and can use photography apps, though their image quality is typically inferior to that of cell phones.
 * A couple or a group travelling together may be able to share a camera or to carry compatible camera bodies so they can share lenses. This does not always work; for example, when you visit a church, everyone may want the fast wide angle lens at the same time. Also, there may be incompatibilities; for example, if a Nikon-using lad travels with a Canon-using lass then, with an adapter, she can use his lenses but he cannot use hers.
 * Some people carry a video camera instead of a still camera; they can still get reasonable still photos by plucking frames out of the videos and many video cameras include a still photo mode. The quality of stills is often limited and it is quite possible that you get better stills from your cell phone. However, some may be quite happy with either a video camera or a general-purpose digital camera that includes a video capability.
 * Drones can provide an astounding view, but are restricted in many countries.
 * Film cameras (i.e. non-digital cameras) are another possible choice; see Travel photography/Film.

Instead of or as well as taking photos yourself, you can:
 * buy photos locally. Possibilities include
 * high-grade prints (look for local pro photographers or galleries)
 * coffee table books (check bookstores and museums)
 * collections of picture post cards (sold in tourist areas)
 * Any of these are likely to be shot by professionals, so quality will often be higher than do-it-yourself photos. Also, they may include photos taken from viewpoint that would be difficult to get to during a visit – such as aerial photographs or shots taken during different seasons. The downside is that these images are copyrighted; you will own one copy, but not rights to reproduce the photo.

Any of these may give fine souvenirs.
 * illustrate your voyage through urban sketching.
 * buy paintings and handicrafts from the areas that you visit.

Building a system
For travel, you want a camera body plus a single lens or a set of lenses that covers most or all of the types of photo you want to take without exceeding either your budget or the bulk and weight you can carry in reasonable comfort. This is often achievable, but usually some compromise is involved.

Many cameras come with a standard kit lens, a zoom lens (variable focal length) that covers the range from wide-angle to short-telephoto, perhaps 24-85 mm. Often the kit lenses are designed more for low cost than high quality; in particular they are generally quite slow. Professionals tend to buy either prime lenses (fixed focal length) or much more expensive high-end zooms.

A good zoom capability is handy for getting a closer shot of something in the distance. (One of the most common errors of inexperienced photographers is not getting close enough.) Using a zoom lens can also let you carry fewer lenses and avoid having to change lenses as often. On the other hand, zooms are almost always heavier and slower than primes and often more expensive or less sharp.

Digital cameras usually have zoom, but only one of two kinds they feature is "real". Digital zoom doesn't capture any additional detail at high magnification; it reprocesses the same information for a larger image, or just crops off the edges for you. If you have photo editing software on your computer, you can do a better job of that at home. Optical zoom actually changes the magnification of the lens, and is better for getting sharp close-up shots of distant subjects. This is the kind of zoom worth paying extra for, and a built-in high-ratio optical zoom (e.g. 10x) distinguishes some compact cameras. There are a number of ways to get a simple system that handles most photographic needs, with reasonable cost and weight:
 * buy a compact digital camera
 * thousands of people are happy with these, so why not you?

 * pay a bit more for a high-end compact
 * even some pros use these as go-anywhere cameras because their best stuff is too heavy or too valuable for travel

 * buy a bridge camera
 * these cameras fill a gap between the interchangeable lens cameras and the point and shoot category. If you want something that looks like a DSLR and has most the features of one, but does not have interchangeable lenses, then think about getting one.

 * get an interchangeable lens camera and kit lens
 * this gives you the option of adding other lenses later

The above summarizes most of the simple alternatives. We cover more complex systems — starting from a body that takes interchangeable lenses and building from there — in Travel photography/Full systems.

Whichever system you choose, know your camera — take a look through any instruction manuals and actually try at least a few shots under different conditions (including extreme closeups, low-light or nighttime photos, moving targets) in both still photo and video before you travel. Even if a camera is fully automatic (most small hand-held digital cameras are), a blind "point and shoot" approach can easily mean missing time-sensitive shots at the finish line of a sport competition while the camera spends a few seconds auto-focusing... unless you focus before the moving target enters the frame (pressing the button halfway may do this on many cameras) or turn off auto-focus entirely and leave the camera focused at infinity.

Storage
Longer trips or more photos require more memory, unless you bring along a laptop or another way to back up your pictures and clear your memory card. Consider buying additional memory cards for additional space and to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket. Large-capacity memory cards have dropped greatly in price; most often, it's easier just to bring more (or larger) cards instead of downloading images to a computer while on the road or attempting to conserve memory space. Electronics and department stores and other businesses tailored to tourists worldwide typically stock a wide range of memory cards, so you should have few problems buying extra memory capacity if you start to run short.

As a rule of thumb (quite imprecise; this varies from camera to camera and depends on the settings used), raw images need about a megabyte per megapixel so for example a 16 GB card will hold about 1000 raw images for a 15 megapixel camera. Compressed JPEG images need considerably less storage.

Many photographers find 32 GB SDHC cards convenient, large enough for a lot of shooting but cheap enough you can have several to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket. Any camera built since about 2008 supports this size, and it avoids a potential problem on some computers; SDXC (any card over 32 GB) uses a disk format that some older devices may not be able to read.

Of course, that is not the only reasonable choice; many people use larger cards to be sure they have enough for everything they are likely to shoot on a trip. Even with a 24 Mpixel camera and two megabyte per megapixel, you get about 20 shots per Gbyte so a 256 GB card handles over 5,000 photos, and as of October 2019, those cards are well under $100 USD.

In some cases, the speed of the memory card may also matter. If you want to shoot videos or long bursts of still shots — for example, in photographing a leaping athlete it is common to fire off a dozen shots and hope one is just right — then you need fast transfers between the camera's limited buffer and the larger general storage. With a slow card, the camera may stop and refuse to continue until the buffer is cleared, and that can ruin your shot. Professionals shooting action often use specialized cameras with faster bursts and larger buffers, but those are both expensive and heavy, so wildly impractical for most travellers. A fast memory card, however, is probably worthwhile if you want action shots or video; cost is about twice that of a slower card and weight about the same. In addition to letting the buffer empty faster, a fast card may also speed up transfer of images to your computer. Some SD cards are rated UHS-1 (ultra high speed) or even faster UHS-2; these will be faster if the camera supports that. The UHS rating is used only for SD cards; the CompactFlash equivalent is UDMA, with UDMA 7 being the fastest available as of late 2019. The CompactFlash alliance introduced the faster CFast standard in the middle of the 2010s; those cards are backward compatible with CompactFlash, though the higher speeds are only available with cameras that support CFast data transfer. The 2010s also saw the introduction of the XQD card, with higher theoretical read/write speeds than UHS-1 or original CF, but not compatible with either SD or CF. In turn, XQD is being superseded by the backward-compatible CFexpress standard.

Both speed and capacity of cards have changed over time, and an older camera may not handle high-capacity cards (either because it cannot see the larger size or cannot provide the extra power needed) or may get no benefit from the extra speed of a new fast card. Similarly, whether a fast card gives any benefit during transfers to a computer depends on the particular computer and card reader used. The original SD (secure digital) cards were limited to 2 Gbytes and the early CompactFlash cards similarly limited. SDHC cards (HC = high capacity) go up to 32 Gbytes and the latest SDXC (eXtended Capacity) cards in theory support sizes up to 2048 GB, though as of mid-2020 the largest SDXC cards on the market are 1 TB (1024 GB). The SD alliance announced the SDUC (Ultra Capacity) standard in mid-2018, which allows capacities up to 128 TB, but no cards supporting this standard are yet on the market.

Digital cameras usually have different quality modes available that effect how much storage space is used for each picture. They sometimes have confusing names like SHQ, HQ, and SQ1, and different resolutions (how many pixels). But you are always changing either the size (megapixels) or compression you want to use. Decide ahead of time what quality setting you want to use. Consider how you are going to use your photos. Photos to send and share with friends via social media will probably need less quality than ones you need to print on canvas. Today's computer monitors can display up to around 8 megapixel images, whereas five years ago a monitor would only display one megapixel. You get more future-proofing with size and quality. The ability to switch to lower quality settings can also be useful if you're running out of storage space in the middle of nowhere: better to have the last couple dozen pictures taken at a less-than-ideal quality setting than to run out of exposures before you reach home.

Batteries
Batteries are an important thing to think about, because it can be extremely frustrating to run out of battery power right in the most exciting part of your trip. If your camera uses a non-standard battery type (especially common with digital cameras), be sure to bring extras or pack a suitable recharger for local electrical systems. Recharge often; don't wait for your power to run out during a photo shoot.

Know how long your camera will last on a charge. The largest battery drains on a digital camera are the preview screen and the sensor. Many DSLRs will last for thousands of shots if you disable the screen and use a manual viewfinder (if available). Newer digital cameras are also far less power-hungry than those manufactured a decade ago.

Many digital cameras use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries; like the batteries in laptop PC's these are powerful but device-specific and proprietary. It is not possible to interchange these with other battery types. Some cameras can run on standard AAs (with more frequent changes) if needed. The ability to use AA cells – readily available anywhere from Tibet to Togo to Tuvalu – is a great safety net. Many cameras have an external grip available that makes the camera bigger and heavier but gives additional battery capacity. In some cases, these use AAs, even on a camera whose main batteries are a different type.

Battery chemistry makes a big difference, and even something as standard as a battery of AA cells comes in several varieties. A rechargeable NiMH battery usually lasts longer (even without recharging) than even the best non-rechargeable lithium battery, and its reusability will pay for itself in the long run. The main drawback of rechargeables is that some lose their charge even just sitting for a few weeks. Individual models of NiMH cells packaged as "fully charged and ready for use" typically have a longer charge shelf life (otherwise that initial charge would be gone long before they left the store). One brand popular with photographers is the Panasonic Eneloop.

Don't use NiCd batteries in a digital camera (except in emergencies); they simply won't last and they have a "memory effect" (which NiMH don't have) where it's best to fully discharge them before recharging.

If you're leaving civilization behind altogether, consider an old-fashioned mechanical film camera that can be run without battery power, or a not-quite-so-quaint electronic film camera which uses so little battery power (e.g. for the light meter, to time the shutter speed) that it can run for months on a single button-size cell. Most manual-exposure 35 mm cameras from the 1970s and earlier will run battery-free; auto-exposure 35 mm cameras from the 1980s merely sip from their batteries, and a few (e.g. Pentax ME series) can even continue working (on manual) without.

Accessorize
Many photographers carry along a tripod, and even a little pen-sized model can come in handy if you want to set up timed shots of yourself and yours. If weight or luggage capacity is an issue (e.g. when hiking), consider a monopod instead. Bogen/Manfrotto even makes a line of well-regarded monopods that double as hiking sticks, although they're rather pricey. Alternatively, shop for hiking sticks with camera mounts hidden under the top knob. However, bear in mind that many (if not most) museums and tourist attractions do not permit tripods or monopods. Sometimes breaking out the tripod will put you in the "professional" category, and you suddenly need copyright permissions or will be asked to pay fees for what the owners of the place now consider commercial photography. While a tripod is awkward for travellers (due to its bulk), there are some images — particularly photos outdoors at night, where dim light requires long exposure times — that cannot be captured any other way.

Unlike on film cameras, an ultraviolet filter is not needed on digital cameras – unless it gives you peace of mind to have something protective in front of your lens glass.

Make sure you have a method of transferring photos off your camera. Some cameras will support WiFi. Some laptops or tablets include a built-in card reader as standard equipment. Or you may need a USB cable to connect to your camera or a small card reader. You may, however, still need the camera's USB cable to recharge your camera's built-in battery.

Pack
With expensive photography gear, packing it properly becomes an issue. Specialized cases and bags specifically for packing cameras and lenses are available, but some are bulky and inconvenient. Camera bags tend to be focused mainly on carrying your camera equipment, and rarely have much extra room for the other stuff you'll want to carry around during sightseeing. If travelling light, it's better just to bring along the original leather pouches for your lens and camera. A T-shirt folded and wrapped around a lens provides some impact protection and guards it from prying eyes.

If travelling with a camera which takes interchangeable lenses, try to anticipate the lenses you're likely to use when packing. A long lens is invaluable if you're going on a safari, but is probably not worth taking if you're visiting urban areas. That said, if you have space in your suitcase and are staying in accommodation which is safe from thieves, it might be best to err on the side of taking too many lenses rather than too few.

It's a good idea to bring any equipment you need to maintain your camera with you as this can be difficult to find at your destination (specialised camera stores tend to be located outside tourist areas and the quality of their products can vary). As you sometimes need this equipment in a hurry it's best to have it at hand, and to be confident that it will actually work. You should keep a microfiber lens cleaning cloth in your daypack or camera bag, but leave specialized equipment in your suitcase unless you're expecting to be taking photos in adverse conditions.

Wipe down your camera and lenses with a tissue after use, before you put them away. In particular, zoom lenses in dusty environments should be extended fully, wiped off, and allowed to dry before packing them, as grit will wreak havoc on the delicate mechanisms inside.

Move
With fragile Super-8 film cameras and bulky VHS cameras receding into ancient history, smartphones and digital cameras have made it more practical than ever to take moving pictures of your travels. These can be more entertaining to look at (for you and your friends), and better capture the grandeur of a panoramic view or the excitement of a helicopter ride. But video is also harder to do well than still shots, and bumpy recordings that cut abruptly from one scene to the next can be more disorienting than informative. Flash is not an option, as motion pictures require continuous illumination. Movie-editing software can help turn your raw footage into a slick presentation, but it's additional work after you get home.

Most digital still cameras have the ability to record video, but many have quality limitations or limit recording time. A newer or more expensive digital still camera may be able to record some level of HDTV, although capability varies. Try out the feature before you buy.

Compose
The basic principles of photographic composition are surprisingly easy to learn, but they will improve your photography a great deal. None of these rules are set in stone. For instance, if you're trying to create an unsettled feeling with your photo, you'll often want to intentionally use imbalanced visual weight. However, they are useful as general guidelines, and the more of them you're able to follow, the better your photos will tend to look.
 * Simplicity: Keep your background free of clutter. A shallow depth of field, which can be achieved on modern smartphones via portrait mode, can help with this.
 * Balance: Try to avoid photos in which one side (left or right) has much more visual weight than the other.
 * Visual hierarchy and geometry: Photographs look best when there is a single main subject (as opposed to multiple subjects of equal prominence) to which the viewer's eyes are drawn first, followed by more minor elements. This works especially well when the main elements form a triangle. Note that this means that photographs with an odd number of people generally look better than those with an even number.
 * Rule of thirds: Align the horizon so that it is either one third or two thirds of the way up the frame. Similarly, align your subject so that it is one third or two thirds of the way across the frame.
 * Leading lines: Use strong lines (such as paths or handrails) to lead viewers' eyes from the edge of your photo toward its center or subject.
 * Framing: Use large elements, such as trees or buildings, at the edge of your photo to form a natural frame.
 * Lead room: When your subject is moving or looking in a direction, leave some room in that direction.

Pose
Some people get their travel companions into every picture. Others focus exclusively on the places. Try to strike a balance. Including members of your group (especially if they're your kids) can add some fun and personality to your photos. But a litany of "Here's Stan standing in front of the Eiffel Tower. Here's Stan standing in front of Notre Dame. Here's Stan standing in front of..." can get tedious, not just to say but to look at. Try to capture your human subjects in the process of exploring the environmental subjects; a shot of Stan gazing into the sunset captures the experience better than him standing in front of it.

Similarly, share the camera, so that sometimes Stan is behind it and you get in some of the pictures too. Asking another camera-toting traveller to snap a picture of all of you (with your camera, not his), in exchange for returning the favor, helps to establish that you were in fact there together (though it puts you at the mercy of their ability to work your camera). Likewise, if you're travelling alone, either get someone to take a shot of you at various locales, or if that's not practical, at least try setting up a shot or two with a self-timer to prove to everyone that you really went there. Note that it's usually advisable to ask someone with a camera at least as expensive as yours — less of a temptation — and that's it's safer to actively ask someone than to agree to an exchange offered to you. Of course, you can carry a selfie-stick. Often derided, but capable of taking some interesting shots if used well.

Some modern cameras have bluetooth or WiFi connectivity to your phone, even to the extent that they will let you view the current image on your phone screen, allowing great flexibility in angles and subjects.

Be sure to take a version of each photo in which clutter (such as people in the shot, if the main subject is something else) is excluded or minimized. Posing people in front of landmarks may be useful once to show they were there (the historic WWII photos of the US flag on Iwo Jima, of Hitler at the Tour Eiffel or of the Soviet flag raising at the Reichstag being the classic examples) but a photographic composition normally works best with one main subject only. Even if you don't notice something extraneous (such as a lamp post behind your subject, top dead center) the camera will.

One of the most practical things to remember with a camera is that you are capturing "light". If you are photographing outside, make sure the sun is to your back. If you are shooting into the sun it will throw off the automatic settings on your camera and you will have a very dark image. The same applies to shadows. Sitting someone in shadows and standing in the light to photograph them will likely be disappointing. The same applies to inside photography. Taking a photo with an outside window in the frame will throw off the automatic settings and result in a dark image of what's in front of the window. If you must photograph a subject with a window or direct sunlight behind them, change your flash settings from "auto" to "always on" or the camera will see the bright light in the background and turn its illumination off, yielding a silhouette.

Share
Check copyright issues before your journey, or at the latest before sharing any photos other than among friends and family. Publishing a photo of an artwork still under copyright is usually forbidden. In many countries there are exceptions, most importantly the "freedom of panorama", which may cover architecture or all art in public spaces (such as in streets, squares and public parks), or art and architecture that is included by accident or necessity, or not the main subject of a photo. Sometimes the freedom only covers non-commercial use. There may also be exceptions for "fair use", such as in the news or in an article about the artwork. The exceptions, their definitions and jurisprudence vary widely between jurisdictions. Wikimedia Commons has pages on the copyright rules of most countries, see Commons:Freedom of Panorama and Commons:Copyright rules by territory.

Uploading a photo on social media is clearly publishing it if it can be seen by people outside a restricted group (a family-internal group or the like). Many social media sites also require you to give the site owner a licence to use your photos, on the site or more broadly. You may not upload any photos there unless you have sufficient rights regarding copyright of any included artwork and personality rights of persons depicted.

There are many image hosting websites where you can upload and share your travel photographs with others; two of the most popular are Flickr and Photo.net. Photo.net also has extensive information on photography, everything from equipment reviews to a large collection of pages on technique. These websites, and other "cloud" storage services such as Google Drive, are also an excellent way of backing up your photos while on the road, though be warned that upload sizes can be large if you're taking lots of images or using the highest image quality settings.

Consider uploading photos that may be of general interest (not the family shots) to Wikimedia Commons; this is a shared site that holds educationally useful media files for use by anybody. The Wikimedia Foundation projects, including Wikivoyage and Wikipedia, use this repository. Any images uploaded here should also be licensed for commercial use by anybody.

The free-for-commercial-use licences Creative Commons CC-BY and CC-BY-SA (the latter a "copyleft" licence) are available on Flickr if explicitly selected when uploading photos. That site will default to "all rights reserved" if you fail to select a license. Flickr CC-BY or CC-BY-SA images may be imported to Wikimedia Commons by others.

Respect
At natural sights, concerts, sport events and in many other context, your camera (or even worse: your tablet) may obstruct the view for some of the rest of the spectators, or otherwise intrude on their experience. Try to minimise the harm and consider whether your photo is important enough to justify your taking it if you cannot avoid causing disturbance.

Posing for selfies between a sight or view and the rest of the crowd, where some would indeed like to see it, tends to be especially irritating.

There are also more specific considerations:

Photographing people
Be aware that people in other cultures may view being photographed differently from you. Local views on photography should always be taken into account when deciding whom, what, and when to photograph. When in doubt, it is always better to ask before taking a photo. In some countries, it is illegal to take pictures of individuals without their consent.

Some Brazilian indigenous groups, for instance, believe their souls are captured when they are photographed. Members of some religious sects (e.g. the Amish) consider having their picture taken an act of impious vanity, and although they may permit it they don't welcome it. Cameras may also not be welcome during some religious rituals, in certain religious buildings, or at certain cultural events. Taking pictures of women or young children should also be carefully considered especially when you're in a Muslim country or an area with conservative Christians.

Additional considerations apply to photos of people taken for publication or commercial use; in most countries, news photos don't legally require a signed model release, but commercial or stock photos of identifiable people do. For photos that will be uploaded to Wikimedia Commons, see their policy page.

Security-sensible sites
Some sites where photography is typically prohibited or restricted for security reasons are military installations, airport security, government buildings, and casinos. In sensitive areas – such as near a disputed border, in a rebellious province, in a country whose government or military are a bit paranoid, or where local cops are looking for an excuse to extract a bribe – photographing any infrastructure that might be of military significance – such as a bridge, dam, port, railway station, or government building – can bring trouble.

Museums and spectator events
Photography might be prohibited to secure a revenue from selling the organisation's own photos. In some cases, such as regarding contemporary art, the copyright laws may be on their side, but many museums or art galleries also prohibit photography of old works, long since in the public domain. It is also common to forbid photography at theater, music and sport venues, or restrict use of telephoto lenses or video recording. Where not prohibited you might be charged a supplemental fee to the entrance ticket for bringing your camera. The restrictions may also be in place to avoid spoiling the experience of other spectators.

Places of worship
Mosques and Hindu temples often restrict photography within the premises, with some even disallow carrying any electronic device with you, including cameras and cell phones. For place of worship that don't have any restrictions on cameras, photographing the deity may still be taboo, and somebody pointing around with a camera can be distracting regardless. You may want to ask a local host about sensibilities, and try to be discreet while photographing. In Christian churches you should probably wait until after any service before using your camera. Your having the photo is less important than not offending locals. If carrying electronics is disallowed, check whether there is some safe place to leave them, such as lockers near the entrance.

Flash and tripod
There are various situations in which flash photography may be inappropriate. Sometimes it will not be permitted, either to preserve a solemn atmosphere, or to protect antiquities from the damaging effects of bright light. Live theatres often prohibit cameras entirely as a distraction to the performance. Keep in mind that flash usually won't illuminate things more than a few meters away, so taking flash photos of the roof of a cathedral would be both distracting and ineffective. Flash also tends to spoil the natural appearance of the things you're trying to photograph, and if the object is behind protective glass, then your camera may end up blinding itself with the reflection of its own flash. So if you can disable your camera's flash and shoot by natural light (holding the camera very steady or with a tripod to compensate for slow shutter speeds), it may very well be worth the effort. Never use flash when taking close-up photos of animals – the flash can blind some animals (e.g. fairy penguins).

A tripod can be an alternative to flash, although in many situations its bulk makes it just as obtrusive or worse. Many museums and art galleries forbid tripods. Save it for situations (such as outdoor photography at night) where it is the only option.

Stay safe
Photography equipment can be expensive and the pictures you've already taken at any point in your trip are effectively irreplaceable, so it's always wise to consider their safety when traveling. Besides theft and accident human-caused damage, natural issues like extreme heat and cold may have a significant impact on your equipment. If rain is likely, a weatherproof camera might be a good investment.

Don't flash your camera around any more than necessary. If you take it out of your bag, wrap the strap around your wrist a few times and hold it firmly in your hand. Walking around with an expensive SLR hanging from a neck strap is an invitation to motorcycle thieves. When walking in a city, keep not just the camera but also the bag holding the camera on the side of you facing away from the road. Brand-name camera bags advertise what's inside them. You may be safer carrying your camera in an old rucksack or even a shopping bag, perhaps padded with some clothes. The risk isn't solely that someone may steal the camera itself; displaying photographic equipment makes you a target for criminals by identifying you prominently as non-local to perpetrators of any number of scams for which the wealthy tourist is seen as an easy mark.

In some areas, locals solicit payment for any photos in which they are visible. This poses many of the same problems as any other form of begging; if you are too quick or eager to hand out money, you not only make yourself visible as a possible easy mark but also make things more difficult for the next traveller. Over-eager locals who don't disclose they expect to be paid to appear in a shot until after the photo has already been taken are common in a few high-traffic areas, including New York City's Central Park and Times Square.

If you're uncertain about the local laws and sensitivities around photography you should avoid photographing government buildings (other than obvious tourist landmarks), military installations, or other plausible targets of political violence. In areas with ongoing military conflicts and/or heightened alertness for terrorism, this can get you unwelcome attention – or worse – from anxious security personnel or law enforcement. In many countries the owners of commercial private property do not welcome photographing indoors on their premises. It may not be explicitly prohibited by law, but the local security staff might want a talk with you about what you need those photographs for. Some vendors might state this policy at the property entrance.

Unwelcome attention may also be directed toward you if you are photographing subjects relating to certain infrastructure (such as transportation). It may also be best to put the camera away in areas (such as inside a bank or at a subway toll booth) where money is being handled. Although many of the operators of such infrastructure are open minded about photography, front-line staff of some concerns can become nervous about the intent or nature of casual photographers. If you are intending to take a large number of such photographs, it is advised to confirm the limits of what is acceptable in advance.

For sound safety reasons, flash photography is prohibited in numerous environments (such as urban rail systems, bus stations, industrial plants, and some government facilities.) where the flash could be an unwanted distraction to staff or security personnel. Additionally use of a tripod may be seen as creating an undue obstruction. If planning on using either check with the operators, owners and staff well in advance.

Photo tour companies
For those wishing to travel on a dedicated photography trip, there are companies that cater to this market. Photo tours and workshops allow interested photographers to travel to destinations with the primary goal of creating images. Some offer extensive photo instruction while others simply get you to locations where photography is exceptional.

Further learning
Many people seem quite willing to spend large amounts on equipment and put a lot of time into photography, yet are reluctant to spend moderate amounts of time and money on training. This seems, to say the least, odd. If you really want to take fine pictures, consider joining a local photo club, taking a local course, or even planning a trip that includes a workshop with a well-known pro.

Where a lot of experience in earlier models of camera or versions of software might have been clocked up, and intuition has worked for getting good shots, there is no harm in investing in courses oriented towards using more recent technology. Courses can cut through the obvious and bring out features and capacities otherwise not utilized.

There are also many books on techniques for capturing images. New York City devotes an entire independent book store just to photography; other large cities may have book stores devoted entirely to art – of which photography is a key segment. Be sure to grab a camera and test what you learn before you take your trip... you may start seeing all manner of formerly-unnoticed small detail locally which, when captured as images, actually turns out to be worth a thousand words.

title: Travel photography


text: Travel topics index

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Travel topics index


text:
Transportation

Transportation is a concern of every traveler, whether planning how to reach a destination or trying to hail a taxi. Numerous transportation options exist, ranging from one-way trips in a first-class jet to budget accommodation on a freighter.

General transportation subjects

 * Arriving in a new city
 * Business travel
 * Guided tours
 * Itineraries
 * Motion sickness
 * Next-to-impossible destinations
 * Navigation
 * Round the world overland
 * Steam power

Choosing your vehicle
On some routes, many different vehicles can be considered. For example, from Copenhagen to Stockholm, flying might be fastest, while an intercity bus is cheapest, driving allows more baggage, and rail travel is the most comfortable (and at five hours on par with the plane, when going from downtown to downtown). Finally, cruising or yachting between these cities would take one or two days more than the other options, while being a greater experience than the destination itself.

Budget travel is a concern for everyone except the wealthiest, and only the most patient need no time management. Other concerns are safety, scheduling, environmental issues, medical conditions, and the amount of baggage needed.

Buses and planes may severely limit the amount of baggage and even charge for checked baggage. Trains and cruise ships usually have no nominal limit to the amount of luggage, though they require it to be carried by the travelling party. Even where checked luggage on trains exists, allowances are usually more generous than for aviation. Your own boat or a car may have even more – or more convenient – capacity for extraordinary amounts of luggage. Still think carefully about what you really need.

The schedule of a public carrier might be a limiting factor. While some airline services fly only once a week, a metro line might depart as often as every few minutes. With your own vehicle, this is usually not a problem, unless you need to use a ferry, or if roads are temporarily closed down. However, road tolls, speed restrictions and traffic congestion might vary by time of day, the day of the week, or by season.

The vehicle of choice might depend on the country or region. While the United States is – with limited exceptions – built for the car, Hong Kong has the highest use of public transport in the world, Japan has a great rail network, and in the Netherlands, cycling is practical even for inter-city journeys.

By plane
For distances of over 500 km, flying is usually the fastest mode of transportation. Crossing an ocean or continent will take days by any other method, and flying is usually even cheaper in such cases. On the other hand, flying generally involves airport transfer, and dealing with security checks and baggage issues other travellers might not have to face. Where high speed rail is available, it is often a faster option than the plane, though not necessarily always cheaper. Shop around and see what best serves your needs.

Ticket purchase
Purchasing airline tickets can involve a mind-numbing array of fare classes, date restrictions, and price options. Two travelers sitting next to one another on a plane have almost always paid different fares. Finding the cheapest route and best prices can be a challenge. Specialised search engines will help you. Your local travel agent may also be able to find you cheaper flights than are offered online.

Cabin classes

Airline travel varies from cramped economy cabins to large suites that may even offer a full-length bed. Prices vary according to class of service, but frequent flyer status and other methods offer ways of sometimes getting upgraded travel without the upgraded price.

Round the world flights
Several airlines offer round-the-world flights, with a number of stops on the way. If you want to see several locations far from home, this is sometimes the best way. Options and flexibility vary between the different schemes.

Security issues
Airport security has become more strict in the 21st century, and offers a host of hassles for travelers. Arriving at the airport in time to make it through security checks, carrying the proper documentation and avoiding transits through countries with strict security constraints are all considerations on a trip by air.

General aviation
Travelling at the controls of a small plane as a private pilot can be one of the most fulfilling travel experiences possible. You get to see the world from a perspective entirely different from the ground or from commercial aviation. Most parts of the world have some form of general aviation; in Western countries such as the United States and Europe small airports are everywhere. Costs are somewhat higher than commercial airline seats; travel time is less than by car but usually somewhat more than by airline. On the other hand, when the costs of operating a light plane are shared between the pilot and passengers, it can be a surprisingly economical way of getting around. Becoming a pilot can take a significant amount of time and money, but most will agree the rewards are outstanding; for most travel pilots the journey is the reward.

A few business travellers fly aboard corporate aircraft, small planes owned by their employers. A helicopter is a necessity for offshore oil platform operators and some mining and resource firms.

Bush planes
A few small communities in remote locations (such as Alaska or the Canadian High Arctic) rely on small aircraft to bring supplies or postal service; often these are scheduled runs in small aircraft (like those used for charter service or general aviation, some may even be float planes which land at sea) to expensive-to-reach points far from the beaten path. There are still some communities outside the arctic best or only reached by air, mostly in Australia and developing countries. The name stems from the "bush" meaning the sparsely populated areas in e.g. much of Africa.

Air charter
Air charter is the official name for air taxi operations, for which national aviation regulators impose specific regulations for pilot qualifications and experience, safety, and maintenance.

Air charter companies fly point-to-point, at the time requested by hiring customers, so that customers don't need to wait in-line at major hub airports. Air charter companies often fly smaller aircraft with room for 3-9 (or more) passengers. Aircraft with more than 9 passengers start to fall into the "commuter" size range, subjecting them to extra requirements and costs. The VLJ (very light jet) aircraft being delivered by Eclipse Aviation and others typically seat 4-5 passengers, and offer a new set of choices for point-to-point flights.

By train

Travel by rail often invokes a past era, with tracks winding through mountains and forests, comforts including dining cars and sleeper cabins, and other amenities not available to air and motor travelers.

While heritage dating back to the 19th century can be found in Europe and some Asian countries (South Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan) as well, the high speed trains, which beat cars hands down in terms of speed, have nothing nostalgic about them, but rather, they are cutting-edge technologies and the pride of their creators. Although the price of a ticket might reflect that, they are often not more expensive than flying (and may end up being cheaper than driving) on short (less than 1,000 km) routes and the experience of whisking through picturesque landscapes at more than 300 km per hour (or 200 miles per hour) may well be worth the cost. As one famous slogan for one of the first high speed rail services said: flying at altitude zero. Just sit back and relax. Oh and the dining cars and even sleepers? The former are still available on many high speed lines and the latter on a few. High speed rail is also the safest mode of travel, as accidents on these lines are seen as a national disgrace in most countries and safety standards are tough.

Regardless of speed most trains around the world also offer more legroom than all but first class airline seats. Food (regardless whether cooked on board or from your lunch box) also tastes better aboard a train, as the lower air pressure and dry air in planes affects your taste buds.

For more in-depth information see:

 * Tips for rail travel – If you have never been on a train, look no further than this article.
 * High-speed rail – These high-tech trains are often faster than flying.
 * Sleeper trains – A comfortable way to combine travelling with a place to sleep.
 * Urban rail – Love it or hate it, almost all self-respecting metropolises in the world have some form of it. Usually they are fast, cheap and reliable.
 * Urban rail adventures – Distinctive and unique urban rail systems around the world.
 * Amtrak – America's much laughed about intercity-rail operator is slowly coming into its own with a steady growth in passengers as well as the "crown jewel" Northeast Corridor (Boston–Washington) where trains are giving the airlines a run for their money.
 * Rail travel in Europe – For one of the most extensive, cheap and user-friendly train networks.
 * Rail travel in Japan – The original bullet trains. You get top speed, but you have to pay top price.
 * Rail travel in China – Comprising the longest high-speed rail network in the world, including the world's only high-speed sleeper trains.

By boat

Boat travel used to be the fastest way to travel around the world from ancient times until the railways developed in the 19th century.

Ferries
Ferries are all but essential to reach islands such as Ireland or Newfoundland, which otherwise would only be accessible by air travel. Ferries also sail along rivers and cross seas. Coastal ferries follow the shoreline providing a scenic and comfortable means or travel, or to supply the most remote outposts, small coastal villages with no intercity road network. Some ferries also carry cars and there are still a few ferries around that carry trains, though the rise of air travel and the increasing availability of tunnels and bridges have made those a rare sight in passenger transport.

 * Ferries in the Mediterranean
 * Ferries in the Red Sea
 * Ferries to Baja California
 * Ferry routes to Great Britain
 * Ferries in the Baltic – probably the best and likely the biggest ferries in the world at surprisingly affordable prices
 * Hurtigruten along the Norwegian coast

Cruise ships
Cruise ships range in size from vessels holding a handful of passengers to floating cities that hold thousands of passengers and offer all of the amenities that one would expect of a luxury resort. They provide access to nice destinations and can sometimes be used to cross a sea or even ocean as part of a longer journey.

Freighter travel
A less crowded, sometimes cheaper, alternative for crossing a sea or ocean, not using airplanes or commercial cruise ships or ferries.

Yacht charter
Yacht chartering is the best kept secret in the holiday industry. It is where you hire a yacht (either a sailing yacht or a motor yacht) and sail in a different part of the world each year. As well as the flexibility it offers it can also be surprisingly excellent value for money, often working out cheaper than booking hotel rooms, especially if there are a good number of people going on holiday together. It also usually works out cheaper than owning your own yacht if you charter for up to six weeks a year. In order to charter a yacht you may need to demonstrate that you have a qualified skipper and at least one competent crew member. if you are not able to supply your own skipper (this is known as "bare-boat charter") you can pay to have one supplied, which is known as a "skippered" or "crewed" charter. Popular locations include Croatia, Greece, Seychelles, Turkey, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Whitsunday Islands. You could also try the Baltic Sea or the inner waterways of Western Europe.

Houseboat rental is an option in some regions, such as the Thousand Islands and the Kawarthas in Canada.

Hitchhiking boats
Some have a yacht but lack a crew. On some routes this is a common occurrence, and you might get a memorable (seldom free) voyage across some body of water. Having experience or key skills is an advantage, but often the right attitude is enough. The downside is that finding the yacht can take some (or plenty) time, space is limited, and yachts are hardly the fastest option.

Animal-powered travel
Horse riding is a pastime in many countries, and remains the most practical mode of transportation in some areas.

Carriages and stagecoaches drawn by horses or other animals can be used as a recreational vehicle.

Bus travel
Rarely the most glamorous or even the most comfortable way to get around, buses are often the cheapest option except walking, and indispensable in low income regions such as Central America or South East Asia. Almost any inhabited place on Earth has some form of bus service either local or inter-city, either every five minutes or once a month. While the bus ride is usually not the thing you write home about, knowing how to get from A to B is the first thing you should consider when planning your trip. And for some the journey is indeed the destination and even a ride in a battered up old school-bus can be reason to travel all by itself. Whatever there may be to say against bus travel, it is for sure one of the best ways to meet the locals and start a conversation. Brush up on the local languages or print out a Phrasebook.

Cycling

Cycling trips can range from your daily commute or the ride to the grocer to adventures that last for months, with the cyclist using manpower to traverse the countryside. Some newer bicycles also offer assistance through an auxiliary electric motor, but on longer trips the recharging of the battery will almost certainly fall back on your muscle power, much like a hybrid car recharges its battery through recuperative breaking. While cycling can be frustrating in places that lack infrastructure for it, it can be a very rewarding way of seeing the landscape up close and getting you to places you would never have gotten to otherwise. City cycling offers a wider range than walking while still preserving the advantage of enabling you to stop and look around or enter any interesting place you might find without having to look for parking.

 * Urban cycling – the fastest method of transportation in the likes of Amsterdam, Erlangen or Portland (Oregon) and still the cheapest in many others
 * Tour cycling – You want to get your trusty old two wheels back in shape ahead of that cross-continental trip? That and more is covered here
 * Mountain biking
 * Cycling in Europe – from a good way to get around to more of a leisure activity, cycling in Europe runs the whole spectrum
 * Personal electric vehicles including electric bicycles and scooters
 * Flying with bicycles - advice for taking your bike as flight baggage

Driving
In some countries such as the United States a car is a nearly indispensable tool for travel. Cars allow plenty of baggage and flexibility in destination planning, but require maintenance, insurance, and valid driving permits. They are also usually one of the more expensive modes of travel, all things considered, and raise environmental concerns.

Driving is the obvious choice, if not the only option in many places, for countryside destinations and outdoor life, far from congested city streets.

Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is an inexpensive and sometimes dangerous way to get from one place to another. Hitchhiking has its own codes and rules, and can be an effective and enjoyable means of travel for some.

Motorcycling
Traveling by motorcycle enables you to enjoy the surroundings you travel through in at a completely different level than if you'd travel by car, while you can travel further and faster than on a regular bike.

 * Motorcycle touring, specific advice for long road trips on a motorcycle

Ride hailing services
Ride hailing services emerged as commercially organised ride sharing services, but now work more or less as taxis called by a smart phone app. In some countries they follow taxi legislation, in others they are less regulated. The drivers more often work part-time and the cars may be less standardised than the typical taxis.

Ride sharing
Ride sharing is where a ride is arranged in advance and expenses are shared. You can use websites and apps to see when rides are offered. In some countries it's more known as carpooling. In its pure form, the driver is driving anyway and pays their share of the costs.

Shared intercity taxis
Some countries have these, sometimes known as minivans but more often by a local name. They usually depart when every seat is taken. And usually you can pay for a second seat if you like more space or an earlier departure.

Taxis

Taxis are usually convenient for door-to-door-rides. It might however get costly, especially in high-income countries. They may still be used also over long distances, in low income countries or where there are few alternatives.

Motorcycle and tricycle taxis (rickshaws) are available in some countries, usually cheaper than taxis, however you will have to bargain with the driver.

Public transportation
Public transportation can consist of buses, urban rail systems, or more exotic vehicles, such as funiculars or local ferries. It is usually the most practical way to get around large cities.

While it is usually cheaper than a taxi or a car, comfort and reliability vary a lot between cities.

Unlike car or plane travel, frequency is a key consideration when it comes to public transportation and is easy to overlook for travellers used to driving. For services within a city, town, or metro area, if frequencies are better than about once every 20 minutes, you're likely to feel that you can get around flexibly: just go to the station when you feel like it and a bus or train will come soon enough. If frequencies are much lower, you tend to need to look at the schedule in advance and this makes any outing more complicated to plan.

Specific cities and regions

 * Trams in Melbourne
 * Bay Area public transit
 * Public transport in Stockholm County
 * Public transport in Sydney
 * Australia without a car
 * United States without a car

On foot
Cross-country skiing, ice skating, and hiking are not the fastest way to get around, but can be very rewarding.

title: Transportation


text:
Travel writing

So you want to be a travel writer. It sounds like a dream job: free vacations to exotic far-off lands, a fat corporate credit card for paying all your expenses, a big paycheck as reward and your name on the spine of books at every airport in the world. Another advantage is that much of the work can be done as a digital nomad; you write on your laptop in a café in some interesting place and submit the work over the Internet.

Alas, many others think so too, making travel writing one of the most brutally competitive and poorly paid professions around: an accepted and published two-page article in an average publication may net you around US$150. Now figure out how many you'll need to sell to make minimum wage, and you'll realize that very few people can scrape together a living from it, much less get rich, and it's difficult to even get your foot in the door with so many others vying for the same jobs.

Social media have provided amateur travel writers and bloggers with an audience; those who assemble unusually many readers can get monetization, but for most people it remains a hobby.

Understand

"Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller."

- Attributed to Ibn Battuta

An aspiring travel writer will need at least the following skills:
 * Excellent English (or whatever language you will use). No employer will pay for a copyeditor to clean up your grammar.
 * Photography skills. Most assignments are a one-man show, and you'll need to be able to take the pictures to accompany your story. You may also make a little extra income from this. See travel photography for more.
 * Selling yourself. Assignments pay peanuts, so you need to collect a lot of peanuts from a lot of different places.

Write
Travel writing has specific requirements.

 * Find an interesting angle. "My Tour of Bangkok" or "London is Really Expensive" is not interesting; "Bangkok's Best Markets" or "Free Museums in London" will catch a few more readers' eyes.  Your editor will usually require that you come up with the angle before they sign you up.
 * Write short. Unless you're writing a book (and you probably shouldn't), publishers expect short, concise pieces of a page or two.  That means 250-500 to 800-1000 words.
 * Write concise. Your readers don't need to know that you boarded a plane or took a taxi from the airport, and any story that starts by saying so will be rejected off the bat.  Focus on the core of the story.  (Tight word counts help.)

Sell
Making a living from any form of travel writing is difficult; there is a lot of competition, it is difficult to get noticed, and it rarely pays well even if your material is popular. It is significantly easier to do that if you are living in a low-cost country; see retiring abroad for some discussion.

Books
You've sweat blood and tears perfecting your travel diary, the magnum opus My Summer Holiday in the Podunks. Will publishers tear it out of your hands and compete for offering the highest advance? In a word, no. Book-length travel writing is as hard as becoming a published fiction author, only more difficult, because everybody thinks they can do it. Writing a travel book can be a rewarding personal experience, but unlikely to monetarily pay off.

Writing the book is usually the easiest part. Finding a literary agent and viable publisher are typically excruciating uphill battles.

This being said, there are no shortage of vanity presses that will offer to copyedit, publish and market your book to appeal to your ego, for typically hefty upfront cost. After all, if the book will never break even, there's more far money to be made in selling value-added services to gullible authors than to sell books to readers. If you want to just publish a few copies for your friends and family, look into a print-on-demand self-publishing service. They will probably even sell your book online for you, and who knows? Maybe you are the one in a million that makes it.

Guidebooks
Writing guidebooks (lots of them) can pay enough to be a job, but it's hard, monotonous work reviewing every identikit concrete barracks in Bangkok/Khao San Road. And with Wikivoyage lapping at their heels, how long can traditional guidebooks sustain themselves?

 * Let's Go. Employs only full-time Harvard students, but if you are one and are interested you have a pretty good shot.
 * Moon Handbooks. One of the only large guidebook companies which still pays royalties and allows authors to own the copyright to their book.

Magazines
Lots of magazines and newspapers write about travel, and this is probably your best bet. However, there are many types with slight differences, and it's worth paying heed to them.

Dedicated travel magazines run the gamut from high-end glossies like Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler to backpacker operations like Farang. Instead of aiming for the big names or the all-purpose titles, which probably already have better writers than you going to more interesting places than you, aim a step below at smaller, regional, more targeted magazines such as Asia Spa or Ski Canada and many others. The obvious downside is that, as in trade magazines (see below), you'll need more than a passing familiarity with the special interest in question.

Online travel magazines are another option for breaking into travel writing. Websites can include everything from highlighting worldwide locations like Brave New Traveler or Destination Deluxe to articles focusing on particular story angles such as 52 Perfect Days where all articles are written based on how to spend a perfect day or evening.

Online travel blog-a-zines websties have a completely independent and still professional approach to several topics about travelling such as destinations, resources, news, etc.

In-flight magazines, found for free in every major airline's seat pocket, are also all about travel writing. However, their function is to get people interested and drive up sales, so articles have to be enticing and gloss over bad points. The upside is that, if hired, you can expect to get free tickets to your destination (you're limited to where the airline flies, of course), free accommodation from advertisers (you'll be expected to write a glowing review) and, if you're lucky, free elephant treks, river rafting or whatever is the expensive, touristy thing to do at your destination (ditto). The magazine will pay you freelance writer rates, and all other expenses come out of your pocket.

Trade magazines focus on entirely different industries from travel, but as people like to keep abreast of what's happening elsewhere in the world, they're often interested in travel reports. The range of these is incredible: the Masonry Magazine runs a regular feature called "Masonry Around the Nation", reporting on what kind of interesting buildings have been built from bricks. The flip sides, though, are that they're not going to pay for you to travel and that you need to be familiar with the industry in question (or good enough at interviews to be able to fake it).

Newspapers often have travel sections and they may be interested in freelance work, especially if you can work in an angle that somehow relates to the home city. Again, local newspapers are easier (and pay less).

Blogging
The easiest way to get started in the business of travel writing is to hone your skills on an established travel blog website. After you become comfortable with formatting and editing on the web, then later, you might create your own website.

If you're good with video, you can also start a vlog and give viewers a more lively view of your travels. Video sites have partnership programs and you may eventually even get a company to sponsor you.

Like other forms of travel writing, out of all travel bloggers and vloggers just a fraction succeed in making a living from it.

Common revenue streams from blogging include ad placement revenue, in addition to affiliate marketing. A common (if not saturated) lucrative affiliate marketing strategy is to pitch financial products intended for casual travelers, such as travel credit cards and travel points programs. In markets such as the United States, affiliate bonuses can be hundreds of US dollars per successful conversion. The saturation of affiliate financial products marketing has created a cottage industry of blogs devoted to frequent flyer programs and credit card churning.

title: Travel writing


text:
Travemünde

Travemünde is the closest of the boroughs of Lübeck to the Baltic Sea. As the name suggests, it is at the mouth of the river Trave. For hundreds of years, Travemünde has been a popular seaside resort and harbour on the German Baltic coast of Schleswig-Holstein. Daily passenger and cargo ferries leave to Scandinavia and the Baltic states but the pristine white beach and the rich history encourages people to stay. The town is trying to build a new future as a tourist destination to avoid the fate of many faceless ports.

Understand
The town was founded in 1187 on the delta of the river Trave. Since 1329 Travemünde has been part of Lübeck but it always maintained its cultural independence. During the times of the medieval Hanseatic League in the Baltic Sea, Travemünde blossomed into a growing village for the first time. Travemünde lost its relative importance with the decline of the Hanse from the 15th to the 18th century. Since 1802 Travemünde has been allowed to label itself Seebad (literally seaside resort) and tourism has been its main source of income. Its fame as a major nightlife and flashy high society meeting point ended with the world wars. Unlike nearby Lübeck, Travemünde was spared the major destruction of World War II, but the town wound up directly on the front lines of the Cold War after the partition of Germany. Until 1989 the inter-German border was behind the Priwall (which belonged to the East German state Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania) and most of the beach on the Priwall side was a military area and off-limits to the public. The Priwall was developed after the reunification but differences can still be witnessed today. Also ecologists prevented the complete development of the Priwall to allow nature to maintain its part of the area.

Today about 13,500 people live here and it is an important port town. Even during the German separation, Travemünde remained well known to most Germans, for its being part of the historic Hanse city pact, and for the novel "Buddenbrooks" which took place in parts in the town. To commemorate the local Mann family (Thomas Mann was Nobel laureate in 1929) there is still today a Buddenbrook house in Travemünde. The old town has maintained its sleepy character despite the fact that at weekends there are loads of tourists.

Get in
Travemünde is a port town, so traffic is always an issue when roll-on, roll-off vessels arrive in the harbour or when drivers are rushing to catch a ferry. Most visitors drive directly to Skandinavienkai to get on the ferry. Travemünde has two major stations and Autobahn exits to separate the traffic for the port and the town. Traffic control prohibits almost all ways between the town and the port. If you want to see the ships it is best to use a bike or the train as cars have to take a big detour around town.

By train
All trains travel from Lübeck's main station to Travemünde, operated by Deutsche Bahn. The schedule is based on peak/off-peak times and for special occasions, e.g. Travemünder Woche, a special schedule will be displayed.

There are three railway stations in Travemünde.

By car
Use Autobahn A1 until you pass Bad Schwartau, then A226 or B76. Travemünde is directly connected to Lübeck (20 min) and Hamburg (1 hr).

By boat
To travel between Lübeck Hbf and Skandinavienkai Terminal, take buses ##30, 31, or 40. You can also take the local train to station Lübeck-Travemünde Skandinavienkai, then switch to bus 30 or 40, which runs every 15 minutes. Although the station is right next to the ferry terminal, it is not allowed to walk in. You have to take the bus one stop.

Several ferries and cargo ships travel to other ports in the Baltic Sea and, especially in the summer, they are willing to take travellers on board.

Get around
The main street, Vorderreihe, and the sea promenade of Travemünde are reserved for pedestrians and cyclists. There are buses that run to the town (every two hours) and the connection point is the train station. Riding a bike or walking is usually preferable as most of the streets are narrow and often get congested with cars driven by inexperienced drivers.

See
The old town of Travemünde is almost unchanged over the centuries and gives an impression of how people on the German Baltic Sea shore built their communities in the past. It is structured like a ship (streets have names like "starboard" and "port side"), and it is best discovered on foot. It is bounded by the Kaiserallee and the Vorderreihe. Depending on your interests, Kurgartenstraße, Vogteistraße, Godewind, Fallrepp, Backbord und Steuerbord will probably be the most important streets for you. Most public buildings can be visited, and private buildings that are active in the tourism industry welcome visitors. Signs saying Kein Eintritt, Privatgelände (no entry, private property) indicate that you are not welcome. The area between Vogteistraße and Vorderreihe is focused on tourism with loads of shops, bars and restaurants while the area between Godewind and Kaiserallee in more residential/living oriented.

Eat
There are countless restaurants in summer but during the week and off season most places are closed. The best known cafe is Niederegger in the Vorderreihe with its street-level and 1st floor cafe.

Drink
The Casino was one of the oldest German casinos (founded in 1816) and rose to fame after the World War II, when Aristoteles Onassis was one of the guests and Josephine Baker sang in the night club. Since it closed in 2012, places to wear neat dresses are limited. The Hotel Maritim does have the Nightsailor bar but it caters primarily to the hotel's guests and is rather small. Nightlife is continuously changing and focussing more on parents and families and pensioners. If you want serious clubbing, bars or nightlife action, then you will need to travel to Lübeck or even Hamburg.

There are several small bars in the fishing port and the old town that are only open during the summer. So drink a cocktail and move to the next bar until you have found your preferred place but most places close latest by 01:00.

Sleep
There are a lot of holiday apartments for rent. During summer, the town is very busy and reservations are essential. If you do not plan to stay for at least a week, hotels are another option.

Travemünde's tourist office is ready to help with finding accommodation, they have big list of options to stay, mostly at local's homes.

Budget
If you are on a tight budget, it is better stay in Lübeck because Travemünde isn't cheap and has fewer choices of accommodation. There are good and cheap youth hostels in the small village Brodten and in Lübeck. The regular youth hostel was closed in 2007.

Connect
Travemünde is very well covered by German GSM/3G/4G providers and, due to intensive tourism, the infrastructure is sufficient at all times. Most Germans with smartphones have flat rates for Internet on their smartphone due to the relatively cheap prices (starting from €10 per month). There are two internet cafés and the tourist office also offers public Internet access at low rates. Wi-Fi is not so widespread, due to legal limitations.

Cope
The hospital at Priwall closed in 2004 but there is still a medical centre in Travemünde and several General Practitioners are located in town. Lübeck has an extensive university clinical centre and all medical facilities. Being a port town, Travemünde has a police station, coast guard, sea rescue service and a customs office.

Go next

 * Hamburg is about 1-1½ hr away by car or train.
 * Kiel, the state capital of Schleswig-Holstein, is about one hour away by car or two hours by train.

title: Travemünde


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Traverse City

Traverse City is a scenic city on the Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan. Directly north of Traverse City, the Old Mission Peninsula splits the Grand Traverse Bay in two, with a beautiful windswept landscape and great views of the bay on either side. Slightly to the west, the Leelanau Peninsula, with its charming small towns, forms the "pinkie finger" of the Michigan peninsula, jutting into Lake Michigan. Both peninsulas are prime winemaking regions within the state, and as such are one of the main tourist attractions in the region. Over a million visitors come each year to tour the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a scenic lakeside park with impressively large sand dunes. It's also a very popular destination for outdoor activities, owing to the proximity of Lake Michigan in summer, the impressive autumn colors, and the high snowfalls in winter.

Understand
Traverse City is a city of 16,000 people (as of 2018) founded in 1852 in the Grand Traverse Bay Area of Northern Michigan. It is known as the "Cherry Capital of the World"; around 75 percent of the nation's cherries are grown in Michigan, and most of those come from the Traverse City area.

By car

 * Traverse City is on US-31 between Manistee and Charlevoix.

By bus

 * Indian Trails provides daily bus service from St. Ignace, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo with connection to Greyhound service.

By plane

 * The nearest alternate airport is in Grand Rapids, about 2 3/4 hours south by car, where lower fares are often available.
 * The nearest alternate airport is in Grand Rapids, about 2 3/4 hours south by car, where lower fares are often available.

Get around

 * Rental cars are available at Traverse City airport; however, they tend to be expensive.
 * Rental cars are available at Traverse City airport; however, they tend to be expensive.

See

 * North of Traverse City is one of the area's lighthouses:

Outdoor activities

 * Farmers Markets of Downtown Traverse Sara Hardy Farmers Market, GT Commons Market.

Fishing charters
Your in one of the best salmon, steelhead and trout fly fishing areas in the Midwest as well as North America.

Eat

Wineries
Wineries are scattered throughout two areas - the Old Mission Peninsula north of Traverse City, and on the Leelanau Peninsula northwest of Traverse City. They are situated on the 45th parallel which provides excellent climate conditions for growing wine grapes. Tasting room tours are popular diversions on both peninsulas any time of the year and are a great way to explore the territory.

The five wineries in the Traverse City area are all located about halfway up the Old Mission Peninsula, just north of the city via US-31.

Sleep
Traverse City's "Motel Mile" is along US-31 between 3 Mile Road and 4 Mile Road, although you'll find lots of places to stay at just about any point along the waterfront, from downtown continuing east to 5 Mile Road.

Bed and Breakfasts

 * Cedar Creek Bed and Breakfast, 7651 East Timberwoods.
 * Chateau Chantal Bed and Breakfast, 15900 Rue de Vin. 3 rooms. Average price $247.
 * Cedar Creek Bed and Breakfast, 7651 East Timberwoods.
 * Chateau Chantal Bed and Breakfast, 15900 Rue de Vin. 3 rooms. Average price $247.

Go next

 * The Leelanau Peninsula is northwest on M-22 and M-72.
 * The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is about 30 minutes west on MI-72.
 * Frankfort is about 1 hour west on US-31.
 * Charlevoix is about 1 hour north on US-31.
 * Petoskey is about 1.5 hours north on US-31.
 * Manistee is about 1.5 hours south on US-31.
 * Interlochen is 20 minutes southwest on M-137.
 * North and South Manitou Islands are about 2 hours northwest on MI-204 and ferry.
 * Beaver Island is about 4 hours north on US-31 and ferry.

title: Traverse City


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Tra Vinh

Tra Vinh is a city in southern Vietnam.

Get in
There are direct minibuses from Ho Chi Minh city. Another option is to arrive by boat. Either a private charter or you can try to get on a cargo boat from Ben Tre.

Get around
The centre itself is small enough to cover on foot. To explore the greater area you can rent a bike from the tourist office or via some hotels.

The tourist office sells a map (20,000 dong, Jan 2012) which covers both the city and Tra Vinh Province.

There is a place to rent motorbikes on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai 42B (about 5-10 minute walk from the centre). The shop is called Nguyet. Price for a decent automatic is 200,000 dong, a manual transmission is 100,000-150,000 dong. (Jan 2012)

See
There is a big market right in the centre. The city also has some Khmer pagodas.

Do
Explore the centre on foot, or rent a bike to see the province of Tra Vinh. The beach is supposed to be one of the nicest in the Mekong Delta.

Go next

 * Vinh Long

title: Tra Vinh


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Trawas

Trawas is a small mountainous district in East Java, about 1.5 hours by car from Surabaya, the capital city. Surabayanese people often visit this place on weekends to get a "retreat" from a bustling and competitive life.

Understand
Trawas is located on the slope of Mount Welirang, 1150 m above sea level. It is located near two other mountain resorts, Tretes and Pacet.

Get in
The best way to get to Trawas is by car.

 * From Surabaya: Go to the Waru highway entrance and take the "Malang/Pasuruan" direction. Exit the highway/ toll road at the Sidoarjo checkpoint and continue to drive until you reach a junction (at Porong). Turn right and follow the sign to Gempol and keep driving until you see a sign on the right, stating "Tretes". The road will start to climb, rather steeply in some points, keep driving until you see a sign to Trawas (on the right side) which is a steep winding road.

BE CAREFUL: The road is very steep - probably at an angle of more than 45 degrees. Check the condition of your car's machine before driving to Trawas.

Get around
There is little, if any, public transport in Trawas. Visitors usually get around by car.

See

 * Mountainous terrain, rugged hills with pine trees and flowers.
 * Dlundung Waterfall
 * Jolotundo Temple, the ancient spring complex of Medang Kingdom.

Do

 * Sightseeing: lots of pine trees and flowers along the road. There are lots of nice villas (which can be rent, but even if you decide not to rent them, they are still nice to see)
 * Hiking

Eat
Soto Gondrong, on the way to Prigen and Tretes. It is a turmeric-coloured chicken soup with coconut milk and herbs.

Connect
The telephone area code for Trawas is 0321. (+62-321 for international calls)

Go next

 * Tretes, another mountainous resort of the same type
 * Pacet which is well known for its hot spring baths

title: Trawas


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Trbovlje

Trbovlje is a mining town in the heart of Slovenia. The archetypal East European mining town, Trbovlje's grim coal mines are best known for giving birth to Laibach, the Slovenian icon of industrial music. Still, the setting by the lovely Sava River makes it considerably less grim than you might expect, although the giant Lafarge cement mill doesn't exactly improve the view.

Get in
Trbovlje is just 50 minutes (€4) from Ljubljana by train, along the line to Zidani Most and Zagreb. Commuter services run hourly. The train station is about 5 km south of the center, but buses meet all incoming trains (310 SIT).

Get around
Trbovlje is rather stretched out along a north-south axis, the main road being called Trg revolucije to the south and Trg svobode to the north. You can either hike on foot or hop on the next bus that comes along (no signposted schedules, but they run every 30 min or so).

See

 * Mining Museum (Zasavski muzej), Ulica 1. junija. A provincial museum devoted to Trbovlje's raison d'etre, coal mining.  The first floor showcases (mostly bad) art by local miners, the second has exhibits on Trbovlje's history and development (explanations only in Slovene, alas), and the third has some rather interesting mining-themed sculptures and etchings by Stojan Matič.  Open M F 08:00-13:00, Tu-Th 08:00-18:00, Sa 09:00-12:00.  Free entry.

Eat

 * Restavracija Dimnik, Obrtniška cesta 1. Local restaurant that serves up pizzas and horsemeat dishes.  Closed Sundays.

Drink

 * Bar Vagonček, at the train station. Basic drinks and plastic-wrapped sandwiches to munch on while you wait for your train.

title: Trbovlje


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Trégor

Trégor is one of the nicest provinces of Brittany and the Côtes-d'Armor. Trégor is famous for its cute beaches with huge pink granite rocks, and small cities with colourful traditional houses.

Cities

 * La Roche Derrien – A "Petite Cité de Caractère", i.e. a beautiful little town where the market square is lined with medieval wooden buildings. Famous for being where the 100 year war ended, you can visit the chapel where the English were camped out, walk along to the Castel Du where the Bretons were. It is famous for the mills where flax was processed before being carded and spun to be exported throughout the world.

 * Lannion – It has a cute city center.

 * Guigamp – Has an impressive church, castle ruins, and is a very pleasant city to walk around.

 * Morlaix – Has a small harbour at the bottom of a breathtaking valley opening to the sea.

 * Pleumeur-Bodou – Famous for its space and telecommunications museum and bronze-age gallery graves.

 * Perros-Guirec, Trébeurden, Trégastel are all appreciated for their beaches and nautical activities.

Understand

Its capital is Tréguier, a "Petite Cité de Caractère", this beautiful town offers a wealth of history, a beautiful cathedral, several places to eat and drink, a great market and seaside location. The patron Saint Yves is well known for his works with the poor and needy in times gone by, he was the patron of Brittany, lawyers and abandoned children.

Get in
TGV from Paris to Guingamp, Plouaret, Lannion or Morlaix.

See
In Tréguier the beautiful cathedral is a must see, accessible to all, with lots of stained glass, beautiful organ, several crypts and the cloisters.

The islands are a major attraction, there are hundreds but the most famous are the Sept Iles, where many birds can be seen. Boat tours are available from Trégastel and Trestraou.

Do

 * Visit the "Maison Musée Ernest Renan" museum in Tréguier
 * Rafting in Lannion
 * Walk along the seaside in Trégastel, it is such a fractal-like shape that during 2 hours of walk you will see many different landscapes, and arrive pretty much at the place where you started.
 * Swim, kayak or windsurf in Perros-Guirec or Trégastel.
 * Aquarium in Trégastel
 * Birds and ecology museum in Ile Grande

Eat

 * Crêpes and galettes
 * Seafood

Sleep

title: Trégor


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Três Rios

Três Rios is a city in Rio de Janeiro (state).

Understand
Near the main highway between Rio de Janeiro (110 km) and Belo Horizonte, Três Rios can make a nice stop-over, also if you are visiting Petrópolis.

Get in

 * Three daily buses to São Paulo, 6,5 hours, R$ 60-90, by Cometa.
 * Buses every other hour to Rio de Janeiro, 2 hours, R$ 29, by Salutaris

Do
Just outside town, where the three rivers meet, there is a rustic hotel offering white water rafting. The hotel's surroundings are the habitat of a number of peculiar animals, including many large birds, confiscated by the government wildlife agency and let to live in this area.

Drink
Action mostly takes place on a strip at the riverfront, Friday and Saturday.

title: Três Rios