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Create a travelogue through the lens of Brendan van Son and understand travel photography

Get enthralled with the adventures of traveling and photography, which increase the curiosity for the art. A well-clicked photograph deepens the thought behind…

UniquePhoto·Dec 19, 2014·5 min read

Create a travelogue through the lens of Brendan van Son and understand travel photography

Get enthralled with the adventures of traveling and photography, which increase the curiosity for the art. A well-clicked photograph deepens the thought behind pictures. More precisely, it showcases the parity between observation and conception. Travel photography is not only about various places, streets, landscapes, and scenery, but also about the people attached to these events. It features an array of observations that include human conditions, local cuisine and markets, varied ethnic customs, traditions, and more. While indulging in travel photography, it is crucial to look at minute details while planning the photographs. One needs to look at a more stratified construction of pictures, rather than obsolete combinations of photos. For making the pictures look more realistic and lifelike, use the natural light instead of flashlights. A complete research of the place you have visited will add to the positives. Most importantly, choosing the right camera and lens will give an edge to clicking premium photos. Exotic locations can be found anywhere, so look for art and fun in every frame. For polishing the skills, one needs to look beyond the world of imagination to print it on paper. Learning the art of travel photography cannot get any better than this, if you have the expert himself guiding on the topic.

After completing his degree in geography and political science, Brendan van Son headed to South America in 2008. His job and passion for travel allowed him to continue this desire of pursuing photography. For the last five years, Brendan has been working as a travel photographer and journalist. His work has been featured in a number of renowned publications, including The Guardian, BBC, and National Geographic Traveler. The editor-in-chief of Vagabundo magazine, he has spent nearly four years traveling the world, and has been to six of the seven continents. With a vast experience and extreme devotion to travel photography, van Son has rewritten the history of photography with absolute passion and fun. Let’s indulge in a conversation with this expert, and also visit the link to know some of his tips and advice on travel photography.

http://www.brendansadventures.com/travel-photography-workshops/peru-photography-2015/

Courtesy - Brendan van Son

1. Why did you choose travel photography as your niche?

Well, I started out as a travel writer, before taking photos professionally. I used the images for my travel articles. Quickly, I found people getting fonder of my images than my words, so I turned my focus to the lens, and I’m glad I did. I’ve always loved taking pictures and capturing places I visit. Though, I’m not sure if I could shoot anything other than travel. I get bored doing the same thing over and over. In fact, even in travel, if I’m shooting too many buildings or portraits, I start to get bored. The beauty of the travel niche, though, is that you can be shooting anything on any given day. You might be shooting portraits in the morning, markets midday, and landscapes in the afternoon. I love that variety.

2. Which is the best-suited lens for travel photography?

I don't think you can just go with one lens for travel photography, you need the range. Some people travel with zoom lenses like 18–200 mm on crop-sensor cameras to fix that issue, but I don't think the 18–200 mm is fast enough to do what I need. Personally, I rely on two lenses. I shoot with a 16–35 mm f/4 and 70–200 mm f/2.8, and don’t find much need for travel to go wider, or be zoomed in further. I also carry a 50 mm that helps fill the gap, and gives you the super wide-aperture look, which is great. I think if you have those three lenses as a travel photographer, you’ll never need anything else.

3. Christmas is perhaps the best time for the photographers to go out on a shoot. I would like to ask you where did you shoot last Christmas?

Last Christmas, I was in Bali, Indonesia. It wasn’t something all too different for me, as I haven’t been in Canada, or a winter-like country, for Christmas for five years before this one. Although I’m Canadian, I don’t do well at all with cold weather. I much prefer to be somewhere warm, and, yeah, I love taking pictures of snowy scenes and Christmas themes. I’d much rather be on the coast, watching the waves, or in the rain forest, spotting wildlife during the winter months. I know, I’m a bad Canadian, but I don’t like the cold at all.

4. What is your dream location for a Christmas shoot and why?

It’s got to be Finland or Norway. These are two places I haven’t been to, but look fabulous. The fjords, tiny villages, and opportunities to see the northern lights are so good up that way. I was asked to head up there for an assignment this past February, but I had to pass due to a conflict in my schedule, and I’m kind of kicking myself for that. I mean, winter in Lapland, what could be cooler than that?

Persistence and passion go hand-in-hand while creating a masterpiece and the same applies to the art of photography. Brendan van Son’s guidance in travel photography will help you to look beyond the preconceived notions and learn more tricks.