Photography is a powerful way of capturing lifelong memories, particularly when travelling. But it can be challenging with the variables in weather, subjects, equipment limitations and legal considerations. Our Introduction to Travel Photography is ideal for photojournalists, travel photographers or anyone who wants to improve their travel photography skills.

This travel photography course will teach you how to use photography equipment skilfully, to adjust settings on digital cameras, and to sense how types of film respond to different situations and colours, such as backlight, haze, side light and reflected light.

You will learn about camera techniques, such as positioning, framing, timing and borrowed landscapes to creating various effects. You will also gain tips on how to photograph natural areas, such as seascapes and wilderness shots, as well as indoor scenes and candid and posed streetscapes.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a travel photography course include:

• Learning how to travel with photo equipment and when to travel
• Exploring the law and travel photography, digital cameras and whether to choose digital or film
• Gaining an understanding of resources, cameras, films, filters, tripods and lenses and the best lenses for travel photography
• Studying data storage, specific digital terminology and travelling tips
• Examining the main principles of travel photography and compositions
• Learning how to get better photos, asking permission before photographing people and putting subjects in context
• Gaining insights into planning and preparation
• Learning about animal photography and photographing animals in captivity and in the wild
• Exploring how to photograph parks and gardens
• Gaining an understanding of photographing streetscapes
• Studying how to photograph buildings or architecture and photographing architecture at night
• Examining how to photograph street festivals and events and street shops and markets
• Understanding how to photograph interiors
• Attaining knowledge of museums, churches and places of worship
• Gaining insights into the interior photography for sharp images
• Learning about solutions if a room is dark and how to make a room look larger
• Exploring what to do if an interior appears unattractive
• Gaining an understanding of how to develop your photographic style
• Studying photographic atmosphere and themes
• Examining the photo essay and how to demonstrate styles
• Understanding how to use your work personally and professionally
• Attaining knowledge of how to improve or alter your work
• Gaining insights into copyright and storage and maintenance
• Exploring creating different effects including seasonal effects
• Gaining an understanding of viewpoints, aerial photography and photography on the move
• Studying how to create effects, lighting principles and natural light

And more!

Popular Global Photography Locations

With the introduction of social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, the popularity of travel photography has increased even more. If you dream of snapping your own amazing shots, you may be wondering what some of the most photographed places in the world are. Of course, this list is subjective, certainly not exhaustive and you may disagree with the order, but nevertheless, it is great inspiration for our travel photography course when the world opens up again to visitors. There’s nothing like a bit of preparation to hone your skills!

#1 – New York City

Before the advent of COVID, this iconic and popular tourist destination attracted over 65 million tourists from around the world every year. Famous New York landmarks include the Empire State Building, Central Park and the Statue of Liberty. But surprisingly, the honour of the most photographed landmark in the city goes to the Guggenheim Museum, which was designed by architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, and opened its doors in 1959. It houses an impressive collection of contemporary and modern art and is a stunning cylindrical building that features a continuous spiral ramp.

#2 – Paris, France

Paris is iconic for its landmark museums and cafes, but the photo that all budding photographers long to capture is theEiffel Tower. It was built as the grand entrance for the World Trade Fair of 1889. It was meant to be demolished in 1909 after the famous fair ended, but it was saved due to its amazing height. The city needed an antenna platform, and the iron beauty made for a great location. Many claim the best views are from the Trocadero platform. This is a great spot where you can get a front-on photo with this amazing piece of architecture.

#3 – London, UK

UK is a popular tourism destination for its photogenic landmarks including Big Ben. However, what you may not know is that Big Ben is only a nickname coined for the massive bell housed inside the tower. The Tower Bridge is also one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. In terms of capturing the best photos for these (because as you’ll learn in our travel photography course, location is super-important), many attest to Parliament Square for Big Ben and the observation deck at the Tower Bridge for stunning River Thames shots.

#4 – Rome, Italy

Rome is one of the most photographed places in the world and will be a favourite with those who do a travel photography course with hundreds of locations devoted to Catholicism in the city. And it’s hard to find a non-photogenic part of Rome — everywhere you look there are glorious cathedrals, fountains and classical architecture. Famous landmarks include the Trevi Fountain and of course the Colosseum, but also the Trinità dei Monti. This late Renaissance church sits at the top of the Spanish Steps, overlooking the Piazza di Spagna. Initially built in the 1500s, the church is now one of the most photographed places in all of Italy. Pope Pius VI unveiled the Sallustiano Obelisk, which stands in front of the church, in the late 18^th century.

#5 – Venice, Italy

Probably the most famous photographic spots in Venice is the Piazza San Marco. It is a popular square with the magnificent San Marco Basilica among other sites. Another iconic spot is the Rialto Bridge, particularly for some picture-perfect shots of gondolas parked at San Marco Square. Then there is the Bridge of Sighs and Academia Bridge, Piazza San Marco, and of course, the Grand Canal. If you are willing to travel further afield, you’ll find the islands of Murano and Burano. Murano is famous for its glassware and Burano absolutely full of colour, which makes it a wonderful place for photography. Lastly, another island, San Giorgio Maggiore, which lies beyond the eastern end of Canale della Giudecca.

#6 – Caminito, Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires has become one of the most photographed places in the world and is renowned for its colourful European-style architecture. One of the most popular locations is in Caminito. The word means “little walkway”and is a traditional alley and street museum that was built in the 1950s by artist Benito Quinquela Martin. Although only 100 meters long, it is the most photographed landmark in South America and has the added bonus of the opportunity to photograph tango-performing street artists for that authentic South American touch.

#7 – Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona may be famous for its tapas and beaches, but also for the Sagrada Familia church. Designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, his work on the building is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many of the photos on Instagram share views of f Park Güell which was built and designed by Antoni Gaudí. It is a privatised park system composed of gardens and architectural elements. Gaudí is famous for his use of colour, intricate designs and natural materials. The park was built from 1900 to 1914 and was officially opened as a public park in 1926. In 1984, UNESCO declared the park a World Heritage Site.

#8 – Budapest, Hungary

For one of the best views of Budapest make the trip up the top of Castle Hill on the Buda side of the River, Here you’ll find the neo-Romanesque terrace  known as Fisherman’s Bastion. The walkway on top of the terrace is one of the best viewing points in the city and offers stunning views across the Danube to the Pest side. The views of the Hungarian parliament are breathtaking. The Chain Bridge is also one of the most iconic landmarks in Budapest. It spans the Danube, linking Buda and Pest, and is absolutely beautiful with its majestic guardian lions protecting the bridge. Then there is St Stephen’s Basilica in the heart of the city. On a clear day, the views from its roof are breathtaking.

 

Gain the fundamental knowledge and skills to take beautiful travel photographs and develop your own photographic style with a travel photography course like our Introduction to Travel Photography.