Landscape Photography Adventure

Be prepared for an Adventure and get hooked for Life.

Why do people travel today? Truth is we all like to travel; only the reason differs for each individual person. Some do it for pleasure, relaxation, to learn something new or for a life changing experience. Others do it for business or to visit families and friends who live far away.

Travelling has certainly reached a peak never seen before as a result of primarily the extraordinary technological advancements particularly in the transportation industry (cars, planes, trains…). In particular one sector that is growing by leaps and bounds is adventure travel.

What is adventure travel? Why do people seek adventure?

Nowadays many people aren’t satisfied just to "sit at the beach", they want to be actively involved, get their feet wet and their hands dirty; they seek different kinds of vacations; in short they want an adventure.

Statistics show that the worldwide interest in adventure travel has increased dramatically, boosted by advancements in new technical consumer products, like GPS (Global Positioning Systems), and other developments like digital photography.

While travelling is very clear-cut, since every traveller wants to have some fun and experience something new, everyone describes adventure travel differently. Generally adventure travel is defined as a tourist activity which includes a combination of the following 3 factors:

• Physical activity
• Interaction with nature
• Cultural exchange

Carolin Bennet Patterson

Who does do it?

These are the experienced and inexperienced travellers exploring known and unknown paths trying to find new experiences for varying reasons.

Now, what has all this got to do with landscape photography?

As landscape photographers we transform travelling into an adventure. We explore and experience the beautiful vistas in different countries of this world in different ways (the eye of the photographer), and we capture the essence and beauty of theses magnificent views to the best of our abilities and know-how with our cameras.

An example of a photographer turned adventure photographer is Galen Avery Rowell. Galen was wellknown as a wilderness photographer and climber. After becoming a full-time photographer he pioneered the art of adventure photography.

Galen Rowell's Vision: The Art of Adventure Photography

Galen Rowell's Inner Game of Outdoor Photography

So the challenge is now to integrate adventure travel with landscape photography and to get the most out of it.

Following are some tips to jumpstart your Travel Photography Adventure:

• An amazing travel photography adventure starts with a great destination. Choose your destination carefully and find out as much as you can. Do a lot of research and get hold of resources you’ll need to plan your photography expedition.
• Choose an outdoor activity you enjoy and fancy the most or are the most experienced in and make optimum use of the landscape photography adventure opportunities it has to offer. After all somewhere you will have to stop and take a break. It’s a matter of choosing the right ( and safe ) moments and taking your best shots.

Examples of related Outdoor Activities:

Hiking Biking Backpacking Rock and mountain climbing Horseback riding Whitewater rafting/Kayaking/Canoeing Rafting

Snowshoeing Skiing Trail running Mountaineering Dogsledding Ice climbing…..

And this is certainly not the end of the list.

• Ask friends and experts for advice.
• Approach a travel agent who specializes in adventure travel to get a general idea.
• Consider joining local adventure activities or escorted or guided tours for experience and information, if you want to get your feet wet first.
• Do you want to go alone or with a group?

  With a group:

  Although a good way to start, since almost everything is taken care of ( booking, accomodation, tours, very well-informed tour guides etc.), you will not have the opportunity for individual exploration.

  Travelling alone:

  If you decide to travel on your own, there is much more organizing work to do.

• Read adventure magazines like Outside and others
• Check out blogs for more informative ideas.
• When you decide to leave the "comfort zone" and venture out you will possibly come across many risky situations. It is important to remain highly aware of these dangers. This must be your primary concern all the time. Remember no photo is worth putting yourself and others in danger.

• Outside
• Backpacker
• Adventure

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