Say cheese.

February 7th, 2010

Ewen Bell - PhotographerI think I’m a pretty good photographer… then I see work from real travel photographers and I realise that I’m at best just better than average. I actually studied photography for five years (as part of my graphics degree), but I just don’t know all those little ‘tricks’ that can turn an average photo into an amazing photo. But there is help. Friend, and fellow Australian Society of Travel Writer member, Ewen Bell (that’s one of his photos above, not mine!) has recently started a website called Photography for Travellers and it’s full of great hints on how to take better travel shots. Ewen also leads photography tours to Nepal, China, and Cambodia and I’m hoping that because I’m plugging his new website and tours he might give me a free spot on one of his tours and help me take better photos in person!

Although I don’t consider myself a ‘great’ photographer here are some of my favourite shots from my travels (well, my most recent travels with a good digital camera at least because I can’t be bothered scanning all my old 35mm print photos).

Baucau, East Timor
Baucau, East Timor

Baucau, East Timor
Baucau, East Timor

Vientiane, Laos
Vientiane, Laos

Mürren, Switzerland
Mürren, Switzerland (and my daughter Jasmine)

Bagan, Burma
Bagan, Burma

Bedugul, Bali
Bedugul, Bali

Rangoon, Burma
Rangoon, Burma

Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Hervey Bay, Queensland
Hervey Bay, Queensland

Peterson, Minnesota, USA
Peterson, Minnesota, USA

Chicken fighting, Baucau, East Timor
Chicken fighting, Baucau, East Timor

Dili, East Timor
Dili, East Timor

2 Responses to “Say cheese.”

  • On February 11th, 2010 Epiphanie said:

    I absolutely love the contrast and the almost surreal visuals of the people upon the branches, overlooking the sea… the first photo evokes the mystery of people from a different culture for me, since the man is only a silhouette. It’s complemented perfectly by the second, in which the young people’s enthusiasm and sense of adventure is something I can readily relate to.

    I think a photo can often be improved by a tilt of the camera – thanks for reminding me to do it more often myself! :) It’s such a simple technique, but few people think of it. I like the sense of being in motion, and at odds with the ground. Also, you know that the camera was hand-held!

    The Bagan girl’s outfit is amazingly beautiful to see close up (see, I learnt something from Ewen’s site already :) ), and makes me want to go to Burma myself (not that it’s not already on my list)…

    From these photos, you seem to have a strong interest in capturing the locals as they’re going about their lives, or at special moments, preferably in atmospheric surrounds, and I think that’s more important than having perfect technical skills (though I think you’re doing great in that area as well). Hope to see more soon! :)

  • On February 12th, 2010 Brian Thacker said:

    Hi Epiphanie

    Thanks for the nice words about my shots. I do love the digital camera and it took me a while to get on to it because I wanted SLR (and they were so expensive in the beginning). What i love is that you can snap like crazy and experiment like crazy, which you just couldn’t do with film (unless you had lots of money to process them all!).

    cheers
    brian

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