1. How many folks in the photo community would stretch their skills if they had more opportunity to do photography-specific trips as opposed to recreational travel?

2. Am I an anomaly for sometimes wanting to create a portfolio of beautiful imagery over always sharing experiences with my spouse?

3. How many would choose to partner up for travel dedicated to capturing the scenery over recreational travel with a spouse where photography is merely an adjunct?

4. Can we only justify travel solely for photography if we are ‘professionals’ making a living at it?





Your topic is very thought-provoking. I love photography and I love to travel to see new places and experience new and different cultures. As a kid, I was interested in photography, however, tools and travel were both very limited.

That all changed when I joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Europe. I saved some $ and got a good 35mm camera (a Minolta SRT-101). When stationed in Germany, our schedule was 2,2,2 & 80 (2 day shifts, 2 evenings, 2 mids and then 80 hours off). In Germany, you can go a lot of places in 80 hours and many of us took great advantage of that.

Most of us that traveled instead of just staying on base had cameras with us to record the places we visited. Most of my friends had cameras ... but I soon learned they were mostly "snapshot" takers, not photographers, even the ones that had really good cameras. This was in the early 70s, so the results of an outing were usually two weeks to a month after the event. I'm not sure why, but I almost never shot color film, I mostly shot slide film.

It's really hard to say if photography or travel was the purpose, I loved both. I really loved seeing new places and experiencing the different cultures, but I also loved to document those travels photographically. I was often taking photos of things my friends had no interest in and often found myself saying to them, "Don't worry, I'll catch up with you later." I have to say, 50 years on that most of my photos have held up pretty well.

A few years later, I got married and we took our Honeymoon in Europe with a Eur-rail Pass combined with a cruise to the Greek Islands. Of course, I took my camera. Unfortunately I spent a lot of time taking pictures and not enough time paying attention to my new bride. I brought home a lot of great photos, but at one point, after some words, I almost threw my camera into the Mediterranean Sea. Luckily I came to my senses, kept the camera but didn't take as many photos from that point on. Then, we had and raised, and home-schooled seven kids from K through high school. Didn't use my camera a whole lot during those years.

Now, when we travel, we plan on seeing lighthouses, old mills and other sights. My wife enjoys seeing those things, but she takes a book & her iPad along because she knows I'll be taking pictures long after she's seen what she wants to see. We also look up and plan to stop at quilt shops all along the way for her interest in that.

Diane, I don't know if you'll ever find another travel buddy in the future, but you sure have been blessed to have taken those nine trips out West. And I thank you for sharing the results with us here on the Hog.

When I travel, I love taking pictures to show to family and friends especially my parents who in their late 70's and early 80's and can't hike anymore. I enjoy showing them to my friends that travel who want to get away for a good time. I am not a great photographer but hopefully see the beauty of the places and will want to go there to. People have a tendency not to care about what they have not seen. So hopefully, my pictures will be good enough to portray the beauty of all the places I've been to other people.

No surprise but I never thought about it. I just never travel without a camera with the exception of business travel. And never have since I was nine which is pretty much the limit of my memory.

Since I have pretty much always worked in the defense industry and cameras including cell phones are not permitted. Long term business trips like six weeks in Australia being the exception. I took a point and shoot on a ten day trip to Japan. I didn’t know the Japanese typically schedule the first day off to recover from travel and for sightseeing in Tokyo. I wished I had brought a more capable DSLR.

I can’t imagine a trip that doesn’t provoke the desire to photograph but I think I don’t consider photography is selecting trips.

I’ll add that we travel as a full family. My wife who tolerates photography, my son who is physically handicapped and lives with us, my daughter and son-in-law who lives in WA on the other side of the country and myself. Now we add the grandchildren 7 and 9 1/2. Our son is in a manual wheelchair but that is less of a problem than you might think. Good tour companies are very accommodating especially once they know Scott will sit out dangerous or strenuous situations. We make a good team. My daughter typically has a better camera gear than i and has a better eye for photography (Which is fitting since she is an Optometrist.) I, the engineer, am better at technical aspects.

The best example was a trip to Southern Africa in 2010 pre grandchildren. We chose A&K as a tour operator. They are an established well respected operator we had used in 2002. These were not photo tours but the guides and drivers cater to photography. They drive to good photo angles and turn off the engines until photographers indicate they are done. Some drivers have placed beanbags under the seats. They only place two people per row of seats so everyone has a clear vision. The last trip had seven clients putting the five of us in a single vehicle. We worked with two cameras passing the appropriate focal length to whoever had the best shot.

BTW we both shoot raw and use LR/PS for post. We share a Dropbox account and use that to collaborate on editing the 4100 or so images that resulted.

Dmeyer;
"Can we only justify travel solely for photography if we are ‘professionals’ making a living at it?" Who loves to set out for the sake of photography"

Yes, I am now retired, not attached, so I am planning two "photo only" trips ths year. The first trip will be to middle Illinois to take pictures of a hot air baloon event. The second is a trip to Monument Valley, but have not set a date yet. I traveled several decades working on the road the majority of the time, at least 85% . When traveling, I took my Nikon F2 and a 35mm f/1.4 lens. But now I have my own time, so I will bring more gear and enjoy taking my photos.
Mundy

Demyer,
Thanks for your reply snd additional information. My time is very flexable so if the weather is not cooperating, I will move on to other sites you have mentioned and then return to MV. I have been planning this trip for several months. I plan on going in the early Fall when the light is lower in the sky, snd a little fooler and less tourists. I have been there two other times, but unfortunately I was just passing through. As you noted, MV is a special place. I will be shooting 35mm snd 120 film, using a Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8 AF ED on my Nikon F2-AS. The 120 will be on my Hassey 500 C/M with my 80mm. I will shoot B/W and color negative film in 120.
I am planning 3 weeks for this shoot and thank you for the additional locations. I am creating a detailed plan which will be flexable. I live in the Chicago area so I will drive so I can take my tripods, etc. I am 71, but will camp if required. I don't mind shooting in the rain or snow, I use a small tent to stay dry and warm if in the snow. I will bring my (my son's) camping equipmernt.
Since Kodak has a limited variety of film, I will more than likely use Fujichrome Provia 100F for 35mm, due to its tolerance to longer exposures. I have not selected my 120 film yet.
Thanks again for your infortmation, especially noting Ray Begay.
Mundy

PS:
If you like colorful hot air balloons, there is a balloon meet July 9 & 10 "Balloons Over Vemillon" in Danville, Illinois. They have a night time flight with the hot air balloons lighted by their internal heating system. The colors of the balloons are beautiful. This is an annual event. Another nice photo opportunity.