Photography has many different possible fields of specialisation, such as weddings and events, news pictures as part of journalism, fashion, food and décor, children and portraits, wildlife and aerial photography, videography, and then the "glamorous one", the travel photographer.Let us be a little realistic for a couple of moments, and look at some essential facts and factors. Good equipment is not cheap. Luckily though, as more sophisticated yet user-friendly products are developed, demand increases and consequently higher end equipment does become more affordable.
Once suitably equipped, the aspirant photographer must learn how to best use the tools of the trade, and besides having an experienced mentor, practice and more practice will build many of the required skills. An inherent creative ability and artistic eye are very helpful, although this will also improve through experience.
Besides the subject matter, good composition of the different elements in a picture will draw attention into the image and hold it there. There are a few general rules which govern this, and these can be taught and learned.
With practice, they will become second nature when looking through the lens.
An eye for detail and keen powers of observation are key to obtain that perfect image, but yet sometimes just being in the right place at the right time with camera at the ready, can result in amazing and often award winning pictures being captured.
Aerial Photography
This is highly specialised and not inexpensive, because of the cost of flying in a light aircraft or helicopter, from where the best pictures or videos are commonly taken. Even so, it is possible to capture good images with modern cameras from commercial aircraft, under good conditions.
Originally, a camera was mounted on hot air balloons around the time just prior to the First World War; this allowed commanders to have a current indication of enemy troop strengths, armaments and positions. Thereafter, as flying became a reality, equipment was carried on fixed wing aircrafts and zeppelins, all for the purpose of spying.
The many advantages of aerial photography soon became apparent for multiple uses, such as cartography and mapping, locating and counting game, and assessing and recording ecological changes, particularly for environmental impact studies. The camera or video camera is normally mounted or supported, so that air turbulence and movement has little negative impact on images.
Wildlife Photography
In addition to the abilities already discussed, the successful nature photographer needs to undertake lots of research about his proposed subjects, their behaviour, feeding habits and habitat and extraneous factors which may alter this. He or she requires a degree of field craft and a great deal of patience – animals do not perform on cue. This may involve sitting in a hide for days on end, sometimes with nothing to show for the effort and requiring more of the same.
Waking and getting up early in the mornings is not negotiable, since early morning and late afternoon is when most animals make their way to a source of water, and light quality is usually best at these times. Too much contrast or glare in full sun does not enable good camera work.
Travel Photography
Skill, creative ability, patience, long hours and much research are also part of this discipline. Reaching a new destination for the first time, with no prior knowledge of what there is of particular interest, would be very demotivating. This form of photography centres around interesting people and places, and what makes each unique and special. Ideally, images and script should enable the reader or viewer to mentally go there too.
Frequently, travel agents and magazines, hotels and tourism organisations will commission the travel photographer and provide a brief. The more and better value they receive, the more and commissions the photographer will receive, along with a growing portfolio, which is such a valuable marketing tool to obtain more work.
Now, to return to glamorous holidays – the travel photographer does travel to exotic destinations, visit wonderful places, meet and record different people, their cultures and history, and may well have a little leisure time there too, especially if the homework was done before setting out. Someone else does pay, but rest assured, he/she has worked for this.