![\"Belgian](\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/travel_photography_tips_1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nFUJIFILM X-Pro2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR \u2013 F8, ISO 200, 1\/1900 sec<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The perfect location<\/h2>\n
Bert\u2019s view on the ideal photography destination is very positive. In no uncertain terms, there\u2019s an opportunity anywhere.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith international travel, motivation is easier, which helps you rise early or hike somewhere far in bad weather just to get the shot. But you have to consider that tourists visit your home town and find the culture exciting from their own perspective,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s always something to explore nearby \u2013 sometimes it\u2019s just harder and requires more time and effort. It\u2019s about looking at your world with fresh eyes. If you can do that, you\u2019ll find good photographs.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso, local knowledge allows you to dive deeper. You can come back to locations easily, build relationships with the people, and they\u2019ll show you things no tourist would ever find. Work locally with dedication and I\u2019m certain you\u2019ll be rewarded with more nuanced pictures and new skills to use.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nFUJIFILM X100V \u2013 F5.6, ISO 160, 1\/800 sec<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Evidently, a lot can come from trying to see a location through the eyes of a visitor. It need only be an hour or two from your front door. If looking for specifics, though, Bert has found a great deal of success in being observant, considerate and \u2013 above all else \u2013 himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not a travel photographer,\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019m a photographer who likes to travel. I think those two things are very different.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t photograph for travel publications and rarely document a location\u2019s landmarks as you might expect. For me, it\u2019s all about feeling where I am, trying to understand the place, then translating that into pictures.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nFUJIFILM X100V \u2013 F5.6, ISO 160, 1\/680 sec<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Exploring Bert\u2019s body of work, it\u2019s easy to see this approach across many styles. Street scenes, portraits and landscapes all make an appearance, and build towards a complete image of any given place.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost very famous locations have been photographed so many times, it\u2019s hard to bring your personal view, without producing a long series of photos. If it\u2019s just one picture of the Taj Mahal or Eiffel Tower, the chances are high that someone has already captured it in better circumstances.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, I always tell a very personal story. The images I make illustrate how I see and experience the places I visit.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nFUJIFILM X-Pro3<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Travel companions<\/h2>\n
Of course, in addition to intention, being able to take good photos when travelling comes down to kit \u2013 and how you use it. Many say the best camera for travel photography is the one you have with you, which is true to an extent, but there\u2019s a little more to it, as Bert explains. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy camera and lens choice depend on what I\u2019m expecting to shoot. I\u2019ve harnessed the potential of the GFX System on minor projects close to home, but also made rare trips \u2013 like Tokyo \u2013 with only one X Series body and lens because they were discreet. On bikepacking trips, I usually take the X100V<\/a>, which is amazingly compact. Space is limited on a bicycle and every kilogram you carry is costly.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n FUJIFILM X100V \u2013 F2, ISO 160, 1\/1250 sec<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cEven on assignments when it\u2019s typical to take a full kitbag, I like to keep things simple, with only one camera and lens on me at any time. I leave the rest in my hotel room, then switch my set-up between morning and afternoon \u2013 or from one day to the next,\u201d Bert continues.<\/p>\n \u201cI always find myself using the FUJIFILM X-Pro3<\/a> as my travel body, and it\u2019s probably my favourite camera overall. Lens choice is the XF35mmF1.4 R<\/a>, or the wider XF23mmF1.4 R<\/a> in crowds.<\/p>\n \u201cI like to stay within that fairly standard focal range where you don\u2019t get any distortion or much compression in the images. Wider or longer optics have a wow factor, due to an unusual perspective. But with my lenses, I often have to work a bit harder to make a more interesting picture. My composition, light and subjects are always most compelling with these tools.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n FUJIFILM X100V \u2013 F8, ISO 160, 1\/420 sec<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Settings are also key to ensuring images aren\u2019t missed. When travelling, the best moments are often fleeting, so be prepared.<\/p>\n \u201cI usually use aperture priority, with my ISO and shutter speed on automatic. My ISO ranges from 160 up to 12,800 \u2013 and shutter speed is set at 1\/60 sec minimum, because that\u2019s fast enough to freeze most subjects. If appropriate, I\u2019ll stop down to F8 to focus with a decent depth-of-field.<\/p>\n \u201cI always advise that people know all the technical basics and establish a strong foundation as early as possible. Once you can do the little manual actions without thinking about them, that\u2019s when you can fully focus on the photography. FUJIFILM X-Pro3 + XF35mmF1.4 R \u2013 F2, ISO 2000, 1\/160 sec<\/p>\n<\/div>\n There\u2019s no single method to guarantee returning from any trip with a selection of award-worthy images. But, there is a very simple way of striking a balance, taking joy in that time and getting images you truly love. This may just be one of the best travel photography tips: \u201cThere\u2019s a difference between going on a photography trip, and going on a holiday then taking some photos,\u201d says Bert. \u201cOn a family adventure, I want to make good images, but I also want to be a partner and father. It\u2019s all about reminding yourself what you\u2019re there for.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re with family or friends, and there\u2019s a focus to the journey beyond your photography, you\u2019ll still have small windows of time for image making \u2013 but it\u2019s important to let those windows close naturally. Pick your moments.<\/p>\n \u201cSuccess is also about accepting that there\u2019s a difference between a strong picture and one that\u2019s important to you. I think you have to learn how to be happy with a snapshot.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of photos have incredible value to me, even though they are not to my professional standard. Something a lot of photographers forget, especially amateurs, is that it\u2019s also about the memories.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\u201cThere\u2019s nothing wrong with using the automatic camera functions because they\u2019ve become so good. Also, if you\u2019re aware of the story you want to tell, it\u2019s easier to find the right settings to create that specific feeling or composition.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nThe secret to success<\/h2>\n