List: 10 Travel Photography Tips

1: Go Somewhere Amazing.

Travel doesn't just broaden the mind; mind-blowing places get the creative juices flowing. So choose someplace mind-blowing. In Machu Picchu, for example, I got up early to catch the first bus to the ruins and watched the ruins as they were slowly revealed by the rising mists. Experiences like that inspire great photos.

2: Go Somewhere Ordinary.

I like walking along the streets where regular people live, looking for everyday details, rather than shooting prominent landmarks and scenes. It's more challenging, but often results in more personal and evocative photos. I learned this lesson in a bookstore in Venice, while flipping through some photography books. It struck me how difficult it is to take original photos in a city so picked-over by tourists. Since then I've tried looking past the obvious to find the special in the ordinary.

3: Shoot the People.

Even if they appear small in the frame, human figures are like visual punctuation marks that add depth and atmosphere to a photo. I find it best to ask for permission before I take a picture (unless the subject is so far away it doesn't matter). It's essential to respect the wishes of the locals if they don't want to be photographed.

4: Don't Shoot the People.

It can be stressful and sometimes dangerous to take photos of the local folk. The solution? Relax and take photos of other things instead. Rise to the challenge of taking stunning, poignant photos without any human beings.

5: Shoot the Kids.

Children are great to photograph because they're uninhibited and usually love having their picture taken. I found this out in Bolivia during a sports day for local schoolkids. Within seconds of taking my camera out, I was surrounded by excited kids shouting "Take my photo gringo!" The resulting shots were full of energy.

6: Research, Research, Research.

There's nothing worse than finding out after the fact that you've missed the opportunity to photograph something spectacular. Read books, search the Internet, and speak to other travelers to find out what there is to see and shoot. For instance, in Argentina I never realized until it was too late that the ruins of Quilmes were an easy bus trip from the town where I was staying. I'm still kicking myself for that.

7: Search for Magical Light.

It may sound obvious, but when you're on the go, it's easy to forget. Finding good light — often at sunrise and sunset — remains the single most important thing you can do to improve your travel photography. Just about anything looks better in the right light.

8: Be Alert for Opportunity.

Recently in Argentina I said hello to a girl on a bus. It turned out that not only were we traveling to the same town, she was going there to see an Inca ceremony to welcome the sunrise on the year's shortest day. She needed a companion, so I got a rare experience — plus some great shots.

9: Never Be Satisfied.

Stay hungry to learn new things, find something new to photograph, and develop your own style. I'm reminded of this every time I find a new book full of amazing photos or when I discover the work of yet another talented travel photographer online.

10: Shoot Digital!

Since switching to a digital camera, I've taken many photos that I never would've even considered shooting with film because I was always so conscious of how many rolls I was using (and how much each one cost). If you prefer film, consider taking along a good quality compact digital. You'll be pleasantly surprised at the quality of the photos and how much fun you can have with it.