When taking camping photos, you should spend some extra time studying how your partner looks through the camera viewfinder. Are they kneeling down to adjust a tent zipper or just bending over with their butt in the air?
Give directions such as, “don’t lean over, bend at your knees” or “turn around a bit so that I can see your face” so that you get better pictures.
To tell the complete story of your journey, you will want to take pictures of more than just your two-wheeler. Before the trip, make a shot list of the different subjects you want to have an image of such as people, food, and hotels. Check the items off once you have photographed them.
The following websites contain travel, portrait and architecture photo tips:
If you don’t understand the basic camera techniques of shutter speed, exposure, flash, ISO, etc., then check out:
PetaPixel online courses and tutorial links
Sure you want to take a picture of the entire downhill, but why not also zoom in on the switchbacks?
Before heading down, point out to your partner the spots where you want to photograph them. That way they will know which sections they should slow down in, or even head back to cycle a second time.
Çopyright law doesn’t have to be confusing.
Copyright law states that copyright belongs to whoever took the image and only they have the sole and exclusive right to sell, publish, enter contests and reproduce that picture.
The only exceptions are:
So even if your friend took a picture of you with your camera, they own the photo copyright.
Note: If you suspect that one of your photos has been placed on internet without your permission, then do a reverse image search for it via Tin Eye.
Companies want a model release signed by the person in the image before they will publish it in an advertisement, catalog, etc. The release states that the photographed person gives permission for the picture to be used commercially.
So think twice about sending images of colorful locals for whom you have no model release to equipment manufacturers and remember to get your cycling partner’s permission to take and commercially sell photos of them.
For more information on model releases visit Dan Heller’s website.
Note: model release requirements also vary from country to country.
Keep an eye out for funny situations. They might not seem humorous at the time but afterwards these pictures usually turn out to be favorites.
A backup isn’t just having all of your trip photographs on one hard drive. You need to store multiple copies of your pictures in at least two different places in case one of your electronic devices fails.
Also, consider uploading your favorite pictures to an online storage site. That way if all of your gear is stolen you will still have a copy of your best images.
Roads that start wide and end in a point (converging lines) give your image a three-dimensional effect.
To emphasize the effect try shooting with a wide angle lens.
“There are as many different ways of making an enjoyable bicycle journey as there are stars in the sky. I’ve yet to meet two cyclists who could agree on what equipment to carry.” ~ Nicholas Crane
The same holds true for cycling photographers. The amount and weight of camera equipment that you want to carry is dependent on a number of factors such as how much you plan on using your camera and what type of images you want to take.
A good starting point in deciding which gear to bring is to visit the website of Cass Gilbert. He regularly reviews different types of cameras, lenses and how they have performed on tour.
A few tips for on the road:
When cycling through deserts it’s important to regularly check that your digital camera sensor is free of dust. This can be done by photographing a clear sky and inspecting the picture afterward. Dust spots can easily be removed from the sensor with an arctic butterfly.
Wrap pieces of brightly colored tape around your camera’s electrical cables. This way it’s easier to differentiate them from your hotel’s electrical cords and you’re less likely to leave them behind.
Two things are important when taking self-portraits; a small camera tripod and extra time. The tripod – so that the camera remains level and extra time since you usually need to take a number of pictures using your camera timer before you have one where both of you are smiling.
