It's that time of year when many of us start dreaming about sipping margaritas on warmer shores and so, the holiday brochures come out and the internet searches begin for that perfect summer holiday / vacation.
Of course, you're going to want to take your photography gear with you so we've put a guide together that provides a list of essential gear, tips on keeping gear safe, airline baggage size advice, picturesque locations to visit and more.
Wherever you're heading off to this year, we hope you have an amazing time and don't forget to share your travel shots in ePHOTOzine's photo gallery when you get back.
You can navigate this article using the following quick links:
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Is Your Bag Airline Friendly?
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Don't Forget Your Passport
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Consider Worse Case Scenarios
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What Gear To Take?
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Places To Visit - UK Based
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Places To Visit - Short Haul Flight From The UK
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Places To Visit - Long Haul Flight From The UK
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Places To Visit - Long Weekend Ideas
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More Location Ideas
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Look For Inspiration
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Improve Your Travel Photography Technique
Is Your Bag Airline Friendly?
As sometimes you have to pay for hold baggage, it's just easier to take a carry on with you. Plus, you don't really want to put your camera and lenses in the hold so keeping your kit with you in a bag that's the right size for the cabin is the best idea. It sounds straightforward but every airline has slightly different rules and regulations on what dimensions your bag needs to be so you need to check with the airline you're flying with before you jet off. Skyscanner's recently updated its hand baggage size chart which lists quite a few airlines on it so it's worth checking out.
Don't Forget Your Passport
It's an obvious one we know but it's an essential piece of kit you won't want to be without when you've reached the airport. You'll also want to check your passport's expiry date as some countries state you need at least 6 months on it to be able to use it. If you need to get a new passport and want to save a little bit of cash, you can take and print your own passport photos. For tips on how to do this, take a look at our passport photography guide.
Consider Worst Case Scenarios
Of course, we want you to have the best trip possible but it's worth remembering that unfortunate things can happen, such as theft, so it's better for it to be on your radar before you set off.
Padlocks
Padlocks are a good deterrent and can be used to keep kit secure in your hotel room as well as on your travels. TSA branded locks are recommended for trips to the USA but aren't essential.
Padlocks & Cables
As well as a padlock, a cable can be handy as you can use them to secure your luggage to stationary items in your hotel room which makes them harder to remove.
Buy luggage locks with cables on Amazon
Insurance
It's very important to have travel insurance, plus there are companies who also offer insurance specifically for photographers. Make sure that you are adequately covered should your kit get stolen or damaged.
Back It Up
Taking a small portable SSD drive with you, such as the Samsung Portable SSD T3 we reviewed in 2016, will mean you have somewhere to backup images to so you always have a second copy saved just in case. The SSD T3 is available in different sizes, from 250GB to 2TB depending on your requirements.
Buy a Samsung SSD T3 on Amazon
What Gear To Take?
Travel Zoom Lens
Wherever you're heading on your holiday you're going to want to travel as light as possible and one way you can lighten the load is with a zoom lens. Superzooms are versatile, space-saving pieces of kit that give you focal lengths from wide-angle to telephoto in one piece of kit and we've actually recently put a top ten together so you can decide which is the best lens for you.
10 Best Superzoom Lenses For Travel
Travel Adapters
Not all plug sockets are like those from the UK so do purchase a travel adapter that's designed to be compatible with the country you'll be visiting.
Solar Charger
If you're planning on spending a few hours out in the middle of nowhere with no access to power sockets then a solar charger can be a really useful piece of kit. They charge under sunlight so no power's needed and they can give your smartphone just the boost it needs to keep it alive until you reach your hotel again.
Multi-Port USB Charger
Let's face it, we're technology lovers nowadays and as a result, we won't be travelling without our phone, tablet, MP3 player, laptop etc. and all of them will need charging at some point. You can charge them individually but a lack of plugs will leave you in a pickle if you have multiple devices that need charging all at the same time. However, one way to solve this problem is with a USB charger that features multiple ports.
Buy a multi-port charger on Amazon
Memory Cards
Memory cards are the main format used to store digital images on so it makes sense you take at least a couple with you on your trip. We've recently updated our 'guide to memory cards' that'll help you understand what memory cards are available and their benefits.
Card Reader
If you plan on transferring images from your memory card while away, you may need a card reader to get your images onto your laptop/tablet.
Travel Tripod
For long exposure shots of waves rolling in you're going to need a support. We've put together a guide on choosing the best tripod for travel. You can take a full-size tripod with you but to save on space, a mini or travel tripod would be best. A couple we've reviewed include the Velbon Ultra 353 Mini Q and Gitzo Traveler Kit.
Monopod
Monopods can be even more travel-friendly than tripods, plus some double-up as walking sticks as well. A recent model ePHOTOzine reviewed is the Benro Mach3 9X CF Series 2 which actually received a 'Highly Recommended' award.
Rain Cover
Hopefully, rain won't spoil your trip but just in case, it's well worth taking a cover that protects your gear from rain. Various sizes and styles are available so do check that the model you're looking at does fit your camera specifically.
Buy camera rain covers on Amazon
Waterproof Camera
Ideal for underwater and travel photography, waterproof tough cameras are perfect for people who enjoy snorkeling or indeed are heading for snowier locations. We've reviewed lots of cameras which are waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof and more recently, we've even put a top ten waterproof and tough camera article together which you can use to select the ideal waterproof camera for you.
Top waterproof cameras reviewed on ePHOTOzine
The Perfect Pocketable Holiday Camera
As well as waterproof cameras, we've got a top ten which lists pocketable cameras that are perfect for your travels with features such as GPS, good zoom ranges and Wi-Fi built in.
Best holiday cameras perfect for travel
Camera Strap
Keep your camera secure by fastening it to a strap. You can buy various types at various prices but one you may want to consider is a floating strap that's designed to stop your waterproof camera from sinking.
Carry-On Camera Bag
Bags come in all shapes and sizes, which is good really, as cameras and camera equipment do as well. Don't forget to check that your bag, if you're taking it on as carry-on luggage, is airline friendly and think about how / when you'll be using it. We've got a few articles that'll help you choose the perfect bag including our complete buyer's guide to camera bags and an article on choosing the ideal camera bag.
Roller Bag
Roller bags which are designed to be airline carry-on compatible can carry lots of gear while being easy to use and offering superior protection for your kit. If you travel lots by air and want something that will hold all your professional kit with no problems, then this style of bag is a great choice.
Suncream / Sunscreen
This is an essential piece of kit you shouldn't leave home without. Even if you're going on a day trip to the coast, suncream is still something you should pack.
Filters
Filters are great accessories that can really help you take your photos to the next level. Polarisers and NDs will be particularly useful pieces of kit and you can find more information about these filters, and others, over on FilterZone.
Sunglasses
Protect your eyes from the sun with a pair of sunglasses.
Hat
You shade your lens with a lens hood so do the same for your head with a brimmed hat.
Water Bottle
Hydration is important, particularly when you're visiting hot climates, so don't forget to pack your water bottle. Do remember it's not always advised to drink tap water though so do check!
First-Aid Kit
Plasters and other emergency essentials all fit in small first aid kits so it's always worth packing one in your backpack when heading out on day excursions.
Electronic Accessories Travel Organiser
This type of organiser keeps cables, memory cards, adapters, external hard drives etc. together, in one place and tidy! It can also leave you more room in your bag for other things as accessories can be neatly stored away rather than taking space up in the main compartment of your carry-on luggage.
Buy electronic accessories travel organiser on Amazon
Travel Guides
Travel guides are full of handy tips and advice so it's always worth picking one up. Long Valley actually produces some cracking travel / photography books that are well worth a look and you can learn more about what they have to offer in our feature: Long Valley - The Ultimate Guide To Photo Locations
Places To Visit
If you've not booked your trip yet for this year or are thinking about your vacation plans for next year, here are just some of the picturesque places you can visit with your camera. Each location is accompanied by a photo taken by one of our talented members so please do take the time to visit their portfolio.
As well as the below suggestions, take a look at our holidays, courses and workshops directory which lists companies, UK and abroad, that specialise in photographic holidays.
No Flight - UK Based
You don't have to jet off to warmer climates to have a fab holiday as there are great places to visit in the UK. In fact, we've put together a 'must-see locations in the UK' article for photographers that's well worth taking a look at.
Photo by Emma Kay
Short Haul Flight From The UK
Cinque Terre
Santorini
Var, Provence, France
Hôtel de Ville - By John_Humphreys
La Sagrada Familia, Spain
Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, Barcelona - LinBrennan
Acropolis, Greece
Chateau de Chenonceau, Loire Valley, France
Chenonceau - CanonMan
Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
Tower - nanpantanman
Tuscany, Italy
Dawn over Belvedere - flowerpower59
Colosseum, Italy
Alhambra, Spain
Long Haul Flight From The UK
Southern Alps, New Zealand
Great Barrier Reef
Hawaii - Volcanoes
Marrakech, Morrocco
Maasai Mara, Kenya
Bit Between the teeth - rontear
Hong Kong
Hong Kong at Night III - Swarnadip
St Petersburg, Russia
Goa, India
Grand Canyon USA
Maligne Lake, Canada
Long Weekend Ideas
Amsterdam
The Streets of Amsterdam - ubaruch
Prague
Berlin
Paris
Bruges
Ireland
Scotland
Wales
Llandudno Pier Sunrise - St1nkyPete
More Location Ideas
For more holiday destination ideas, take a look at our photo locations or how about checking out our '100 things to photograph before you die' article which also lists plenty of places for you to visit with your camera.
Look For Inspiration
The ePHOTOzine gallery is bursting with images captured by talented photographers and you can use the filter system to search for specific locations to see what images other photographers have captured in the locations you're planning on visiting.
Improve Your Travel Photography Technique
If you're looking for tips and advice on capturing photos on your travels, take a look at our technique and feature sections where you'll find tonnes of travel photography tutorials, including the ones listed below.
Landscapes With Slow Shutter Speeds- How To Take Photos At A Bad Time Of Day
- Tips On Photographing Piers
- Learn How To Convey A Sense Of Place & Culture
- 14 Ultimate Travel Photography Tips
- 8 Underwater Photography Questions Answered
- 7 Tips On Juggling A Family Holiday & Photography
- Improve Your Travel Photography Portraits
- Take Photos Out Of Plane Windows
- How To Photograph Festivals While On Holiday
- Travel Photography Mistakes To Avoid
5 Basic Holiday Photography Tips For Beginners - 5 Questions To Ask When Photographing Landmarks
- 12 Ways To Improve Your Beach Photography Today
- 10 Seaside Shooting Suggestions You Must Try
- Top Travel Photography Tips
- Photographing Iconic Places
- How To Plan A Photographic Holiday
- More Travel Photography Tips
- Top Travel Photography Advice
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