The Ultimate Travel Guide For Photographers

 

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:

1. Is Your Bag Airline Friendly? 
2. Don't Forget Your Passport
3. Consider Worst-Case Scenarios
4. Best DSLR for travel
5. Best mirrorless for travel
6. Best Ultrazoom for travel
7. Best compact camera for travel
8. Best travel lenses
9. Best Travel Tripods
10. Best Travel Bag choices
11. Essential Accessories
12. Places To Visit - UK Based 
13. Places To Visit - Short Haul Flight From The UK
14. Places To Visit - Long Haul Flight From The UK
15. Places To Visit - Long Weekend Ideas 
16. More Location Ideas
17. Look For Inspiration
18. 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. 

Buy luggage locks on Amazon UK    Buy luggage locks on Amazon USA

 

 

Padlocks & Cables

As well as a padlock, a cable can be handy as you can use them to secure your luggage to stationery items in your hotel room which makes them harder to remove. 

Buy luggage locks with cables on Amazon UK    Buy luggage locks with cables on Amazon USA

 

 

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 T5 we reviewed in 2017, 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 T5 on Amazon UK    Buy a Samsung Portable SSD T5 on Amazon USA

 

 

Best DSLR For Travel

DSLRs are sometimes overlooked as travel cameras as they are the generally most bulky type of camera available. However they do have a very wide range of lenses available, giving you maximum choice when it comes to choosing one that's right for what you intend to photograph on your travels. An entry-level DSLR can be a relatively inexpensive and surprisingly lightweight option for travel photography. Here are our best picks:

Canon EOS 250D - 'The Canon EOS 250D is a compact DSLR that makes it easy to take with you, with Canon's great colour reproduction, and low-noise levels, this camera is well worth a look.' 

Buy on Amazon UK    Buy on Amazon USA

 

Canon EOS 90D - 'The Canon EOS 90D offers a 32 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, 9fps continuous shooting, 4K video recording, and built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.'

Buy on Amazon UK    Buy on Amazon USA

 

Nikon D850 - 'With the Nikon D850 Nikon introduced a full-frame 45.7mp BSI CMOS sensor, giving both high-resolution images, but also excellent noise performance, and up to 9fps continuous shooting (with the optional battery grip), along with a range of advanced photo and video features, it continues to be the best full-frame DSLR available.'

Buy on Amazon UK    Buy on Amazon USA

 

Best Mirrorless Camera For Travel

Mirrorless cameras tend to offer a more compact body, whilst also giving a wide choice of lenses as well. The size may make them a tempting option for those that want to minimise bulk whilst still being able to change lenses if necessary.

Here are our favourites: 

Fujifilm X-T30 - 'The Fujifilm X-T30 offers the same 26mp BSI CMOS APS-C sensor as the X-T3, plus 4K video recording, and high-speed shooting, but in a more affordable camera body. There's a range of appealing X-Mount lenses.'

Buy on Amazon UK    Buy on Amazon USA

 

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III - 'The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III offers a lot of the features found in cameras higher up in the Olympus range, and the camera features 4K CINE video recording, 30fps continuous shooting, a weather-sealed camera body, and access to the wide-range of Micro Four Thirds lenses.'

Buy on Amazon UK    Buy on Amazon USA

 

Sony A7R Mark IV -  'The A7R IV offers a 61mp full-frame BSI CMOS sensor, giving high-resolution images, and making it easier to achieve high-quality results. The release of the A7R IV and it's specifications were unexpected, and Sony's "G Master" lens range makes a great option for this camera, helping get the most out of the sensor.' 

Buy on Amazon UK    Buy on Amazon USA

 

Best Ultrazoom for travel

Ultrazooms are a great option for travelling with if you don't want the ability to change lenses. The zoom range makes them a very versatile option, whilst offering a ride range of manual settings too. Out pick of the ultrazoom cameras is:

Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 Mark IV - The Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV may not offer the same amount of zoom as some ultra-zoom cameras, but instead offers excellent image quality with a 1inch 20mp BSI CMOS sensor, and a 25x optical zoom lens, as well as high-speed shooting. 

Buy on Amazon UK    Buy on Amazon USA

 

Best compact camera for travel

The best travel cameras are a perfect combination of lightweight, featuring a decent optical zoom and a fair amount of versatility in the settings to give you a truly pocketable camera that is still capable of more than just quick snaps. ePHOTOzine has put together the Best Travel Zoom cameras 2020 to help you choose your perfect camera but we think this one's the best choice: 

 

Panasonic Lumix TZ80 - 'The TZ80 features a new 18-megapixel sensor, as well as a 30x optical zoom lens and electronic viewfinder. The TZ80 is also the first compact camera with 4K video/photo/post focus, and as the sensor is larger than camcorder sensors, the camera is said to deliver better video quality.'

Buy on Amazon UK    Buy on Amazon USA

 

Best Travel Lenses

When purchasing a lens for travel, you need to consider its size and weight but also its versatility - a zoom lens in some form is usually the answer, to minimise the amount of lenses you need to take with you. 

Depending on your camera type and mount, there will be different options available to you. ePHOTOzine has a few articles on site that will be useful in helping you choose a lens:

• Travel Lens Recommendations From A Top Blogger
• Top 11 Best Travel Zoom Lenses For Micro Four Thirds Cameras
• Top 15 Best Superzoom Lenses For Travel 2020
• Top 29 Best Telephoto Zoom Lenses 2019

 

Best Travel Tripods

Much like the best travel compact cameras, tripods for travel need the right balance of compact size and weight, as well as the flexibility to be able to shoot in different and sometimes challenging situations. We've reviewed a wide range of travel tripods, and our favourites can be found in our Best Travel Tripods for photographers article. 

 

Best Travel Bag Choices

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. 

 

Best Accessories 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. 

Buy travel adaptors on Amazon UK    Buy travel adaptors on Amazon USA

 

 

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. 

Buy a solar charger on Amazon UK    Buy a solar charger on Amazon USA

 

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 UK   Buy a multi-port charger on Amazon USA

 

 

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. 

Buy memory cards on Amazon UK    Buy memory cards on Amazon USA

 

 

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. 

Buy a card reader on Amazon UK    Buy a card reader on Amazon USA

 

 

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. 

Buy monopods on Amazon UK    Buy monopods on Amazon USA

 

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 UK    Buy camera rain covers on Amazon USA

 

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. 

Buy camera straps on Amazon UK    Buy camera straps on Amazon USA

 

 

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.

Buy roller bags on Amazon UK    Buy roller bags on Amazon USA

 

 

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.

Buy suncream on Amazon UK    Buy suncream on Amazon USA 

 

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. 

Buy filters on Amazon UK    Buy filters on Amazon USA

 

Sunglasses

Protect your eyes from the sun with a pair of sunglasses. 

Buy sunglasses on Amazon UK    Buy sunglasses on Amazon USA

 

 

Hat

You shade your lens with a lens hood so do the same for your head with a brimmed hat. 

Buy on Amazon UK    Buy on Amazon USA

 

 

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! 

Buy water bottles on Amazon UK    Buy water bottles on Amazon USA

 

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. 

Buy first aid kits on Amazon UK     Buy first aid kits on Amazon USA

 

 

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 a travel organiser on Amazon UK     Buy a travel organiser on Amazon USA

 

 

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

Manarola - duba

Santorini

Santorini sunset -  mpnuttall 

 

Var, Provence, France

Hôtel de Ville - By John_Humphreys

 

La Sagrada Familia, Spain

Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, Barcelona - LinBrennan 

 

Acropolis, Greece

Room with a view - ady22

 

Chateau de Chenonceau, Loire Valley, France

Chenonceau - CanonMan

 

Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

Tower - nanpantanman

 

Tuscany, Italy

Dawn over Belvedere - flowerpower59

 

Colosseum, Italy

Colosseum - mistere

 

Alhambra, Spain

Lovers - rontear

 

Long Haul Flight From The UK

 

Southern Alps, New Zealand

ROAD TO TE ANNAU by JOKEN

 

Great Barrier Reef

Divers Meeting Wally - jembo

 

Hawaii - Volcanoes 

Natures Palette - Trevhas

 

Marrakech, Morrocco

Morning in Marrakech - wszdom

Maasai Mara, Kenya

Bit Between the teeth - rontear

Hong Kong

Hong Kong at Night III - Swarnadip

St Petersburg, Russia

615ru - Nadia

 

Goa, India

River Boat - AllyN

Grand Canyon USA

Grand Canyon Light - rontear

Maligne Lake, Canada 

Maligne Lake - firzhugh

 

 

Long Weekend Ideas 

 

Amsterdam

The Streets of Amsterdam - ubaruch

Prague

Toy Town Prague - Rorymac

Berlin

A reminder - KingBee

Paris

Up & Under - livinglevels 

 

Bruges

Burges - nickmoulds

 

Ireland

Portcoon Jetty - dmhuynh72

Scotland

Blue sky over Skye - Ross_D

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. 

 

1. Landscapes With Slow Shutter Speeds
2. How To Take Photos At A Bad Time Of Day 
3. Tips On Photographing Piers 
4. Learn How To Convey A Sense Of Place & Culture 
5. 14 Ultimate Travel Photography Tips 
6. 8 Underwater Photography Questions Answered 
7. 7 Tips On Juggling A Family Holiday & Photography 
8. Improve Your Travel Photography Portraits 
9. Take Photos Out Of Plane Windows
10. How To Photograph Festivals While On Holiday 
11. Travel Photography Mistakes To Avoid
12. 5 Basic Holiday Photography Tips For Beginners 
13. 5 Questions To Ask When Photographing Landmarks 
14. 12 Ways To Improve Your Beach Photography Today 
15. 10 Seaside Shooting Suggestions You Must Try 
16. Top Travel Photography Tips 
17. Photographing Iconic Places 
18. How To Plan A Photographic Holiday 
19. More Travel Photography Tips 
20. Top Travel Photography Advice