Travel photography is a tricky subject to explore, especially when travelling in so called third world countries. I am not talking about endless photos of your drunken fellow bus mates on a Contiki Tour. I am referring to the various pitfalls of representing the local people you encounter. You want something that is exotic, something that is authentic, but importantly you have to show respect for the daily struggles of the local people who are your subjects. A lot of ‘authentic’ experiences are put on for tourists in exchange for money. It is not until you get off the beaten track, well away from tourist trails (which in the age of lonely planet guidebooks is harder than it sounds at times) that you start to see how people live, how they struggle for an existence, not knowing what will happen from one day to the next. This is when you make conscious choices. You can decide to shoot discreetly and avoid paying for a formal pose. You may choose to not focus on individual faces but rather show people in their environment, but not in harsh glaring sharpness. You may also struggle with how to reconcile the clash of cultures that you, your camera and your possessions represent.
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The Deep Blue
If I am taking time off from the studio it usually will involve the ocean and I usually carry a camera with me. On a recent diving trip to Rottnest Island I had two fun dives with my underwater SLR in tow. I use an Ikelite housing and 8” dome port and this setup works a treat for most photos except the small macro subjects.
I find the life in the oceans amazing. It still seems so alien and it fascinates me. I grew up addicted to Jacque Cousteau films and while he is sadly no longer with us, he has inspired me along with probably thousands of others around the world.
Here is a question for you – who has inspired you in life and why?
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