From the Manual

The best camera to use is is the one you have on you.

Be Camera Ready

• Keep your camera with you at all times.
• Know how to use your camera(s) before you go.

Quick Camera Checklist

• Know my camera(s)
• Pack and charge extra batteries
• Make a plan to offload and/or backup

Make Time to Photograph

• Don’t procrastinate.
• Practice patience.

Constantly Consider Different Viewpoints

• Change your distance or angle.
• Get creative with your composition. 

From the Transcript

We’ve done the research and are prepared to take journaling notes. You even have a plan started for what you want to photograph. Now let’s turn to your camera. Once again I’m asking that you pull out the Before You Go worksheet provided in the downloads and follow along by filling in answers. You can even use this worksheet to jot down inspiration and ideas you may think of along the way.

Remember, the most important part of a travel album is the photos. So, what is the best camera to capture those photos? My mantra is “the best one to use is the one you have on you.” Don’t miss the shot just because you don’t have a fancy digital SLR in your tote bag. Because if you don’t have one of those, I’d be willing to bet you do have a smartphone close by. But, hold the smartphone. Before you go, here are three big tips to help you make the most of the lens in your hand. 

Tip number one is to be camera ready. Which most importantly means to keep your camera with you and always keep your eyes open for photoing opportunities. But, if you don’t know how to use your camera, you are going to be a frustrated photographer and miss those opportunities. So, being camera ready also includes making sure you know how to use the lens in your hand before setting out on an adventure.

The Before You Go Worksheet contains a quick checklist that, regardless kind of travel, should be taken into account. Besides making sure you know how to use your camera, you should also be prepared with extra batteries that are all charged up and ready to go. And then, the last thing on this quick list is make sure you have a plan to offload or backup your photos as you go. Bad things happen. Don’t be the guy who looses his camera and all his photos in the deep blue sea.

Tip number two is to make time to photograph. Like doing anything well, making good photographs requires a commitment of time and energy. So, plan to make time. It may help to make photography a scheduled part of every day. This way you have the time and won't be tempted to get lazy and say, "I'll do it tomorrow." It might rain tomorrow. Don't procrastinate. Besides taking time and energy, good photographs also require patience. A great photograph has the potential to be even greater by simply waiting an extra 2 minutes for sun to go behind the clouds and cast an amazing array of sunbeams across the countryside.

The last tip I want to share is to constantly consider different viewpoints. Never be satisfied with your first view of a place or the first frame you snap. It's always possible—and usually likely—that you can come up with something better. Try getting closer, then get closer still. Try different angles. If you have a digital SLR, try different lenses. Also, get creative with your composition. A common mistake is to place the subject slap-bang in the center of the frame. Try placing it according to the 'Rule of Thirds' - along those imaginary intersecting lines. This is likely to give you a much more pleasing composition. Composition could also include interesting patterns and textures and vibrant colors that are unique to your destination.

Okay, did you get all your blanks filled in? Because, here comes the answer key. I’ll see you in the next video.