Tips from a travel photographer: Engage with the culture to capture more creative, distinctive photos

Your camera is bored, says Boston Globe columnist Christopher Muther. A lot of people take the same “dime-a-dozen” views of landmarks and scenery around the world, he continues. Muther interviewed photographer and travel writer David Noyes to discuss travel photography and what people can do to make their work stand out.

It’s important to not be a casual observer wherever you’re visiting, you need to get engaged and think carefully about making good photographs. Sometimes this might involve talking with local people, which can be very intimidating for a lot of people. It’s something you just have to work up the courage to do, says Noyes, because it will lead to a lot of memorable photos and experiences.

What about gear -- do you need expensive equipment to make great photos? Noyes thinks that “great pictures can be created with anything that’ll capture an image.”

“There seems to be a lot of repetitiveness in travel pictures. It’s always the same landmarks,” remarks Muther. Noyes says it’s okay to take these shots -- the ones we’ve all seen -- but then you need to get out there and try to create something different and fresh. Travel is about seeing how people in different cultures live, he says, and travel photography is about telling these varying stories from around the world in compelling ways.

For much more on travel photography, read the full story at the Boston Globe. To see more of David Noyes work, visit his website.

If you're interested in learning more about ways to improve your travel photography, check out this video from COOPH and these tips.

(Seen via reddit /r/photography. Index image.)