This has been one of the best videos I've watched on RUclips in recent months. It's incredible how many photography videos there are, but almost none of them cover advice on road trips. Without a doubt, it's my favorite way to practice photography, and I really relate to everything you mentioned in your video. It's true that some days the trip seems fruitless and can be very frustrating. At first, this issue overwhelmed me, and if I went a while without taking photos, I started to worry. That significantly spoiled the trip. Over time, you realize that by the end of the day, those moments usually don't matter because you always end up with more photos than you think, and I try to prioritize the experience itself, which for me is always the most important. In my case, the factor of light, something that can block you from taking photos, isn't as important since I shoot in black and white. There, light matters much less, and it's not something that usually limits me. I found the advice "get out of the car" very amusing. It seems obvious, but it isn't. Something I miss in my travels is interacting much more, getting out of the car, dedicating time to all the places I visit, talking more with people, etc., but wanting to cover a lot limits me in that sense. I think it's something I have to learn, and the more I travel, the more time I take to explore, contemplate, and simply enjoy the activity I'm doing. I also mark some places as favorites on Google Maps. As you said, it's a reference and doesn't prevent the trip from having a strong component of improvisation, but at least it guides you and can save you a lot of empty time. The same goes for highways or freeways, I avoid them as much as possible. It's precisely about enjoying the journey, stopping whenever you see something interesting, discovering small towns, or any element that comes up along the way. I only use highways at night when there's no possibility of taking photos. One of the main pieces of advice is "use secondary roads." I also usually bring some food. In fact, I have a backpack full of meal replacement or protein bars. I don't care if they're not the most complete because I don't live off them, it's just to get through the day or a few days. They last many months, I don't have to worry about renewing them, and some of them are quite good. It's something that's never missing in my car. And energy is an important topic. Every trip I make, I end up completely exhausted. For now, I can't put a limit on my eagerness to see, take photos, explore, etc., and when I get home, I need a couple of days to recover. I always leave some margin before going back to work, at least a day or two of rest, otherwise, I couldn't manage. Slowing down and taking it easier is something I need to work on. I liked all your advice, and I already followed many of them, but it's always nice to hear another experience and another way of doing things. Congratulations on your channel and your excellent photos.
I love the rule: "Photograph What's There". I think it really allows for growth because it's so easy to wish for what's there. I do want to get the most out of a trip that requires time and energy to plan. I really try to keep in mind the video where you spoke about photo series vs stand alone photos and reframe a location/time with that mindset.
Brian, just wanted to say I love your channel and your work! Your style of documentary-travel-landscape photography really resonates. It probably helps that I recently did roadtrips around Vancouver Island and down the Oregon Coast! Happy travels to you!
Great stuff, love your channel. Moved to Washington from Oregon a few months ago and looking forward to spending July and August camping and taking photos.
Great video, Brian. All your tips are definitely things to keep in mind. I don't get to do as many photography road trips as I would like (probably like most photographers). I always enjoy your content!
Good tips. I love road trips but they can be stressful indeed. You are making a big investment in both time and money, it might be the first and last time you get to be at that location, so you feel like you have to make the most of it. You might also build some unrealistic expectations about what you are going to find, and the conditions. As you say, the best way to do it is to roughly plan it, go somewhere as a starting point, and then go with the flow. There’s always something to photograph, but it might not be what you were expecting so you have to be open minded. Nice video!
Great video. I like your take on this. Curious, have you ever taken a photography road trip but left all your cameras behind? Once you are an experienced photographer this can be a unique way to reset, force yourself to relax, and hone in your observation skills.
This has been one of the best videos I've watched on RUclips in recent months. It's incredible how many photography videos there are, but almost none of them cover advice on road trips. Without a doubt, it's my favorite way to practice photography, and I really relate to everything you mentioned in your video.
It's true that some days the trip seems fruitless and can be very frustrating. At first, this issue overwhelmed me, and if I went a while without taking photos, I started to worry. That significantly spoiled the trip. Over time, you realize that by the end of the day, those moments usually don't matter because you always end up with more photos than you think, and I try to prioritize the experience itself, which for me is always the most important.
In my case, the factor of light, something that can block you from taking photos, isn't as important since I shoot in black and white. There, light matters much less, and it's not something that usually limits me.
I found the advice "get out of the car" very amusing. It seems obvious, but it isn't. Something I miss in my travels is interacting much more, getting out of the car, dedicating time to all the places I visit, talking more with people, etc., but wanting to cover a lot limits me in that sense. I think it's something I have to learn, and the more I travel, the more time I take to explore, contemplate, and simply enjoy the activity I'm doing.
I also mark some places as favorites on Google Maps. As you said, it's a reference and doesn't prevent the trip from having a strong component of improvisation, but at least it guides you and can save you a lot of empty time. The same goes for highways or freeways, I avoid them as much as possible. It's precisely about enjoying the journey, stopping whenever you see something interesting, discovering small towns, or any element that comes up along the way. I only use highways at night when there's no possibility of taking photos. One of the main pieces of advice is "use secondary roads."
I also usually bring some food. In fact, I have a backpack full of meal replacement or protein bars. I don't care if they're not the most complete because I don't live off them, it's just to get through the day or a few days. They last many months, I don't have to worry about renewing them, and some of them are quite good. It's something that's never missing in my car.
And energy is an important topic. Every trip I make, I end up completely exhausted. For now, I can't put a limit on my eagerness to see, take photos, explore, etc., and when I get home, I need a couple of days to recover. I always leave some margin before going back to work, at least a day or two of rest, otherwise, I couldn't manage. Slowing down and taking it easier is something I need to work on.
I liked all your advice, and I already followed many of them, but it's always nice to hear another experience and another way of doing things. Congratulations on your channel and your excellent photos.
I love the rule: "Photograph What's There". I think it really allows for growth because it's so easy to wish for what's there. I do want to get the most out of a trip that requires time and energy to plan. I really try to keep in mind the video where you spoke about photo series vs stand alone photos and reframe a location/time with that mindset.
Excellent video, Brian! I hope to put your travel guides to good use this year.
Brian, just wanted to say I love your channel and your work! Your style of documentary-travel-landscape photography really resonates. It probably helps that I recently did roadtrips around Vancouver Island and down the Oregon Coast! Happy travels to you!
Great stuff, love your channel. Moved to Washington from Oregon a few months ago and looking forward to spending July and August camping and taking photos.
Great video, Brian. All your tips are definitely things to keep in mind. I don't get to do as many photography road trips as I would like (probably like most photographers). I always enjoy your content!
Good tips. I love road trips but they can be stressful indeed. You are making a big investment in both time and money, it might be the first and last time you get to be at that location, so you feel like you have to make the most of it. You might also build some unrealistic expectations about what you are going to find, and the conditions. As you say, the best way to do it is to roughly plan it, go somewhere as a starting point, and then go with the flow. There’s always something to photograph, but it might not be what you were expecting so you have to be open minded. Nice video!
thanks Adrian! Enjoying the SF images already, hope you're liking being back on the west coast :)
Great video. I like your take on this. Curious, have you ever taken a photography road trip but left all your cameras behind? Once you are an experienced photographer this can be a unique way to reset, force yourself to relax, and hone in your observation skills.