I recently attended the New York Times Travel Show 2017 and one of the most interesting discussions that came up at the seminars there with NY Times Editors and travel professionals was on the subject of travel photography.
We all love travel photography – we use it to plan, to remember, to reminisce, to inspire.
Everyone can agree that photographs, both online and in print, help us build anticipation and gather information before we travel, giving you a “happiness boost.”
But a healthy debate ensued on how much is too much to consume pre-travel? Is there a danger of spoiling the experience ahead? What about the thrill of discovery and the pleasure of seeing something unexpected?
While I tend to err on the over-prepared side before I travel, personally,* I do not think that preparation necessarily removes any potential for spontaneity and surprise.
Then, of course, there is also social media – does chronicling the moment and trying to grasp it ruin the experience of art or nature (just two examples of many) while traveling?
That, I find, is different for each person. Knowing when to put down the camera and stay present in the moment is something we are all still learning..
As Kassie Bracken said: “Experience first, shoot later!”
I think I have found my new travel mantra.
*see s&h travel guides!
It’s such a difficult balance, both in deciding how much to prepare and how much to document. I find, no matter how much I prepare, it’s the discoveries that I make when I get there that excite me the most. And I go through periods of too much documentation and too little.
The unexpected – and under-researched – parts are always the best, aren’t they?