Travel Photography Off the Beaten Path

by Wallace Weeks on Dec 5, 2011

One of the bits of advice I often give about travel photography is "get off the beaten path." That can be applied in a lot of ways.  For example, if you are photographing Paris, the beaten path is around the Eiffel Tower, Arc du Triumph, Seine River, Louvre, and Sac-re Coeur. Jardin du Luxembourg is where locals hang out and is a short walk off the beaten path, and it is loaded with great scenes. Near the other end of the spectrum might be; if you travel to a World Heritage City the beaten path is in the city and it likely provides great pictures. Taking a day-trip from the city to a village accessible only by boat in an underdeveloped country is off the beaten path and will likely yield exceptional photographs. One of the greatest experiences of my life came from getting that far off the beaten path.

For some perspective, consider the UN's Human Development Index which ranks the U.S. as the fourth most highly developed country in the world. Near the bottom of the list of 169 countries, Laos ranks 122nd. Luang Prabang, is a beautiful city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some may consider it off the beaten path, but with a boat, guide, and some time you can you can have the privilege of shooting what very few photographers or travelers ever get to see.

After about two hours of motoring up the Mekong river a sandy beach yields a good landing for boats. Initially, the only sign that other people may be around are several wooden canoes tied to bamboo poles that are stuck in the sand. A short walk across the beach and up a hill reveals a small village, Muangeko. After we pass a few stilted houses with bamboo walls and floors and thatched roofs, the guide speaks to a family that is under their house. The guide tells me they are distilling a rice whiskey as an old woman offers me a small half-filled jar (like we get jelly in). It tasted similar to a warm sake and good enough to drink again. But, the old woman's hospitality was far better. The woman's grand-daughter and her infant were there, and allowed me to photograph them. It is interesting to see that 180 degrees of longitude, culture and means doesn't change the hearts of mothers one iota.

When I wandered away from my guide, the friendliness of the people made them indifferent to our language barriers. They were patient to let me ask (by gesture) for the pose using my phone as a prop, and even the signing of a model release. So, shoot the great cities and sites of the world, but get off the beaten path while you are there. It will yield much more interesting photographs and experiences.

COMMENTS

Getting off the beaten track is always an excellent idea. Not only will you find shots that no one else has taken, but the attitude and friendliness of the locals improves CONSIDERABLY the further away you go from the regular tourist haunts.

As Gary says, a GPS is always handy to find your way back again; and also to find your way back to where you started, if you can't speak the local language. I am much more likely to wander any which way, without a map, if I know I can always find my way back. Lets not forget geo-tagging of photos, too (tutorials on my website). Lots of photo buyers are requesting it these days.

Tim, currently in Cape Town. Preparing to overland to Cairo.

Tim Makins   http://www.gnomeplanet.com/gallery.php

Thanks for sharing! Nice tips...

Monica Kressman   http://www.mkphoto.smugmug.com/

Very Nice ! As i have had 5 years here in Asia , I get to go behind back streets and of the tack often . Its amazing how life changes from the commercial up front view. of life. Its not all portrayed as sad and poverty, they just like to live that way and are happy doing so, more them some of us will ever be in this rat race. Photo potential more challenging. A GPS is good to have handy . in case you want to find the place again at a better time of day.

Gary Bridger   http://www.garybridger.photostockplus.com/

Good blogs! As a travel writer that only goes on "tours" if it's a Press Trip, I thrive off-the-beaten path and agree that's when we learn. Like your "International Travel Can Cost Less," I've been telling that to people for years - and it's true!

Marc d'Entremont   http://travelpenandpalate.wordpress.com/