Travel Photography has been quite the popular #HASHTAG on Instagram- and as contagious as it may seem, travel photography goes far and beyond just taking regular candid shots. It’s not just about a “click”; rather it’s an all-consuming process of creativity and ever enduring sense of wanderlust for life, beauty and nature.
So, now that we’ve stepped in 2018, SiddySays is looking at the top Travel Photographers who we will follow to the end of the earth. Expect to bask in landmarks, mountains and nature in abundance.
FEROZA GULZAR
SS: How did you get into travel photography?
I vividly remember the start of my photography journey, but I guess my passion for travelling has been there since childhood when I use to travel around Pakistan with my family. I remember taking road trips from Quetta to other cities and since then, I’ve always loved travelling to new places. I got my first DSLR camera in 8th grade and since then I’ve always carried my camera everywhere I go.
SS: What photography gear do you use? (the camera, lens, reflector, flash etc)
I use Canon 60D and Mavic pro. I use limited things, I like to travel with less equipment, I feel the more you have the less you experience. I use only three lenses 1- Canon 55mm 2- Canon 55-250mm 3- Sigma 12-24mm
SS: What are some of your favourite places to photograph?
I have traveled a lot, but my two most favourite places for photography are Nepal, and Pakistan. There are places that are scenic and extremely beautiful, but for me what matters the most is where I feel a connection, my work involves emotions and I enjoy places that make me feel like I’m home.
SS: Any tips for budding travel photographers?
Not sure If I’m in a position to give advice because I still have a long way to go, but I can share my experience. Just stay focused and keep shooting with an open mind. Be open to criticism, because that is what makes you better. The most important thing is to be open to criticism, grow out of your bubble, listen to what people have to say, because they see hope in you that’s why they take time out to comment on your work. But most importantly enjoy what you do and keep doing it, don’t let anyone stop you.
SS: What are the few challenges you face as a travel photographer?
As a girl, it becomes really hard to travel alone sometimes, and a lot of people ask me how I get to travel so much. The answer is I’ve worked really hard for it, but it’s not impossible. There is less freedom, sometimes I cannot photograph something because of the restrictions, but then again, if you truly love something and stay focused you can achieve your goals.
SS: What motivates you?
The desire to see the world. My ultimate goal is to buy a caravan, travel the world, photograph it and make art in every part of the world. I get to travel with purpose, I get to make art, sometimes I get to teach, I do photography and then I repeat it. I think what I’ve chosen for myself motivates me every day. I try and find motivation in things that I see each and every day.
SHEROZE KHAN
SS: How did you get into travel photography?
I just love to visit different places, meeting new people, so as soon as I get a chance from my daily routine, I go visit some new place. And my passion for photography was always there, so by becoming a travel photographer I thought I could show people what Pakistan, especially Balochistan is.
SS: What photography gear do you use? (the camera, lens, reflector, flash etc)
I use Canon 6D and lenses such as Samyung 14mm f2.8 for wide angle shots and Canon 85 mm 1.8 for portraits.
SS: What are some of your favourite places to photograph?
My most favorite place to photograph is Balochistan, The Coastal Highway, portraits of people in the Thar District and in the North I would say Deosai and Katpana desert
SS: Any tips for budding travel photographers?
I would say if you ever get a chance just go and visit someplace and don’t think twice upon it . You may get something extra ordinary on the trip, and remember, travel teaches you something new.
SS: What are the few challenges you face as a travel photographer?
The main challenge I face is Time. I don’t get enough time to visit a place so I wait for it and that can be long.
SS: What motivates you?
Photographs of my friends who keep traveling, and Pakistan’s rich culture as there are ample opportunities to explore.
USMAN ZUBAIR
SS: How did you get into travel photography?
I wanted to travel and explore different places and cultures and the stories of people living there and in the process discover myself.
SS: What photography gear do you use? (The camera, lens, reflector, flash etc)
I use Nikon D7200, with my favorite lens Tokina 11-16 f2,8 its great lens for landscape and architecture, for portraits I use 35mm 1,8 and 50mm 1,2, I usually travel with these 3 lens but when I have no problems carrying extra weight I throw in 85mm 1.4 and 70-300 f4.5 VR2 in the bag too. I don’t use reflectors and flashes.
SS: What are some of your favorite places to photograph?
I love to photograph mountains, landscape, night sky, architecture specially the old architecture and busy streets.
SS: Any tips for budding travel photographers?
Try to document your travels in your own way, try to tell your story through photos, words, I think people who can’t have this luxury of traveling want to read about the travels of other people
SS: What are the few challenges you face as a travel photographer?
Some cultures and some people don’t allow and like to be photographed and it makes me sad when I am not able to capture something I want to, sometimes is gets so hard to leave the place without taking photos but you have to respect the wishes of people, also I think the main challenge you face in photography during travelling is the time, you have to make a lot of stops to document the journey and take photos.
SS: What motivates you?
Thinking about how big the world is and how little I have explored yet motivates me and make me keep going forward, my motivation is my own work, I take inspiration from great artists and travels but at the end of day my competition is with myself, I want to do better then what I did yesterday and I want to keep getting better, there is no end to learning and experiencing new things.
PIR FARAZ
SS: How did you get into travel photography?
I seriously don’t know how it happened! It just happened! I just started taking photos normally like every monkey with a new DSLR does. I think it all began from my first ever trip to Dir and Swat in December 2013. I wanted to capture everything I was seeing while travelling. From that time I had decided that I wanted to travel more and capture the beauty that I see with my own eyes and share it with the world.
SS: What photography gear do you use?
I use a Nikon D610 with a 50mm f/1.8D and 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 most of the times. Otherwise borrowed lenses from my generous friends.
SS: What are some of your favourite places to photograph?
Anywhere in the mountains.
SS: Any tips for budding travel photographers?
The most important thing that I believe in is to show what I see in real through the camera or at least close to what I saw. Following this self-made rule makes me get better and better. Secondly, just get out! Do what you want to do! Most of us have budget issues but trust me it’s not much of an hassle if you plan your trip well, use public transport and start saving up a bit before your trip. Also, while you’re travelling, never miss the golden hours and crowded bazaars, and get close to the locals as much as you can for more insight about the place.
SS: What are the few challenges you face as a travel photographer?
I think the biggest challenge is obviously gathering the funds for travelling. Opportunities for travel photographers are very less here in Pakistan. If you ask about the challenges while I’m travelling, taking care of the equipment and protecting it from dust, rain and what not is a challenge it self.
SS: What motivates you?
The mountains keep calling me back. That’s what motivates me. And the people! The hospitality of the people makes me want to go to places again. But most importantly, the appreciation and the positive feedback I receive keeps me motivated. Cherry on the top is when foreigners get amazed at the beauty of Pakistan and it instantly boosts my morale that I am doing something great.
