Ten Great Tips For Better Adventure Photos

It seems that nearly everyone who is into the outdoors and adventure travel is also an aspiring photographer. We love to capture the spectacular scenery that we enjoy playing in and then sharing it with friends and family later, usually to taunt them over the great fun they missed out on. But if you're like me, you often end up with photos that looked a lot better in your mind then they turned out later on your computer. To that end, our friends over at WideWorld have put together a great list of ten tips to help you improve your adventure photos.

The list was actually compiled by photographer Scott Woodward, who has an impressive list of credentials under his belt. Scott has worked with like of National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, and many more, and he calls photography in the modern age, in which digital cameras are practically everywhere, "one of the most accessible and democratic forms of artistic expression"

Some of Scott's tips include having a plan before you travel by doing research about your destination ahead of time. This helps you to know what to expect when you arrive, and to begin formulating the kinds of photos you want to capture before you even get there. He also recommends that you don't bring more gear than you can carry, at it can weigh you down, keep you from moving as quickly as you need, and end up just getting in the way. He also notes that you should add life to your landscape shots by capturing images of people in those dramatic places.

One of Scott's tips hit home with me, as he suggests that you should never underestimate the capabilities of a good point and shoot camera. They're small, lightweight, fit in your pocket, and can take some amazing shots. Sure, they're not as versatile as a good DSLR, but on the other hand they won't take up room in your pack and are far easier to lug around. I'm finding this out more and more lately, as I recently purchased a Panasonic Lumix LX-5, a compact camera that has nearly the same functionality as my Nikon DSLR.

The article may not break vast new ground in terms of helping you improve your photography, but it certainly is a nice reminder of things to think about before you head out on your next trip. Perhaps you'll return home with better photos than you imagined, and you might have a better time along the way.