Michael Marasigan's practical travel photography tips

1. Make sure you have a complete camera set-up. Plan your shoot well, so you will only bring the equipment you need. An unnecessary heavy long lens will be a burden to carry since you will also need a tripod when you use it. Make sure you have fully charged batteries so you can shoot anytime there’s an opportunity. It will also help to bring disposable batteries, just in case you use up the charged batteries and you still need to shoot while you’re still outdoors. It will surely frustrate you when you encounter a picture-perfect subject and you can’t capture it because your camera has no power. 2. Research. Research. Research. It is important that you do your research first before going to your chosen destination. That way, you’ll have an idea what to expect during your trip. Beforehand, you’ll already have an idea of the pictures you want to take. For example, white egrets have favorite roosting places and they would come from all directions before sunset. You will see the transformation of the green canopies of mangroves turning to white when the egrets start settling in for the night. You can find egrets in the Philippines when they escape the cold climate during winter in China. 3. Anticipate. It is best to anticipate what kind of pictures you will take. When is the best time to shoot? I like shooting early in the morning at sunrise until around 8 am before it gets hot and during late afternoon, starting at 4 pm until sunset. It is also good to shoot after a rainfall when taking pictures of landscapes because of the vibrant colors of the flora. 4. Have a sensory overload. Upon arriving, get a hold of every single thing that you will encounter. The feel of the sun on your skin, the taste of the local delicacies, the scent of the sea – everything. This will help fuel your creativity. 5. Be friendly with the locals. Being chummy with the residents can help you get interesting insights about the place you’re visiting. They can give you background stories, even tips on where to find seldom-visited spots in their area. 6. As much as possible, avoid shooting with the pack. It’s always best to deviate from the tour group you’re with. This is a time when it’s OK to aimlessly wander. That way, the photos you will be taking home wouldn’t be too “generic," the type you just see on postcards or travel brochures. - Compiled by Rhea Catada, GMANews.TV