One of the best places to find and follow famous street photographers is on Instagram. Through the app, we can take virtual art walks through famous street photographers galleries, each highlighting locations & people in visual stories that connect us all. Whether through detailed captions or images that reflect some larger theme related to the human condition, we can learn a lot about the genre (and about ourselves) by looking to the work of its leaders.

With a billion-plus users on the app, it can be difficult to find the best street photographers. This following list of 10 famous street photographers to follow on Instagram is not exhaustive, but it’s a great place to start.

What Makes for Great Street Photography?

As you browse through the work of the selected street photographers below, you’ll notice they share a number of recognizable traits. These commonalities in their skillset allow them to capture compelling and memorable images. They’re able to anticipate and capture decisive moments. Also, as evidenced in their imagery, these street photographers also pay close attention to composition, light, and context. In addition to technical skills such as dialing in ideal exposures and nailing focus, they also seem to connect with their subjects and convey emotion and mood in their photographs.

If you read through the bios and “About” pages on their sites, which we recommend doing, you’ll find that great street photographers need to be patient, observant, and willing to experiment in order to create unique and impactful images. They all put in their time in the field (or out on the streets, rather) to find their own place within this genre.

10 Famous Street Photographers to Follow

Brandon Stanton (Humans of New York): Website | Instagram

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“I was five when he became a person in my world. I didn’t know exactly who he was. I just knew that there was someone around that was making my mother smile. I had to look way up to see him. I’d never met someone so strong. He’d tell me to hold onto his wrist, and he’d lift me into the sky with one hand. He worked at an auto shop, airbrushing designs onto the side of vans. I think he dreamed of being an artist. But he needed something more stable. So after he decided to marry my mom, he became a cop. He never lost touch with his creative side. He was always building things around the house—making things look fancier than we could afford. He built my first bike from scraps. He encouraged me to read. He encouraged me to write. He loved giving me little assignments. He’d give me a quarter every time I wrote a story. Fifty cents if it was a good one. Whenever I asked a question, he’d make me look it up in the encyclopedia. One day he built a little art studio at the back of our house. And he painted a single painting—a portrait of Sting that he copied from an album cover. But he got busy with work and never used the studio again. He was always saying: ‘when I retire.’ ‘I’ll go back to art, when I retire.’ ‘I’ll show in a gallery, when I retire.’ But that time never came. Dad was a cop for twenty years. He was one of the good ones. The kind of cop you see dancing on the street corner. Or skateboarding with kids. But in 1998 he was diagnosed with MS. First there was a little weakness. Then there was a cane. Then there was a wheelchair. It got to the point where he couldn’t even hold a paintbrush. We did his hospice at home. He seemed to have no regrets. He’d been a wonderful provider. He’d raised his daughters. He’d walked me down the aisle. During his final days, we were going through his possessions, one by one. He was telling me who to give them to. I pulled the Sting painting out of an old box, and asked: ‘What should I do with this?’ His response was immediate. ‘Give it to Sting,’ he said. All of us started laughing. But Dad grew very serious. His eyes narrowed. He looked right at me, and said: ‘Give it to Sting.’ So I guess that’s my final assignment.”

A post shared by Humans of New York (@humansofny) on May 19, 2020 at 11:57am PDT

With over twenty million followers on social media, Brandon Stanton (aka Humans of New York) is easily one of the most famous street photographers working today. As noted on his website, Stanton’s work “provides a worldwide audience with daily glimpses into the lives of strangers on the streets of New York City.” Stanton, whose style features portraits paired with stories, has also photographed people outside of New York City and he’s shared stories from people in more than twenty countries. If you haven’t yet visited Stanton’s Humans of New York profile on Instagram, get ready to be inspired. There’s a reason he’s amassed such a following.

Street Photographers to Follow – Sean Tucker: YouTube | Instagram

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I rode a motorbike for a little while when I lived back in South Africa. I miss the feeling of freedom you get from travelling like that. #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephotography #streetphotography #streetdreamsmag #lensculture #featureshoot #lightandshadow #protectyourhighlights #embraceyourshadows #ricoh #grist #grsnaps #ricohgr3 #lightroommobile #instagram #london #wandsworth #shapes #shadows #motorbike #negativespace

A post shared by Sean Tucker (@seantuck) on May 20, 2020 at 7:58am PDT

Sean Tucker’s thoughtful composition and dramatic interplay of light and shadows firmly cement his place among the most creative street photographers featured in this article. Also, as an artist focused more on the ‘why’ than the ‘how’ with the images he captures, Tucker uses his YouTube channel to offer fresh insight into his process with informative and inspiring stories behind the photos he captures.

Paola Franqui aka Monaris: Website | Instagram

Next to the “enter” button on her website, Paola Franqui (also known as Monaris) describes the gallery of images to come as “a collection of visual stories.” On her site as well as her Instagram feed, Franqui delivers exactly that, in a cinematic style that captures the emotions of those she photographs in fleeting moments of time. While she’s earned the moniker of famous street photographer, she also uses her adept skillset to capture visual stories in a commercial capacity for big brands like RayBan, Budweiser, ESPN, and several others.

 

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Yanidel: Website | Instagram

 

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A post shared by Yanick Delafoge (@yanidel_street)

Based in Argentina by way of Paris, Yanidel has traveled the globe capturing compelling street photographs. Though he doesn’t boast the following of some of the other famous street photographers on this list, Yanidel is a worthy contender for placement here and his work reflects that. Yanidel also writes about his process for capturing street photography images and shares tips and techniques through his blog. As noted on his website and made apparent in his images, Yanidel takes a documentary approach to street photography in an attempt “to give a surrealist and lyric dimension to the little facts of our daily life, trying to blend in some humor and a positive spin from time to time.”

Street Photographers to Follow – Mikk Olli: Instagram

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Tallinn, Estoni 2018 . . #streetphotography #streettogs #streetphoto #challengerstreets #ourstreets #myspc18 #streetlife_award #capturestreets #gspc #cobblescope #fromstreetswithlove #gf_streets #friendsinperson #SPiCollective #streetsgrammer #fujifilm #fujilove #fujifeed #friendsinstreets #fujifilm_street #aspfeatures #tänavafotograafia #tallinn #estonia #oldtown #fujifilmxt2

A post shared by Mikk Olli | Street Photography (@drawntostreets) on Dec 3, 2018 at 5:11am PST

A digital product designer with a passion for photography, Mikk Olli found his way into street photography after challenging himself to overcome his introverted tendency to shy away from human subjects. Like Sean Tucker (listed above), Olli finds unique compositions and highlights his subjects through bold contrasts of light and dark, often isolating a singular subject against a stark backdrop. Consider Olli an up-and-comer worth a follow. With his consistent, high-quality output, it won’t be long before his social media numbers officially qualify for the “famous” label.

GMB Akash: Website | Instagram

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Cyclone Amphan with a wind speed of up to 200 kph expected to hit coastal areas of India and Bangladesh on Wednesday. (20-05-2020) Many times during its history, Bangladesh and the surrounding region have been struck by devastating tropical cyclones that have caused great loss of life and property. Bangladesh is particularly vulnerable to storm surge flooding due to the geography of the land and region. Over the next few decades, scientists expect 17 percent of the country’s land to be submerged, and 18 million Bangladeshis to be displaced by seas. The country regularly suffers from deadly and devastating flooding, tropical cyclones, storm surges and droughts. I am sharing few images from my long time project on ‘Climate Change’ in Bangladesh. We can all hope that these images and stories of afflicted climate refugees will bring more attention to this issue. #climatechange #migrants #gmbakash #cyclone #humanitarianphotographerofbangladesh #documentaryohotograoherofbangladesh #bangladeshiphotographers #bangladeshrohingyadeployment #jurnalistofbangladesh #portraitphotographer #streetphotographer #bangladeshphotography #travelling #travel #travelphotography #bangladeshiphotographer #disaster #nature #planetearth #dhaka #Bangladesh #climateregugees

A post shared by GMB AKASH (@gmbakash) on May 19, 2020 at 6:24am PDT

Chock full of bold colors and authentic expressions, the photos that occupy GMB Akash’s Instagram profile will keep you coming back for more. Moreover, the stories that accompany the images make for compelling reading and may even inspire you to take action. A photojournalist at heart, GMB Akash captures visual stories of a wide swath of subjects, from lost tribes to refugees, against a backdrop of climate crises and political unrest.

Street Photographers to Follow – Phil Penman: Website | Instagram

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CENTRAL PARK.NEW YORK . Copyright Phil Penman, 2020.

A post shared by P H I L  P E N M A N (@philpenman) on Jul 27, 2020 at 8:01am PDT

Phil Penman’s Instagram feed reads like a fine art gallery of street photography, mainly (but not always) featuring monochromatic captures of the New York City and its inhabitants. Penman’s award-winning work has made him among the most influential and famous street photographers on this list (and in the world). Having documented celebrities and historical moments (like September 11, 2001), Penman’s recent work has turned its attention to various crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, as illustrated in this piece on how homeless people in New York shelter in place.

Linda Wisdom Photography: Website | Instagram

 

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In addition to the incredible work featured on her Instagram page, you can find Linda’s award-winning fine art street photography featured in a number of magazines, including Amateur Photographer and Digital Camera Magazine, alongside tips on how to artfully capture street photography. According to her site, Linda also teaches workshops and offers photo tours in London and Europe. Her body of work mainly features candid lifestyle shots of people in urban and city environments and uses composition, lighting, and mindful anticipation to tell impactful stories within a single frame.

Street Photographers to Follow – Girma Berta: Instagram

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Moving Shadows II, X. #StreetsofAddis

A post shared by Girma Berta (@gboxcreative) on Jul 5, 2017 at 6:04am PDT

In a beautiful blend of street photography and fine art, Girma Berta’s work features a cast of candidly captured citizens set against bold & colorful backdrops. This holds true for pieces that have been digitally altered (such as those featured in his Moving Shadows collection), as well as real world captures taken against city backdrops. Hailing from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Girma has built an award-winning body of work that’s equally comfortable at home in a world class gallery or online in Instagram’s gridded squares, which is especially noteworthy considering many of the images have been captured using an iPhone.

Lee Jeffries: Website | Instagram

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Portraits… it’s a book of love… compassion and humanity… when it comes down to it, it’s always that simple… . Link to buy in my bio x

A post shared by Lee Jeffries (@lee_jeffries) on May 3, 2020 at 10:40am PDT

Known primarily for his work documenting the homeless, Lee Jeffries’ intimate portraits of his subjects offer a rare glimpse into a strand of society that’s often overlooked. The closeup, gritty images put viewers face-to-face with Jeffries’ subjects, whose expressions reveal depths of emotion and inspire compassion. For a so-called amateur photographer, Jeffries has built an impressive body of work and a substantial following with whom to share it.

Street Photographers to Follow | Conclusion

I hope this list proves a helpful starting point from which to dive further into the genre. Here again is a quick recap of the famous street photographers featured in this article.

• Brandon Stanton
• Sean Tucker
• Paola Franqui
• Yanidel
• Mikk Olli
• GMB Akash
• Phil Penman
• Linda Wisdom Photography
• Girma Berta
• Lee Jeffries

You can find additional street photography tips in this article on following ethical guidelines while practicing within this genre. Let us know some other famous street photographers that you follow and feel should’ve made list. We know there are plenty left out there who can inspire droves of photographers with their imagery.

We recently interviewed Janine to learn more about her process and discover how we, too, might find ways to pursue our passion in photography.

Featured Artist Interview with Janine Pendleton

What inspired you to create these photos?

I find exquisite beauty in decay. No two places are every the same. Each broken window and blemish is part of the story of the location and its evolution. The feeling I get when I am walking around these places is unlike anything else. Surrounded by ruins and dwelling in silence and shadows, it is like a form of mindfulness for me. I am both relaxed and focussed on my work, but utterly content in every way.

What is the biggest challenge in the creation of these photos?

A major challenge is the process of researching online, to plan a trip and to create the route map. It can take many hours of computer work to prepare for a road trip. First is a kind of info dump, I collect location co-ordinates and information and place them onto my map. I scour articles, news reports, registries as well as satellite maps to find potentially interesting locations to shoot. I then rank them, so I can pick out my essential locations and colour code them. The dispersion and arrangement of these form the basis of the route plan, then it all sort of comes together after this point. When I land the goal is to zig zag along the route hitting as many of the essential locations as possible, padding out the route with any other locations as time permits.

What cameras, lenses and lighting gear were used to create the photos of abandoned places?

I have been shooting Sony since my photographer journey began in 2015. I started out with a Sony A77 mk2 and a Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 lens. Eventually, my trusted and beloved friend earned its retirement, after many years of adventures. Currently, I shoot with a Sony a7 II and Sony FE 12-24 mm f/4 G lens.

I use natural light in almost all my photos of abandoned places, opting for a tripod and long exposures. In some cases, where there are pressures that necessitate shooting quickly I often opt for hand shooting.

Do you have a favorite photo from the series? If so, what is it and why?

My favourite photos depict nature reclaiming lost places. Greenhouses, forgotten by their owners and overrun by un-checked plant growth are always my favourites. I also love lost cars in the forest, especially those which involve exquisite moss textures and trees growing out of them.

For photographers looking to create impactful images like this, could you share your process of coming up with your concepts and ideas?

Many of these spaces are immensely large, and the scale of them is often hard to convey with a single photo. A wide angle lens helps with this, to capture as much of the space as possible in the frame.

[Related Reading: Sea Captain Captures Nat Geo Worthy Travel and Landscape Portraits | Featured Artist Interview with Zay Yar Lin]

What are you currently working on? What’s next?

Currently I am planning trips to Poland, Lebanon and Namibia. Also, I am starting to shoot film photography alongside my digital photography. I have started using my grandfather’s Zenit E and Helios-44 lens, and I am very excited about expanding my art to include film.

Find Janine Pendleton Online: Website | Locations Gallery | Instagram

Fashion week is a perfect time to reach out to each market’s modeling agencies and inquire about testing or even hiring models for a shoot as there is a vast amount of talent in the area. But what happens when it is off season and very few models are in fact in the area and even fewer are available to shoot?

This is precisely what I encountered when traveling to Europe recently during the off season. A trip to a local Irish pub in Salzburg one evening introduced me to a woman who had incredible features that inspired me to ask her to sit in front of my lens.

The subject doesn’t always have to be a working model in order to achieve beautiful imagery. Here are some tips to pull it off.

Keep It Simple.

The key is to keep it as simple as possible, and that also goes for the equipment. As tempting as it is to bring your favorite portable strobe and modifier, it is probably best to go as minimalistic as possible. The added equipment is not only cumbersome to haul around, it can intimidate someone who has never modeled before as well as garner unwanted attention from those passing by.

Have a preset vision.

Know what it is that you want to photograph and where you want to capture it. This vision will often reveal itself upon the first glimmer of inspiration and if it doesn’t manifest immediately, sit back for a few minutes and observe the subject. Angles, lighting and mannerisms will often present themselves and instantaneously complete the imaginary mood board in one’s head.

Style it accordingly.

The aforementioned observations will typically inspire the overall look and mood of the shoot. Choose clothing and accessories that play up that vision and make the model feel comfortable at the same time. While reference images can always be exchanged beforehand with the overall aesthetic for clothing in hopes that the model possesses similar items, it is always a good idea to pull the exact wardrobe ahead of time from somewhere like H&M as a measure of safety.

Additionally, a good standard practice is to keep the hair simple and makeup minimal. The hair should be able to be worn up or down and makeup doesn’t need to be more than a little powder and/or under eye makeup, mascara and gloss. The look can always be built upon if desired.

Establish trust.

Communicate with and get to know the model prior to the shoot date by asking questions and genuinely becoming acquainted with them. This in tandem with sharing previous work and the overall goal of the upcoming shoot develops a rapport and level of trust, both of which are essential to a successful shoot.

Give clear and concise direction.

There is a good chance that there may be a language barrier when working in a different country and therefore clear and concise direction is essential. Provide visual cues such as physically demonstrating the exact pose and facial expression whenever possible and choose specificity and brevity over long-winded directions to make sure nothing is lost in translation.

The more straightforward and uncomplicated the entirety of everything is, the better. Also be sure to be very complimentary to the model when they are doing a great job and try not to let any frustrations rear their ugly head during the shoot.

Terms like beautiful and wonderful accompanied with a genuine smile are pretty universal in letting them know they are on the right track. This will keep the mood positive and light as well as encourage them to keep giving you their best efforts.

Gear Used:

• Canon 5D Mark III
• Canon 85mm f/1.2L II USM Lens
• Canon 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens

20+ Best Landscape Photographers to Follow

This list is by no means exhaustive, but consider it a trailhead from which to further explore this genre through the lenses of some of the best landscape photographers working today.  Have any recommendations?  Let us know in the comments below!

Sean Bagshaw: Website | Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9xPPSIpGN7/

Sean Bagshaw’s award-winning landscape and travel photos feature bold, colorful captures from locations across the globe. As part of the Photo Cascadia team, Bagshaw shares educational insights, images, and stories online to benefit all levels of photographers. Given his artistic vision and passion for teaching, Bagshaw’s work will continue to inspire and shape future generations of landscape photographers.

Sapna Reddy: Website | Instagram

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Mirror Hope you all are having a relaxing long weekend. Sharing a shot that is one of my favorites from Oregon. #jaw_dropping_shots #hubs_united #ig_landscapes #ig_nature_naturally #columbiarivergorge #igpodium #earthfocus

A post shared by ????? ????? (@sapnareddy) on May 25, 2020 at 6:58am PDT

With dual careers in medicine and photography, Sapna Reddy captures images that “celebrate health, happiness, and the goodness of life.” Reddy’s serene imagery truly serves its purpose, whether hanging on the walls of medical centers or beautifying presentations as a screensaver. Across Reddy’s portfolio, you’ll find beauty in the somewhat muted colors of both lush and barren landscapes.

Albert Dros: Website | Instagram

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A spectacular sunset some days ago in Amsterdam. I saw the sky getting color and rushed out with my bike and arrived in time to catch the best light on the canals. A little fun fact about this shot: I focus stacked the flowers but they were moving a bit. So I spent over 2 hours to manually do just the flowers alone. But in the end it was worth it, I hope :) . #amsterdamview #iamsterdam #amsterdamvibe #bestofthenetherlands #thenetherlands #dernederlanden #canal #sunsetview

A post shared by Albert Dros (@albertdrosphotography) on May 21, 2020 at 5:31am PDT

Whether snapping stunning aerial photos of Iceland from a plane or capturing sunset shots across the canals in Amsterdam (see the Instagram image above), Albert Dros employs his expertise in design to create painterly landscape images that will leave you wanting to take the next flight out to push both your skills and geographical boundaries.

Erez Marom: Website | Instagram

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Leaving today to South America for a very special adventure, but I'm also looking forward to my upcoming visit to Greenland in just one month! This time I'll be back in Disko Bay to do my annual speedboat workshop, but also in Uummannaq to do more amazing sailing among icebergs and mountains. I have 2 very last spots on sale for Disko Bay – contact me ASAP if you're interested in joining us! It's pretty crazy up there :) . . . . #greenland #arctic #iceberg #icebergs #midnightsun #summer #diskobay #ilulissat #reflection #visitgreenland #guidetogreenland #greenlandscape #greenlandpioneer #sunset #red #sunrise #pink #DJIglobal #aerial #drone #dji #DJImavicIIpro

A post shared by Erez Marom (@erezmarom) on Jun 23, 2019 at 4:54am PDT

Through his imagery, Erez Marom seeks to capture “the intricacy and beauty of our natural world.” Like many of the photographers on this list, Marom is also an educator, leading future generations of landscape and wildlife photographers. The scope of Marom’s work and his eye for incredible imagery has led to shoots on nearly all of the continents. Whether capturing the snowy landscapes in Switzerland or fiery formations in Hawaii and Ethiopia, Marom’s landscape photos inspire an emotional response and make good on his goal to share the beauty of our natural world.

Chris Burkhard: Website | Instagram

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Isolation series: maybe we really aren’t all alone out here.

A post shared by ChrisBurkard (@chrisburkard) on Apr 18, 2020 at 9:11pm PDT

Part travel/surf/landscape photographer, explorer, author, educator, speaker and more, Chris Burkhard has leveraged his many talents to grow a massive online presence, and deservedly so. Burkhard’s work inspires while it also challenges us to reflect on our relationship with nature. His bold, award-winning landscape images are the subject of several (also award-winning) films, and his work in extreme conditions shaped the majority of the content for his TED talk, “The Joy of Surfing in Ice Cold Water.” If you don’t already know Burkhard’s work, do yourself a favor and check it out.

Ranz Kalamaulaokalani Navaro: Instagram

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Isolated, flat-topped sandstone peak surrounded by extensive, bluish-grey hills completely lacking any vegetation. Nearby are delicate, eroded rock formations and unusual, slot-like ravines. These are some of the ingredients for a badlands adventure with @adventurecrewusa . . . . #stayandwonder #ourdailyplanet #ourlonelyplanet #global_creatives #moodnation #roamearth #bpa_nature #got_greatshots #the_folknature #natureromantix #thewanderco #raw_moody #themoderndayexplorer #visualofearth #stademagazine #shotsdelight #dscvr_mood #earthoutdoors10k #scape_captures #beyondthelands_ #roam247 #wildvisuals #escapeandwonder #weroamabroad #dreaming_landscape #roamanywhere #momentkeepers @kuhl @vasquefootwear @slikusa @sonyalpha @tamronusa

A post shared by Ranz Kalamaulaokalani Navarro (@ranznav) on Jun 8, 2020 at 5:01pm PDT

Ranz Kalamaulaokalani Navarro’s IG feed reads like a grand outdoor adventure, bursting with scenic landscapes and epic selfies. Over jagged mountain ranges and under starry skies, Navarro’s imagery leads viewers on a visual journey that you never want to end. Part of Navarro’s magic lies in his stellar skills in post-production, which he uses to maximize the potential of each and every capture.

Michael Shainblum: Website | Instagram

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The Milky Way gloating above a sea of fog. Taken on the central coast of California. Still one of my favorite moments capturing photography back in 2012 when I was studying in college. I spent all night staring up at the sky until sunrise.

A post shared by Michael Shainblum (@shainblumphotography) on May 23, 2020 at 11:42am PDT

Michael Shainblum is a landscape, time-lapse and aerial photographer and filmmaker whose surreal imagery has been captivating viewers for more than a decade. Because of his drone capabilities, Shainblum’s galleries feature a range of epic perspectives, from breathtaking aerial views to close up shutter drags of crashing waves. As a result, Shainblum’s work remains rooted in visual storytelling and offers a healthy dose of inspiration.

Cath Simard: Website | Instagram

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I’ve been a little bit obsessed with ice caves in the past year or so. Here’s why: – Their blue colour – Due to our glaciers melting rapidely, new caves are formed every month, which makes every one of them unique and ephemeral – You need to work a bit to access them, the harder you work to get to them, the more rewarding I feel it is. – There’s a minimalistic and modern look to them which I’m highly attracted to aesthetically speaking – I love putting on crampons and walking on the glacier to get to them, even just that makes it worth it even if the cave isn’t the most impressive Now that cave was easily accessible and I had the chance to visit it with both my workshop groups, and safely guided by my friend @thestrawhatbackpacker I took 5 minutes at the end of the tour to shot this focus stacked panorama which I know would be a real pain to assemble in Photoshop, but I took it anyway. It took me about 10 hours to do the full edit and it wasn’t the most pleasant thing but I am (kind of) satisfied with the final image it resulted. Even if the ice wasn’t the smoothest or the most translucide, I thought that the shape of he ice was worth giving it a try for the edit. Shot with @sonyalpha A7riii + 12-24 f4. 2 sec, f6.3, iso 100 #alphacollective #sonyalpha #bealpha

A post shared by C A T H S I M A R D (@cathsimard) on Feb 29, 2020 at 11:33am PST

Near the top of the list of landscape photographers whose work makes it nearly impossible to choose a favorite, you’ll find Cath Simard. Every image boasts amazing artistry. Simard’s use of composition and colors, not to mention her command of post-production techniques, sets her work apart from other landscape photographers. The cliche, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” does not do justice to Simard’s ability to tell masterful visual stories.

[Related Reading: Exposure Balance in Landscape Photography – What to Do to Get the Perfect Exposure]

Daniel Kordan: Website | Instagram

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Hogwarts express! Despite this is exactly the train from the famous movie set, it's also a Jacobite steam locomotive-hauled tourist train service. It operates over part of the West Highland Line in Scotland.  #Scotland #harrypotter #hogwartsexpress #madewithluminar #gitzoinspires

A post shared by Daniel Kordan (@danielkordan) on May 17, 2020 at 7:14am PDT

Based mainly in Norway and Tuscany, Daniel Karden has traveled the world (and led others, literally, in the process), from Europe to the UK, USA, Asia and Russia, to artistically photograph the landscapes he visits. Lofoten Islands have earned the distinction of being one of Karden’s favorite places to photograph, but all of his images capture the wonder and beauty of the environment.

Rebecca Simrose: Website | Instagram

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Moonlight and Milky Way ? #travelalberta #explorealberta #canmorekananaskis #imagesofcanada #nightphotography #nightscaper #night_shooterz #weownthenight_ab #totescanadian #canadiancreatives #milkyway #milkywaychasers #newmilkyway #ourplanetdaily #astrophotography #night_excl #nightphotography_exclusive #allaboutadventures

A post shared by Rebecca Simrose (@beckylynnsim) on Jun 5, 2020 at 10:19am PDT

Magical. Surreal. Grand and Epic. All of these and more only begin to describe Rebecca Simrose’s portfolio of landscape photos. Simrose’s self-proclaimed love affair with the natural world clearly translates in the images she creates. As though they were placed by design, mountain ranges and vast starry skies (and the core of the Milky Way) feature prominently in Simrose’s work. We could go on but it’d only keep you from exploring Simrose’s gallery, which we strongly suggest you do now.

Scott Kranz: Website | Instagram

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An hour ago, one of my climbing heroes, @conrad_anker, posted about issues that have been weighing on my mind as of late, global and societal issues relating to privilege, racism, inclusion, among others. In particular George Floyd and his family have not left my thoughts this week. For me, these subjects are too big to fully unpack in general, let alone in this caption. Nevertheless, I plan to share thoughts on these issues more frequently moving forward. – For starters: I carry more privilege than I can fully grasp. I am an able-bodied, well-educated, heterosexual, cisgender, neurotypical white male. I have enjoyed 20-plus years of formal, mostly private, education. I have studied abroad in multiple countries, and I have traveled internationally for many years. I have never experienced discrimination or lived below the poverty line. I have never gone to bed homeless or hungry. I've never been fearful while running, hiking, climbing, etc. In short, I am among the most privileged people in our society. – You might be wondering why I am sharing this. It is not to blame or shame or devalue other's hard work. Rather, I wish to acknowledge my privilege and speak up about the issues of systematic racism in our country. Naming where we stand and using your voice enables us to serve as a catalyst for action and change. In the outdoor industry, where people of color are underrepresented, for example, I want to use my privilege to speak up and call out injustice. I cannot be silent. Silence is the problem. As Conrad just said: Racial injustice matters. Black Lives Matter. George Floyd matters. – I am still learning about my own privilege and identity, and this conversation is just beginning for me. Thank you for reading this, and I welcome any thoughts of your own below in the comments. #georgefloyd #justiceforgeorgefloyd #sayhisname #blacklivesmatter #blackoutdoorlivesmatter

A post shared by Scott Kranz – Seattle (@scott_kranz) on May 28, 2020 at 9:28pm PDT

As an outdoor enthusiast, Scott Kranz has built his parlayed his passion for “the mountains and all things outdoors” into a career as a full-time commercial and editorial photographer. Kranz said it best when describing his own work, as he captures “authentic moments in real adventures while surrounded by the most wild, rugged, and pristine beauty of North America and beyond.” Take a trip through his portfolio to see for yourself how passion and practice have allowed Kranz to create unforgettable images.

Candice Dyar: Website | Instagram

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To this day, I’ve never seen so many rainbows in such a short period of time. ?? Do you love wildflowers, mountains or the Milky Way? Enjoy learning in a small group with attentive/intimate one-on-one interaction? My Mount St. Helens Workshop still has a couple of spots remaining if you’re interested. Dates are June 18-21st. Direct link in my bio for more details/ to sign up. Use Discount Code EARYBIRD to receive 25% off extended through the end of February. Subscribe to my mailing list for upcoming Autumn 2020 workshop announcements and discounts. Thanks for looking ? About the image: From the archives, 2016. A thunderstorm rolls through the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. ________________________________________ #landscapephotography #natgeovisual #splendid_shotz #wildflowers #Summer #colorado_creative #earthoutdoors #Colorado #rainbow

A post shared by ??????? ???? (????????) (@candacedyar) on Feb 5, 2020 at 11:04am PST

It was during weekend hikes as a child that Candice Dyar’s love for the great outdoors took form, a passion that later merged with her interest in photography, which she uses in hopes of inspiring others to do their part in conserving wilderness areas and the creatures who inhabit those spaces. Dyar’s work resonates on an emotional level and draws the viewer in through clever composition and use of colors, which culminates in breathtaking imagery.

David Thompson: Website | Instagram

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“Medusa” What’s up everyone! Hope all you guys out there are safe and well. We are in some crazy times. We all need to do our part, and we will get through this madness in time. With that being said, I guess it’s time to start sharing some new work. Hopefully the imagery will bring some of you guys spirits up. The image here is from an area that I truly adore. It’s one of the few places that I can go and just fit right in and connect with the landscape. Each one of these cypress trees has its own unique character. This particular tree reminds me of the snakes in Medusa’s hair! Those squiggly branches look incredible! The mix of fall colors with the mist gives this landscape an ethereal feeling. For more images and info, please visit my website at: davidthompsonphotography.com #swamp #swampscapes #mood #moody #moodynaturelandscapes #atmosphere #mist #fog #foggy #thesouth #bayou #bayoulandscape #nikond850 #nikonusa #nikonofficial #d850 #d850nikon #naturephotography #landscapephotography #landscape #nature_good #igworldclub_longexp #reflections #reflectionphotography #autumn #autumnleaves #fallcolors

A post shared by David Thompson (@davidthompsonphotography) on Mar 23, 2020 at 8:20am PDT

Each new photo that David Thompson shares immediately takes a well-deserved place on the list of best landscape images on IG (or anywhere). Throughout his body of work, Thompson utilizes composition, color, and light to dramatic effect. While many photographers claim to want to draw the viewer into the scene, Thompson’s work does exactly that with careful framing and brilliant perspective. Take a peek through his galleries and bookmark his site so that you can return regularly for instant inspiration.

Kai Hornung: Website | Instagram

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Some aurora magic for Saturday evening. Oh, how I miss those green lights. . . . . . #aurora #northernlights #northernlightsphotos #polarlichter #nightphotography #nightshots #nightphotography

A post shared by Kai Hornung Photography (@kaihornung) on May 23, 2020 at 11:11am PDT

An educator, speaker, writer, and perhaps most of all, an artist. Kai Hornung has captured amazing images from around the world, and he’s done it all within the last few years, which is when he took an interest in landscape photography. We could go on about the caliber of his work and how it evokes mood and emotion, but it would better serve your eyes and interest to experience Hornung’s work yourself, which he has efficiently organized on his site and curated via his Instagram profile.

Marc Adamus: Website | Instagram

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Goodbye to winter! Hopefully there will be another season for shooting the beautiful simplicity of the snow and ice again this year, but who knows…. With sun and +30C this week I miss it already, haha. For me, winter never gets old. The second and third images are of icebow effects, also known as sundogs, that have landed at ground level in -40 cold. The last is a 400mm of the inside of an ice cave. And of course all us landscape shooters have heard of ice bubbles in 2020, no description needed there! Thanks for all your support! The processing tutorial and artistic philosophy videos are on marcadamus.com!

A post shared by Marc Adamus (@marcadamus) on May 12, 2020 at 9:42am PDT

A wilderness photographer at heart, Marc Adamus’s passion for the outdoors comes through crystal clear in his epic images. In a cinematic style, Adamus captures perfectly framed trees under full rainbows, night skies filled with dancing northern lights, and grand (or, again, make that “epic”) views of both land and sea. You’ll find all of that and more in Adamus’s insanely beautiful galleries.

[Related Reading: This is What Advanced Landscape Photography Should Look Like]

Philip Slotte: Website | Instagram

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A cave in my hometown of Nynäshamn, Sweden ?? It always feels nice to share some new stuff from my hometown, unfortunately it happens quite rarely. This year I will do my best to explore more of my local area and hopefully capture some decent pictures worth sharing. By the way, i've been debating with myself whether this picture would work better with or without the person (me) in it, I find both bad and good things about each options.. what do you think?

A post shared by Philip Slotte (@philipslotte) on Jan 2, 2020 at 7:06am PST

Though the term painterly may be overly used, even when it doesn’t apply, Philip Slotte is one artist whose work truly embodies a painterly aesthetic. A young, self-taught photographer, Slotte’s ability to capture timeless images goes beyond his years. In a relatively short time, Slotte has transitioned from capturing images on his phone to creating masterpieces on his digital camera in a number of awe-inspiring locations.

Benjamin Hardman: Website | Instagram

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Raw earth. This geothermal pool is both a piece of art and an artist in itself. I spent a day there last week looking for interesting colours and patterns in the cracked mud surrounding the boiling pool. The blue area intrigued me the most.

A post shared by B E N J A M I N (@benjaminhardman) on May 22, 2020 at 5:49am PDT

Benjamin Hardman’s aerial (and land-based) photography beautifully captures the ever-changing ice structures, volcanic mountains, and wildlife of the north. Based in Iceland, Hardman aims to use his work to “convey the fragility and transitory intricacies of glacial ice amidst the current period of accelerated retraction and a changing global climate.”

Mads Peter Iversen: Website | Instagram

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A bunch of memories from my 2016 trip to the US! An absolutely amazing tour I'll cherish for the rest of my life! ? – if you struggle with composition in landscape photography be sure to get my eBooks on that topic. There are link in my bio ? . . . . . #bigsur #dreaming_landscape #usatravel #insta_worldz #folklore #duskmac #sunset_vision #welcometonature #sunset_stream #master_gallery #nightimages #global_hotshotz #theimaged #igpodium #nightphotography #epic_captures #folkscenery #Wildernessculture #globelusters #ig_masterpiece #travelawesome #lonelyplanet #depthsofearth #ig_color #californiacoast #californialove #california #california_igers #californiaholics

A post shared by Mads Peter Iversen Photography (@madspeteriversen_photography) on May 25, 2020 at 1:51pm PDT

The work of Mads Peter Iversen covers the gamut of human emotion. Whether presented in full color or a monochromatic palette, Iversen’s photos evoke peace and wonder as well as drama and depression. With a particular interest in vast, empty landscapes like those you’d find in epic sci-fi movies, Iversen invests much of his time and energy editing his images to reflect his preferences and convey whatever mood he finds himself in at the time. Here’s an article Mads wrote for SLR Lounge in which he shared five tips for capturing powerful wide angle landscape photos.

Max Rive: Website | Instagram

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Hi guys – I hope everyone is  healthy and safe during these uncertain and unprecedented times! See here a collection of photos I took during my first in the field Masterclass (14+ hours total). It includes 8 on location lessons + a from start to finish processing tutorial of each lesson. I will cover subjects such as my Google Earth ? and in the field scouting techniques, mountain selfies, (manual) focus stacking techniques, Panorama techniques, business tips and many more essential photography skills ? I've learned in the past 10 years. I hope everyone will enjoy the 50% discount I included – only valid during the launch period – don't miss out, link in bio! ?

A post shared by Max Rive (@maxrivephotography) on Apr 4, 2020 at 2:37am PDT

Encouraged by winning an IPA award, Max Rive knew he had made the right choice to leave his studies and travel the world in pursuit of capturing inspiring landscape imagery. The journey hasn’t been without its hiccups, but Rive’s work stands as a testament to what’s possible when one follows his/her passion and wholly commits to making it work.

Ted Gore: Website | Instagram

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The weird and interesting mono lake. Sadly water levels have gotten so low that it’s really not great to shoot anymore. Have a good weekend!

A post shared by Ted Gore (@tedgorephotography) on Jun 30, 2018 at 4:38pm PDT

An acclaimed photographer for his sophisticated style of landscape photography, Ted Gore creates visual masterpieces built on creative compositions and skillful editing. Gore’s portfolio boasts a number of award-winning images and it’s easy to see why. As an avid outdoorsman, Gore understands the environments in which he works and his passion translates in his imagery.

[Related Reading: 5 Quick Tips for Amazing Photos of the Milky Way]

Ryan Longnecker: Website | Instagram

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Bishop – socially distancing before it was cool.

A post shared by Ryan Longnecker (@ryanlongnecker) on Apr 10, 2020 at 3:22pm PDT

A frequent contributor on our site, Ryan Longnecker shares his knowledge of the craft of photography while he also produces beautifully inspiring imagery. His passion for capturing pictures of our planet is matched only by his passion for helping others to see the beauty in it, and not just on the surface. Longnecker’s work conveys the importance of conserving our environment, regardless of geographical coordinates, while also respecting the people we share it with.

Zay Yar Lin: Website | Instagram

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Inle Lake is a unique beautiful place to photograph in Myanmar. When you come to Myanmar don’t forget to get there to see and photograph this beautiful lake. If you are looking for a great photo tour in Myanmar, come and join my photo tours. DM or email me @jz007.007@gmail.com for details. #instagood #beautifuldestinations #wonderful_places #instadaily #instagram #hello_worldpics #HelloFrom #inle #Myanmar #tour #phototour #watchthisinstagood #nikonnofilter

A post shared by Zay Yar Lin (@zayyarlin84) on May 19, 2020 at 6:08am PDT

It’s hard to believe, but Zay Yar Lin’s main occupation is serving as a sea boat captain, although his award-winning photography definitely benefits from his travels. On the topic of work, the theme of daily occupations appears regularly in the portraits he captures in while traveling by sea. The interplay of light and color, as well as the dynamic compositions in Lin’s images set his photography apart and it appeals to both travel and landscape enthusiasts alike.

Sangeeta Dey: Website | Instagram

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No Firefall this year. I have been getting an overwhelming number of messages and emails asking about Firefall as people are leaving over the weekend for Yosemite. I have been trying my best to respond individually, but it is taking a lot of time so I will just make this post here. As you all know, Firefall is a natural phenomenon, and the recipe requires three ingredients (a) good snow pack (b) warm temperatures during the day to melt that snow so the water can flow, and (c) clear skies on the west side during sunset to allow the sun to “light up” the fire. This year, there is little precipitation for the waterfall to form. I have seen extreme closeups of the waterfall, and it is “DRY.” Some of you asked that there is rain expected over the weekend so if that would help. The answer is no. First, it has to be snow to maintain the consistent flow of water, and second, even if rain helped with some flow of water, there will be cloud cover blocking the sun. So, unfortunately, the answer is still no. I am posting a few of my favorite images from the past years. Hope you like them. Happy Valentine’s Day, or if you are like me, just another working Friday! #Firefall #elcaptain #yosemitenationalpark #majestic_earth_ #cool_capture_ #naturewhisperers #wildcalifornia #jaw_dropping_shots #gottolove_this #splendid_earth #thebest_capture #igs_america #greatshotz #special_shots #yourshotphotographer #igpodium #artofvisuals #superhubs #neverstopexploring #myrrs #visitcalifornia #nikonnofilter #usinterior #california #earthporm #earthpix #earthoutdoors #yosemiteconservancy #naturephotography #ourplanetdaily #earthoutdoors #earthpix

A post shared by Sangeeta Dey (@sangeetadeyphotography) on Feb 14, 2020 at 9:32am PST

After studying Sangeeta Dey’s landscape photography portfolio, you can see that she uses her camera as more than a tool to document her travels and local landscapes. She also uses the medium as a tool for creative expression. Her images reflect the look and thoughtful compositions of master painters. You can read our interview with Sangeeta here for more insight into her process.

Hillary Younger: Website | Instagram

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Wizard Light ~ Crater Lake, Oregon. There's still a few spots left for the Eastern Sierra Workshop I’m co-leading with @candacedyar next March 10-14, 2018. This exciting photo adventure opportunity includes Mono Lake, Alabama Hills and Owens River among others. Message/ email me if you’re interested in joining us! ————————— hillsees@gmail.com ____________________________ #discoverearth #world_shotz #worldbestshot_ig #jaw_dropping_shots #insta_crew #igw_longexposure #earthofficial #ig_worldclub #fantastic_earth #skymasters_family #global_hotshotz #naturelovers_gr #awesomeearth #earthporn #dream_image #igscglobal #worldcaptures #ahd_shotz #awesomeglobe #sunset_vision #udog_peopleandplaces #special_shots #gottolove_this #tgif_sunset #fatalframes #noir_vision #igbest_shotznihon #featuremeglc

A post shared by Hillary Younger (@hillary_younger) on Nov 23, 2017 at 2:33am PST

A previously featured artist on our site, Hillary Younger brings a unique perspective to her landscape imagery. As she noted in her featured artist interview, “To a large extent, my motivation to pursue landscape photography has been conservation and protection of what I love, wild nature. For me, the joy of photography is centered around being alone in wild places. And in having a voice to protect them.” Her images are dynamic and tend to feature powerful lines and dramatic, moody edits.

Matthew Saville: Website | Instagram

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I'm not saying it was ALIENS, but… . In the grand scheme of things, we're just a cosmic blip. When you see rock formations like this for the first time in pitch darkness, with a literally GREEN (#airglow) sky overhead, you realize just how #ScienceFiction our planet actually can be. It sure doesn't need Hollywood's assistance! . It is moments like these that make me feel so alive, and yet so at peace with "the end". We're just a blip… So, live! Be at harmony with the universe. #nightscape #astrolandscape #stars #astrophotography #landscapephotography #thewave #lightinthedarkness #imnotsayingitwasaliens #cosmicenergy #astro #astronomy #wilderness #martianlandscape

A post shared by Matthew Saville (@astrolandscapes) on Apr 26, 2020 at 12:13am PDT

As a professional photographer, Matthew Saville actually spends most of his time behind the camera photographing weddings; however, his “hobby” of capturing astro landscape imagery has yielded an amazing catalog of first-rate photos. Matt also shares his expertise in the genre as a writer and editor for our site, and he even led our Photography the Milky Way workshop and created our Landscape Photography Presets (in collaboration with The Photo Argus).

Conclusion

I hope this list proves a helpful starting point from which to dive further into the genre. Here again is a quick recap of the 20 best landscape photographers, as featured in this article.

• Sean Bagshaw
• Albert Dros
• Erez Marom
• Chris Burkhard
• Michael Shainblum
• Daniel Kordan
• Scott Kranz
• Ryan Dyar
• Kai Hornung
• Marc Adamus
• Philip Slotte
• Benjamin Hardman
• Mads Peter Iversen
• Max Rive
• Ted Gore
• Ryan Longnecker
• Zay Yar Lin
• Sangeeta Dey
• Hillary Younger
• Matthew Saville

Let us know some other landscape photographers that you follow and feel should’ve made list. We know there are plenty left out there who can inspire droves of photographers with their imagery.

1. Find the right balance
2. Travel light
3. Backup your photos!
4. Research the best photo locations and times
5. Carve out time for photos during sunrise and sunset
6. Study the culture of your destination in advance
7. Practice landscape and street photography
8. Tell a complete story
9. Edit your photos

1. Find the Right Balance

While you might want to take as many photos as possible, remember that you are there to experience a vacation. Make sure that you put the camera down every now and then so that you can enjoy the sights and experience the culture.

There are so many things that you might want to check out and throw yourself into, and obsessing over your camera can get in the way of a meaningful experience. For example, if you intend to go to a cooking class, take a scenic hike, or go on a city tour, make the experience the priority and the photography a secondary addition.

2. Travel Light

Keep your gear simple and lightweight. The more you bring, the more you risk. Also, the more cumbersome your gear is to carry around, the less likely you are to bring it with you. Lastly, the more “expensive” your camera setup looks, the more unwanted eyeballs you will attract from thieves.

These days, most of your travel photography, especially in the day time with plenty of light, can be accomplished with an advanced phone such as the new iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones. If you’re a serious hobbyist and want to expand your options and gear capabilities, consider a mirrorless camera with a single, versatile lens in the 24mm to 70mm range. If you do pack camera gear, keep it with your carry-on luggage, if possible.

3. Backup Your Photos

Make sure to upload your photos to the cloud as you go. You don’t want to get halfway through your week only for there to be an issue with your device, with all of your photos taken thus far becoming lost to the ether. Upload to somewhere like Google Photos to make sure that your holiday snaps are kept as safe as possible, and make it a lot easier to sort through them once the trip is over – from editing those sunsets to creating Google photo books that prevent the snaps from getting lost within your camera reel.

You should also consider investing in an external backup device.  If you’re taking your laptop, you can use that to back up your photos.  Or you can purchase something like the Gnarbox for easy, portable backups.  See our full Gnarbox review for more info.

When a dream holiday is in the cards, you need to make sure that you put some energy into capturing the vacation as best as you can. Drink in every little detail and experience that you are able to and enjoy your holiday to the fullest. This may be the best holiday that you’ve ever been on, so make sure you record everything that happens.

4. Research the Best Photo Locations and Times

Chances are the spots you’re going to visit have already been documented and shared online. Take advantage of the groundwork laid by those who’ve come before you and use their locations as a foundation for your own “photo tour.”

This is not to suggest that you mimic the photos that others have taken in each location. Instead, find the hot spots and then look for creative new ways to capture them when you arrive. Consider various composition tools like the rule of thirds, leading lines, negative space, and framing to help you visualize unique shots.

It’s also important to remember that certain times of day will work better than others, depending on the crowds you might have to navigate, not to mention the lighting. This brings us to our next point.

5. Carve out Time for Photos during Sunrise and Sunset

Sunrise and sunset typically offer the best natural light and most vivid colors you can find on location. During golden hour, for example, that highly sought after hour or so after sunrise or before sunset, the low angle of the sun provides the most flattering natural light of the day for portraits. Stick around a while after sunset and capture a silhouette or two during the colorful twilight before the daylight fades to night. Your windows of opportunity are limited, so be sure to use an app like Sun Surveyor to find out when the sun will rise and set.

6. Study the Culture of Your Destination in Advance

For most trips out of the country, whether you’re planning to focus on photography or not, take the time to study the culture of your destination in advance. You should be able to find plenty of helpful (and free) information online to make this happen. If the primary language spoken where you’re going differs from your own, for instance, make an effort to at least learn some basic phrases so that you can properly greet those you meet and introduce yourself. Also along these lines, look up common traditions and customs. Who knows? You might even make friends with some locals and gain access to documenting these traditions or customs in a way you wouldn’t have been able to capture on your own.

7. Practice Landscape and Street Photography

You’re traveling! Document your travels and boost your landscape photography skills at the same time. While on the road, travel and street photography go hand in hand. Since you’ll likely explore the ins and outs of the locations you’re visiting, take out the camera and commit this experience to your device’s memory (as well as your own).

To help inspire your attempts, see photos that others have taken at your locations (which we mentioned earlier) and start following landscape and street photographers via social media. The photographers you follow might even inspire you to travel to certain locations based on the images they’ve shared. In this way, your photography may play a significant role in determining where it is you’ll travel to in the first place.

As a special note for street photography, some people in particular cultures do not like to be photographed and even hold strong beliefs against having their pictures taken. This goes back to our previous point of studying the cultural norms (or even superstitions) of the people you might try to photograph. When in doubt, ask permission before you snap any portraits.

8. Tell a Complete Story – Wide, Medium, Tight

Use the storytelling structure established in movies and television to tell a cohesive story of your travels. Photographers do this often in all genres of photography. Proper visual storytelling involves capturing wide-angle shots of the location to set the scene, as well as medium and close up shots to provide more detail.

9. Edit Your Photos

Even if you only use your phone’s camera to capture all of your photos, you should still edit the files before calling them “finished.” Modern photo editing apps like Lightroom or Snapseed can make easy work of enhancing your photos, especially if you use professional presets (or create your own).

Conclusion

I hope that you found these tips for incredible vacation photos helpful. With a bit of planning and preparation in advance, you can turn your holiday into both a great travel and photographic experience. The best part is that you’ll have amazing photos to look back on in the future, giving you tangible memories to last a lifetime.

Video: The Ultimate Checklist for Your Next Photo Hike

Of course, some of the items may not prove relevant for you, while others may be missing altogether. For example, we’ve included mosquito repellent and sunscreen, which may not be relevant if you live where it’s cold. At the same time, we’ve left products for frost byte treatment off of the list. Still, this list is a great baseline to create a checklist that you can verify before you go out. This list comprises 33 items, and they all fit in one Lowepro PhotoSport bag.

Quick Reference List

• Basic Camera Gear
• Extra Camera Gear
• Food and Water
• Self-Care & Gear-Care
• Creative Toolkit
• Miscellaneous
• Tarp & Towel

Basic Camera Gear for Your Photo Hike

Of course, any photo hike would not be a photo hike if you did not have at least one camera and one lens. Now, depending on your style, you may want to have a few more items. Maybe a macro lens? Maybe swap the strobe for a third lens, or just go out with one lens. At the end of the day, this part will vary based on your style and the gear you own. The point is to keep your gear as minimal and lightweight as possible. So, you might consider taking a mirrorless camera vs. a DSLR, and so on.

• Lowepro PhotoSport 24L AW III
• Camera: Sony Alpha a7 III
• Lens Option 1: Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8
• Second Lens Option: Sony FE 28mm f/2
• Manfrotto Befree Tripod (Multiple Options Available)
• Your Phone

[Related Reading: PHOTOHIKER | Is This the Ultimate Adventure Camera Backpack?]

Extra Camera Gear

Once you’ve packed the basics, here are a few items that you may want to add to protect your files and ensure that you can keep shooting. Consider this the “peace of mind” portion of the list.

• Extra Memory Cards
• Spare Batteries (OEM Recommended)
• Powerbank
• USB cable

Food and Water for Your Photo Hike

If your hike for more than a few hours, you want to make sure that you have some food and water with you. If there is one thing you’ll take from this list, please make sure to take plenty of water. Getting dehydrated is not fun. On the flip side, a nice gulp of water can be super refreshing. Depending on your diet, you may want to pack some “real food,” like sandwiches. DIYP also recommends some high-protein food like power bars, dried fruits, or a small bag with nuts and raisins. Also, take a trash bag so you have a place for all the trash. You know the saying, “Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints.”

• Water
• Sandwiches
• Protein Bars and/or Nuts & raisins
• Trash Bag

Self-Care and Gear-Care

Both you and your gear may need some basic first aid during the photo hike. Or, you may just want to make sure you’re comfy. That’s fine, too. The less you have to worry about distractions like mosquitos, the better. Instead, you can focus more on enjoying and photographing your environment. The items below will help you stay a happy camper.

• Hat
• Sun Glasses
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito Repellant
• Headache Meds
• Lip Balm
• Small Towel
• Headphones

And these items will help your gear stay happy.

• Lens Blower
• Lens Cloth

Creative Toolkit for Your Photo Hike

If you are a minimalist, you may just hang a camera on your neck and start your hike. If you are willing to carry just a little bit of extra gear on your photo hike, you can open up a lot of creative options. Again, consider those as options. You don’t have to take them all. This is highly dependant on your shooting style and the images you want to create.

• Strobe/Flash
• Pixie Tripod + Phone Bracket
• Small Light
• Filter Set
• Reflector

Miscellaneous

Lastly, here are a few things that are definitely not a must, but they can make a difference in weird situations. Have a look at the video on how DIYP suggests packing Gaffer tape (it’s on 4:06). It’s clever.

• Small Notepad
• Business Cards
• Gaffers Tape
• Pen/Pencil

A Tarp & Towel

I am going to borrow from the great Douglas Adams here and say that a towel, and in this case, a tarp, “is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have.” You can use a tarp as a makeshift sitting area, you can place things on it without them getting dirty, and you can even use it as a makeshift staging zone. Put everything on the tarp when unused, and return them to the tarp after use. This way, nothing gets lost during your photo hike and you don’t have to ask yourself where you put the F#*%ing lens filter.

Conclusion

Here’s a quick look at everything included on this list from DIYP for a relatively short, one-day photo hike. Again, while it might not cover everything for everyone, it’s a helpful overall guide that will help make the photo hike more productive and enjoyable. What are some other things you like to take with you? Let us know in the comments below.

**Featured Image by Andre Furtado.

“And into the forest, I go to lose my mind and find my soul.” – John Muir

This quote is one that resonates with artists no matter the medium. There is something to be said about getting lost in nature and finding purpose. We often find our most inspired moments in solace, surrounded by the vastness of nature and its power. We wanted to provide tips and tricks that we’ve found helpful when capturing natural landscapes to help you better prepare for an outdoor adventure. Take advantage of these forest photography tips so that you can make the most of your experience and your photos.

Forest Photography Tips & Guide

• Which Times of Day Are Best?
• What Time of Year is Best?
• Location Scouting
• Best Camera Settings for Forest Photography
• Lens Choices for Forest Photography
• Editing Forest Photos
• Forest Photography Accessories

Which Times of the Day Are Best?

Different times of the day will allow you to create a stunning forest photograph for different reasons. Just like portraiture, landscapes are often most beautiful at golden hour, golden hours, an hour after sunrise, or the hour before sunset. During this time, a glow is cast through the trees and along the ground, which can be stunning. You should also consider shooting at night. This is an especially promising option if you want to capture astrophotography. Approximately 30 minutes after sunset is when the sky turns to a beautiful blue hue known as blue hour. This makes for a great contrast between the green forest and the blue sky.  The best option is to camp overnight to capture various shots, depending on the available light, where it is available from, and other factors.

What Time of Year is Best?

Another consideration is the time of year, assuming that this forest is located in a place that has the four seasons as many of us know them – i.e. snowy conditions in the winter and hot conditions in the summer. What are you looking for? Perhaps you want to take the same shot in all four seasons to compare and contrast. Maybe certain forests aren’t accessible due to harsh weather conditions. If you are interested in seeing wildlife, do your research prior to finding out when animals are most visible.

Although many photographers attempt to time their photo-taking during quality weather conditions, that does not necessarily make for the best photos, particularly ones taken in the forest. In creating an atmosphere with your photos, having the scene be set amongst the rain, snow or fog can enhance that and cause those looking at those photographs to have a stronger emotional connection with them.

Location Scouting

One of the best forest photography tips to consider is scouting the area beforehand. You not only want to see how busy it may be with other photographers and people passing through, but you also want to see which areas and angles may work and what times of the day sun-wise may be best for woods photography.

As you scout the area, keep your eye out for an “it” factor. This is something that will really capture a viewer’s attention. It can be an especially gnarly tree, a stream that goes in all sorts of directions before heading on its way to its destination, or some flowers that really stand out in the setting that they are in.

Best Camera Settings for Forest Photography

If you do not want any motion whatsoever, such as if a breeze is causing leaves or branches to sway back and forth, use a faster shutter speed in your photographs. Conversely, showing that movement and ensuring a greater detail level can be done with a slower shutter speed. Your aperture impacts what is focused on in forest photography and how much clarity is shown in the subjects. For example, a wide aperture is preferred if you want a photograph that clearly shows many of the subjects that are closer to the camera. This can provide the mood that you are looking to communicate.

Related: Our Favorite Landscape Photography Presets

Lens Choices for Forest Photography

The type of lens that you use is an important element of woods photography. A wide lens can be perfect if you want to have the shot focus on something in the foreground with trees or other forest-related elements behind it be blurry. It can also help really show how vast the forest is. A long lens takes this a step further. It provides you with even more image compression, allowing you to focus more so on something in the foreground, whether that consists of leaves, an animal, or whatnot. Meanwhile, a macro lens offers you a perfect opportunity to zoom in on the smaller elements of the forest. For example, if you want to take a shot of a fascinating insect, bring a macro lens. Using a drone to capture a birdseye view of the forest is becoming a popular option as well. An aeriel view is a great way to see foliage and density in forests.

Editing Forest Photos

Although most forest photographs are in color to show the vibrancy of the greens and blues and other colors, having yours in black and white can really give them an artistic, moody look and feel. If you’re looking for the perfect landscape photography presets to edit your forest photos, be sure to check out our favorite presets here.

Forest Photography Accessories

Now that we’ve covered some of our favorite forest photography tips, let’s discuss some of the other accessories and tools we use to help make incredible photos. Here is a list of some of our most useful tools:

• Tripod: Our current favorite is the Peak Design Travel Tripod. You never know what type of action you’ll see in the forest and you want to be prepared.
• Polarizing Filter: A polarizing filter will help you limit the effect of any glare, such as may result from the sun’s reflection on a lake, and otherwise balance the light that shows up in your images, reducing overexposure.
• Sunseeker App: This is a comprehensive solar tracking & compass app perfect for location scouting. It shows the sun’s hourly direction intervals, its equinox, winter & summer solstice paths, sunrise sunset times, twilight times, sun shadow, the golden hour & more.
• Explorest App: Discover and photograph the world’s greatest places, all in one place! This is the app to use to find out the most picturesque locations. It gives you ideal times, GPS coordinates, and tips!

As a long time shooter, I have owned several DSLRs, mirrorless systems, large & medium format cameras, and countless pocket / adventure / compact Point & Shoot cameras. And if you’re anything like me when you travel, you want to bring them all. But if you really value your travel, adventure, and holiday memories, you’ll want to invest in a proper travel camera to be sure you are able to capture each and every experience perfectly so you can share and enjoy them for years to come!

What Makes The Best Camera For Travel Photography?

Just like Matthew recently stated in his Best Landscape Photography Camera post, the best camera for travel photography isn’t necessarily the best choice for all types of photography. Some of the more advanced and special features or specs are less important, while others are more important when choosing something for travel. Big cameras like the Canon 1D MkIV, Nikon D5, or Sony A9 II might be “flagship” cameras that are excellent choices for professional photography, but there are better-suited, (and more affordable!), cameras for you to bring with you on your travels that’ll deliver a high-quality image in a much smaller package.

Basically, when traveling, you may not need a super-high-speed camera with a massive megapixel count and an amazing autofocus system. What you definitely need is something small, lightweight, that gives you manual control, has a decent megapixel size, has a good zoom or small interchangeable lenses, can shoot in RAW, and can survive in the elements. Why the last one? Well, who knows where you’re camera will be? The extreme arid and dry heats of a desert? Or the wet raining and humid areas of the UK or Newfoundland? No matter what you’ll want to have something that has some decent weather sealing or optional cases to protect your system from the elements.

To help make this search a little easier we’ve compiled a few different lists of cameras you can trust to deliver the performance and features that are perfect for your travel photography needs. Remember, these are just lists; for more information about the strengths and weaknesses of a specific camera, read our review(s) of that camera!

[Related Reading: 5 Useful Photography Travel Tips From A Pro]

What Features To Look For In A Good Travel Photography Camera

The best travel camera is one that combines portability, image quality, versatility, ease of use, and obviously, the price. The most important thing about a travel camera is it doesn’t get in the way of you enjoying your adventure, but it still needs to be able to capture great images and provide you with a lasting memory. The big thing is we need to define what we really need out of the camera. What are our needs in a travel camera? Are you looking for something waterproof? Affordable? Interchangeable lenses or a digital zoom? Something that can do brilliant landscapes as well as do good video Vlogging?

Let’s discuss some of the key features you should be aware of when picking a travel camera

1. Price – Obviously the price point is important. We want something that has a great quality, but doesn’t cost a fortune. Depending on how much you want out of your travel camera the price can range pretty significantly, but we’ll try to keep our list rather consistent
2. Portability – While we may want the control and quality of a giant DSLR with a bag full of lenses, the ideal camera for travel photography is small, lightweight, and can still pack a punch in the quality of its images.
3. Megapixels – A large megapixel system with a large full-frame sensor will give you a higher detail image, allowing you to crop in more without reducing much quality.
4. Weatherproofing – This one is pretty important. In your travels, you may end up in a desert, a snow-packed mountain, or in the middle of a rainstorm. So you’ll want a system that can stand up to the elements, provide some protection against dust and moisture. Maybe you’re considering something that can go underwater? In which case you’d want to either buy a watertight case, or a system that is waterproof already.
5. User-Friendly – On a travel camera, you want something that is quick and easy to use, but still has the ability to manually control all the camera settings so you can dial in the exact settings to get the perfect shot in different conditions.
6. RAW – RAW files save the images without any profile information (as opposed to most JPG captures), but it provides you with a larger file, containing much more information letting you have way more control over your final edits.

   

   Bonus Tip: To save memory card space, you might also consider switching back and forth from RAW to JPEG, using RAW for the scenes and moments that require more information, such as scenes with high dynamic range, and sticking to JPEG for images that will likely require less flexibility in editing.

7. Wifi / Bluetooth – Some cameras have the ability to create their own wifi network and/or bluetooth connections, allowing you to upload and transfer your images (raw and/or .jpg) instantly to your smartphone or computer. This is incredibly handy if you need to share an image to social media and you don’t have easy access to your computer. Technically speaking, if you had enough memory cards, you may be able to go your entire trip without uploading to your computer and still share images while on the move!
8. Stabilization – some cameras can provide a stabilization feature to compensate for handshaking or slower shutter speeds to help you capture sharper images in low-light situations.
9. Video – Most cameras now come with the capability to at least capture 1080p video, some even can do 4k, or systems like the new Canon R5 can capture 8K! Likely, especially for general travel purposes, this is much more than you’d ever need, and if you pick something up that can shoot in 4k or more, the cost will likely also be higher. Also, if you’re doing some Vlogging on your adventures, you’ll want to look for a camera that has a screen that can flip and tilt so you can see yourself while shooting.
10. Interchangeable Lenses vs Zoom – This will be a big factor in what you choose. Do you want to carry around additional lenses? Some that will have a much wider aperture and incredible focal length, giving you the perfect lens for each situation for the trade-off of more things to carry. Or, find a system like the new Nikon P950 which has a zoom lens with a mind-boggling range —
    • Additionally on this point, if you choose a system with a fixed lens, you’ll want to find something that has a “lower” f stop (f/1.4 – 4) ideally, to let you get the most out of its lens in a low light situation.
11. Battery Life & USB Charging – When you travel around the world, it’s great to have a camera with long-lasting battery life. However, inevitably, finding the right power outlet adapter and/or charger can be tricky. Luckily, some cameras now allow you to charge the battery by connecting it (the camera) directly to a USB, so that you don’t have to worry about finding the right outlet adapter! Just remember that USB charging can be a lot slower than direct battery charging on a traditional charger, and plan accordingly.
12. Backups and Recovery –  Taking regular backup of photos is a must. You will never know when your photos can go missing on your SD card from accidentally deleting the card or from card damage.  If that happens, be sure to try and recover missing photos from SD card such as Remo Software (or other similar programs) before giving up and calling git a loss.

Let’s Look At The Best Cameras For Travel Photography

To be clear, these cameras we are listing are based on reviews and top-selling camera trends around the globe. These recommendations are based on our own, and our peers’ experiences with them. These cameras are for those who want more out of their images than what you can just capture with your average smartphone. Basically, these are all systems we’d recommend to our friends and family to take when them on their travels.

These cameras all have some pros & cons when compared to each other, but each and every one of them are fantastic travel cameras in their own right. Let’s dive into the list and then break them up into separate sections.

• Sony a6400
• Fuji XF10
• Canon Powershot G9X Mark II
• Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III
• Fuji X-T200 or X-T100
• Ricoh GRIII
• Sony RX100 VII
• Leica Q2
• Panasonic Lumix GX85
• Nikon P950 (Super zoom)
• Panasonic Lumix DC-TS7 (Waterproof)
• GoPro Hero8 (Waterproof)

Best Travel Cameras On A Budget

Okay so we’ve got a great list of cameras that are options for you to take on vacation, but you want to keep the spend to a minimum. Lets figure out which cameras provide some incredible features but won’t break your bank!

• Fujifilm XF10 – $499.95
• Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II – $429.95
• Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III – $499
• Fujifilm X-T100 – $499
• Panasonic Lumix GX85 – $497.99
• Panasonic Lumix DC-TS7 – $197.99
• GoPro Hero8 – $449

As luck would have it, pretty much 1/2 of our list of the best cameras for travel photography fall into the Under $500 category, making them all an incredible bang for the buck! Each of these cameras will provide you with the ability to capture in RAW format (except the GoPro), along with a plethora of other features including timers, weather sealing to varying degrees, interchangeable or zoom lens options, and with cameras like the Panasonic DC-TS7 and GoPro, completely waterproof.

Best Cameras for Travel Photography with Interchangeable Lenses

The professional photographers out there, as much as we’ll complain about wanting to have something small and easy to hide in our pockets, we’ll still always love and relish the ability to change out the lenses on our camera to get as much control out of our shots as possible. So here are the cameras on our Best Cameras for Travel Photography that have interchangeable lenses

• Sony A6400 – $1298
• Fuji X-T200 – $799.95 / X-T100 – $499
• Panasonic Lumix GX85 – $497.99
• Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III – $499

These systems are all great, have a decent level of weather sealing, and all have a HUGE library of lenses available to choose from when deciding on what you really want to bring with you on your travels. If you’re a perfectionist, you can fill your bags with prime lenses that have super sharp capabilities, or you can go the generalist route and find some incredible zoom-range lenses (ie the Sony a6400 has an 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 lens that can cover practically any scenario you’d encounter while traveling.)

Best Cameras for Travel Photography with a Fixed Lens

If you’re looking for something a little more on the convenient side for your travels, you’ll likely be looking for something that has a fixed lens (prime or zoom), making your only tough decision being “how to frame your shot.” These cameras we’ve found will help make capturing your memories on the road a breeze.

• Leica Q2 – $4,995
• Panasonic Lumix DC-TS7 – $197.99
• GoPro Hero8 – $449
• Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II – $429.95
• Fujifilm XF10 – $499.95
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII – $1,298
• Nikon COOLPIX P950 – $796.95
• Ricoh GR III – $899.95

While the Leica Q2 is definitely on the “luxury” side of things, each of these fixed lens cameras are incredible options for you to bring with you on vacation. The Ricoh is one of the top rated cameras for candid/street photos on the market in its class, while the new NIkon P950 has an absolutely insane focal range of 24-2000mm! You can quite literally shoot the moon with it!

Best Cameras for Travel Photography that are Waterproof

If you’re anything like me, you’re going to want to go swimming (weather permitting), or still head out to take photos when it’s pouring rain & snow. So it’s important that you have a camera with great weather sealing that’s designed to take on the elements, or in a few cases, go directly in and under some water! While most of the cameras on this list have pretty great weather proofing/seals, only 2 are designed to specifically go into the water with you. So if you think you’ll be capturing some images in and around the water, these are the rigs for you!

• GoPro Hero8 – $449
• Panasonic Lumix DC-TS7 – $197.99

The GoPro’s are pretty great cameras that can do a ton of things, but in terms of a professional images they are somewhat limited. Which is why we also recommend the Panasonic Lumix DC-TS7. These guys can shoot in 4k or full HD video (like the new GoPro), but at a focal range a little less “Action camera” feeling, an ISO range of 80-6400(extended), AF Tracking, and can shoot in RAW!

Best All Round Travel Camera

At the end of the day, there are a ton of factors to consider, and personal choices to make. But after a ton of sales data, reviews, and peer research, one camera keeps coming up on the top of the list of professional photographers favorite camera, and the best for travel photography. And that is currently the Sony a6400!

The Mirrorless APS-C camera from Sony is a 24.2 megapixel camera body that weighs just around 1lb (slightly more or less depending on what lens you have attached), and is among the best selling mirrorless cameras in history! Sony has had a 6000 series camera release every few years lately, and each one includes some pretty impressive upgrades over the last generation. the 6400 boasts a much improved build quality, with a rotating touch screen (perfect for vloggers), and an absolutely insane autofocus system which includes Real-time Eye AF (including animals), and tracking for moving objects!

The a6400 will also shoot 4k video, 11fps stills (RAW),  has a great auto-white balance system and an iso range that’s absolutely stellar, letting you get some great shots regardless of your lighting conditions. Plus, it has a ton of automatic shooting modes as well as full manual control for those who want to completely control every element of their shot!

While the Sony a6400 costs a little more than some of the other best cameras for travel photography on this list, ($1298 with the 18-135mm lens), there are so many features, controls, and benefits to this camera that make it a perfect choice that’ll serve you for ages in your travel photography, while saving you a ton of space and weight in your bags! It truly is one of the best APS-C sensor cameras available and definitely deserves a slot on your travel bag.

Conclusion

We’ll update this list if new cameras come out that are optimal for travel photography! Also, remember, even if you don’t see your camera on this list, you can still get out and create beautiful photos with any camera!

(This list was last updated in 2021)