![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/grasslands_DSC0222-2ASH-MCBLKWHneutral.jpg\")
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Whatever prompts you to take a road trip, you\u2019ll want to come back with interesting photographs, not just to document what you saw but to capture the spirit of what you experienced.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s some advice to make the most of your upcoming road trip:<\/h2>\nPlan time for photography<\/strong><\/h3>\nUnless you have all the time in the world, you\u2019ll have to plan your trip to fit the time you have. Figure out the places you want to visit, keeping in mind that you may not be going on this trip alone. Leave time for sightseeing but also block out opportunities for picture-taking. Unless you\u2019re just snapping pictures, you\u2019ll need stretches of time to focus on your photography.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/anne_cpsd_6A_1.jpg\")
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Consider your travel partners<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you\u2019re traveling with a friend, a spouse or your family, check if they want to come along or would rather go their own way while you go off on your photographic pursuits. Even if they opt to come along, advise them to bring a book or game if they don\u2019t share your enthusiasm for photography. These kinds of plans make for happier campers all around and prevent your road adventure from turning into a guilt trip.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/grasslands_DSC0200A.jpg\")
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Also, plan to include your companions in some of your photographs so you\u2019ll have nice memories to share together — it\u2019s so easy to forward digital photos either to the folks in your pictures or to family and friends back home. Get your fellow travelers into the act by taking shots of each other and remember to document things that may not automatically seem photogenic, like the great Italian meal you ate or the charming B&B where you stayed. Always take your camera along and make time for photography even during the most ordinary moments and you\u2019ll have a very personal and appreciated collection of images.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/grassland_DSC0108ADG-copy.jpg\")
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Do your research<\/strong><\/h3>\nCheck the route you plan to take to see the points of interest. The best way to do this is with an old-fashioned map. A GPS or the WAZE app is great once you\u2019re on the road, but a map lets you see the big picture so you don\u2019t miss something that\u2019s only a few miles out of the way. For example, when we were at Zion National Park<\/a>, we planned a day trip to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, which turned out to be a fascinating and beautiful environment, quite different from the major attraction we came to see, and it gave us a chance to try a dune buggy. Also, use the Internet to look up anything you want to research — from places to stay to the times of sunrise and sunset. The better prepared you are in advance, the more relaxing your road trip will be.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/colorado_9240436A.jpg\")
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Travel416A.jpg\")
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Plan the gear you need to take along<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you\u2019ll be driving from home in your own car, you\u2019ll probably be able to take whatever gear you want, without regard to size or weight. But if you\u2019re flying first, you\u2019ll have to restrain yourself. Think about the type of images you plan to take. If you\u2019re interested in flower photography<\/a>, be sure to bring a macro lens<\/a>; if you expect to see birds or other wildlife, take a long lens; if you\u2019ll mostly be taking landscapes, bring zoom lenses in the 24-200mm range.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/katyswildlifesanctuaryscan0004a-copy_1.jpg\")
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Plan a shot list.<\/strong> If you\u2019re really ambitious, you might put together a shot list. This is a good exercise to help you think about what you expect to see and the gear you\u2019ll need to capture it. It\u2019s also a helpful reminder of what you are looking for so you don\u2019t inadvertently forget about something. Or, in some cases, it can help you prioritize if you don\u2019t have time to go for everything. Another option is to pick one or more themes for your trip. For example, you can collect shots of funny signs, unusual barns or silos, and some of the people who cross your path. Making such a list can also clue you into the equipment you\u2019ll need to bring.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/TRNP_DSC2657A.jpg\")
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Check your photos every day to make sure your camera and lenses are working properly<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you can, download your images to a laptop so you can see them enlarged and find out if you need to do anything differently or if any adjustments or repairs are needed — a good reason to bring two camera bodies along for the trip. And take a few moments each day to clean you cameras and lenses<\/a> to protect them and prevent possible breakdowns.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/trnp_DSC0523ASH.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Be prepared to stop the car<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Unless you have all the time in the world, you\u2019ll have to plan your trip to fit the time you have. Figure out the places you want to visit, keeping in mind that you may not be going on this trip alone. Leave time for sightseeing but also block out opportunities for picture-taking. Unless you\u2019re just snapping pictures, you\u2019ll need stretches of time to focus on your photography.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Consider your travel partners<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you\u2019re traveling with a friend, a spouse or your family, check if they want to come along or would rather go their own way while you go off on your photographic pursuits. Even if they opt to come along, advise them to bring a book or game if they don\u2019t share your enthusiasm for photography. These kinds of plans make for happier campers all around and prevent your road adventure from turning into a guilt trip.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Also, plan to include your companions in some of your photographs so you\u2019ll have nice memories to share together — it\u2019s so easy to forward digital photos either to the folks in your pictures or to family and friends back home. Get your fellow travelers into the act by taking shots of each other and remember to document things that may not automatically seem photogenic, like the great Italian meal you ate or the charming B&B where you stayed. Always take your camera along and make time for photography even during the most ordinary moments and you\u2019ll have a very personal and appreciated collection of images.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Do your research<\/strong><\/h3>\nCheck the route you plan to take to see the points of interest. The best way to do this is with an old-fashioned map. A GPS or the WAZE app is great once you\u2019re on the road, but a map lets you see the big picture so you don\u2019t miss something that\u2019s only a few miles out of the way. For example, when we were at Zion National Park<\/a>, we planned a day trip to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, which turned out to be a fascinating and beautiful environment, quite different from the major attraction we came to see, and it gave us a chance to try a dune buggy. Also, use the Internet to look up anything you want to research — from places to stay to the times of sunrise and sunset. The better prepared you are in advance, the more relaxing your road trip will be.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Plan the gear you need to take along<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you\u2019ll be driving from home in your own car, you\u2019ll probably be able to take whatever gear you want, without regard to size or weight. But if you\u2019re flying first, you\u2019ll have to restrain yourself. Think about the type of images you plan to take. If you\u2019re interested in flower photography<\/a>, be sure to bring a macro lens<\/a>; if you expect to see birds or other wildlife, take a long lens; if you\u2019ll mostly be taking landscapes, bring zoom lenses in the 24-200mm range.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Plan a shot list.<\/strong> If you\u2019re really ambitious, you might put together a shot list. This is a good exercise to help you think about what you expect to see and the gear you\u2019ll need to capture it. It\u2019s also a helpful reminder of what you are looking for so you don\u2019t inadvertently forget about something. Or, in some cases, it can help you prioritize if you don\u2019t have time to go for everything. Another option is to pick one or more themes for your trip. For example, you can collect shots of funny signs, unusual barns or silos, and some of the people who cross your path. Making such a list can also clue you into the equipment you\u2019ll need to bring.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Check your photos every day to make sure your camera and lenses are working properly<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you can, download your images to a laptop so you can see them enlarged and find out if you need to do anything differently or if any adjustments or repairs are needed — a good reason to bring two camera bodies along for the trip. And take a few moments each day to clean you cameras and lenses<\/a> to protect them and prevent possible breakdowns.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Be prepared to stop the car<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\nCheck the route you plan to take to see the points of interest. The best way to do this is with an old-fashioned map. A GPS or the WAZE app is great once you\u2019re on the road, but a map lets you see the big picture so you don\u2019t miss something that\u2019s only a few miles out of the way. For example, when we were at Zion National Park<\/a>, we planned a day trip to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, which turned out to be a fascinating and beautiful environment, quite different from the major attraction we came to see, and it gave us a chance to try a dune buggy. Also, use the Internet to look up anything you want to research — from places to stay to the times of sunrise and sunset. The better prepared you are in advance, the more relaxing your road trip will be.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ll be driving from home in your own car, you\u2019ll probably be able to take whatever gear you want, without regard to size or weight. But if you\u2019re flying first, you\u2019ll have to restrain yourself. Think about the type of images you plan to take. If you\u2019re interested in flower photography<\/a>, be sure to bring a macro lens<\/a>; if you expect to see birds or other wildlife, take a long lens; if you\u2019ll mostly be taking landscapes, bring zoom lenses in the 24-200mm range.<\/p>\n Plan a shot list.<\/strong> If you\u2019re really ambitious, you might put together a shot list. This is a good exercise to help you think about what you expect to see and the gear you\u2019ll need to capture it. It\u2019s also a helpful reminder of what you are looking for so you don\u2019t inadvertently forget about something. Or, in some cases, it can help you prioritize if you don\u2019t have time to go for everything. Another option is to pick one or more themes for your trip. For example, you can collect shots of funny signs, unusual barns or silos, and some of the people who cross your path. Making such a list can also clue you into the equipment you\u2019ll need to bring.<\/p>\n If you can, download your images to a laptop so you can see them enlarged and find out if you need to do anything differently or if any adjustments or repairs are needed — a good reason to bring two camera bodies along for the trip. And take a few moments each day to clean you cameras and lenses<\/a> to protect them and prevent possible breakdowns.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\nPlan the gear you need to take along<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\nCheck your photos every day to make sure your camera and lenses are working properly<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nBe prepared to stop the car<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/devilstower_DSC2539A-fadecolor-copy.jpg\")
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