How to Photograph a City In A Day From A Travel Photographer - A Vancouver Story
How to Photograph a City In A Day From A Travel Photographer - A Vancouver Story
“You do what? Wow that is an amazing job. Do you need an assistant?” That is what people tell me all the time when they find out my job. What is my job? Well, I am a travel photographer. I am to photograph interestingly new places and events for the world to learn about. My job is to explore. Yes that sounds exotic, but it is actually hard work. With having to get up early, lug a bunch of gear, meet new people, which isn’t as easy as it sounds, and then keep going to the wee night. It is much longer than an a regular 8 hour work day. My exploration through Vancouver is a perfect example of this.
Waking up early
The alarm beeps. I hit the snooze. 9 minutes later it beeps again, I open my eyes to see blurriness and darkness. The sun has not come up yet, that is because it is about 4 am. Yup, you read it right, 4 am. You see the first thing to do in the morning is to get a photo of the sun rising over the city and the bay of Vancouver. I get dressed, pack my gear that weighs a ton, and head on my way. From my research I had done before arriving Vancouver, I start to walk to Vanier Park to catch a skyline of the city. I set up my Tripod and say hello to fellow morning walkers. And take some shots as the sun comes up to say hello to the Vancouver.
Breakfast and Walking the Streets
Now that I have the shot I want it is time to head the empty streets of downtown. I walk. I walk almost everywhere when shooting. It is great exercise. Walking also allows me to capture sites and views that I may not see when taking a car or public transportation. It is easily 2 miles to downtown. On my way I take pictures of Granville Island from the bridge and take pictures of interesting buildings along the way as well. The streets are basically empty so I can take photos of the streets with out people. Downtown looks so solitude and that was the idea at this time of the day. I stop off at a coffee shop to have some breakfast and talk to some of the locals. I am glad I am in Vancouver because the locals here are very friendly. I get some tips of where to get some good brews for later and some ideas of where to hang out and meet other locals.
Empty Sites and People Going to Work
The streets start to fill up. I take some photos of people heading to work. I head down to Gastown, the tourist spot of downtown Vancouver. Since it is early I can get some shots of the scenery before the shops open and before the tourists flood the streets. It becomes magical because the streets only seem to belong to you.
Stay Away from the Sun
The sun starts to move overhead it is 11 am. That means there are more shadows being casted down from the sun. This is no good for taking photos. At this point it is time to go indoors like to a Market, Mall or Museum. I head to the local market back at Granville Island. Markets a great place to get food and opportunities to get some great photos. I take photos of the loading docks as well as the market it self. I treat myself to some fruits and eat a snack. I also pick up some food to cook at my place for lunch and for later meals.
I eat my lunch, which consists of bread, cheese, strawberries and other goodies back at the apartment. After enjoying my meal to take a nap, at least until the sun and the heavy shadows start to dwindle away.
Do Something Indoors
After my refreshing nap, I head back to downtown and some of the tourist areas of Vancouver. The purpose years is to take photos of some of the shops. After entering some of shops I start talking to some of the shopkeepers. Over time they allow me to take pictures of some of their wares they’re selling as well as themselves. After taking pictures of some of the shops it is now time to meet some of the locals.
Have a Drink
Some of the best ways to get some of the locals to talk is to get them to drink. So I head off to some bars and breweries that are spotted all over Vancouver. Brewpub after brewpub after brewpub I meet some amazing people with some amazing stories and great tips and tricks on where to go and visit in Vancouver.
Dinner Time
After unsuccessfully getting into a comedy club with some new friends that I met at the bar, I head back to my place, while walking in the pouring rain. I’m glad that my places not so far from a metro. After taking the metro I take the bus down the street to my place to avoid getting too wet. I proceed to take a shower and clean myself after a hard day of work. I proceed to grab something to eat up the Kitslano section of Vancouver.
Upon arriving at the vegetarian restaurant Nam, one recommended to me by local I run into 3 men, all of which were Americans who taught at the local university. They invited me to sit with them were I took some photos of the environment hippy like environment and the very natural vegan friendly food.
The Sunset Shot
They invited me to hang out with them at the Kitslano beaches where I was advised earlier was a great place to get a sunset photo. We enjoy our time. there, relax and enjoy the beautiful colors as the sunsets. At this point it is time to photograph the night life. So I head to a recommend watering hole. When it comes to nightlife I can not say I take my camera. It just does not seem safe to carry a huge expensive camera to a place where people are drinking. So I rely on my iPhone.
At Night
After a few beers and conversing with some locals it is now time to head to sleep. Usually I would take photos of tourism spots at night (to create two different types of photos). This night it is time for sleep. Perhaps I will start the process all over again the next day.
Break Down of my Day of Travel Photography
- Get up early before the sunrise to get a sunrise shot
- Photograph the tourist spots before the crowds show up
- Photograph the locals on the way to work
- Go inside as the sun goes high, go to a museum/market/indoors
- Enjoy a lunch and take photos of others who are doing the same
- Meet with friends/Take a nap/Shop/Work on something else as the sun is high
- Have a drink
- Take sunset shots
- Photograph the nightlife/Take photos of sites at night
- Sleep and start the process over again
What do you think of they day of a travel photographer? Does it seem hard? What are you questions? Let me know. Feel free to ask. Leave a comment below, send me a tweet on twitter, or post on my facebook. Heck even send us a message. Let me know so I can help. Happy travels 
Erick Redcloud
A partially blind Graphic Designer, Freelance Travel Photographer, Artist, Buddhist and Vegetarian who loves to travel. Erick loves traveling by being with the locals and going off the beaten path. He is the founder and owner of Pathlesstravels and loves inspiring others to follow their dreams, whether it is to travel or something completely different. He started Pathlesstravels to hone is photography skills and to meet amazing people, and to help a friend break into journalism. Check out his photography at his link.
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