Photography as Practice, Not Performance
Slow travel photography isn't about Instagram or proving you were there. It's about seeing more deeply, noticing light and composition, and creating visual memory aids that help you remember not just what places looked like but how they felt.
Principles of Slow Travel Photography
Quality Over Quantity
Take fewer photos, spend more time on each one. Before photographing, pause. Observe. Consider composition, light, what story you're telling. One considered photograph beats fifty snapshots.
People and Permission
Always ask before photographing people, especially in intimate settings like markets or workshops. Many cultures have complex relationships with being photographed. Respect trumps getting the shot.
Light and Time
The best light happens during 'golden hours'—early morning and late afternoon. Plan walks to capture these times. Notice how the same street transforms throughout the day as light changes.
Details Over Landmarks
Everyone photographs the Eiffel Tower. Few photograph the worn threshold of a neighborhood bakery, the pattern of tiles in a random doorway, hands kneading bread. Details tell richer stories than iconic views.
Alternative: Sketching
Consider drawing instead of photographing. Sketching forces you to look longer, notice more, and remember better. You don't need artistic skill—simple observation sketches create powerful memory aids.