Hello all

I have been batting the idea of a Travel Forum around for a while. Finally last week I shot the idea to PJ. We decided it wouldn't be prudent to generate another forum if it was going to dry up after the initial enthusiasm wore off. So I realized the best thing to do is to ask the community:

Would you visit a Travel Forum?

The goals of the Travel forum would be 4-fold: to provide Travel stories; Travel photos; Travel discussion; and Travel Guides.

Travel Stories would be any written account of a trip taken by a member. It could be as long and detailed as a travelogue, or as short and poignant as a poem. This forum would be a creative outlet for those inclined to write about their travel stories.

Travel Photography: this should be a no-brainer :) I'm sure we could fill a forum just with the pictures we've all already taken!

Travel Discussion: Where should we go for our vacation? Does anyone know a good Thai restaurant in Denver? Where would you ski: Aspen or Tahoe? Sunny Spain or British Columbia? Which countries are most friendly to Americans? Laotians? Travel concerns with photography gear? What about X-raying memory cards or film? Airline recommendations. Paris vs. London. The possibilities for discussion go on and on :)

Travel Guides would also be an integral part of the Travel Forum. Going to Brazil? Stop by the Travel Forum for discussion, restaurant guides, cultural info, and of course photography. Going to Kentucky? Look here for the same :) The more members we have posting, the more corners of the globe we will have covered. The denizens of pr.com come from nearly every continent and nearly every state. If everyone posted a "Photo-Guide" for the town they live in alone, it would make the Travel Forum an invaluable place to shop!

I have sequestered the help of another pr member to co-moderate the forum with me. He really articulated well the Travel Guides forum goal better than I had. I'll let him introduce himself if he wishes :)

I would love to leave the idea of "travel" as open as we can get it. For me right now, travel means bumping around in the southwestern United States in a 4x4 pickup. For others, it may mean jetsetting to Honolulu every weekend. For others it may mean the one family vacation they can afford each year. And for others yet, it may mean a return home to see family and friends that have not been met for years. I am open to all of those interpretations. And many more :)

Remember, this forum HAS NOT BEEN CREATED and is not going to be created if there is not enough interest to warrant another forum. So please, take a look at the poll above and post honestly. Please think about how often you would ACTUALLY use the forum, not how excited you are about it now. Longevity is the key here :) Please vote ONCE for how often you would VISIT, and again for how often you would POST. Compared to how you use the current pr.com forums.

Okay! Enough blab! I hope to hear from most of you! If you don't yet think of yourself as a "travel photographer" I invite you to take a second look :)

Vote on!
Rick

I'd be a big fan of it. We do have a lot of forums here and some confusion where new posts can go, and a new post could possibly fit into one of three or four existing forums. Because of that I see why we wouldn't want to add another one, but this one would be different.

Sometimes more specific questions (like good Thai food in Denver :) ) could get buried quickly in Viewfinder. I wish I could travel more than I do but I'm stuck in an office most of the time... Vacation time is sacred to me so I don't want to waste any of it! This forum might help me (and others) looking to get the most out of their time - plus it would be a good place to share the trip once you get back.

Hi Rick,

I would use it often -- especially because I'm on an extended trip at the moment.

But, to me PR.com doesn't get much traffic. My worry is that adding another forum would dilute what traffic we have. But then again, it may increase traffic because new users are attracted to our well-rounded set of forums. I believe most other boards have travel related topics.

BR,
Tim

Those are nice points Steve. The Thai food in Denver question might not even get asked in the Viewfinder. But a travel forum might draw such a question out to begin with.

And yes, there could definitely be a lot of overlap between the forums. Trip pictures are always fun to post in Viewfinder, because that's where everyone IS. But hopefully the travel forum would draw out the extended tale of the trip, receiving travel stories and recommendations as well as pictures.

It looks like the poll is saying that most people would visit fairly often, and post somewhat less regularly. We'll see how the results shape up over time :)

Thanks
Rick

Hi Rick,

I would use it often -- especially because I'm on an extended trip at the moment.

But, to me PR.com doesn't get much traffic. My worry is that adding another forum would dilute what traffic we have. But then again, it may increase traffic because new users are attracted to our well-rounded set of forums. I believe most other boards have travel related topics.

BR,
Tim

Thanks Tim. I had the same thought as you when I was putting this together: I don't want to dilute the other forums! I would hate to draw traffic from the other forums. But in thinking about it and in looking at the poll results, I think most people are going to post only occassionally - of course, presumably after they travel :) That would make it a sporadic forum, but one in which people would keep in mind while travelling.

My greatest concern is that people will only visit when they have something to post. I think a forum needs more attention than that to survive.

I appreciate the support. Maybe this idea will help drum up more travel photography and stories even if the forum doesn't get made!

Rick

And yes, there could definitely be a lot of overlap between the forums. Trip pictures are always fun to post in Viewfinder, because that's where everyone IS. But hopefully the travel forum would draw out the extended tale of the trip, receiving travel stories and recommendations as well as pictures.
I guess I agree with what you say about posting them in Viewfinder. That's the living room or bar room where we're sitting around and telling each other what we've been up to and sharing what's important in our lives so trips we've been on would be natural there.
I guess there could be a seperate nook for the discussion of travel photography particulars perhaps going more in depth but I also think that the interest is universal enough that they could be handled in Viewfinder - Help - and the various equipment forums.

Once there is a seperate forum made for something, the tendency seems to be to relegate pics of that type to the more limited audience. I've posted shots on the Nature forum that I probably really would have rather posted on the wider venue of Viewfinder. I know the decision is mine and I wouldn't have been castigated for doing it, but I guess I feel compelled to put it in the 'right' slot.

Hey Rick,

As an avid traveler, this is the forum that I would visit and contribute the most. People should have a safe place to find travel information about next door or across the world.

Loren

How about a 3rd alternative - a friend of mine always says when there are 2 choices - yes & no, question if there is a 3rd alternative. What about having another forum that would change periodically. That way, you're not setting up a "forever forum" when there is a question about how long it would last. But when the crowd thins out, choose another great and worthy temporary topic.

For instance:
Travel Forum
Mountain Biking Images Forum
Photography for Dummies Forum

I have to go to a meeting - and had no time to think about other popular topics, but you get the gist.

Choose popular topics that take up a lot of space in other forums, but not popular enough to make another forum.

Just a thought. I put my vote in.

Great idea, Rick.........

:D :cool: ;)

Liz

I think Liz and I have a similar idea. The way you've asked the question, I think you've set yourself up for a positive answer. People will be glad to have any new forum, but you guys need to decide where would be best to focus your efforts. There's probably a lot interest in a Travel forum, but maybe a better way to do this poll would be to suggest several different options for new forums to see which one got the most interest. (I apoligize if you've already done that and I overlooked it.) People Photography is one alternative that comes to mind.

Just my two cents. All in all, this site rocks and a Travel forum would only make it better.

Paul

For instance:
Travel Forum
Mountain Biking Images Forum
Photography for Dummies Forum
Pet pictures Forum

How dare you think of posting outside my forum ... wink wink.

Honestly, why not post them in both forums then .

As for travel, it seems like a good IDEA, but I think this site has enough forums ;)

I like the idea of a new forum. I've had several ideas for different forums as well and each time I do, I think of John saying...but will people use it or would it be a waste of resources that could go into other things. As for a travel forum, I actually think it would be a great idea. I don't travel much, and when I do, it's usually not to an exciting location. Of course, I grew up in these areas and they are rather boring to me and I would probably be hesitant to post most of my shots. But I would visit the site just to see other places that I am not able to travel to myself. I think, this could actually become one of the more popular and populated forums on our site.
Ken

Yeah, in a perfect world it'd be nice to have a seperate Travel Forum. Unfortunately, the way things are, I think it would overlap a great deal with what already exists here.

And as many of you know, some of the boutique forums are on thin ice as it is. :(

IMO, travel threads and photos in a seperate forum would mean less participation in the Art, Nature, and OT Forums, and to a lesser extent Viewfinder and Critique.

There have been some great comments here.

Let's remember that the default is "No new forums!" There has to really be a strong reason to create a new one. And at this point I don't know if there's enough interest to warrant it.

Let's also reiterate that this is not about "what new forum should we make," but particularly if there is enough interest to warrant a forum specifically for travel. If someone else would like to see another forum created, I encourage you to go to PJ first, and ask if he thinks it could fly.

It sounds like there is a lot of interest among several individuals out there! The main concern among the replies seems to be; 1) Is it going to pull traffic from the other forums too much, and 2) Is there another forum we could create that would be more popular. And I'm wondering if I'm not opening a can of worms for the petitioning of the creation of several new forums :rolleyes:

Let's remember that even if the Travel Forum doesn't fly, we can still up the travel content in Viewfinder, and Nature & Wildlife. But it wouldn't serve the same purpose as a travel forum for creating a database of travel images and related content.

I'll check in again tonight with a more specific response. The replies here have been outstanding! Looking forward to reading some more.

I have a hard enough time trying to navigate the few forums I do go into. I know personally I would probably look at the different pictures in the travel forum, and possibly look at the reviews of places, but I don't think I would ever fomrally post anything there. I don't travel enough as it is (poor college student). When I do travel its hardly anything really exciting. I like the idea of a revolving forum, but who is to say when discussions have died down? I would like to see a forum for us fim users, but I know myself I won't be in fiilm that much longer. I would also like to see a wet darkroom forum, but people with those skills are incresing becoming more and more hard to find.

Sorry for the rant-Zack

I think it should be done. Build it and they will come.

If I were planning to travel somehwere maybe I would post that I'm going to a location. I would hope those who have been there or currently live there can give advice.

We come from many different places and we all can offer something to say about where we are.

MAYBE INSTEAD OF TRAVEL WE CAN CALL IT "LOCATIONS".

For example, I would like to take plan a a visit to the UCLA Japanese gardens. Maybe I can start a thread on that. But I wouldn't do this under TRAVEL since my plan is to go somewhere local.

A forum to encompass any LOCATION and not the activity of TRAVELING might be best.

Calling it LOCATIONS is broad enough that someone going to PARIS or the local ZOO might feel free to start a thread on it and post photos or ask questions.

DO IT! DO IT!

Pet pictures Forum

My apalogies to all you who post pet pictures, but this is one forum I would opt-out on |:^!]

[don't hate me!],
Tim

Something occured to me last night as I was thinking about this:

If PJ were to create my travel forum, to be FAIR he would have to create everyone else's forums as well. Suddenly we would have six new forums instead of one! There would be no reasonable way to discern which forums get created, and which ones don't.

And invariably, there would be grumpy feelings over whose forum didn't get created. I can just see it now: "He got his travel forum, why can't I have my african nocturnal book forum?!" I think the only diplomatic thing to do here is pull the plug :(

Maybe when pr has enough traffic to support all the forums we DO have, we can start adding more. But I think the thing to do here is let it go, and let people post their travel content elsewhere. That keeps the traffic up in all the other forums too.

Thanks to those who supported the idea and those who voted.

I hope that this thread has stirred some ideas. Let's see some more travel threads up here! Or in Nature and Wildlife, if Paul would allow it ;) This poll has shown there is obviously a market for travel-related info. Let's see it! I am working on a travelogue from a trip took a few months ago. I will post it here - with pictures - when I finish it and maybe that will help spark some more travel threads.

Thanks for the responses! Sorry PJ, if I increased the stress in your life these past few days :D
Be good!
Rick

My apalogies to all you who post pet pictures, but this is one forum I would opt-out on |:^!]

[don't hate me!],
TimEd Zachary, Tim. I was thinking it would be one that I wouldn't be visiting. :D

I am definately willing to STICK a thread in my forum for EVER if it is even vaguely related to nature . I am not like you sticky mongers over hear, I only have one or 2 at a time ;)

What do you guys think? Viewfinder or Nature forum for travel threads?

I'd probably go with Viewfinder, but post a similar thread with more nature shots in the N&W.

What do you guys think? Viewfinder or Nature forum for travel threads?

I'd probably go with Viewfinder, but post a similar thread with more nature shots in the N&W.

Hey, let's not forget the Art Forum, guys...

I think the problem, from my point of view, is that I have never considered TRAVEL a photographic subject, except for maybe amateurs or consumers. I mean, that's like calling "home movies" a film genre.

You travel to a place only in the context of taking photos there, and then your "real" subjects are the same as they would be anywhere: landscape, cityscape, portraits, nature, fashion, etc., etc., etc.

Sorry, but when I hear the term "travel" applied to photography, I can't help but think of pictures tourists take on vacation...

For example, is National Geographic a magazine of TRAVEL images. Certainly not. Travel only becomes a factor because most of us don't live in the exotic locales they often show.

And so I don't think that kind of forum here would have enough of a distinct connection to photography to justify it. If anything, placing the emphasis on the travel aspect would take away from the actual subjects of the photos, which IMO, is where it belongs.

BTW, all due respect, Loren. I know you have a Travel gallery on your site, and trust me, it's got some wonderful images in it. I think this is simply a question of semantics.

To me, calling them "travel" photos is a big misnomer. Rather, I see them as beautiful photos taken at some splendid spots around the world.

Of course, the exception are photos ABOUT traveling, but seriously, do you really think we have enough of that here to justify a seperate forum?

Now, if the intent of this new forum is to share travel INFORMATION, then again, I think we already have many many great travel web sites that do a much better job than a small specialty forum here could ever do.

http://www.virtualtourist.com/ comes to mind...

Any other questions concerning "photography while traveling" topics could easily be handled in either the Help or VF forums.

What do you guys think? Viewfinder or Nature forum for travel threads?

I'd probably go with Viewfinder, but post a similar thread with more nature shots in the N&W.

I read Asylum Stevie's comments and quite agree.

My challenge for this extended trip that I am currently on -- is to document and share my experiences. I do it better with pictures (thus, mistily snap-shots). I wanted to have a place where friends can check in to see how things are going. Thus, I chose to do this with a BLOG.

I have posted some of my BLOG shots here, but maintaining a story line in two places takes work. Sigh.... If only I didn't have a job.

However, counter to AS's comments, I find searching on sites such as pbase.com is a good way to get an idea of what a place might look like. Or, better yet... to see how others have shot the same subjects that I am working on. But, these are more a Travel Gallery Subject than a Travel Forum.

Cheers,
Tim

I read Asylum Stevie's comments and quite agree...

Thanks. I'm having some trouble trying to organize my thoughts on this, because the last thing I want to do is sound like a snob.

Obviously, if anyone's seen my web site and/or work, they should know I not only love to travel (and shoot when I do), but I love talking about traveling, sharing experiences and helping others deal with the myriad of problems and challenges that pop up when you do travel as a photographer.

And I have no problem with documenting a trip with pictures. I certainly take my share of "snaps" when I travel, and yes, enjoy sharing those too.

I wasn't implying that "travel photos" are for beginners or amateurs or "less serious" photographers, because that's not what I meant. I just have a problem labeling artistic, creative photographs as "travel" photos, simply because one traveled somewhere to get them...

What's funny is that after thinking it over, perhaps a Travel Forum wouldn't be such a bad idea after all, as it is a topic that many members here share on many different levels, regardless of what you want to call the photos.

I do still believe, though, that it would take a way from some of the other forums, and am not sure that would be a good thing...

Thanks. I'm having some trouble trying to organize my thoughts on this, because the last thing I want to do is sound like a snob.

I'm picking up what you're putting down, Steve. I was trying to figure out a way to say pretty much the same thing you said, but I gave up.

Photography is photography, whether your at home or traveling. Since we have so many fine forums for different photographic techniques, I'd think most threads in a Travel forum would involve discussions of where to go, what to do there, what hotels to stay in, etc. There's nothing wrong with that. I would probably participate myself, but it is kind of off-topic.

Now I'm up to 4 cents. :)

Paul

After reading some of the threads I can totally understand about the dilution a new forum would create. So, I think it's a good ideal to not open a Travel forum up.

I must say that travel photography, to me, is about capturing the essence of the location. What makes it tick? Where do locals go and do? What makes that location great? A photo of me by the Eiffel Tower does not create compelling photography nor does it make anybody want to go there.

The number one comment I get from visitors to my website or friends is that the photos create a compelling wish or desire to visit. I've compelled at least 10 of my direct friends to travel to Argentina. That is travel photography.

Does it need it's own forum, maybe not but good travel photography is about capturing the vibe of the city on film.

Loren

Great post, Loren. Well said - a lot of food for thought. Thanks.

Liz

After reading some of the threads I can totally understand about the dilution a new forum would create. So, I think it's a good ideal to not open a Travel forum up.

I must say that travel photography, to me, is about capturing the essence of the location. What makes it tick? Where do locals go and do? What makes that location great? A photo of me by the Eiffel Tower does not create compelling photography nor does it make anybody want to go there.

The number one comment I get from visitors to my website or friends is that the photos create a compelling wish or desire to visit. I've compelled at least 10 of my direct friends to travel to Argentina. That is travel photography.

Does it need it's own forum, maybe not but good travel photography is about capturing the vibe of the city on film.

Loren

Loren,

I hadn't thought about it like that. You make a good point.

Paul

I'm picking up what you're putting down, Steve. I was trying to figure out a way to say pretty much the same thing you said, but I gave up. Photography is photography, whether your at home or traveling...

Nicely put. I think this would make an interesting philisophical discussion.

I mean, we can't really deny the travel aspect of our photography. When it comes to my life and personal journey, yes, of course my China photos are all the more significant because they reflect the great adventure I had traveling through the Orient for three weeks.

The same goes for the other foreign countries I've been to. Very likely once-in-a-lifetime stuff...

But are the photos themselves any more substantial because I traveled a great distance to to take them?

So, say a guy from Australia travels to New York and creates some very artistic or powerful pictures of the city. Now, even taking into account he has a different "eye" than the locals, is his traveling distance a factor in how you perceive his images?

Someone needs to submit a photo....
Cheese,
Tim

The number one comment I get from visitors to my website or friends is that the photos create a compelling wish or desire to visit. I've compelled at least 10 of my direct friends to travel to Argentina. That is travel photography.



Loren

I think Loren hit the nail on the head.

What's funny is that after thinking it over, perhaps a Travel Forum wouldn't be such a bad idea after all, as it is a topic that many members here share on many different levels, regardless of what you want to call the photos.


There, see, Steve just talked himself in a circle and now he agrees with the idea :D

I think it would be a successful forum. Successful meaning effective in accomplishing its goals, and being a place people would consistently go to use.

The problems arise when you look at the effect it would have on the other forums, and whether or not it would sit still for long periods of time, thereby classifying it as a "dead" forum.

If created, it would be a synthesis of Off-Topic, Viewfinder, and Nature. It would carry the verbose nature of the OT forum, the community nature of the VF, and the photographic- and awe-inspired qualities of N&W. But it would also push the definition of what a photography forum is because a lot of its content would be educational and not photographic.

We'll see. It's in the hands of the powers that be right now. I think maybe in the future we'll see one, but not anytime time soon.

In the meantime, that doesn't stop us from posting travel threads in the Viewfinder :)

Rick

I think this would make an interesting philisophical discussion.


Since we're discussing the philosophy of travel photography...

Can a resident of New York City take a travel image of New York City?

The answer to that may help us define what "travel photography" is :)

I think Loren hit the nail on the head.

Now, you see, I completely disagree with this. Again, Loren, I respect your work and your opinions, but I will almost always seperate the photography from the circumstances behind it.

Again, I go back to my philsophical question. Like most photographers, the majority of what I shoot is in my own back yard (figuratively, not literally). So say a picture I took in town for a reason that has nothing to do with travel inspires someone to come halfway around the world to visit the spot.

Would that make the work a "travel" picture?

I've always been inspired by the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson, especially his b&w images of Paris. I have to say seeing those photos makes me want to hop on a plane to France with a brick of b&w film.

So, is HC-B a "travel" photographer? And is his work considered "travel" photography?

Fashion photogs get flown around to cities all the time to do shoots in every type of setting and location known to man. Sometimes the look of a location is crucial to what the picture is trying to convey, sometimes it is not a factor at all.

In light of that, do we consider fashion photography as "travel" photography, and if so, what if the photographer him or herself didn't actually have to travel that far?

In my book, the answer to all these questions is no...

I'll say it again: I don't think travel is a type of photography, unless it is specifically documenting the travel aspect of a trip.

IMO, capturing the culture, flavor, emotion, and beauty of people and places anywhere in the world puts the photos in the same catagories as if someone who lives there took them...

And the "travel", while a huge part of one's personal journey, is not really the subject of the photos.

I understand Loren's description of what Travel Photography means, and it makes sense to me. It's a perfectly respectable form of photography. But, it seems like very specific type of photography. I don't think most people take Travel photographs with the intent to sell people on a location. Most people just go on trips for fun, and try to take advantage of the new and inspiring scenary to do their usual thing, photography. If you look at the number of people that actually participate in Travel Photography as Loren describes it, I doubt there'd be anywhere near enough people to fill up a forum. Most of us just don't have the means to travel that much. I might get to post my work once per year, or twice if I'm lucky. This is why I think the forum would consist mostly of discussions about where to go and what to see. Again...there's nothing wrong with that. If that's what people want, let's do it.

...6 cents, and counting...

Paul

HCB's photos were about the people and the personalities that he captured. His famous photos could have been shot anywhere, and they still would be classics. Why? Because his skill to capture those events on film, and being close to the subjects are legendary.

Fashion photographers, they had better capture the essence of the clothing, or whatever they are being paid to sell. I remember seeing a National Geographic special on Max Vadukal and one of his shoots in Naples. He incorporated Naples into his shoot, but in the end it's about the model and the clothing. The end result is, "Can I afford that suit?" , not "Wow, I want to go to Italy."

Around the corner from me is Sunset Magazine and the travel photographer's mission is to make people appreciate the locale. You can be a local, or a visitor but the goal is have people appreciate the city, restaurant, or even a neighborhood. I've been lucky enough to speak with the photo editor some time ago and when I have more free time from corporate america I would like to do some work for them.

I guess that I am a photographer who is just lucky to travel, but some of my favorite pictures are from the Bay Area where I have lived almost my entire life. Photography is about luck, intent, and desire. If a photographer's intent is to capture a location, then I do see it as travel photography.

My suggestion would be to have travel photography as monthly project - Titled Where and Why? I will even put up a $50 gift certificate to BH Photo for the person who best captures the essence of any location. It can even be the coffee shop around the corner and if you can make it compelling then that is cool.

If it's a goal, we'll have at least 3 judges.

Loren

Loren, like I said...semantics.

I agree with you on all your points. But your mention of Sunset Magazine now incorporates the travel industry, a commercial enteprise that is a whole 'nuther animal entirely...

That is exactly what I said travel photography is: photos that emphasis the TRAVEL ASPECT of a people or place. So I guess it's really not the photos themselves, but how they are used that determines how we catagorize them.

IOW, your photo of the two dancers in Argentina, to me is not a "travel photo", but rather a beautiful portrait. But say a commercial travel publication uses it to help illustrate a story on Buenos Aires for the North American market.

Well then yes, for that moment it does become a travel pic...

It's the context. If you were to call my Destination: China series "travel pics", I would find that slightly insulting, as they are being presented as fine art. Sure, the name itself implies travel, but that was simply a decision to make labeling and marketing the show easier (and, of course it infers my personal connection to the work).

BTW, I like your idea of a monthly contest. And I'd be happy to serve as a judge if we can make it happen...

I voted for the forum and will now place myself between Steve and Loren. I agree totally with Loren and can also the point Steve is making. For me, though, there can be a slight difference in someone just taking snapshots of a place and someone that works as a Travel writer/photographer. These people are out to do just as Loren suggested; capture the spirit of a city, or even a region.

I would love to get into doing that myself, but not sure if it will ever happen. I see one big problem with posting travel related topics in the other forums mentioned. I for one would not want to filter through all the non-travel related posts just to find the travel ones. They would have to be stickied somehow and that, depending on interest generated, could mean almost the whole first page with nothing but sticky topics.

Guess I will just wait and see what happens.

There is a fundamental difference between Loren and Steve's statements here:

Steve is saying: "Travel photography is: photos that emphasis the TRAVEL ASPECT of a people or place."

Loren is saying: "The travel photographer's mission is to make people appreciate the locale."

I think this is the essential point in this discussion. I'm pulling your statements out of context here guys so correct me if I'm wrong.

What is a travel photographer doing?
I think Steve would answer, "There is no such thing as a travel photographer. Just a photographer who puts his photos in the context of travel after the fact.
I think Loren would answer, "A travel photographer is a photographer with the intent of capturing the essence of a place, and selling the viewer on wanting to go there."

If I am correct in putting words in your mouths, then I think this is the fundamental difference in your arguments and statements.

Steve, I respect your point of view. Why call it travel photography if nearly anything could be made to fit the scope of a travel photograph? I think the definition of travel photography and in turn a travel photographer lies in not what he is shooting, but why he is shooting it. By your definition, yes, every photograph could be a travel photo. But what defines the genre is not the subject on the film, but the flavor that's brought about by that subject on film. To use the example you spoke of, a fashion shoot in front of the Eiffel Tower would not qualify for a travel photo because 1) the intent of the photo is not to capture the essence of the Eiffel Tower, and 2) the intent of the photographer is not to make people want to go to Paris. Are you sensing the difference?

I ask this question again: "Can a citizen of New York City take a travel photo of New York City?" The answer is yes. Because travel photography is not dependent upon the photographer travelling. Just capturing the essence of a place, with the intent to inspire people to go there.

I hope I am coming across clearly without sounding pretentious ;)

Rick, I can't speak for Loren, but I think you've captured what I was trying to say quite well.

In a nutshell, to me travel photography means one of two things: an amateurish label used by people that take light-hearted pics of their trips, and a commercial industry term for photos being used precisely as you say, "for the flavor that's brought about by that subject on film"...

I feel photos are not "travel photos" by nature, but only when they're used a certain way...

BTW, what is this term film? I don't think I'm familiar with it... :D

Where's the option that says I wouldn't visit at all? That's the one I choose.

I've seen travel forums popup in other forum sites I visit and from my perspective they've always been unsuccessful. Not that people don't post, just dead-ish forums.

I also think this site has gone forum happy. I think there are too many.

I know I sound cranky lately, I'm just trying to post quickly.

I would say there's quite a few forums already, and to add one more will pull away from what is here.

Say you go on a trip and want to share your photos. We went to NC in January, those photos went in Viewfinder (which is described as our living room) Were they great photos? Eh... but it was a fun trip and I posted photos.

Say you travel to some wonderously beautiful nature type spot. You've got a gorgeous photo that you want to share. That would be either nature/wildlife or viewfinder, depending on what you want. Do you just want to share your shot? Or do you want to discuss the nature aspect of it.

Okay, you've got something like Steve's Florida work (which I just saw, reallly cool, if you haven't seen it go to his site and take a look). To me, I'm assuming that he is working on this as an artistic project. He's not sharing a photo of his back yard saying "hey look where I live" or "this is what I did today" or "hey look at the rare two headed green billed woodpecker" Those would go in the art forum, because he created them with the intent that they would be art.

Looking for good Thai food in Denver? Off topic, because that's what it is.

Looking for some insight as to where to travel? Ask in Viewfinder, there's sure to be someone who's either been there or lives there (we will make it to Phoenix)

I think we have enough forums. Aren't there like 20? I probably regulary visit 3. When these boards are moving so fast that you have to go to page 3 to find a post you posted an hour ago, then maybe seperate some of the questions/comments into another catagory.


BTW, if there is a contest, I want to judge!

"These people are out to do just as Loren suggested; capture the spirit of a city, or even a region..."

Of course, but again, remember it's a commercial designation, not a photographic subject.

Compare the term "travel" photography to something like "stock" photography. IMO, it's the same type of term. They're both generic, and apply to the business end of photography...

Anything can be a stock photo. It's not a subject, but rather the way the photos are used. That's exactly the way I perceive the term "travel photo".

"I would love to get into doing that myself, but not sure if it will ever happen..."

Ah, so would I. Getting paid to travel and take picutres... :)

"I see one big problem with posting travel related topics in the other forums mentioned. I for one would not want to filter through all the non-travel related posts just to find the travel ones..."

But that's the way it is now, and I think what many of us are saying is that it works ok...

In a nutshell, to me travel photography means one of two things: an amateurish label used by people that take light-hearted pics of their trips, and a commercial industry term for photos being used precisely as you say, "for the flavor that's brought about by that subject on film"...

I feel photos are not "travel photos" by nature, but only when they're used a certain way...

BTW, what is this term film? I don't think I'm familiar with it... :D

You have to have been around a while to know what film is :D

Steve I hear what you're saying. But we are dealing with two different definitions of what "travel photography" is. A forum working under the umbrella of your definition would be unnecesary and redundant. A forum working under the other definition would be more fluid, and yet directed. Directed toward the goals of, 1) capturing place, 2) creating attraction for said place. That is different from showing snaps of the kids hanging off the egde of Grand Canyon.

But, the beauty part is, there's space for those shots too!

I guess what I'm saying is, in a designated Travel Forum, WE get to decide what the definition of travel photography is.

Okay, that's my last post for awhile. I'm ready to put this idea to rest.

Besides, I am fast approaching 2000 posts here, and I had better think of something nifty for my big 2 triple 0 :)

Thanks for all your comments Steve!
Rick

Seems I'm a bit late for this discussion. But I'll share what I think anyhow.

I would post in a travel forum probably even more often than I post here (view finder + critique). I've been looking around for travel forums and found a few but I'm yet to find the perfect one. I think that's because my two loves, traveling and photography haven't really converged in any of the travel forums I've been to. To me a perfect travel forum would have great content and photography to see the places the people are talking about. So having one here would be great IMO.

Also, I was thinking about this a few weeks back. I almost posted a thread here in teh viewfinder asking why there isn't a travel photo section on these forums? There's a lot of subsections here but I was quite puzzled why a travel one was overlooked to begin with. I thought otherwise of it and deleted my post before even making it. I'm glad you bring this idea forward.

What you outlined is even more extensive than what I was thinking. I was thinking a simple, travel photos with descripition of places, stories. All structured continent -> Country -> (maybe city, might be too much work, and probably not needed as it would dilute the content) like:

South America:
Brazil
Colombia
Cuba
..etc

North America:
Canada
Mexico...
U.S.
etc.


Like I said earlier, I for one ( if that forum ever goes up) will be a very frequent visitor & contributor. I love traveling and love talking about it all the time!!

Oh and I'll disagree with some of what was said on the "travel photography". To me travel photo is beyond the well presented art peice of a wall hanger, rather it just documents a place and time. I love traveling for the very reason of "seeing" the world and that's the exact reason I also love looking at travel photos. It gives me a glimpse of other places, cultures, etc. I think with the number of users here we could have a nice catalogue of the world in photos.