Outdoor/Travel

Many amateur photographers have a simple remedy for shooting in low-light conditions--they turn on their flash units and blast the hell out of a scene or subject. Well, that technique sure is effective. For a more pleasing and more creative picture...

If a perfect place for landscape photography were to be built, what amenities would be included? Most photographers would want mountains, lakes, an assortment of trees, a U-shaped valley, a stream, easy access, protected land, a trail system, eastern or western exposure, wildflowers, a different look for each season, a beaver dam, driftwood, boulders, blue sky, high clouds, fog...

Photos © 2004, Nevada Wier, All Rights Reserved

As the sun sets above an ancient wooden bridge in Myanmar, three women push their bicycles along the weathered structure, the scene dramatically silhouetted against a brilliant orange sky.

Nevada Wier has photographed the old bridge many times during her multiple visits to Myanmar. Today she has captured her...

As I slipped and fell helplessly to the ground for the 102nd time that afternoon (give or take a fall or two), I decided not to get up again. Despite the fact we were still a good half-mile from the trail leading...

For almost a year I planned for the 22-day trip I took this past January to photograph among the indigenous people of Ethiopia. I did a lot of research so I’d know what to expect and how to deal with everything from the customs of the country to the weather and the traveling conditions. Also, I’d have a driver and a guide, and along the way I’d pick up local guides who’d know the ins and outs of specific villages, tribes, and dialects.

Every traveler with a camera will welcome the words “smaller” and “lighter.” Because I travel and photograph for a living, I not only welcome them, I search for them. I want to see those adjectives accompanying nouns like camera, lens, laptop, and drive (the portable kind).

One of the things I always try to do when I’m planning a trip is check out the events calendars of the cities and towns I’ll be visiting to see what sort of festivals might be taking place. Sometimes I’ll even rearrange my schedule to make sure I hit those places at the right time; that’s how important it is for me to take advantage of these photo opportunities. Images of...