By: Alex
Travel photography is not just about documenting how beautiful a place is. Karen Hutton, a photographer from California, USA, believes that you first need to figure out what you like and what you want to capture, then think about how to express that image. Finally, you use the right equipment and techniques to capture the image in your mind.
Recently, Karen traveled to Slovenia, known as the Emerald of Central Europe. In this small Central European country she had never visited before, Karen personally demonstrated her photography philosophy. She often yearns to find those unforgettable, beautiful, and awe-inspiring things and moments. With that mindset, the senses become sharper, awareness sharpens, and countless magical and unique experiences unfold from that moment on.
Karen also said that sometimes it’s not necessary to have your camera in front of your face all the time. Stop, listen to the sounds around you, and immerse yourself in the environment. Like in Slovenia, many places are incredibly beautiful — it’s good to first quietly appreciate and feel them, and then find what you want to photograph.
When it comes to equipment, Karen has her own unique insights. She believes it’s important to understand the gear you have. The most feature-packed and newest equipment doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best — instead, it’s about understanding the limitations of your tools. She dislikes having to open the camera’s menu to adjust settings while shooting. The simpler the camera operation, the better — ideally, you should be able to access the desired function with a single press. She hopes to spend the least amount of time on settings and the most time capturing what moved her, before that feeling fades away.
Below are some of Karen’s works from her trip to Slovenia. More detailed sharing from Karen can be found on her Smugmug blog. Her other works can be found on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and her personal website.
Source: DIY Photography, Smugmug