Travel blogging and the importance of detail

June 11, 2014

Whenever I’m commissioning a writer in my day job as editor of a travel magazine I always ask them if they can get ‘detail shots’ from wherever they’re going; anyone can take photos of famous landmarks and of course it’s fun to try and get your own, unique view of the Trevi Fountain or the Eiffel Tower. But detail shots – an unusual aspect of a building, something you ate or drank, a local person in a ‘caught moment’, a stunning wall tile or door or decoration – can really elevate a layout and help the reader feel as though they’ve been taken on a journey to the destination.

It’s the same with travel blogging, and it’s something I try to do whenever I’m visiting somewhere, as with this post on St Petersburg, this one on Athens and this one on Barcelona. It’s about looking for something a bit different that captures the essence of a place, without necessarily showing the obvious, and what it forces you to do is to look – really look – at what’s around you. And if you are taking a photo of a really well-known landmark, try to get an unusual angle.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

 

 

 

I took this photo of the Leaning Tower of Pisa on the Disney Cruise last summer, and it’s still one of my favourites; not just because it was so clean and sparkly (there isn’t a filter on this photo, and the sky really looked that blue) but because it shows the detail of the stonework.

 

incense ho chi minh city

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and this one, taken inside a temple in Ho Chi Minh City, does I think help conjure up the atmosphere inside, where it’s very quiet and the air is filled with the sweet scent of the burning incense.

*This is my entry to the Gallery and the theme this week is ‘detail’.

 

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  • Suzanne June 12, 2014 at 8:58 pm

    Lovely images! I have constant comments about my obsession with door hinges and floor tiles, but clearly I am doing something right!!

  • nappyvalleygirl June 12, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    Really interesting read Liz. I’m trying to build my travel journalism portfolio at the moment (been wanting to do it for years, but get bogged down with the day job writing about ads!) Are you open to ideas from freelancers? x

  • Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk) June 12, 2014 at 12:27 pm

    The columns, the arches… I love the Leaning Tower photo. So much detail to see in this angle. #TheGallery

  • EmmaK June 11, 2014 at 11:13 am

    Love these photos, especially the Leaning Tower of Pisa because the sky is so blue and the building so white – great contrast.

  • Herding Cats June 11, 2014 at 11:05 am

    Amazing pictures, such wonderful details.

  • susankmann June 11, 2014 at 10:59 am

    Lovely details x

  • saveeverystep - family stories past and present June 11, 2014 at 9:04 am

    Couldn’t agree more. Funnily enough I just posted on the exact same theme…an unexpected item that just takes you back to a certain time and place when you see it again.