I do the same kind of "photos of place" searches and try to learn and absorb what I can from others out there.

During one of those searches, I came across an amateur travel photography site/forum that I found to be quite interesting (read: time consuming!). People submit their photos and others critique. I found the critiques very educational, even if they can sometimes be a bit blunt. Still, the ability to search their database by photographer, critic or destination is quite nice.

www.trekearth.com

I shamelessly and selfishly bring this thread back to the top. Forgive me, but of all the threads I've started, it's my favorite and I want to keep it going!

I, for one, am one of those people that loves to look at other people's vacation pictures. That being said, I also love to share my pictures with others and love it when I find someone that wants to look at my pictures (my family runs for cover when they see me coming). Because I have exhausted all my avenues for sharing with family/friends, I decided to try posting them on the internet for complete strangers to see. I don't get the immediate joy of watching someone view my pictures, but occasionally, some total stranger will send me an e-mail telling me that my pictures prompted them to consider a trip to Italy or Australia or wherever... that is the biggest compliment one can receive in my opinion. Hope I'm not being presumptuous, but if anyone is interested, my pictures of Italy, Greece, Australia, New Zealand, SW USA and England are at the following link...

http://www.em-services.com/keith/index.htm

Keith

I'm always happy to contribute to the life support of a worthy thread.

Regarding the posting of travel photos on the internet, I believe that a personal website is an ideal high-tech replacement for the traditional photo album. No lugging a bulky (and often poorly bound) photo album when our friends want to see our vacation pictures. No lugging a slide projector and screen either. If they have an internet connection, we just point their browser at my website and let the show begin. I recently wrote a Java applet that allows someone with an internet browser view my website images as a series of thematic slide shows (Germany, Yellowstone, wildlife, etc.). A personal website also allows the spontaneous viewing of images. For example, when a colleague recently mentioned that he would be visiting Zion National Park, we pointed his internet browser at my Utah photo gallery while discussing trails in the park.

On another topic, before I travel to Europe, I create a "photographic shoot list," which includes descriptions (often detailed) of the photos I plan to take. Many of the items on the list are simple reminders (e.g., picture of the wife in front of Big Ben, picture of each hotel we stay at, etc.), but many others represent ideas for photographing familiar objects in an unfamiliar manner. Recently, the cover of National Geographic Traveler had a striking nightshot of the Eiffel Tower from a considerable distance. I am now in the process of determining the general location from which this photo was taken and will eventually add a nightshot of the Eiffel Tower from that location to my "shoot list." Meanwhile, I am learning a little bit more about the neighborhoods of Paris while trying to determine the shooting location.

Toppinh.

I love this thread.

I have an old manual Nikon, but since we got our digital camera, I find that I'm using that almost exclusively, now.

For me, sometimes color is distracting. It can get in the way of the detail or the moment I'm trying to capture. The advantage of my digital camera is that it gives me options. I can keep the photo in its original color setting, OR, with the click of my mouse, I can change it to black and white. I find that, even though many photos are lovely in color, sometimes the event or detail captured in the pic is much more dramatic, or poignant, or just plain memorable, in black and white. Although, that said.....I have many photos from my travels that I like in both color AND black and white.

My real problem is, that I get so caught up taking shots of a shaft of light falling upon a church pew, or the shadow of a cat on a wall behind a fantastic wrought iron gate, or grass bending in the breeze in a cemetery full of very old headstones....and I end up not getting to see everything I wanted to see!

I love the idea of a photography tour. Might have to try that myself.

Great thread.

I can't imagine traveling somewhere without my camera. Like a lot of you I not only take pics of the tourist sites, but a lot of offbeat shots as well. I had to laugh when one of you said that developing all the film cost almost as much as the trip itself because it's so true. Though on my trip to Greece this month I just shot 6 rolls of film, so for once it will be good not to have to take out a second mortgage to pay for the processing.

I put my photos in an album and the ones I think look really awesome I have enlarged to various sizes so I can frame them and hang them on my wall at home. I also get the prints in a CD-ROM format so I can make wallpaper and screensavers on my home and office computers.

As far as other mementos, I too write in a journal to not only record where I've been but how I feel being there. I also write on a postcard and mail it to myself. As 9 times out of 10 I get home before the postcard does, it's a nice little reminder of the great time I had as I get settled back in to the daily humdrum. Stuff like ticket stubs, napkins, receipts, etc. I put on a humongous french message board I have in my computer room at home.

Howard - Look at subject "No Photos".
Your thoughts please.

f64club, I've already responded on that thread.
I find it extremely disrespectful to take photos where you are asked not to.

Howard,
You're right, of course. I let my frustration get the best of me since 3 years ago I was able to photograph the statue of David and now, with no explanation, was not (previous pix/negs were lost to a flood). I'll have to pretend the postcards are my pohotos.

The Accademia in Florence is consistent in its inconsistency. When we were there in November 1999, I was surprised and delighted that I was allowed to take flash photos of David. I took some with and without the flash. Ironically, I was forbidden from using the flash in any other part of that museum. Go figure!

I never take photos, and I hate taking photos, and I think you'll find that the reason most of us who are "anti-photo" are that way is because we cannot take a better picture than we are currently seeing!

Luckily, I am married to an excellent pohotographer, who has proven to me with the quality of his photos that it is worth the time for him to take them. However, I never bring a camera with me (even by myself) because I can't capture what I'm seeing very well and I don't enjoy myself, and actually remember LESS of what I've seen. To each his own!

allovereurope, you've made a most interesting point, expressing very well the thinking of a non-photographer. And, it's a point well taken.
As one who takes his photography seriously, I'm coming from the opposite direction, naturally. And, think most serious photographers would agree with me when I say: Taking a picture has dual purpose and reward. First, I hope I'm taking a photograph of quality and one that I'll be proud of. Second, I'm taking a photograph which will be a personal and individual memory of my experience.