BEHIND THE LENS – Travel Photography by Jaden Nyberg

I wonder what travel would be, if we didn’t have a camera to capture all that it has to offer. In a single innocent shot, lies the unparalleled power of a photographers lens – a power that makes millions to visit and feel a place, even without being physically present in that very moment. Taking a tour of the world through the lens of photographer Jaden Nyberg, and his mesmerizing travel photography, I sit here to pen the mind and heart of this Vancouver based artist, while he talks about his journey, travel, photography, tips for the newcomers and more…

Help us understand you better, sketch yourself…

I’m a photographer from Vancouver, BC. I’ve been interested in photography for several years now, playing with Instamatic and Polaroid cameras when I was a kid and then learning the real aspects of photography with a Canon A1 film camera back in 10th grade. Majority of my photos were landscapes unless the assignment said otherwise. I now have a strong focus on landscape and travel photography and love to get outdoors to shoot.

Why Travel Photography?

I enjoy traveling and experiencing different cultures, and hence documenting my journey with photographs is a big part of traveling for me. It also allows me to show others what I experienced, be it an incredible landscape or a scene from a local market.

Your signature style? 

I shoot landscapes a lot more than people and portraits as I love to capture those grand vistas that make your jaw drop. It usually takes me a few days to take in the culture and see how the locals interact. If I feel comfortable then I’ll take my camera along to the local markets or city streets to capture some candid moments.

What came first, travel or photography?

They both came hand in hand, as I was always interested in taking photos while on a trip. It wasn’t until my first long backpacking trip through Central America that I really focused on photographing every aspect of my surroundings.

The one moment that makes your shutter click? 

There are a number of things that can play a part in this. I usually just enjoy the moment I am experiencing and then let the camera capture the same thing to share with others later. That moment can mean anything to someone else. But the point remains that it made them feel something.

Your first picture? 

To be honest I can’t remember. There were many different occasions when I was young and played with an instant disposable camera or Polaroid. The days of film photography were so much fun!

Your favorite picture till date? And why?

“Drying Off”. It was taken on the Yasawa Islands in Fiji with a Canon A1. I love it because it shows so many different aspects of a young child’s personality.

Fijians are very playful people and the boy was no exception running back and forth into the water. Yet when I asked him to stop for a moment so I could take his picture, both his curiosity and shyness come out clearly in the photo. It’s not a landscape surprisingly, but to me this one is golden.

You have traveled to a so many places. Which destination was the favorite pick for your camera and why?

Hawaii, specifically Kauai. I love landscape photography and Kauai has a little bit of everything. Beautiful beaches, waterfalls, beautiful flowers and very interesting rock formations on the mountains along with huge canyons. The textures is imparts for travel photography are limitless.

What equipment would you refer to fellow photographers?

An ND filter for long exposures and a nice lightweight tripod of course. Travel as light as you possibly can. You’ll thank yourself after an hour of hiking up a mountain.

Do you believe in post editing your pictures or you like to leave them natural? 

Of course! Most of my photos go through some kind of post production just to make sure they’re perfect. While I like to do as little editing as possible to the original photograph, sometimes the editing helps to bring it closer to what I remember the scene looking like. When I shot with film I didn’t do  post work at all, due to lack of access to a dark room. If I was looking for enlargements I would let the printer work its magic.

Travel photography is competitive today. How do you think you can make your mark?

There’s plenty of ways to make your mark. I mainly focus on social networks and building a following that way. The more people know of you, the better chance you have of getting that break. But still, I try to keep it my passion as much as possible and try not to think to hard about the business side of things just yet.

One piece of  advice for beginners in travel photography?

Take a moment to look around and enjoy where you are. Giving yourself time to focus is important to get just the right shot. If you can, spend a while to canvas the area for the best possible angle and subject. Travel photography is difficult to prepare for, as you usually don’t have a chance to scope out the location. Do some research on where you are going so you have an idea of what you will need to get in the photos you are hoping to capture.

About the future of travel photography?

Well I don’t think it’s going away anytime soon. There’s a camera in everyone’s hand these days be it a phone or little point and shoot. Everyone will take their time to capture a moment they want to remember years later. Travel agencies, publications and tour companies are always wanting the latest and greatest images from the locations people go to. They have to stay current otherwise their vacation packages will look dated. There will always be some kind of market for travel photography.

Five things your eyes look for in a perfect picture?

• Does it tell a story
• Is there something that draws my eyes in for a closer look
• Beautiful light
• Strong composition
• Is the horizon straight

That one ‘wish-list’ picture you want to capture for a long time…

The Milky Way. Have to get out of the city with all the light pollution in order to see it properly.

For more of Jaden’s photography, please visit – http://www.travelingmoments.com/