Members Area

Exclusive Interview: Peter Adams

Travel Photographer Peter Adams has visited nearly 100 countries. He has won numerous awards including Travel Photographer of the Year 2003 and was one of the judges in 2004. In 2006 he was runner up in The Observer's Seeds of Change Photographic competition.

He took a moment to chat to Travellers Club about his travels and how to take a good holiday snap……

What do you love most about the work that you do?

One of the best aspects of travel is the kindness, help and interesting people you meet. It really restores your faith in humanity.

In all your travels is there any country in particular that you enjoyed visiting?

I particularly enjoy anywhere away from our western culture, to be transported to a completely different experience. Thus I enjoy India & Cuba, and recently the far north of Sweden and Norway in winter.

Is there such a thing as the ‘perfect weather conditions’ for a photo?

Not really, however for landscape where the light is so crucial, I love the clear dramatic light after a storm or rain. Low sun and dramatic skies. However I'm always reminding myself of this when standing around getting wet!

Is there a destination you have not yet visited but would like to?

Antarctica is an obvious one, but every other travel photographer seems to go there and you’re restricted to a cruise ship with the occasional landing. The Omo valley in Ethiopia; amazing African tribes that are changing very fast and learning quickly how to use guns. The time may have already passed, they’re now well used to driving a hard bargain to have their picture taken, not a relaxed situation to be able to take informal candid pictures. The rest of the country is also interesting however and has some great music.

What is most challenging when taking photographs in foreign countries?

Obviously a different language presents its problems, but a different culture takes a little while to work out. Whether people are happy to have their pictures taken etc.

What advice do you have for our members looking to capture far more than the average ‘holiday snaps’?

Try changing your angle, bend down low, stand on a bench or anything to give different perspective. Too many tourists I see take everything at eye level.

How would you sum up what it is that makes a great travel photograph?

Impact, a sense of wonder. A wow factor that really makes you want to go there.

Where are you travelling to next?

Spain. Andalucia for a fiera (fair) and the great countryside, making my way around to Barcelona, via Valencia etc.

Lastly, based on your travels, if you could live in any other country than England where would you choose and why?

The UK is a great place to live, you can travel 100 miles and be somewhere very different. It's also good for photography. However I'm lucky enough to get away during our long winters. I enjoy the way of life in Spain or Australia.

Have a look at our Member's Photo Gallery to see how everyone else has been getting on, or maybe Peter's top tips have given you the confidence to share your travel photo's with us.

To view more of Peter’s photographs, purchase his works or get in contact visit: www.padamsphoto.co.uk

Your Photo Gallery

A Guide to Holiday Photos