Travel Tips Through Asia for Every Photographer by @RobFactory

A Photographer's Guide to Traveling

Top Line Tips For Every Photographer
1. Make a digital scan of your passport (and visa if applicable)
2. Leave your passport in the room safe or a secure place
3. Pack adhesive bandages
4. Use common sense

About me
Hi, I’m Roberto Moreno or Robfactory. I’m a fellow photographer and traveler. I few years ago I moved to China for work and I’ve been exploring this side of the world ever since. During my stay in Asia, I’ve managed to learn a lot about photography, people, cultures, traveling, and packing.

This past summer (2018) my girlfriend and I traveled all over Europe with just backpacks. It was the second time we traveled for a month with only a backpack.

Below is a map of all of the locations countries we visited

During the summer we visited: Amsterdam, Edam, Prague, Brno, Vienna, Trieste, Venice, Domegge di Cadore, Verona, and Cologne.

My First Learnings

The first thing I’ve learned is how to avoid checking in luggage. It takes time, it can be expensive, and it can get lost.

Though I’m not a minimalist, I try to limit my items to everything that fits in a bag. For the most part, I have a 55L bag that I’ve used to travel for the last 3 years. This even includes a summer in 9 different countries and 4 continents. Also in that bag, I managed to fit in a small camera bag.

I’ve been traveling with a Sony A7Rii, Voigtlander 40mm F1.4, Tamron 28-75mm F2.8, Sony 16-35mm F4, at times a Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8, and 2 batteries.

Though I like shooting with primes. I’ve learned it is cumbersome to continuously change lenses to get the right focal length for a shot. Also, depending on where you are, dust can get into your sensor and/or lens.
This is an issue I’ve continuously had. I’ve adjusted to use zoom lenses and it’s been pretty good up to now.

Clothes

I’m very much a simple person when it comes to this. I have 2 pairs of merino wool socks, underwear, and shirts. Merino wool is sheep-based wool that is antibacterial and can dissipate sweat from your body. Not only that, but it also insulates, limits odor and is fast drying.
I also bring a pair of jeans, shorts, anti-blister socks, a light jacket, belt, and a anti wrinkle dress shirt.

Shoes

I usually pack a nice pair of running shoes and I make sure to waterproof them just in case. Running shoes are lightweight and tend to dry rather quickly.

Toiletries

Always in my bag are: a regular toothbrush, hair brush, and adhesive bandages. I tend to purchase toothpaste at my first destination. It is always simple to find a western named brand at a local shop.

Technology

I sometimes edit photos on flights or train rides. If there isn’t anything to look at, I’m either conversing with locals or editing photos. I have a 13 inch laptop I carry around.
A multiple USB charger is convenient when you are limited to one or two outlets. A multi-port USB charger allows the charging of my phones, 2-camera battery charger and a small speaker I tend to carry.
I also bring with me a pair of Bluetooth noise cancelling headphones.

Last year, I found a portable battery charger (AA, AAA) that also works as a USB charger. This has saved me lots of times. As some hotels do not have spare AC or TV remote control batteries. So, I usually solve the issue myself.
Lastly, a USB battery charger that doubles as a router. It isn’t much larger than a regular charger and it has come in handy twice now.

Documents

Try to scan your important documents and host them on Dropbox, Box, or Google Drive. On some phones you can have the file saved and don’t need to go online to secure it.

I’ve seen people lose or get their documents stolen. In some countries you will not be able to do much without showing your documentation.

I tend to leave my documents in the room and walk around with my phone. I’ve been stopped twice and I have shown them my documents on my phone and it’s been ok. If you are polite and smile, they will just let you go. Don’t act stressed or upset about the matter because that’s when things can go wrong.

If you have any questions just add me on IG: @Robfactory

Buy Robert Moreno's photos here.

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