Best travel photos: My 7 Super Shots
By Jeremy Branham on Mar 26, 2012 with Comments 64
2004. My first big trip to Europe. 6 countries. 28 days. A total of 121 photos.
1995 and 1996. My first two trips outside of North America. My second and third plane rides. The beautiful country of Estonia. I came home with less than 50 photos. (I did develop a crush on an Estonian girl though).
I’ve realized that when I am traveling I get too caught up in my experiences and forget to take photos. My travel experiences were 3D and involved all five senses. However, I didn’t capture many of them in 2D.
I’m getting much better at the photography thing now and am starting to take more photos. However, I will come home with a bunch of photos and realize 1) that I am hardly in any of them and 2) I still take a lot of bad photos.
So when I was nominated to be a part of Hostel Bookers 7 Super Shots project, I was part relieved, part apprehensive.
For one, I wouldn’t have to look a through quite as many photos as other people because obviously I don’t take as many as I should. However, finding 7 photos from my travels that fit the theme was going to be a little more difficult.
So here’s to better travel photos in the future and my best 7 super shots.
A photo that take my breath away
Wailua Falls in Lihue, Kauai were made famous by the TV show Fantasy Island. In my experience, they were made ever more beautiful by this rainbow. This is one of my favorites and one of the most beautiful photos I’ve ever taken.
A photo that makes me laugh or smile
This is what happens when you’ve had too much wine in Hungary, a Roma (gypsy) violinist plays beautiful music, you’re the youngest guy on this wine tasting, and the owner of the winery in Recsk Hungary asks you to dance.
A photo that makes me dream
Without a doubt, I love Slovenia. The beauty, culture, and geography of this place inspired me to create the ultimate travel guide to Slovenia. This photo is from the Alpine town of Lake Bled, just outside of Ljubljana. One day, I want to spend an entire summer exploring this country.
A photo that makes me think
When traveling through the former countries of Yugoslavia, there are still reminders of the war there. And the impact these places can have are quite emotional. This photo inspired my thoughts on the Yugoslavia war and basketball.
However, places like Auschwitz and Recsk, Hungary have reminded me of the dark days during World War II and Communist Hungary.
A photo that makes my mouth water
I love Thai food and one of the best Thai food places (Thai Tom) is a small hole in the wall place in Seattle located on The Ave at the University of Washington. Good food is just one of the many aspects of my College Football Travel Tour.
A photo that tells a story
Just beyond this beach is a nude beach in Figueira, Portugal (out of respect, not going to include a photo of the actual beach). While hiking along the coast from Salema, I wandered upon this beach by mistake – and had my first nude beach experience.
A photo I am most proud of (aka my National Geographic shot)
Of those 121 photos I took in Europe, I managed to get a fantastic shot. I don’t think any shot has topped this one even though I’ve had some great ones. I was able to capture the Eiffel Tower perfectly (check out my 10 travel tips to save money in Paris).
Looking ahead to my travels, I just upgraded my camera from a point and shoot. So I am looking forward to better quality photos from my travels – provided I remember to pull the camera out of my pocket and take them.
For my nominations, I am selecting a number of others to show me their photos from around the world. These five have covered a number of countries from nearly every continent on the planet.
Jenna from This Is My Happiness
Michela from My Battered Suitcase
Lauren from Never Ending Footsteps
Wes from Johnny Vagabond
Chris from The Aussie Nomad
Thanks to BonBon’s Travel Tips for the nomination!
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Filed Under: Featured • Traveling Thoughts
I'm Jeremy Branham and I love to travel. Check out my travel stories, guides, sports travels, and adventures.
The photos of Wailua Falls and nude beach looks awesome.
On another note, I am looking forward to more great photos from your new camera.
Dawn recently posted..guitar resources
Thanks Dawn. I am very excited about the new camera as well. For both of those photos, I was in the right place at the right time to snap those.
I love that waterfall photo! That’s a really great shot of the Eiffel Tower too!
Ali recently posted..The Great Ocean Road in Photos
Thanks Ali. I admit that I years later I am still very proud of that Eiffel Tower photo. I had no eye for photography at all when I took that so honestly I was just lucky to get a shot that beautiful. The same can be said of the one in Kauai as well.
I’m confused. Only 121 pictures on a trip to Europe? This must be the time before digital?
Lovely classic picture of the Tower, and as Ali said beautiful waterfall.
Andrew recently posted..Romance of Train Travel – Indie Travel Challenge
Well this was the early days of the digital camera. I think my biggest excuse is the memory card I took on the trip rather than the camera. I think the size of my card was 128K. So that was my biggest issue. With the camera, I could store a few photos internally as well. But yes, that is accurate – 121 photos for an entire month in Europe.
wow national geo shot is stunning, no wonder you’re proud of it
Thanks. I got lucky with that shot of the Eiffel Tower – I didn’t really know what I was going, how good of a shot that was, nor did I have a great camera!
Great shot of the Eiffel Tower.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Learning to Cook in Chile: Ceviche, Pisco Sours y Mas!
Thanks. It is definitely one of my favorites.
Okay, Jeremy, all your photos are fabulous but that shot of the Eiffel Tower is amazing.
Insidejourneys recently posted..Hiking Jamaica’s Blue Mountain
Thanks. I was really lucky to get that shot. I just saw it and snapped. I was lucky that it turned out as well as it did.
Well done Jeremy. They are all fantastic shots. I especially like the shot that makes me smile. I laughed even before I read the caption, but the story makes it even funnier.
Traveling Ted recently posted..My seven super shots adventure traveling
I don’t have many that make me laugh but that one was worth putting in there. I will never win any dance contests but for a white boy, I do have a little rhythm.
Wailua Falls also takes my breath away…
God’s creation really indescribable… great shots!
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Thanks. I love the rainbow in the photo and was surprised that I was able to capture it. Right place, right time for that one.
Really nice. That photo of Slovenia makes me dream as well. Great stuff.
Jeff Dobbins recently posted..Macy’s Flower Show 2012
Thanks Jeff. I am a big fan of Slovenia. It really is a beautiful country. I wrote a travel guide to the country if you are interested. Have you ever been there before?
I love your selection of photos, Jeremy. You have really sold me on Slovenia (with this and previous posts). I think it’s funny that the nude beach is in a town that’s close to my last name!
Michael Figueiredo recently posted..Greetings From… Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Thanks Michael. I would love to spend a few months exploring Slovenia. If you make it back to Portugal, you should check out that beach!
With my new camera, hope to take a lot more photos this year!
Great shots, Jeremy! My favourite is the one that makes you smile because you look to be having so much fun! 121 photos for a month in Europe made me smile – I routinely take more than that in a day thanks to digital.
Lisa recently posted..Enjoying a Spring Day in Paris’ Jardin des Tuileries
As for the having fun part, I was very embarrassed actually. But what else can you do when your host asks you to dance?
As for the photos, this was a few years ago when digital cameras were around but the technology wasn’t as great. My biggest excuse was the size of my memory card!
Great photos and stories, Jeremy! I used to be really bad about taking photos as well until I started to love photography. I still enjoy the days when I’m less focused on the camera though – it’s nice to just relax and take it all in.
Andrea recently posted..Introducing Stavanger – Our New Home
Photos are great. However, I hope that I will always focus more on the experiences than the photos.
Your 1st one is absolutely amaaaaazing!
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures recently posted..My Beautiful Adventures Announces New TV Show: Episode One — Hong Kong
Thanks Andi. Have you seen this waterfall in Kauai?
Jeremy,
We are in the same boat. When I went to Europe for the first time (2003,) I only had a film camera and the photos were really bad. Plus, I cut and deformed most of the photos to create a scrapbook. On my second trip to Europe, I came back with 700 hundred photos after being a month there. Again a lot of the photos are not that good.
However, when I take a look at some of those photos, a lot of memories explode in my mind. In this post, you have shared the story behind each photo and that is what makes them special.
Ruth of Tanama Tales recently posted..Red Rock Canyon, Nevada
Since I’ve been back to Europe, I’ve taken a lot more. The biggest lesson I learned from that first trip? Get a bigger memory card! I was ignorant back in those days but now have more storage space than ever!!
However, despite the number of photos I had a few good ones. More importantly, the memories live on in my head and heart. A photo helps keep those memories alive!
I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all that you get too caught up in the travel itself to snap photos! It’s hard for me to balance time behind the lens and actually seeing a place with my own eyes sometimes, which I’m actively working on!
These are some great shots though, regardless!
Amanda recently posted..Photo Essay: Around Reykjavik
Thanks Amanda. My biggest issue wasn’t the photos but too small of a memory card. However, I have found that even with a bigger memory card I do sometimes forget to take photos. I come home and realize how few photos I actually took! Now I want to take more photos than ever but like you, I want to balance that with experiencing the place as well.
I’ve always dreamed of visiting Lake Bled in Slovenia. Beautiful shot!
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted..7 Super Shots – India Edition
Lake Bled is gorgeous. However, all of Slovenia is. If you’ve never been there, make sure you check it out!
Great pictures! The food shot is really cool, because of the focus in it. Well, that, and who can resist Thai food
The Eiffel Tower pic puts me right back on the Trocadero. Gorgeous!
Sabrina recently posted..My Seven Super Shots
Thanks Sabrina. I am working on my food shots to get much better at those! And years after I took that photo, I am still proud and quite surprised of my Eiffel Tower photo. I will check out yours now.
Stunning pics! Sometimes shots express our feelinhs and sensation ven better than our words. In particular I love the one if the waterfall and the one of the Lake Blade in Slovenia! They both make me dream!
Thanks Francy. I agree. Sometimes photos give people a better experience and touch other parts of the soul in a way that words can’t. I love these photos and felt privileged that I had a chance to take them.
These are some great shots Jeremy! It must have been fun going through your collection and narrow it down just to these. My fav is the one of the Alpine town of Lake Bled, just outside of Ljubljana
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Road Trip on a budget – From Las Vegas to Los Angeles
Thanks Samuel. I really love Lake Bled and am a huge fan of Slovenia. I do confess that I didn’t do Lake Bled on that first trip so I have a lot of photos of that place. Have you ever been to Slovenia?
When I read that you only have 121 photos from your Europian trip, I was like “what?!” In our days today, lots of great cameras are on the market and everybody seem to love taking pictures of almost everything. Nonetheless, your selected photos are amazing especially the photo with the Eiffel Tower. Looking forward for more photos!
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Thanks for your comment Colbie. I have to admit my limitations on photos was due to the size of the memory card I took with me on my trip. So I had to delete some photos when I filled up the memory card. I definitely wish I had taken more photos but at least I got a few good ones as well.
I do love the Eiffel Tower one though. I got really lucky taking that one and had no idea how great that photo was until I looked at it later. Do you have a favorite photo like this?
I’ve just compiled all my photos from my last 7 years of travelling onto one hard drive.
Step 2 – go thru and cull it down to just the ones that I’d be happy to show other people.
Could take a while…hopefuly I’ll find a few gems in there that I’d forgotten about
Good luck! It’s very hard to find 7 or a handful of your favorites. There are so many great photos to choose!
Love that Hawaii shot. I’m really hoping to make it there next winter. It looks so magical.
Scott – Quirky Travel Guy recently posted..Photo Essay: Chicago in 100 Images
Thanks Scott. That was another lucky photo that I took. I’ve seen other photos of that waterfall and the photo of the waterfalls that I took has a lot of water. Plus you throw in the rainbow and it was just good timing.
What part of Hawaii will you be visiting? I may go to Oahu in late Nov/earl December.
Lovely pics – especially the waterfall with the rainbow and the one of Slovenia
Alison recently posted..The Humber Bridge: Travel Snapshot
Thanks Alison. I was a little lucky on the waterfall one but I love Slovenia and Lake Bled. I have a lot of photos from there.
Great photos! I love how different all of them are. That nude beach must have been a nice surprise. lol Thank you for not posting the photos. If it’s anything like the nude beaches I have been to, we don’t want to see it. haha
Christy recently posted..7 Places to Visit in Southeast Asia
Actually the nude beach wasn’t that bad. Most people were quite fit and respectable. There was a nice looking couple in their 30s there and also an older man with his dog. Nude beaches are nowhere near what we think they are here in the US. After a couple of hours, I even went all in. And man was I embarrassed – by lack of a tan!
I have a very similar shot of Wailua Falls. It’s so beautiful with the rainbow!
I couldn’t believe how much water was coming out. I’ve seen other photos of Wailua and realized I was lucky to get a shot like that!
The shot with rainbow is really great and the one that makes you dream is great as well
rashmi recently posted..5 Unique US Amusement Parks Worth Visiting
Thanks Rashmi. I am a big fan of Slovenia (dream photo) and love the one in Kauai as well. I’ve gotten lucky on a few photos as I never intended on taking shots that turned out that well.
Seeing that picture of a torn down wall in Yugoslavia, it reminded me of that deadly basketball team which player’s relationships were torn apart by war.
Matthew recently posted..jamplay reviews
Matthew, thanks for your comment. If you have time, read the story underneath that photo. The post about the Yugoslavia war and basketball is dedicated to Vlade Divac and Drazen Petrovic
great photos! love the eiffel tower the best… i have yet to do my own 7 super shots. sigh, too many backlogs
Thanks Gladys. I love the Eiffel Tower one. It was one of the first photos I took many years ago and it is still one of my favorites. Let me know when you get your photos posted.
Love the picture of the lake with the alps.
Greetings,
Filip
Filip Demuinck recently posted..Summer flowers and History Column at the Josef Görres-Platz in Koblenz
I love the photo that makes you dream. Makes me want to visit Slovenia!
I love Slovenia! One day I want to spend 3 months there and explore the entire country. If you ever get the chance, you should go. Just don’t tell too many people about it so we can keep it a secret!
First, thank you so much for the nomination. I have to say that this is a difficult post for me to prepare! It’s so hard to choose. But you did a great job with yours. These photos are all wonderful and show lots of beautiful and interesting aspects of your travels.
[...] it took me months to finally do it! Thank you to Jessica at Suitcases and Sippycups and Jeremy at Budget Travel Adventures for tagging me to participate in the Hostel Bookers 7 Super Shots [...]
Nice shots. I just posted mine too here:
http://www.shorttraveltips.com/7-super-shots/
Vi recently posted..Top 5 day trips from Budapest
Thanks for sharing yours! I think all of your photos tell a story. The glacier photo, the squirrel shirt photo, the lion – all fantastic!
thanks Jeremy
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