Interview with Travel Photographer & Journalist

Paul Ross Shares his Career & Offers Practical Advice to the Novice

Nov 25, 2008 John Lamkin

Photographer and travel writer Paul Ross, gives some insight into how he works and offers advice to both the beginner and the professional travel writer and photographer.

Paul Ross was born in L.A., got his degree in journalism from Boston U and has been working in various aspects of communication ever since. Paul's travel specialty is off-the-beaten track and culture, most often presented with humor.

Suite 101: How did you get into travel photography?

There was a gap of many years from when I was first a shooter but, this time around, I’d borrowed a video camera to image Tunisia and then backed-into stills. My wife and I were already travel writing for newspapers and magazines.

Suite 101: You also make films. How did that part of your career start?

My degree is in journalism but I spent more time advertising; primarily in movies and TV. Creating a 27-second haiku to sell a 2-hour, $100 million feature film trained me to conceptualize, visualize and, above all, edit. Story-telling remains the basis of my documentary approach.

Suite 101: So what's in your gadget bag?

Because the remaining airlines keep cutting-back on size and weight limits, I minimize. It really depends on the destination and the assignment. Right now, I’m shooting with a Canon D5 with 28-135 and 70-300mm lenses.

I also carry a flash, collapsible reflector, cable release (for vibration-free long exposures), computer cable, lens and camera cleaning gear, batteries, memory chips and a portable hard drive w/ viewing screen. As backup, I have my wife Judie’s Canon G9.

Optionals include: tri or monopod, video (Sony HC7), mics, headphone and, sometimes, other audio equipment.

It should be noted that camera manufacturers are adding the ability to shoot HD video.

Suite 101: What equipment should a traveling writer have?

Always a pencil and small writing pad. If possible, a plastic-bound pad and the pencil because, if you can protect your paper notes when in a warm and humid environment, pencil won’t “bleed” and run like ink will. Some folk like a small voice-corder. Most important —no matter what form you take notes in— do it. After the 100th European cathedral or jungle ruin, reminiscences gets faulty.

Photos can jog memory, help writers sell stories and make more income. Fortunately, digital provides quality images and ease of operation.

Suite 101: What software do you use/recommend?

For writing: Microsoft Word. For photos: Adobe Photoshop. If you’re just beginning and are on a limited budget, Photoshop Elements is the basic “starter kit.”

Suite 101: You partner with your wife in writing and photography, what advantages does that have over the writer/photographer working alone?

Dividing-up the chores means that each can give full attention to their task and the end result is not compromised. It doesn’t always happen.

Suite 101: What is a typical on-the-road photography day for you?

There is no typical. Travel Photography is the most challenging type of shooting because it encompasses landscape, portraiture, food, action, news and night photography —all with no notice. And you’ve got to be ready.

Suite 101: What advice would you offer to the new photographer or the writer just adding photography to their career?

Buy the best equipment you can, learn as much as possible (try this in bite-size bits as needed, so you’re not overwhelmed, and use automatic functions until you’re comfortable with your gear), ask questions, take classes, join local clubs and organizations because most experts enjoy the chance to demonstrate their knowledge. Practice.

Suite 101: You sound like a teacher.

I’ll be doing that and leading a two week tour to Tunisia this May.

Suite 101: Any last words?

See ya out there.

The copyright of the article Interview with Travel Photographer & Journalist in Travel Books is owned by John Lamkin. Permission to republish Interview with Travel Photographer & Journalist in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.