It’s a Struggle to Take a Good Travel Photo

Oh, the torture.

The writing, the emails, the tweeting…that stuff is all good.

The real challenge, the real thorn with this blogging stuff, comes from the photos.

Taking a perfect travel photo to post online – on Facebook, the blog or Instagram – is just plain difficult.

And to do it over and over and over again? It’s madness I tell you.

The pressure is immense and getting that perfect shot, especially when we want to be in the photo ourselves, takes extreme effort, and usually some pain. Sweat and tears are all a part of it.

I wish it were as easy as just facing the camera and snapping away, but it’s not.

In fact, always wondering if I’ll get that desperately needed winner of a travel photo has ruined many a days, it’s led to many sleepless nights and has cost me hundreds of dollars in therapy sessions. Luckily, my therapist thinks I’m making progress though.

But for now, I have no choice but to show up in more places and do my damnedest to get that ideal shot somehow.

That’s exactly what I had to do a short time ago while visiting the Mayan ruins of Edzna, in the Mexican state of Campeche.

Let me show you exactly what the struggle to get that perfect travel photo involves so that you’ll understand a little better…

The Struggle

Step 1: Bending down is hard. I’m supposed to get down there? Should I bend my knees first or should I put my hands on the ground and lower myself slowly? Should I just remain in this position? Will this be a better shot? So much to consider.

Step 2: Okay, maybe I’ll cross my knees. Wait, is this turning into a yoga pose? I don’t want that.

Step 3: Oh, no. Nobody told me this rocky surface was so sharp. My ass is in real pain. These rocks are dangerous. I don’t think I can do this. It’s almost unbearable.

Step 4: Earl, you can do it. Come on man, you can do it. Just sit back and take the pain. Take it. Remember, you need this photo! Your life depends on it.

Step 5: Let me try to figure this pose thing out. This seems about right, I think. Actually, I can’t sit here much longer. I think I need to get up.

Step 6: Really hurts, really, really hurts. Did you get a good shot already?? Come on!!

Step 7: Okay, how about this? This smile isn’t real at all. Take the photo! Please just take the photo and let’s get this over with!

Step 8: Nailed it! Woohoo! Hell yeah, what a shot! Now get me out of here.

That’s what happens, all too often. As you can see, it’s extremely difficult, both physically and mentally.

Of course, as you can also see with that last photo above, sometimes I truly do nail it. Oh yeah, I can nail it, sometimes like no other. It’s such a rush when I suddenly push through the hopelessness and somehow get that perfect shot, right when my day seemed destined for disappointment once again, right when I was about to take my camera and smash it against the ancient steps of the Edificio de los Cinco Pisos behind me.

But alas, camera smashing was not needed in the end this time around. I persevered through the stress and frustration, turning those streaming tears of pain into flowing tears of pure joy.

And when that happens, life doesn’t get much better I guess.

Besides, sharing perfect photos of ourselves is what it’s all about, right? Of course it is. Why else would I be doing this?

*In case you didn’t pick it up, this was a sarcastic post. Oh, and I don’t use Instagram either. But I do use Facebook and even Snapchat (wanderingearl) if you want to follow along! Hope you’re having a beautiful day!

Any interesting photo experiences you want to share?