Travel Photography
ART-40575
Travel Photography
6 Weeks | No Prerequisite
Ready to bring back more than just snapshots from your next trip? Travel Photography will guide you in capturing images that tell rich, authentic stories about the places you visit. Through online lectures, demonstrations, and thoughtful critique sessions, you’ll learn to see beyond the postcard view, developing an eye for the cultural, environmental, and aesthetic elements that transform ordinary travel photos into meaningful visual narratives.
Course Details
As you progress through the course, you’ll explore essential skills—from mastering light and weather challenges to honing depth of field and perspective—ensuring that you’re prepared for everything from bustling street markets to tranquil landscapes. You’ll also learn how to research locations, plan shoots, and adapt quickly to changing conditions. By understanding the nuances of both your equipment and your subjects, you’ll be able to compose and execute photographs that honor the spirit of a destination.
By the end of the six weeks, you’ll have more than improved technique; you’ll have gained the confidence to approach any unfamiliar setting with curiosity and intention. Guided by professional insights and peer feedback, you’ll refine not just your images, but your storytelling voice. Your final portfolio will reflect your growth, authenticity, and respect for the cultures and places you’ve explored, serving as a testament to the power of travel photography done right.
What You'll Learn
- Research locations and times of day to optimize photographic opportunities.
- Strategize for capturing meaningful visual stories rather than simple snapshots.
- Respect and adapt to cultural nuances while photographing in unfamiliar settings.
- Effectively manage difficult lighting and weather conditions to enhance image quality.
- Employ techniques for depth of field, focal length, and perspective to create compelling compositions.
- Understand how to utilize essential camera features and equipment for travel photography.
- Refine your editing skills using recommended software to bring out the best in your images.
- Plan and produce a cohesive photo essay that reflects a specific place and its culture.
- Critically evaluate your own work and that of others to improve technique and storytelling.
- Develop a personal, authentic vision that communicates the essence of a destination.
Course Information
Materials: Fully adjustable DSLR camera or prosumer camera. Creative Cloud Photography Plan required (or full Adobe Creative Cloud plan). Lightroom Classic needed (not Lightroom Creative Cloud).Tripod: Recommended for stability and long-exposure shots.
Flexible Enrollment: This is an elective course for the Photography: Images & Techniques Professional Certificate but is open to all students, even if you're not enrolled in the Certificate Program.
Academic Calendar: The Academic Calendar shows the open enrollment dates and term start dates for each quarter. Courses do not necessarily start on the first day of the term.
Course sessions
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
Within the Frame: The Journey of Photographic Vision (Voices that Matter) 2nd
by David DuChemin
ISBN / ASIN: 9780134288628
You may purchase textbooks via the UC San Diego Bookstore.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 7/11/2025
- Early enrollment advised
- No UCSD parking permit required
- No visitors permitted
Note:
Schedule:
Instructor:
Elizabeth Norris, M.A.
A photo educator and fine art/freelance commercial photographer for the past 25 years and teaches photography in person for the Art Institute in San Diego
Ellyn holds a Master’s in Art Education and Photography from the prestigious Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, where she deepened her understanding of both the technical and conceptual aspects of the medium. As a Core Instructor in the Photography: Images and Techniques Certificate Program at UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, she shares her wealth of knowledge with aspiring photographers. She teaches numerous workshops and courses, focusing on both the artistic and technical facets of photography. Her teaching approach emphasizes hands-on learning and encourages students to develop their unique visual styles. Ellyn's commitment to education and mentorship has inspired many to pursue photography with confidence and creativity, making her a highly respected figure in the photography community.