Welcome, travel photographers!

Welcome to Global Shutter—a weekly dive into the latest news, trends, and quirky stories from the world of travel photography.

Pack your bags, charge those batteries, and get ready to explore the world through your lens. Safe travels and happy shooting!

Focus of the Day

• The best budget travel destinations in 2025

• The top travel cameras for your next adventure

• L.A. wildfires: travel impacts and ways to help

• Improve your photos with the best editing software

Read time: 5 minutes

BUDGET TRAVEL

The Best Budget Travel Destinations in 2025 💸 read the full article here

Article published: January 7, 2025

Snapshot: Cheap travel doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style, scenery, or story-worthy experiences. From the lemur-filled rainforests of Madagascar to the cobbled charm of North Macedonia’s Lake Ohrid, these budget-friendly destinations are rich with photographic potential. With strong exchange rates and affordable accommodations, 2025 is shaping up to be the year of stretching your travel dollars and filling your SD card.

Key Takeaways:

• Affordable Adventure: Madagascar offers rainforests and lemur-filled parks without the Maldives price tag, ideal for tropical shots.

• Vibrant Streets: Cambodia’s Siem Reap blends ancient temples with lively streets, perfect for street and cultural photography.

• Underrated Europe: North Macedonia’s Lake Ohrid offers serene landscapes and historic charm for stunning photos.

• Rich Diversity: From Brazil’s cities to South Africa’s wilderness, these destinations offer a mix of urban and natural beauty for diverse shots.

The Verdict: These 19 destinations prove you don’t need a fat wallet to capture the world’s beauty. From Sri Lanka's golden beaches to the cultural intrigue of Uzbekistan, each spot offers unique visual stories just waiting to unfold. Just don’t get too carried away with excitement—those 48-bed mixed dorms still have your name on them.

PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR

The Top Travel Cameras for Your Next Adventure 📸 read the full article here

Article published: January 12, 2025

Snapshot: If you’re hitting the road with a camera in hand in 2025, you’ll want something small, durable, and packed with features. Whether you're diving into the deep blue, hiking through misty forests, or capturing that perfect sunset, the right travel camera can make all the difference. Let’s dive into the best options for photographers who want to travel light but still pack a punch in their shots.

Key Takeaways:

• Tough and Rugged: The Olympus Tough TG-7 is perfect for underwater, beach, and adventure photography, offering robust features like waterproofing and shockproofing.

• Compact & Powerful: The Fujifilm X100VI blends classic design with modern tech, featuring a 40MP sensor and great manual controls for those who prefer a fixed lens.

• Zoom Versatility: The Panasonic LX100 II offers a compact design with a fast 24-75mm zoom, ideal for those seeking portability and high-quality shots with manual controls.

• Full-Frame Travel: The Nikon Z5 provides full-frame performance in a compact mirrorless body, making it an excellent choice for serious photographers looking to travel light.

The Verdict: Whether you’re an adventurer seeking durability or a city explorer needing portability there’s a 2025 camera for every traveler. Consider your needs, from lens flexibility to ruggedness, and find the one that matches your style. And hey, you don’t need to bring a full camera shop with you—these travel-ready cameras are here to make sure you’re ready for anything while keeping your pack light.

BREAKING NEWS

L.A. Wildfires: Travel Impacts and Ways to Help ⛑️ read the full article here

Article published: January 13, 2025

Snapshot: The Los Angeles area has been hit hard by wildfires that began after a catastrophic windstorm on January 7. The Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires have scorched thousands of acres, forcing evacuations and threatening homes. While this disaster is overwhelming, there are efforts underway to support affected residents, including temporary housing, discounted accommodations, and food donations. If you’re traveling or photographing in the area, things might look a little different, but the city's resilience and ongoing support are something to behold.

Key Takeaways:

• Wildfire Chaos: The Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires are still burning, with evacuation orders in place and 33% containment in some areas.

• Stay Informed: Use NotifyLA or Watch Duty for real-time wildfire and air quality updates.

• Lodging and Dining Help: Hotels, restaurants, and Airbnb are offering discounts to evacuees and first responders.

• Travel Impact: LAX and Burbank airports remain open, but smoke-filled skies and road closures could affect your travel plans. Always double-check with airlines and stay flexible.

The Verdict: Wildfires in Los Angeles have created a challenging situation for locals and travelers alike. But amid the chaos, the community is rallying with support. Whether you’re planning to photograph the aftermath or simply pass through, there are plenty of ways to help, stay informed, and continue your adventure responsibly. Just remember: while L.A. may look a little smoky right now, its resilience is as strong as ever.

PHOTOGRAPHY TOOLS

Improve Your Photos With the Best Editing Software 🖌️ read the full article here

Article published: January 13, 2025

Snapshot: Finding the right photo editing software is like picking what to watch on Netflix—there are too many options so you just watch what you have watched seven times before. Whether you're looking to enhance your landscape shots or perfect your portrait work, the best editing tools don’t have to be complicated or expensive. From powerful industry standards to affordable alternatives, here’s the scoop on the best photo editing software in 2025.

Key Takeaways:

• Adobe Lightroom Classic: The ideal choice for batch editing and managing large files—perfect for travel photographers who shoot in bulk.

• Affinity Photo 2: A subscription-free alternative to Photoshop, offering pro-level editing without the hefty price tag.

• DxO PhotoLab 8 Elite: If you’re serious about RAW editing, this software offers top-notch quality and noise reduction for stunning detail.

• Luminar Neo: AI-powered tools that help enhance your images quickly, but be mindful of some features that can feel a little clunky.

The Verdict: When it comes to editing your travel shots, the best software depends on your needs. If you’re after powerful RAW edits or batch processing, Lightroom Classic and DxO PhotoLab 8 Elite are your best bets. For those looking for ease of use and AI features, Luminar Neo or Photoshop Elements will be your friends. And if you're budget-conscious, Affinity Photo 2 or ON1 Photo RAW offer great alternatives to the big-name software. No matter your choice, editing is a huge opportunity to create your signature style.

NEWS

What’s trending…

• Only 80 people are allowed on the Faroe Islands—you could be one of them

• These are tips for safeguarding your camera gear and data while traveling

• 9 travel essentials you need in 2025

• The must-have book for every photographer’s shelf

• Check out the world’s most powerful passports 

• Must-see: Henry Roy’s travel photo book

• 8 of the world’s best destinations to stargaze 

SHOT OF THE WEEK

Each week, we celebrate the amazing talent within our community by showcasing one of your travel photos.

This week’s photo comes from Roger B., who captured the world-renowned camel thorn trees in the Namib Desert of Namibia.

Have a photo you’d like to see featured? Don’t forget to email me or submit your best travel shot below for a chance to be our next spotlight!

FEEDBACK

I would love to hear your thoughts or any interesting insights you’d like to share—feel free to let me know by replying to this email. And as always, please subscribe if you haven’t already.