I'm so excited to share our photographer of the month, Peter West Carey. We've known Peter for a while now as a vital member of the travel writing  community. But he's also an extraordinary photographer. We also featured his People, Places and Patterns Project here on Wandering Educators.  He just got back from a trip to Africa, and is jetting off next week to Nepal. So, we were lucky to be able to catch him in between trips. We asked him about how photographers can change the world, his background in photography, and more. Here's what Peter had to say...

Tanzania,  Lion

Kathmandu, Nepal

WE: How did you get interested in photography?

PWC: My interest for photography grew from my love of doing things outdoors.  We traveled around the Western US when I was a kid, but it wasn't until after high school that I started getting into hiking and mountain climbing.  I loved the vistas from mountains in the Cascades of Washington State, the coolness of dipping my feet in a snowpack fed river in July and the wildlife in places like Olympic National Park.  I saw more than just postcard images in those places and I wanted to bring back some of that feel to share with others.

Khumbu - Himal Region, Nepal

Morocco

WE: How long have you been a photographer? 

PWC:  I've been into photography as a hobby for 20 years but only started shooting professionally two years ago.

Morocco

Kenya 

WE: What is your favorite place to photograph? Or subject? 

PWC:  Wow, place is really hard.  I think Utah would be high on the list, Southern Utah.  It seems so endless that I could spend many lifetimes traveling down there to see what's new.  But a lot of places become my favorite of the moment.  After returning from Africa, I want to go back to Morocco by myself to get a different feel of the place and shoot a more intimate portrait of the country.  Tanzania and Kenya as well.

Utah

Wyoming

WE: How can photographers help change/impact the world, while they are traveling?

PWC:  While they are traveling I think the most important thing photographers can do to change or impact the world is to be a traveler first and a photographer second.  I feel it's very important to make connections with where you are and that means getting to know people and their story before shooting photos of them.  Show those you meet what it's like where you come from (you are a photographer, you have pictures from home, right?).  Don't be just another tourist snapping pictures not worrying about culture or customs or just the common decency that dictates asking before taking a portrait.

Armed with more actual, although quick, contact in the foreign countries you've visited, you can return home better suited to tell the story behind photos that need it.  You'll also be showing people a side of the world they haven't seen, meaning, even if it's the next town over from yours, you have a unique eye and view of the world.  Don't be afraid to share that!

Utah

Utah

Hawaii

WE:  Are there rules in other countries people need to be aware of about who or what you can or cannot shoot?

PWC:  For the most part it's common sense.  Things like, people with guns usually don't want their picture taken and it can be forbidden in some areas.  Even places where it's allowed, you will be under watchful eyes.  Government buildings too. 
But for the most part, when in doubt, I ask.  Religious sites are a hit and miss but there is always someone around to ask.  Likewise, certain ceremonies may be off limits, while others not.  Most museums don't allow flash photography and some don't allow it at all. 

Southern Ireland

Incan Trail

Utah

WE:  Any tips you want to share?

PWC:  Make your camera setup easy to use and you'll be far more likely to use it.  In my case, I don't like changing lenses a lot and have found a great all around travel lens.  It's big and heavy but it has simplified things for me.  For cropped sensor cameras, something like an 18-200 works well.

And use your fill flash!!  This is one thing most people don't think about.  A lot of times we are out in the mid day sun (not the best time to shoot) and it can make harsh shadows.  Using a fill flash even when the sun is beaming down, can bring out more detail in eyes or other items hidden in the shadows.

Nepal

Southern Ireland

WE:  Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?

PWC:  Try to connect with a land, people, culture before shooting it.  This may mean wandering around for a few days without a camera.  That might not always be a luxury, but people will interact with you differently if you don't have a camera.  You can then return, another day, another year, and have a better feel for what you want to capture to bring home and show others.

Alberta, Canada

Morocco

WE:  Thanks so very much, Peter! You’re such an incredibly talented photographer – I am so glad to share your work with our Wandering Educators!

For more information, please see:

http://thecareyadventures.com/blog/

All photos courtesy and copyright of Peter West Carey.