Taking good care of your camera is as important as taking care of your health, especially while traveling. The trouble is that when you are away from home, you might not be sure where to go for reliable camera stores and services. Our Photo Tour participants often ask us about servicing their gear, where to have their camera sensor cleaned or where to buy a fully charged battery. If you find yourself looking for such services, here are some useful addresses in Paris.

Photography is a great means of storytelling. Just as a writer speaks using words, a photographer speaks through his images. A photographic story can be anything from a complex social narrative to a simple emotion. It does not need to be complicated, but has to send a message and invite curiosity. As Steve McCurry puts it, a powerful image is the confluence of several key elements, such as composition, design and emotion, in a pristine moment that reveals a deeper truth. Here are 7 steps to help you transform your images into good photographic stories...

Once you get comfortable with aperture, shutter speed and ISO and basic composition rules, you may want to venture into more experimenting, for example by using filters in your photography. There is a big choice of photographic filters for sale: neutral density filters, polarizing and gradual filters, cooling and warming filters, among many others. However, there is no need to rush to the store right away, as there are plenty of natural filters around us that can be creatively used to enhance your photos...

In the age of digital photography and the Internet, where taking thousands of pictures and sharing them online with the whole world does not surprise anyone, it is hard to imagine a talented photographer, who took over 100,000 images throughout her life, never showing any or her work to anyone. This is why the discovery of an immense photographic archive of stunning images by American nanny and street photographer Vivian Maier has become a sensation far outside the photographic world...

Once again, the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson invites photography lovers to discover yet another universe, this time that of a prolific American photographer Emmet Gowin. Entitled simply “Emmet Gowin”, the exhibit presents a collection of photographs covering all the main themes of his life that he continued exploring for decades: his beloved wife, the intimacy of their everyday life, as well as aerial and landscape photographs.

If thunderstorms visit your area every once in a while, as a photographer, you might want to capture this magnificent lightning show. Although it might sound challenging, anyone armed with a good tripod and a camera can produce some stunning results. Recently, we were lucky to observe a magnificent thunderstorm in Paris. Inspired by this storm, we decided to put together some tips on how to photograph lightning that you can try at home or while traveling...

One thing I hear all the time when we start a photography workshop is "I want to learn how to add people in my photos". It is not unusual to be uncomfortable taking photos of total strangers, whether it is a simple case of shyness or not knowing how to approach someone you want to photograph because of language barrier. With some patience and practice, it becomes easier to photograph people in the streets or wherever you happen to be. Here are 8 tips to get you inspire you and help you get started... 

Visiting World Press Photo Awards 2014 exhibit is like witnessing the most important news of the past year. News that can be exciting or overwhelming, shocking or sad, they represent the events that have happened in the world throughout the year.  As World Press Photo Foundation states, “We exist to inspire understanding of the world through quality photojournalism.” And we, the viewers, come to admire the talent and courage of those who captured these events with such striking clarity, telling a story of life through their powerful images.

Paris is not only the City of Light, but also the city of discoveries. Its busy streets are full of life day and night, which makes it a perfect place for street photography. However, in order to get some really compelling photos, spiced up with a bit of magic, one needs some luck and that is where serendipity can help. Known as one of the most difficult English words to translate, serendipity means the accident of finding something good without looking for it. As one might guess, it is essential for urban photography...

Since 1982, Maison Européenne de la Photographie has a tradition of giving carte blanche to the most renowned photographers, asking them to deliver their vision of Paris. This year it’s time for English photographer Martin Parr to get out in the streets in search of Parisian life, and so he does, armed with his unique mix of irony and humour...

Spring is a time of renewal. Days are getting longer and warmer, nature wakes up and colours come back. If you are in need of a real colour boost, renewed creativity and lots of photography, the Keukenhof garden in the Netherlands might be just the place for you. The garden is spetacular and the photo opportunities are extraordinary.

You booked the trip, took the time off work, travelled to your destination. Now the camera is out to capture the sites and scenes you’ll take back home. How do you go beyond easy snapshots and create images you will be proud to share with friends and family? Here are five easy-to-follow tips to make you a better travel photographer...