
While doing research for this post, I discovered that road trip photography is a recognized genre. The forefather of this particular niche is renowned than Walker Evans. While working for the Farm Security Administration after the Great Depression, he produced his most famous work traveling through the South taking pictures of the effects of the Great Depression on rural life.
Perhaps the most influential photographer of the photography road trip is Robert Frank. His 1958 book, “The Americans”, retraces a 2-year journey around the United States.
If you are interested in learning more about the genre I invite you to read David Campany’s book , “The Open Road: Photography & The American Road Trip”.
Now that the introductions are done, let me tell you about my photography road trips.
It’s all about embarking on a journey of discovery. It’s as easy as grabbing a friend, preferably one you won’t feel like killing after a couple of hours in a vehicle and drive. Like a modern Lewis and Clark, we get in the car with a full tank of gas and some snacks and set off into the sunrise. My friend and I have a particular superpower. We turn a 4-hour drive into a 12-hour affair. We only pick a destination not a route.
If you want to see how beautiful an area is take the scenic highways and byways. They will take you through amazing places. The roads to nowhere will always take you somewhere; quaint small towns, forgotten roadside attractions and picturesque landscapes. This is where I find the subjects for my road trip photographs.
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