Go to Amazon. Buy David Hobby's incredibly good book about travel photography. It's called, "The Travel Photographer's Manifesto." It's the best book written about the practice of photography in the last ten years.

 Here is what I wrote in my review of David's book on Amazon:

I loved David Hobby's blog called "Strobist.com" He gave photographers so much valuable information about lighting and you could always sense his joy at photographic problem solving and lighting mastery. And now he's written a great book about the actual processes and best practices of making wonderful and engaging photographs while traveling the world. A couple things to know. There are no photographs in the book and that's fine. There is very little coverage of cameras brands, lens brands, or any push to buy new stuff in order to do your work. Rather, the book is an amazingly well written blueprint for learning how to meet strangers, make them into friends, and then make great portraits of them. It's an explanation of how a very experienced photojournalist actually works. It's worlds different than the dumb stuff and stolen shots you see from most "street photography" videos you see on Youtube. He teaches genuine engagement and a deeper, more compelling way to make photographs that are more interesting and quite visually rich.

I have to confess that I've been an advertising photographer for more than 40 years, have written five books about photography (sadly, mostly about gear) and am jealous of David's ability to cut through all the mythology and false facades about photography in a way that had me cheering and considering taking a workshop from him. The book is that good. So is the philosophy behind it.

This is a great book for people just starting out on a photographer's journey. But, at the same time, there is so much older, more experienced photographers can harvest from this book. It was both a "refresher course" and a source of new inspiration for me. I can't wait to get back out with a camera and consciously work in as many of David's "secrets" as I can to my own practice. You wanna be a better photographer? Forget upgrading the hardware. Upgrade the software between your ears with this book. It's that good.

Here's what I wrote about the book on a different blog post: 

Here's a book recommendation: David Hobby, of the Strobist.com fame, wrote a book that was published this year. It's called, "The Travel Photographer's Manifesto." It is by far the best book I've read on the subject and you can be sure that it's not just a self-serving vehicle used to print a portfolio of greatest hits because there are no photos in the entire book. Just great writing (not weird, overly fraught academic pablum) and lot of great information. I learned a ton.... and I thought I already knew everything about photography (smile emoji goes here....). I'd buy this book again in a heartbeat. David walks the walk (actually makes a living taking photographs) and talks the talk (well, I guess writes the writing....). Whatever. Just go over to Amazon and buy a copy. If you don't like it a lot then you might just be a landscape photographer ---- or an odd duck who doesn't at least think about traveling. And photographing. 

No hidden agenda here. No links to David's book. No cash in my hands.

I re-read the chapters about fine-tuning color again today and learned even more...

Wealth of knowledge. Well delivered. 

Low cost learning....