8 top tips to taking travel images with George Fetting

Multi-award winning travel photographer, George Fetting, shares his most useful secrets to capturing impressive photos on your travels.

George Fetting knows a thing or two about taking cracking travel photos.

Having been awarded UK Travel Photographer of the Year, Capture Magazine’s Australian Travel Photographer of the Year (twice), plus a swag of other accolades, here the Sydney-based photographer reveals his essential photography secrets to capturing the best travel images.

1. Research before arrival

Although local knowledge is priceless, it’s wise to really do some homework before arriving at a destination.

Usually I’m on a tight deadline and don’t have the luxury of mooching around with unlimited time.

Knowing the lay of the land before you get there is a great help in working out what you plan to do photographically. I usually have some sort of shot list which I can work roughly to, and hopefully snag some nice images along the way.

Always be aware of things going on around you. You can anticipate a good picture if you think ahead.

2. Keep it lean

When I travel I usually take my standard roller bag (which fits into onboard overhead lockers) and a smaller shoulder bag to scale back the kit for unobtrusive street shooting.

Sometimes it’s a good idea to hide your stuff under a jacket to go really under the radar.

The more unobtrusive you are, the safer you’ll be and the better the images are that you can capture.

3. Not a tourist

It sounds a bit rich but if you want to go unnoticed, try not to look like a tourist on the big trip.

Don’t have the latest fancy camera gear hanging off you – less is more for street photography.

No massive bum bags and do not leave your lens cap on –you will definitely miss the shot.

4. Early morning and late afternoon

The angle of the sun can make or break an image.

Although I’m not an early morning person by nature, it’s a given if you want long shadows, contrast and plain, beautiful light.

That doesn’t mean hang the camera up in the middle of the day though – it’s amazing what you can stumble across out of hard sunshine, like in back alleys.

As part of your research, it also pays to find where the sun rises and sets before you set out with your camera.

5. Your own story

When travelling to a famous destination it’s nice to get the usual landmarks – we all have to tick it off.

The real challenge, however, is to try and discover a different point of view – literally.

This can be difficult in a city that’s been shot to death but not impossible by any means.

I find it more interesting looking at images of the grunge and detritus sometimes, than the polished landmarks.

In other words, get lost, burn some boot leather and watch the world go by in a nice little street café. If you are planning on doing the usual landmarks, look for interesting ways to frame the landmark such as through fences or trees.

Alternatively, look for reflections of icons in puddles or windows, or people doing interesting things around a landmark. Mix it up!

6. Shoot Raw and process in Lightroom

It’s absolutely essential to shoot in Raw mode and utilise all the fabulous information that this file holds. JPEG files just don’t cut it.

I process and edit in Lightroom and have numerous presets which enable consistent and outstanding results. Batch processing is the way to go and then Photoshop on individual images if they warrant work.

I tweak images to get away from the straight look which I find predictable and boring. You have to have a point of difference with your images.

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7. Shoot aperture priority

It’s a personal thing but I’ve always shot aperture priority because I know how much depth of field I’m going to get or basically how much is going to be sharp in my frame.

I sometimes don’t want everything sharp to infinity so I shoot between F2.8 – F5.6 usually. The only time I’ve ever shot on shutter priority was in helicopters.

8. Shoot first ask questions later

If I’m on an overseas assignment, I don’t ask but just shoot it as I see it most of the time.

I like to be discreet and hopefully not seen. This doesn’t mean I haven’t approached people before but my style is usually candid.

A longer lens like 70-200 F2.8 is my favourite to use – you frame your subject nice and tight.

George Fetting’s latest travel images are now available for purchase on his recently launched website photoeditions.com.au.

For George’s portrait and other professional work, visit fetting.com.au.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.