Have you ever felt your photography takes a backseat when you're with others? I booked a solo overseas trip to reconnect with my photographic passion without the constraint of expectations or fitting in with the needs of others. This article might be the push you need to go on your own solo journey of discovery.
What Is Wrong With Group Trips?
We have all been there before, a planned trip with family or friends and you want to stop at some spots to shoot in between wider group plans. There's always a pressure to keep up with the group, and stopping to shoot can slow down the itinerary, leading to sighs, eye rolls and watch checking.
Have you ever been to a photography exhibition or museum with someone who just isn't interested in the artwork? I have, and as they sat at the entrance and tapped on their phone, periodically checking to see how far round I had made it. This completely changed the way that I absorbed the artwork, or more accurately, didn't absorb the artwork.
Don't get me wrong, I love travelling and days out with family and friends, but we all have very different areas of interest. Even many of my photographer friends prefer to practice different genres than I do, and travelling with other photographers means compromising on itineraries to suit the tastes, wants and needs of others. This perhaps also means shooting the same subjects as others, which not only changes what you capture, but also means that you can't be true to yourself. If any of this sounds familiar, you need to take a leaf out of my book and head off on a solo trip.
A Solo Pursuit
I recently travelled to Sicily, with little to no itinerary. This was my first ever solo trip, and one which I have been craving for a number of years now. I booked my flights and accommodation, learned a little Italian, and left the rest to fate. Some photographers might fear wasting time without a plan, but you learn to trust your eye, to chase what feels right.
My Travel Companion
Okay, I wasn’t completely alone. My companion of choice was one which would support my every need while shooting, the Nikon Z fc. I chose this over any other camera for a number of reasons. From size and weight to ease of use, I wanted a camera that I didn't have to think about, other than thinking how beautiful it looked. I was travelling with hand luggage only, and minimizing my kit was an important logistical factor.
That innovative Z series technology is packaged up beautifully in a body that harkens back to the Nikon FM2 SLR design. Weighing in at under 16 ounces, the Z fc is a 20.9 MP DX format camera, which can easily handle the demands of travel photography. Although the Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 SE lens is the obvious choice to pair with this camera, I opted for the Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens for fuller flexibility while exploring, and this turned out to be a great decision.
When not in use, the Nikon Z fc was safely stowed in the perfectly sized Wandrd D1 Fannypack when moving from place to place, and at all other times, sat comfortably on my neck thanks to the included minimalistic leather strap.
I like to sit and observe for a while before shooting, something which I usually don't have time for within my busy work schedule, or when traveling with others. On this trip, I found myself sat on benches and in doorways just watching the world go by, absorbing the culture and the mannerisms of the people of Palermo. The pressure to "keep up" with a group prevents me from lingering on a scene or waiting for the right light — but here, I was free to let my eye wander. I meandered, waiting for the next shot to reveal itself.
My Chosen Destination
A key location on my Sicilian adventure was the city of Palermo, with its vibrant history, gritty streets, and bustling culture being an irresistible lure for this photographer. For complete disclosure, another reason for visiting Palermo was after watching Andrew Scott star as Tom Ripley in the Netflix series Ripley. The series, which is a real feast for the eyes, is set in many locations across Italy. This is a series which you could pause at any moment and find stunning compositions, and the few episodes filmed in Palermo made me look closer at this city as the right destination for my first solo trip.
Palermo is a vibrant city, rich with culture and flooded with tourists during peak travel seasons, who marvel at the art and architecture, soak in the atmosphere of the markets and sample the indulgent local cuisine. This factor made shooting quite difficult at times, I had to play the waiting game, and use clever framing to shoot popular landmarks. There were some occasions where I wandered off the beaten track, and found stunning places not listed on the top tourist lists.
One day I was walking up Via Maqueda towards the busy Quattro Canti in the ancient quarter of Palermo, and had a sudden urge to take a detour through the archway of a grand entryway to take a peek at what was inside. This was the best decision, as I spent a few hours in the courtyard of the stunning Palazzo Cutò. Watching the light travel around and frame the contents of this courtyard revealed lots of hidden visual treasures. I felt like I was on a film set, all there just for me. The cat was the star of the show, and led me on a storytelling journey. My favourite discovery was the dusty footprints on the windscreen of an old car.
After this very fortunate experience, my new tactic was to look out for any archways and doorways that didn't look like they led to peoples homes. While searching for the Oritory of St Lawrence, I found another of these archways which led to a stunning courtyard that revealed a recognisable scene. I had found Palazzo Pantelleria-Varvaroone – one of the filming locations for Ripley, which stood in as the entrance to "Hotel Palma". As this was somewhat off the beaten track, I had this place all to myself which was a great feeling, as all other filming locations I had visited were very busy with tourists.
Unfortunately, the only painting by the master of light Caravaggio to exist in Palermo was stolen from the Oritory of St Lawrence in 1969, but a reproduction now hangs in its place which I thought was still worth seeing. I was delighted to find that I was the only person in viewing at that time, and spent a long time absorbing the stunning design of the Oritory itself, and the perfectly positioned Nativity of St Francis painting. In a back room, hangs the original empty canvas frame, which made for poignant viewing. I hope wherever the original painting is, it is intact and safe however there are many reports and rumours that suggest otherwise.
Some basic Italian for those looking to shoot portraits or to shoot in private property - "Posso scattare una foto qui?" Should be sufficient to ask stall holders if you can shoot their items/location. This tiny phrase allowed access during a visit to Mercato Delle Pulci – an amazing flea market, formed from haphazardly built tin huts, constructed around twisted mature trees. These stalls housed everything from chandeliers to old tattered childrens toys.
Sometimes, access leads to an exchange. One stall holder allowed access, then asked to borrow my camera to shoot some images of me! He directed me to lean one hand on the tree, then told me to avanti - to walk towards him - as he snapped away. I imagine this brought some interest to his day. Another stall holder allowed access, and then pointed out that the real gem to shoot was a statue of the Patron Saint of Palermo - Santa Rosalia - who he had positioned atop the tree that I was shooting. Whilst this wasn't an ideal composition and the lighting was less than favourable, he was teaching me some history, and revealing the significance that he had placed in Santa Rosalia watching over his stall. Of course, I thanked him, and obliged his gestures to shoot the statue. The meaning of this image is far more important than the outcome; you see, perfection isn't necessary on such a pursuit.
Palermo's vibrant and hectic markets, full of fresh produce and life, are a natural draw for photographers — but it's important to remember they're working markets, not just photo-ops. I kept to a few personal rules to avoid disrupting stallholders and customers: don't get in the way, this is their livelihood. Ask permission, even when you don't have to — a simple nod from afar can be enough. Learn when to move on; if the moment doesn't come, loop back later. And lastly, smile — it goes a long way.
On my last day, I headed to Mercato Del Capo on a Sunday afternoon to find a mix of restaurants, food stalls, fish and fresh produce stalls and an all-out street party!
Join in the enjoyment of others, and they will become willing participants in your photographs. Here I photographed an impromptu conga-line in Mercato Del Capo, which descends in to dancing and singing mid-late afternoon on Sundays. The atmosphere was electric, and everyone was having a great time, including me.
Positive Selfishness: Prioritizing Your Vision
This trip was for me and me alone – with aim to work on my personal and photographic growth. Its something which I refer to as positive selfishness. I was putting my photography first, unapologetically. Its hard to pour into your own creativity if you're always compromising or supporting the development of others. You deserve space to breathe, and a solo trip can provide that opportunity.
This trip has been completely freeing. I didn't stick to one genre of photography, I didn't necessarily feel bound to shooting images that fit with my wider practice. This was an exercise in observing, composing and experiencing something new in a way that was completely true to myself. This was my first solo trip, and certainly wont be my last. I find it hard to summarise the experience, but having an uninterrupted week where my whole itinerary was my own as a self-indulgent pursuit has pushed me in ways I couldn't imagine. I have grown in confidence, and also appreciated the time to just meander, waiting for the next shot to reveal itself.
This trip reminded me why I fell in love with the magic of photography in the first place as a child. If you're feeling stuck, or like your style isn't truly yours, give yourself the gift of a solo trip. You might be surprised at what you find if you choose to walk through that door.
