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Focusing on the Photos
Around the World in Eighty Photos is more than just a photography book; it’s a visual adventure that takes readers across the globe to view the often-overlooked corners of the world through the lens of an experienced traveler. What inspired you to create this pictorial travel book?
My previous book, On to Plan C: A Return to Travel, which documented my return to travel after the pandemic, was the first to include my photography. I really enjoyed the experience of putting it together, even though it required editing both the text and photos. For this book, I knew I wanted to include photography again, but this time make the photos the focus.
There are many books out there showing you photos of famous places around the world, but I wanted to steer the reader toward lesser known locations and give them some insight into how each photo was created—what caught my eye, what challenges I faced, how I dealt with less than ideal lighting in some situations, and so on.
I also wanted to include background information on each location for those less interested in the photography. For those interested, I disclose the settings I used for each photo along with a glossary of photographic terms at the end. So, it can be used as a guide to lesser known locations and/or as a guide to creating better travel photos.
What photo in this collection do you feel has the best “story” surrounding it?
The photo created inside Iglesia El Rosario in San Salvador, El Salvador. From the outside, the church looks like a concrete bunker. In fact, I wasn’t sure it was not abandoned and walked past it without much thought while exploring the area. When our local guide started eventually heading toward it, I was a little unsure of why he was taking my wife and I there.
Turns out, its nondescript concrete exterior conceals an arched roof that sheds a rainbow of natural light that spreads across the altar and bounces off the metal and rock inside. Designed by sculptor Ruben Martinez and completed in 1971, Iglesia El Rosario is radically beautiful and one of the finest churches I have ever visited.
As I don’t travel with a tripod, and it being a church with occasional visitors, made this a very challenging photo to create. I chose settings I felt would let in a good amount of light and used a shutter speed that wouldn’t cause blur being handheld. Situations like this I tend to hold my breath for steadiness and hope for the best.
What advice do you have for aspiring travel photographers?
Study the fundamentals and know your camera well so that you don’t have to hesitate when changing a setting. I have my camera setup so that I can change things like aperture or the type of focusing very quickly. Things can happen fast while on the road and you don’t want to miss them while fiddling around trying to change something.
I’m also a big believer in previsualization. This allows me to determine the lens and general settings before I even start to take photos. For instance, if a situation calls for street photography, then I’m going to use a lens in the 35mm to 50mm range with an aperture around f/8 to keep everything in focus and a minimum shutter speed of 1/250 to of a second to stop motion. This was, I can concentrate more on composition and less on adjusting settings.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from Around the World in Eighty Photos?
There are so many more places in the world than the handful that always seem to be promoted. Yes, Venice is a stunning location filled with canals, but so is Bruges in Belgium or Wuzhen in China. The world is full of surprises. For instance, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá is a remarkable underground cathedral built within the tunnels of a salt mine just north of Bogotá. I hope this book inspires readers to seek out such places and take more inspired photos while there.
Author links: GoodReads | Instagram | Website
This captivating visual odyssey takes readers to the farthest corners of the earth, from bustling cities to serene landscapes, offering a window into the world’s most awe-inspiring sights. Each carefully curated photograph is paired with a short reflection or story, capturing the essence of diverse cultures, iconic landmarks, and hidden gems.
Whether you’re an armchair traveler or a seasoned explorer, Around the World in Eighty Photos is your passport to adventure, offering a unique perspective on the beauty and wonder that unite us all. Prepare to be inspired by the world’s splendor, one photo at a time.
Around the World in Eighty Photos
Jeremiah A. Gilbert’s Around the World in Eighty Photos is more than just a photography book; it’s a visual adventure that takes you across the globe through the lens of an experienced traveler. Instead of sticking to well-known landmarks, Gilbert hones in on the often-overlooked corners of the world, giving them the spotlight they deserve. Each photograph is accompanied by a story—sometimes historical, sometimes personal, always engaging. He also shares the technical details behind each shot, making it both an inspiring and educational experience for photographers and travel enthusiasts alike.
As a photographer, I appreciate that Gilbert doesn’t just show beautiful places—he invites us into his thought process. His image of Rano Raraku on Easter Island struck me the most. He describes setting up his shot without people, then serendipitously capturing two figures stepping into the frame, perfectly enhancing the composition. That’s what photography is about—being prepared, yet open to unexpected moments. The book is filled with these little surprises, making it feel like you’re traveling right along with him.
Another highlight is the way Gilbert balances storytelling with technical insight. In his photo of Mexico City’s Basilica de Guadalupe, he explains how he had to ride the moving walkway twice to figure out the best composition. The first trip was for analysis, the second for execution. That’s dedication. And in his shot of Iguazu Falls, he makes a conscious decision to use a fast shutter speed to capture the violent, thundering energy of the water, rather than the dreamy, silky look so many photographers go for. His approach reminds me that technical choices should serve the emotion of the image, not just the aesthetics.
This book is a must for photographers who love to travel, travelers who love photography, and anyone who dreams of seeing the world through fresh eyes. If you want a collection of images that tell stories, that teach you something new, and that make you want to grab your camera and book a flight, Around the World in Eighty Photos is an absolute treat.
Pages: 268 | ASIN : B0DY46TYP3
BRAVE-ISH: ONE BREAKUP, SIX CONTINENTS AND FEELING FEARLESS AFTER FIFTY
Brave-ish by Lisa Niver is an engaging memoir that masterfully interweaves the challenging dynamics of a marriage at a crossroads with vivid accounts of solo travel and self-exploration. The narrative transports readers from the lively streets of Thailand to Fiji’s serene landscapes and into the opulent heart of Monaco, all while offering an introspective look at Niver’s personal journey.
In Brave-ish, Lisa Niver emerges as a relatable figure, akin to a close friend who has weathered significant challenges yet maintains a sense of humor. Her candor in discussing the emotional aftermath of her marriage and the subsequent steps toward recovery is both striking and inspiring. The memoir goes beyond the excitement of adventures like shark diving and car racing in Vegas, framing these experiences as pivotal moments in Niver’s path to healing. While the memoir at times delves deeply into the emotional aspects of her life, potentially overshadowing the more light-hearted, travel-centric narratives, it is precisely this vulnerability that lends authenticity to her story. The book skillfully blends reflective thought with the excitement of global exploration. Niver doesn’t just pass through destinations; she fully immerses herself in them, extracting meaningful insights from each experience, whether confronting fears or embracing different cultures. She is the approachable protagonist of her own story, exemplifying that true bravery often lies in perseverance.
Brave-ish is an invitation to confront the unfamiliar, to discover resilience in openness. Lisa Niver’s memoir is not only a revealing journey into her own experiences but also a reflective look at the adventurous spirit that resides within us all. It appeals to anyone drawn to the unknown and serves as a poignant reminder that often, the most significant adventures are those that take place within ourselves.
Pages: 263 | ASIN : B0CCBMHMBT
The Buddha and the Bee
Cory Mortensen’s The Buddha and the Bee is the epic chronicling of his thirty-four day ride from Minnesota to California on his bicycle in hopes of escaping his mundane life for a little while. On the journey, he finds small towns and the people who inhabit them, along with some shady motels. While many of us were dealing with the heartache of 9/11, Cory was seeing a world many don’t see on the interstates and planes. Often he finds himself questioning this not so planned out journey as unforeseen obstacles like numerous flats, broken spokes, and dogs plague him. Along the way, he discovers himself in the simplicity of America’s highways and finds enjoyment in just existing.
Mortensen is kind enough to take us with him each day of his journey, with some extra adventures after the initial ride. We get to really be part of his struggles and triumphs, down to the search for what to eat. He lays his route out so well one could follow it if one should wish. He even alerts the potential traveler to the trouble spots. He flavors the journey with tidbits and facts about places and things he comes across on the journey. I gained so many new wrinkles in my brain on this journey. I also loved the humorous tone the book had, which set it apart from other nonfiction pieces. Mortensen keeps readers riveted with his wit and observations. Included in this book are several lists that those looking to take a journey like this will find helpful.
The Buddha and the Bee is an entertaining memoir and dramatically different from what readers typically find. Mortensen gives us an in-depth and funny look into his journey through America’s roads. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a not-so-average travel read. With his wit and facts, he gives us a superb read that you don’t want to put down.
Pages: 350 | ASIN : B08FLLBBP9
Creepy Cat’s Macabre Travels
Creepy Cat’s Macabre Travels: Prowling Around Haunted Towers, Crumbling Castles, and Ghoulish Graveyards by Katherine Kerestman is a historical recount of the author’s travels to unique places that one would not think to visit. The book is organized into chapters that are mostly titled by places the author travelled to. This makes it easy to read a chapter about a specific place and gives the reader the option to skip around in the book. This book is your tour guide to strange and unusual destinations.
The author has made interesting language choices. Apart from the introduction the language used through the book is quite informative and has a formal tone. At times the informative language is supplemented by more descriptive language – particularly when describing artifacts and architecture that the author particularly enjoyed. These descriptions are rich and draw the reader in, making it feel like we are standing in front of The Tower of London or in a beautiful opera house. Many natural landscapes are also described in detail, giving the reader a thorough description of the author’s experiences. Although the language is quite formal, the rich descriptions peppered with historical facts work together to hold the reader’s interest.
This book is born out of Kerestman’s interest in what she terms as the macabre. Readers may find some the places described in the book to be ghoulish and creepy. There is a wanderlust approach to the destination the author took. Most of the locations appear to be places that intrigued the author and not someplace of historical value. Following the paths of Kerestman’s journey readers travel to destinations that are not always on the top destinations tourist lists.
Creepy Cat’s Macabre Travels: Prowling Around Haunted Towers, Crumbling Castles, and Ghoulish Graveyards is a entertaining and informative book that will delight readers who wish to experience the strange and unusual in travel.
Pages: 208 | ASIN : B08MQD99HT
LITERARY TITAN 