Travel Advice for Photographers and Adventurers

Pack Light

The best camera is the one that’s always on you. The Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx are my go-to cameras because they fit right in my pocket. In terms of backpacks, the Peak Design 45L is my best friend—I take it everywhere. Everything fits in a backpack.

• Use the packing cube system to keep things organized.
• Stick to black clothes: black t-shirt, black shoes, black shorts, black pants. Keep it simple.
• Avoid looking like a tourist—no floral shirts and loud outfits. Minimalism is key.

Don’t Overplan, Just Go with the Flow

A lot of people plan every detail of their trip: “I want to go here, then there, then this, then that…” Don’t do that. Just go with the flow.

“Follow your intuition, follow your nose, and let the chips fall as they may.”

Every time I’ve traveled, I’ve gone in without preconceived notions. It makes the experience more real, more organic, and more fulfilling.

How Long Should You Travel?

• 2 to 4 weeks is the sweet spot.
• If you can, stay for a month—it’s the best way to actually get to know a place.
• A month gives you time to go slow, take in the culture, and create meaningful experiences.

Where to Travel?

If a place interests you, just go. But if you need ideas, here are two of my favorite destinations:

Mumbai, India – The Real Mecca of Street Photography

Everyone says New York is the mecca of street photography. No. Mumbai is the place.

• The diversity of scenes is unreal.
• Go in March for Holi Festival—you’ll have a blast.
• Watch my Mumbai street photography POV series for behind-the-scenes action.

Hanoi, Vietnam – The Best Budget Destination

• Extremely affordable with an amazing cultural experience.
• Stay near Hoàn Kiếm Lake and walk around every morning.
• Enjoy the delicious phở and incredible coffee.

“I fell in love with coffee in Vietnam.”

Hanoi has that perfect balance—chaos and peace wrapped into one experience.

Where to Stay?

• Hotels > Hostels > Airbnbs.
• Get a single room hotel—less headaches, less complications.
• Use Booking.com—zoom out on the map, check prices, and pick a good location.

Solo Travel vs. Traveling with a Partner?

• Travel alone. It’s the ultimate way to experience a place.
• You set the pace, do your own thing, and move freely.
• If you have a buddy, that’s cool too, but solo is the way to go.

“Keep the phone in your pocket. Stay in the moment. Explore endlessly. Get lost in the sauce.”

Photography & Video – Capture the Journey

• Give yourself time—don’t rush photography.
• Travel for a month so you can shoot at your own pace.
• Use a GoPro Mini—no distractions, just capture raw experiences.
• Treat video as a notetaking tool, a way to remember the journey.

Engage with Locals & Stay Open-Minded

• Visit temples, mosques, churches—see how people live.
• Learn from the locals, don’t just observe from a distance.
• My experience: I spent weeks sleeping on the floor of a mosque in Jericho, learning about Islam, praying with an Imam, and living in a community.

“Through travel, you witness humanity in its rawest form.”

Transportation – Avoid Cars, Walk Everywhere

• Set yourself up in a walkable city.
• Mumbai: Use tuk-tuks and trains.
• Hanoi: Walk everywhere or hop on the back of a motorbike.
• Rome, Mexico City: Same thing—walk as much as possible.

Avoid day trips and long transit times—it’s just extra noise.

The Secret to Connecting with People as a Photographer

“The camera is the passport—it’s the excuse to experience the world.”

The secret? Bring an Instax camera.

• Pick up a Fujifilm Instax Mini.
• Carry packs of instant film.
• When you meet someone interesting, give them a Polaroid.

This simple act opens doors. It builds trust, creates moments, and lets you make deeper connections wherever you go.

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Final Words

Follow your intuition. Have no preconceived notions. Travel slow. Immerse yourself.

“Go with the flow, and go slow.”

1. Lack of Sunlight and Vitamin D Deficiency: Sunlight is a natural source of Vitamin D, which is essential for bone health and immune function. Prolonged time indoors can lead to a deficiency.
2. Poor Air Quality: Indoor environments can have poor air circulation, leading to the buildup of pollutants, allergens, and even harmful chemicals from various sources like cleaning products or building materials.
3. Reduced Physical Activity: Being indoors often correlates with a sedentary lifestyle, which can contribute to obesity, heart disease, and other health problems.
4. Mental Health Impact: Lack of exposure to natural light and outdoor environments can negatively affect mental health, contributing to feelings of depression or anxiety.
5. Ergonomic Issues: Prolonged sitting, especially in non-ergonomic conditions, can lead to back pain and other musculoskeletal problems.
6. Social Isolation: Spending too much time indoors, especially alone, can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, which have their own health impacts.
7. Disruption of Circadian Rhythms: Lack of natural light can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythms, affecting sleep patterns and overall health.
8. Increased Exposure to Screen Time: Indoor activities often involve increased screen time, which can lead to eye strain, headaches, and disrupted sleep patterns.

I’m in it for the insanely long game.

The best teacher is experience. Just do it!

You don’t want or need a big audience. It’s better to have 300 Spartans or even just one other person than millions of level one slaves.

The GoPro is the ultimate artist note taking tool. No more pads and pens. Propagate your voice. Who cares if you’re “right” or seem strange. Disable comments, disable likes, and disconnect. Just share your thoughts and perspective on things!

Instead of watching the thing, why don’t you go out there and do the thing itself?

The term “autotelic” is derived from two Greek words: “autos,” meaning “self,” and “telos,” meaning “end” or “goal.” Literally translated, it means “self-end” or “self-goal.” This term is used to describe activities that are performed not for some external reward or outcome, but because the activity itself is rewarding and fulfilling.

In contemporary usage, “autotelic” often relates to the psychological concept of flow, a state of deep focus and immersion in an activity, where the individual is fully engaged and enjoying the process itself. An autotelic activity is thus one that is an end in its own right, with the motivation for the activity coming from within the individual rather than from external factors.

The concept is particularly relevant in the context of personal fulfillment and motivation, suggesting that activities that are intrinsically rewarding can lead to greater satisfaction and well-being.

At first I was apprehensive about AI and its impact, but now that I am using it in my daily life I am in absolute awe and blown away. There’s literally no more need for browsing the internet or google and getting distracted by social media, advertisements, etc.

Using ChatGPT makes me so excited and optimistic about the future of innovation and creation of new art.

Don’t waste any energy consuming junk.

What is junk?

Email, texting, social media, reddit, podcasts, news, etc.