Yeah, has it been a rough year for you? Me too. The economy has taken bites out of two of my jobs this year, but that hasn’t stopped me. I’ve boarded five planes, have driven over 3,000 miles, and biked, well, a countless amount of roadways. What I have discovered this summer is that travel does not always have to be expensive.

Prior to this summer, it had been over ten years since I had visited the Windy City. Since June, I have been back three times. I mean, honestly, it’s that good. The best part is that I wasn’t stuck inside all day while I was there — I was out having a great time and experiencing the city. All of this, amazingly, was free.

Sound too good to be true? Okay, maybe a little. But aside from the act of getting to the city (gas money, plane or train ticket) and a place to stay (I am fortunate enough to have some great friends that let me annoy them by couch surfing), you really can have an amazing time without spending a dime.

Chicago Skyline by Jessie Barber

Lincoln Park Zoo and Lincoln Park Conservatory – The zoo and conservatory are both free every day, 365 days per year. Check out hundred of animal and plant species while soaking in the awesome atmosphere of Lincoln Park.

Museum of Contemporary Art – Every Tuesday you can explore the four floors of this modern museum. It’s in the heart of the Magnificent Mile, but in the summer you can relax on their lawn and enjoy many exciting events that include picnics, live music, and even a Farmer’s Market.

The Art Institute of Chicago – Now for one of the big players in the Chicago museum game. Free admission is from 5-8pm on Thursdays, which is a steal considering that they recently opened the modern wing. It sits just to the south of Millennium Park, so after enjoying some sculpture outdoors, hop across the street and enjoy everything from Edward Hopper to early Egyptian sculpture. Remember that scene in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off where they are exploring famous art? Yeah, this is it.

Not enough free for you? Don’t forget the Chicago Cultural Center (free every day), the Buckingham Fountain, The Chicago History Museum (free on Mondays), The Museum of Contemporary Photography (free every day), or Navy Pier’s firework shows. There are beaches along Lake Michigan that can keep you entertained for hours (trust me, it’s prime people-watching). Check out some video from my trip while you’re at it.

In you’re interested in keeping your cost (and stresses) even lower, take along your bicycle. Chicago is not only a very flat city, but you’ll find bike lines on almost all streets. Be sure to brush up on your bicycle safety beforehand! If you don’t have a bike or can’t get yours to the city, you can rent one, grab the El Train, or a bus.

Alright, Magellan, now that you have the tools, run out and explore your favorite cities for free. You will be surprised how much you find when you take a look!

Jessie Barber is a free travel expert, photographer, graphic designer and all around artists. Check out her photos and portfolio.

Techniques and Rules

It’s important to keep your camera steady to make sure you get a clear shot. Even though stability is important, I don’t necessarily recommend a tripod, as they are usually large and cumbersome. Unless you have something small that can fit in your bag, it’s probably a good idea to leave it at home.

Your best tool is going to be the information you obtained before starting on your journey. With the right camera and settings, there are few images that are impossible to capture. A high ISO and shallow depth of field will help you in low light situations. Be sure to have a focal point. Become familiar with the rule of thirds and how it can help your compositions. Keep in mind how looking at something from a different angle can be refreshing.

What to Photograph

Whatever element made you decide to travel, be sure you express that in your photos. Aside from entertaining your friends and family, you will also be more satisfied years down the road when you look back on your memories.

Architecture - From Washington, DC to India, you’ll find architecture that will blow your mind. Get

You Might Want to Take a Picture of This

up close and record the details, but don’t forget to stand back to see the big picture. Be careful about using your flash, as it can create unnatural shadows to make your photos look stale. If you have the opportunity, use a wide angle lens. It will allow you to shoot a small area easily, which is especially great if there are many other people around. If you get out of the city, record nature. Sometimes you may run into wildlife, but for the most part you’ll become witness to beautiful beaches, sunsets, mountains, and greenery.

People – My favorite subjects are people, as they are what makes each culture so different and fascinating. Try to shoot candidly, but again, be courteous of someone’s desire to be photographed. Being hospitable and friendly will get you miles ahead of the rest. These photos are great way to remember the people you meet along the way, and helps put a face to the stories you will tell back home.

When photographing individuals it’s important to soften hard lights if possible. Shooting when the sun is at high noon doesn’t help a photo, so using a fill flash would be appropriate. If possible, use a shallow depth of field or tone down any distraction in the background, this way the person will in fact be the main subject. If you plan on publishing your photos, write their information in your notebook in order to obtain permission down the road.

By preparing yourself before you embark, you can handle anything that comes your way. Since most of us are now in the digital age, you can shoot to your heart’s content without regretting wasted film. In the end, it’s important to shoot what you want. It’s your journey and you should record it however you see fit.

Jessie Barber is a passionate photographer from Columbus, Ohio, who was also a finalist for the STA Travel 2009 World Traveler Internship. Make sure to follow her on Twitter, check out her photography portfolio, her Flickr and her blog.

Photo Credit: prakhar on Flickr

You’ve got everything in order. The tickets have been purchased, the trip has been planned out, and you’re itching to go on your next adventure. No matter if you are going over state lines or flying around the world, one thing is certain – you will have luggage limits. This means that you aren’t going to be able to stuff all of your friends and family into your suitcase and have them enjoy the trip with you.

Travel photography is the most popular way to share your experiences with the people you love back home. With the wave of digital cameras on the market, this means you can store an unbelievable amount of information on a small memory card. It’s a good idea to be prepared before you board the plane to ensure you bring the best parts home with you.

Get Ready

Camera selection is personal. Maybe you already have one you are partial to, but if you are purchasing new, keep a few things in mind.

• How large of a camera are you willing to carry around?
• How advanced of a camera are you looking for?
  

  The Cannon G10

I personally don’t leave home without my large digital SLR. Many people would find this to be an inconvenience, but I’ve traveled very successfully without having to downsize to a point and shoot. If you are looking for similar functionality of a DSLR without the size, you can always turn to cameras such as the Canon G10, that are very compact, yet still provide you with many of the same controls as larger models – shutter speed, aperture, and ability to shoot in RAW. Even if you are not an expert photographer, you can benefit from having these features.

It’s always a good idea to become comfortable with the camera you own. Read the manual, check online for tips and other photographers’ examples, or get some books from your local library. Experimenting is the quickest way to learn.

If you’re traveling outside of the US, there are loads of other precautions you should take. Make sure you check with your airline’s carry on restrictions. The most important thing you can do when traveling abroad is to research the country in which you are visiting. Do they have any specific laws or cultural views you should know about? To you, something may simply be a snapshot, but to others it may be viewed as disrespectful. Learning your boundaries beforehand is the best way to prevent any misunderstandings.

Check with your insurance company and have your camera covered, along with any other expensive equipment you take along. It’s also a good idea to get a Certificate of Registration from the US Customs office, that way you have proof the camera is indeed yours and aren’t charged when you enter back into the United States.

Personally, I use a small, pocket-sized lined notebook to take notes on all of the information I find. In this same notebook you can record all of the places you want to see, keep a journal, and jot down information about the photos you are taking along the way.

Check back tomorrow for tips on techniques and subjects.

Jessie Barber is a passionate photographer from Columbus, Ohio, who was also a finalist for the STA Travel 2009 World Traveler Internship. Make sure to follow her on Twitter, check out her photography portfolio, her Flickr and her blog.