CameraClix Travel Updates: May Forecast
This is our second travel blog for CameraClix! In this we aren’t going to be going in-depth on the gear or techniques you need—for that, we recommend our Travel or Nature Technique and Gear Guide blogs.
What this blog is aiming to do is highlight different travel seasons and major cultural events around the world, where locales are at their best to photograph, and give you some inspiration for when and where to take advantage of the gear you already have!
Events
These are just a few major cultural happenings around the world—perfect for capturing authentic travel shots.
May
Hakata Dontaku Matsuri, Fukuoka, Japan
On May 3rd and 4th, Fukuoka comes alive with parades, traditional dress and costumed performers. Keep things light—a compact mirrorless body with a pancake or short prime is perfect for weaving through the crowds; you’ll also want a versatile zoom if you’d like to isolate details on floats and dancers.
Cinco de Mayo, Puebla, Mexico
May 5th marks the most enthusiastic, authentic celebrations of Mexican heritage. Streets fill with colorful reenactments, folk dancers and giant puppets. A wrist-strap camera and a fast-prime lens will help you freeze motion and capture spontaneous street portraits without being intrusive.
World Sacred Music Festival, Fes, Morocco
Starting May 22nd, the ancient city of Fes hosts artists from around the globe in Andalusian courtyards and riads. Low-light conditions and stage performances call for a telephoto zoom (e.g., 70–200 mm) and a body with good high-ISO performance.
Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo, Monaco
Typically in late May, this legendary F1 weekend blends high-speed on-track drama with luxury street scenes. A monopod and a super-telephoto lens (300 mm or longer) plus a fast-burst-rate camera will ensure you capture the cars, the glamour and the cresting Mediterranean light.
June
Santos Populares, Lisbon, Portugal
All through June, Lisbon’s neighborhoods celebrate their patron saints with street parties, grilled sardines, and walls decked in paper lanterns. A small red-dot finder lens (e.g., 24 mm f/2) on a mirrorless body is ideal for night street scenes and candid portraits in Alfama and Bairro Alto.
Calcio Storico, Florence, Italy
Mid-June sees one of the world’s oldest—and roughest—versions of football in Piazza Santa Croce. Expect fast action, dust and close-quarters combat. A zoom in the 70–200 mm range, paired with a high-shutter-speed capable body, will help you isolate individual players and capture raw expressions.
Seasons
These aren’t tied to exact dates, but are ideal travel windows when weather, light and local conditions align for great photography. Generally, traveling light with a compact or mirrorless camera and a short prime will serve you well; we’ll note when something extra makes sense.
Norway Travel Season – May to June
As spring melts into early summer, fjords fill with waterfalls and meadows burst into flower. The midnight sun begins to peek above the horizon, offering extended “golden hours.” A sturdy tripod and wide-angle zoom (16–35 mm) are must-haves for sweeping landscapes, while a mid-range zoom (24–70 mm) lets you mix in street scenes from Oslo and Bergen.
Peru Travel Season – May to October
Peru’s dry season delivers clear skies across the Andes and Amazon edge. Trek to Machu Picchu under crisp morning light, then explore Cusco’s cobbled streets by dusk. A polarizing filter and a lightweight zoom (24–105 mm) will cover wide panoramas and market portraits alike; consider a telephoto prime (85 mm) for distant mountain ridges.
Madagascar Travel Season – May to October
With rain diminished, wildlife is easier to spot in the island’s rainforests and spiny coasts. From ring-tailed lemurs to chameleons, macro and telephoto both shine here—pack a 100 mm macro or a close-up converter, plus a 70–200 mm zoom. Waterproof covers are also essential when jungle downpours return unexpectedly.
Kenya Safari Travel Season – June to October
The Great Migration rolls through the Masai Mara, and wildlife congregates around shrinking water sources. A super-telephoto lens (400 mm or longer) and a gimbal head will help you track ungulates and big cats; stabilize your rig in open-roof vehicles and be ready for fleeting moments at dawn and dusk.
Brazilian Amazon Travel Season – June to October
This is the Amazon’s dry season—rivers recede and jungle paths become more accessible. It’s an excellent time for both landscape and wildlife photography. You’ll want a telephoto, a wide-angle, and a macro option (or a close-up filter). Humidity-proof your gear and carry lens-cleaning supplies for mist and mosquitoes.
Conclusion
This list is by no means exhaustive, but our hope is to inspire you to use the gear you already own, uncover new travel horizons, and capture once-in-a-lifetime moments. If you have locations or shots you want to see featured next, we’d love to hear from you!