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I'm writing from the lobby of a DuPont Circle hotel in Washington, DC. I'm here attending AWAI's Ultimate Travel Photographer's Workshop -- learning what I can in the interest of adding photos to the articles I already publish. One of the best -- and easiest -- ways to increase the number of your articles that make it into print (and the dollar value of each one) is to offer editors not just words, but photos, too.  Clearly, I've come to the right place. We've wrapped up only the very first session, and already I've gathered 10 useful tips:  • You don't need a $8,000 camera to get a saleable shot. The camera you bought at Target or Wal-Mart is a good start. Online newsletters and web publications don't need the high resolution that print publications do. A 3-megapixel camera can still get you into some of those markets.  • Rule of Thirds: This composition technique is something the pros do as a matter of habit. It produces more interesting and more salable shots. Here's how you do it: Divide up the image in your camera into thirds (vertically and horizontally) and put your subject somewhere on one of the grid lines instead of in the center of your photo.  • Diagonal Lines and S-Curves: Employ diagonal lines and S-curves in your photos, and this, too, will ensure better composition. Take a look at these pictures online and see how the photographer used diagonal lines to lead the viewer's eye into the photo: www.thephotographerslife.com/diagonalexamples

• Use tree branches and doorways to "frame" a subject in your photograph. I stood under a tree behind the Smithsonian Museum today and let the leaves hang down into my picture of the castle, which stood in the background. The leaves added character to my shot, and they also helped to cover the gray skies. 

• Pictures should always attempt to set a mood. Every photo should elicit a feeling or tell a story when you look at it. 

• Never zoom into an image on the digital zoom setting. Put your camera on optical zoom. You'll get a much more saleable image quality. 

• Play with your camera's settings. Set your camera to the highest quality JPEG available. Your camera manual will show you how. 

• Just get the shot. Sometimes there isn't enough time to readjust the settings on your camera to get the perfect shot. SHOOT ANYWAY! You might be surprised to find that you end up with a good shot anyway. 

• Don't put all your eggs in one basket! Don't wait around for that "perfect shot!" Take multiple pictures, all the time. Ansel Adams used to say that he was lucky if in all of the pictures he took, he would get one quality photograph a month. 

EDITORS NOTE: For details about how you can join professional photographers like Rich Wagner and learn how you can add professional-quality photography to your bag of travel-writer tricks simply click here: www.thephotographerslife.com/phc/escape
 

The Ultimate Travel Writers Course . The Ultimate Travel Writers Workshop Starting out as a Travel Writer can earn you money and allow you to travel, but developing a strategy is a prerequisite to making a full income as a writer.  It is crucial that every assignment, and every location be turned into a number of spin-offs; which means other articles on other subjects for other periodicals derived from the same trip.  There is a market for good articles, and once you've convinced one newspaper to take an article in their Sunday section the next magazine or newspaper becomes easier as you develop a list of periodicals in which your by-line appears. . Travel Writing and Photography Workshops  Next Live Event - Denver CO - July 20 - 23 2006 Spend Four Days at the Foot of the Rockies, and Discover the Secrets to Traveling the World for Free and Getting Paid as a Travel Writer - Our Last Travel Writing Workshop of 2006 - Don't miss it Note: If the workshop date posted above has passed - click here for next workshop date Next Live Event - Denver CO - July 20 - 23 2006 Fact: Top Magazines and Newspapers Will Pay Cash for Your Vacation Snapshots Could you really get paid up to $6,000 for pictures you took on your last vacation? Yes, absolutely. Join us in Denver July 20-23 2006 to find out how to turn simple snapshots into cash. And even into free hotel rooms and travel perks! See here for the whole story - or call (866)279-2924 or local at (561)278-5557.  Space is limited. . "International Living understands what we want when it comes to real estate articles for EscapeArtist.com; there is no extra charge; the real estate writing section will be added into the course without additional cost to you.  Nice of International Living, you say?  Yes, nice; of course in exchange we are telling our visitors about the Travel Writers course, so it balances out, we get what we want if graduates of the course submit articles to EscapeArtist.com on living abroad or on international real estate." - EscapeArtist.com -

The International Living Travel Writers Course & Workshop *** The Ultimate Travel Writer's Course - You don't need a million-dollar nest egg to enjoy your retirement. Have a passion for travel? Well take a trip... and take good notes about what you did and where you went. Recommend -- or discourage -- others from following in your footsteps. For simple commentary, you can earn a few hundred... maybe even a few thousand... dollars for your trouble. This self-paced program shows you exactly how it's done -- and anybody can do it. Whether you're looking for a sideline or a full-time career, this great-value course will teach you all the techniques you need, in the comfort of your own home. *** The Ultimate Travel Writers Workshop - The Ultimate Travel Writer's and Photographer's Workshop - Hosted in enticing destinations the world over, you gain an entire course worth of knowledge in just four days. Devoted to either travel writing or travel photography (and, occasionally, to both) these programs always provide fast-paced, concentrated learning from expert instructors ready to share their hard-won secrets. You'll come away with publishable articles and/or photos in hand, learn the insider's tricks for turning your observations and snapshots into cash, landing travel perks, and enjoying the freedom, independence, and travel that freelancing delivers...   WORKSHOP IN NEW YORK CITY