Anyone can take happy snaps when on holiday. But if you take the time to hone your photography skills beforehand, you’ll see results in the sharp, well-lit photographs you have to show friends and family on your return. Taking your images from blah to pro doesn’t have to be difficult, especially when we’ve gathered 12 tried-and-tested tips that will help improve your travel photography. Holidays don’t last forever, but with great photos the memories can.
1. Switch to manual
Perhaps the biggest tip to get your photos looking more professional is to learn to shoot on manual. Even if it means starting on Auto and moving to AV (Aperture Priority Mode), before getting to the long-awaited big M. Watch what settings your camera is choosing for you and then learn to select them yourself. Shooting in manual mode will put the control back in your hands, giving greater flexibility and allowing you to be artistic with light and movement.
2. Shoot during the golden hours
Often the difference between an amateur and professional travel photographer comes down to their understanding of light. For the ultimate soft golden glow and long shadows, shoot in the late afternoon or early morning. An added bonus is that you’ll beat the crowds.
3. Engage with your subject or surroundings
Put the camera down and interact with the people around you. How can you expect your subjects to feel relaxed if they don’t even know what your face looks like beyond the lens?
4. Respect customs
Do your research and be respectful to the traditions of the area you’re visiting. In some places you won’t be able to take photographs. Trust your instincts, and always ask when you’re unsure.
5. Back up or lose it
You’re moving around. A lot. So if something was to go missing or get stolen, the likelihood of it happening whilst you’re travelling is far higher than if you were hanging at home. Don’t lose hard copies of your memories by being lazy. Back up images on a hard drive and look into online storage.
6. Experiment with different angles
Get moving. Crouch down, climb trees, shoot with your feet in the water, head to the rooftop and get a bird’s eye view of the roads below. There’s no limit.
7. Be patient
Know that you won’t always get the shot the first time. Even the best travel photographers sometimes have to visit a place two or three times to get the right conditions. Travel photography isn’t easy; in a lot of instances you won’t have control over what’s happening. Relax, be patient and be willing to try again.
8. Play with depth of field
Once you’re shooting in manual mode, playing with depth of field will take your photography to the next level. Use aperture to blur out backgrounds in portraits or keep everything super sharp for wide landscape shots.
9. Don’t delete images on camera
Save the culling until you’ve got your images onto a computer. Between taking photos and editing them, the shot you disliked on your camera screen could become you’re favourite unplanned image. Believe me, it has happened!
10. There’s no such thing as bad weather
Clouds aren’t your enemy; they’re your friends. For landscape photos, dark clouds, and even rain, add another element to the image. For portraits, clouds act like a giant soft box, spilling a soft beautiful light onto the faces of your subjects.
11. Go wide
Experiment with going wide, capturing the trees to the left, that shack by the sea, the goats behind your partner. Whilst it’s great to zoom in, sometimes it’s nice for people to see what else is around. You could be shooting anywhere, so show people where you are through your photography.
12. Have fun!
Don’t let your camera stop you from living in the moment. Knowing when to put your camera away and join in the action is something all travel photographers battle with. Ask yourself if you’re still having fun. If the answer is no, then it’s time to hit the off button and get amongst it.
(Feature image: Christopher Michel)
