1 – Do your research
When you're planning your next trip, research where to go for great pictures. There are a lot of travel photographers that share exactly how they got their shots on their blogs. Although you may not recreate the same thing, it is a good place to start.
2 – Include a subject
Placing someone in your photo adds emotion to an image and it makes the viewer feel like they are experiencing the location for themselves. That is why adding a human subject to your travel photo can make it more visually pleasing to the observer. It also helps to show just how big or small the surroundings are in your image. So, jump in those photos, get your family to model or ask permission to take photos of locals. If you aren’t sure when to add a subject, just test it out, take a photo with and one without. Then see what you like best.
3 – Straighten the horizon
Anytime you take a photo with a horizon make sure that it is straight. This simple adjustment will make your photo look more professional.
4 – Add foreground
Travel photos, especially landscapes can have a flat sameness look if the subject is far away and there is nothing to look at in the foreground. You will notice from some of my photos that is something I struggle with. So, to avoid that problem, look for nearby rocks, plants and puddles that can add interest to your image and add more depth to your photo.
5 – Get creative
If you don’t want your photos to look like everyone else’s, you'll have to get creative. Think of ways to tell a story or to provide a different visual experience. Get lost on purpose, to show a different side of the city. Look for contrast, find water to add movement and reflections and play around with negative space. I once took a little pig timer on a road trip with me and hid him in all my photos. Although they may not be magazine worthy pictures, my family had way more fun going through my album and I had a lot of fun creatively hiding him in my photos.
6 - Look where the light touches
The eye is drawn to the area in the picture with the most light. So, pay attention to what the sunlight is highlighting in your photo. Be patient, sometimes waiting an hour will make all the difference.
7 – Play with composition
There are a few rules of composition that you can help you get better photos: rule of thirds, sub-framing, leading lines and balance. If you are not familiar with these, I suggest you pick one before your next trip, read about it and then try to incorporate it in at least one photo everyday of your voyage. This will help you get familiar with different rules and see how it changes your final image.
8 – Play with angles and move around
Sometimes you did your research and you know exactly where to go to get the perfect picture, but then you get there and something is off, you just can’t seem to get the picture you want. So, walk around and look for new angles! That might be all you need to cut out the crowd and get your dream shot.
9 – Get up early and stay up late
It needs to be said, not only will sunrise and sunset give you beautiful lighting, it is also a great way to avoid crowds. So, plan to arrive early or stay late, especially when hitting big tourist attractions.
10 - Practice! Practice! Practice...
As with most things you will get better the more you practice. To do so, set yourself a challenge on your next trip, maybe even a scavenger hunt?
Comments