5 Simple Travel Photography Tips – Suitcase and Wanderlust

One of the best parts of travelling is the ability to take photos of your adventures and experiences on the road. Many of us enjoy that feeling of coming home and showing to friends and relatives all the amazing places we’ve been to. Of course, it won’t be so fascinating if we are not able to make cool photos. Whether you have experience with your camera or you are a complete beginner, these tips will definitely improve the quality of your travel photos.

1. Shooting against the light

Even though shooting against the light decreases the visibility of the objects, that is actually the point. If you watch carefully the people and objects around you, you could position yourself in such a way so that you capture interesting silhouettes contrasted to the light you’ve pointed your camera at. Be creative and play with the camera and light. Sometimes, the silhouettes can tell a better story than a regular photo.

2. Put the subject off-centre

This is a very important but frequently forgotten element of a good photo. The subject should be positioned a bit on the side of the photo, which is the best to do by using the “Rule of Thirds”. This means that every photo can be divided into 9 equal rectangles, where the subject of the photo should be positioned in one of the 4 places where the lines of the rectangles intersect.

3. Local wildlife deserves good preparation

Taking photos of wildlife is really an occasion where the difference between amateurs and those who actually wanted to attend photography workshops and classes to get skilful is more than obvious. Taking amazing photos of dolphins jumping out in the air, monkeys being monkeys or whales on an excursion isn’t just about an expensive camera. It’s about knowing how to make good use of any camera you have because you’ve learned the trick on the photography course. For example, amateur photographers like using zoom lenses whenever they can but the trick is to actually get as close to the subject as possible. It will also reduce the need for a digital zoom later on, which ruins the quality of photos. Also, investing in just a good lens and know when to use a 50mm lens and when to opt for a wide-angle lens is also a matter of preparation before the trip.

4. Don’t forget interior spaces

Most travel photos include the exterior of buildings and landscapes but you should try and be more unique. The interior of beautiful restaurants, antique shops or magnificent cathedrals can be equally astonishing and memorable, as long as you ready to notice beautiful details. As the light inside is usually dim, consider taking a tripod with you. It will enable you to make a steady shot and use longer exposure time. In case you don’t feel like taking it on a trip, then get a camera with high ISO capabilities.

5. Avoid distorting the picture

This is very important, especially for smartphones. Lenses on them are with wide-angle lenses, which can make tall buildings look distorted. You need to hold the smartphone completely straight, which can be had in the crowded street. So, you should back up as much as you can and hold the phone straight. You will crop the image later and put the subject in the focus without any distortion. This issue is solved in the same way on DSLR cameras and mirrorless cameras, too.

Final comment

As said before, the most important thing about taking great travelling photos is about knowing how to use your camera in the best possible way. Every camera has its strong sides and you need to know what they are. If you combine that knowledge with a few tricks mentioned above, you’ll definitely bring home some truly unique and cool travel photos.