Tips Travel Photography – Photos are often the best souvenir of your travels. But the worst is when they come out blurry, blown out, or just not that exciting to look at.
If you want to learn how to take better photos on your travels around the world, this article is full of everything you need to improve your photography skills.
Tips Travel Photography
From powdery white sand beaches in the Philippines to high in the Himalayas to the dense forests of America’s Pacific Northwest, I’ve had the privilege of photographing some of the most beautiful places in the world. Each place has taught me something different and really made me a better photographer.
Travel Photography Tips For Everything You’ll Find On Your Trip
I’m far from perfect and I’m certainly still growing, but I want to share with you what I’ve learned along the way.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or well-versed with your camera, the practical tips and easy photography hacks in this article will show you how to take your travel photos from average to amazing.
Setting your camera to burst mode means that multiple photos will be taken with one click of the shutter. This is especially useful when trying to get an action shot, such as a whale breaching the surface of the water.
Also, burst mode is a good idea when you’re giving your camera to a stranger to take your picture. You’ll have several to choose from instead of just one where you flash and someone photobombs in the background. I always put my camera in burst mode so we can pick our favorite shot from a burst.
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Tip: Every camera is a little different, so check your manual to learn how to set it up in burst mode. 2. Carry a small tripod
A tripod will seriously up your photography game. There are several reasons for this, but one of the main reasons we carry a tripod is so we can take epic landscape photos with ourselves in the picture.
If you are in a remote location, there may not be anyone around to take your picture. And even when there are a lot of people around, they might not take pictures that you’re happy with.
Ben and I always joke that when we give our camera to a stranger, there’s a 50/50 chance it will turn out good. Some of our favorite photos from our travels have been taken by strangers. But most of the time I’m disappointed. (I’ll admit it: I’m very picky about photos and always have a composition in mind. It’s crazy to expect a stranger to read my mind, and not everyone feels comfortable using my big a$$ camera.)
Our Planet In My Lens
When you travel with a tripod, you can always take a great photo of yourself because you are in control.
I love my Joby tripod because it’s small and super portable. Plus, its flexible legs allow me to wrap it around tree branches or fences (carefully, of course!) for unique angles. There are tons of nicer, more expensive tripods out there, but unless you’re a pro, the bulk alone probably isn’t practical for travel.
Be patient, young grasshopper. Taking epic photos at famous locations takes time. You can’t expect to turn up at iconic locations like the Eiffel Tower or Cinque Terre and get a perfect photo on your first try. You will have to be patient with the crowds and wait for people to pass. And you’ll probably need to take a few photos to get it just right.
I will admit that the crowds are testing my patience. I get confused easily and sometimes leave before I get a photo I’m really happy with. My advice is to take a deep breath and wait if a certain shot is really important to you. After all, you never know if you’ll be back again, so you might as well wait for that perfect moment.
Travel Photography Tips
Consider this: To get a shot from above the Fushimi Inari Gates in Kyoto, I had to stand still and wait for the exact moment when no one was in my shot. One second before and one second after that shot there was someone in the shot, so you had to be patient. And the weather. About 15 minutes just to get this picture.
This relatively inexpensive and small item can really take your landscape photography to the next level. Polarizers work best on sunny days when the sky is blue, and will make colors pop, like the blues in that glacial lake in the Himalayas.
No matter how talented a photographer you are, there are certain times of the day when your shot just won’t look as good. For example, in the middle of the day, when the sun is at its peak in the sky, the light is harsh and your photos will have strong shadows. Instead, aim to take photos when the sun is low in the sky and it will cast a warm light instead of a harsh white light.
The best time of day to take photos is in the morning right after sunrise and during that magical “golden hour” just before sunset. Try to get to places you want to shoot during these hours. Of course, there are many times when you can’t arrive at the perfect time, but it’s a good rule of thumb to follow whenever possible.
Travel Photography Tips For Your Next Adventure
This tip requires a little research, but you’ll be glad you did. When traveling, try Googling “sunrise at [location]” and “sunset at [location]”.
For example, if you are visiting Yosemite, you will find that the best view at sunrise is at El Capitan. It faces east, so it is lit in a pink glow when the sun rises. At sunset it is beautiful, but not as magical as in those early hours of the morning.
And likewise, on Koh Tao you’ll want to be on the east side of the island to witness the most beautiful sunrises and on the west side for the sunset. (See photo above)
Knowing the best time of day to be at a particular vantage point can help you plan your travels and will ensure you get the best lighting for your photos.
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Night photography can be super fun, but it takes some time to learn the techniques. (Still working on it.) Be patient and you will improve.
It also requires some thought and research. You can’t just expect to go out every night and take great night shots. You have to plan around the moon and constellation paths and the weather.
For example, when we were in Arches National Park, there happened to be a day of the month when the Milky Way passed through Delicate Arch, creating a view that is famous for photography. We were there just out of luck, but many other photographers had planned their trip around this photo.
Tip: One way to track this is by downloading the SkyView app, which will tell you the exact time and course of the constellations and show you the chances of clouds obscuring your path.
Smartphone Travel Photography: 5 Powerful Tips For Taking Better Photos
Cloudy days can sometimes be frustrating when you’re on vacation, but they often make for the most interesting photos. Clouds soften the sunlight, acting as a natural light box, and allow you to take great photos even in the heat of the afternoon. They can also create a cool mood effect and make your photos more interesting than if you had a clear blue sky.
Likewise, many people worry about taking their camera out into the rain. But rain photos can be super interesting.
Tip: If you do take your camera out on a rainy day, be sure to bring protection with you so it doesn’t get ruined. A dry bag is small and can keep your camera and all your other valuables dry even in the heaviest rain. 9. Make sure your lens is clean
This may sound obvious, but time and time again I come home from an epic trip to find that when I put my photos on my computer, there is a place for each one. single. shot.
The Best Travel Photography Tips
It’s happened too many times to justify myself, and I’m putting this tip on this list really just to remind myself to clean the damn lens. It’s much easier than going back and editing the location from each photo. Carrying a travel-sized cleaning kit will ensure you can safely clean your lens no matter where you are.
It might be a good idea to get some inspiration by looking online for famous photos of iconic places. For example, a quick Google search for “Taj Mahal” will show you the most famous angles from which this landmark has been photographed.
But to really improve your photography skills, do the REVERSE. When everyone is shooting right, turn left. Look up. Look down. Don’t be afraid to get down on the ground and shoot from below.
Go to the less busy side of the landmark and take a photo from that less visible angle, like the Taj Mahal photo above.