Travel Photography Tips: 101
Photographs are often the best souvenir of your travels. But the worst thing is when they come out blurry, blown out, or just not all that exciting to look at.
If you want to learn how to take better pictures on your travels around the world, this article is packed with everything you need to improve your photography skills.
1. Set your camera to shoot in burst mode
Setting your camera to "burst" mode means that several shots will be taken with a single click of the shutter. This is especially helpful when you’re trying to take an action shot, like a whale breaching the water’s surface.
Also, burst mode is a good idea when handing your camera to a stranger to take your photo. You will get several to choose from, instead of just one where you’re blinking and someone is photo-bombing in the background. I always have my camera set in burst mode so we can choose our favorite photo from a series.
2. Carry a small tripod
A tripod will seriously up your photo-taking game. There are several reasons for this but one of the main reasons we carry a tripod is so we can get shots of epic landscapes with ourselves in the picture.
If you're in a remote location, there might not be anyone around to take your photo. And even when there are tons of people around, they might not take shots you’re happy with.
When you travel with a tripod, you can always get a great photo of yourself because you are in control.
3. Shoot early and late
No matter how talented of a photographer you may be, there are certain times of the day where your shot just won’t look as good. For instance, during the middle of the day when the sun is at its peak in the sky, the light is harsh and your photos will tend to have strong shadows. Instead, aim to take photos when the sun is low in the sky and it'll cast a warm glow instead of harsh white light.
The most ideal times of the day to take photos are in the morning just after sunrise, and during that magical “golden hour” just before sunset. Try to arrive at locations you want to shoot during these times. Of course there are many times when you can’t arrive at the ideal time, but it’s a good rule to follow whenever possible.
4. Don’t be afraid of a little rain (or clouds!)
Cloudy days can sometimes be disappointing when you’re on vacation, but they often make for the most interesting photos. Clouds soften the sun’s light, acting like a natural light box, and make it possible for you to get great shots even in the peak of the afternoon. They can also create a cool, moody effect and can make your pictures more interesting than if you have a clear blue sky.
Much the same, many people get nervous to take their camera out in the rain. But rainy shots can be super interesting.
5. Get a different perspective
It can be a good idea to get inspiration by searching online for famous shots of iconic places. For instance, a quick Google search of “Taj Mahal” will show you the most famous angles this landmark is shot from.
But in order to really improve your photography skills, do the OPPOSITE. When everybody is taking pictures to the right, turn left. Look up. Look down. Don’t be afraid to get down on the ground and shoot from below.
Walk to a less crowded side of the landmark and take a picture from that lesser-seen angle, like the photo of the Taj Mahal above.