Have you ever been to a truly incredible place or captured a perfect moment? If you had a camera in hand, you probably snapped a photo. After taking that photo, you probably thought, "This will be great. Maybe even an award winner."
When you get to a computer and look at the photo, it's nothing like you expected-and not in a good way. Don't worry; you're not alone.
I've experienced this countless times while traveling. Over the years, I've developed a few tricks and techniques to ensure my photos turn out the way I want them to.
Many of these suggestions may seem pretty simplistic and basic. However, if I have one word of advice, it's to stick to the basics.
Often, when traveling, you look past the basics in photography. So many things are going on around you that you forget.
But if you keep the basics in mind, your photos should turn out just how you like. So without further ado, here are five essential travel photography tips.
Table of Contents
Photography Tips
1. Direction of Sunlight
Again, this may seem rudimentary, but how the sun is positioned in the sky significantly affects your photos.
Preferably, you want the sun to be at your back to illuminate your photo's subject. However, sometimes you don't have the luxury of waiting until the sun is in a perfect position. That's when you have to get creative.
You can try to block the sun with one hand while taking the photo with the other, or use something in the natural environment to shade you. This could be a house, a tree, a rock-just anything to keep the sun's glare off your lens.
You could also invest in a lens hood that blocks the sun unless you're pointed directly at it.
Often, when traveling, I forget to consider the sun's position. I snap photos and assume they will turn out great. Well, I was wrong. The sun either washed out many photos or created a lens flare, which is not desirable in award-winning images.
So keep aware of that big bright thing in the sky, and you'll be much happier with your photos.
2. Polarizing Lens
Going hand in hand with the sun is a polarization lens. A polarizing lens is probably the best investment I've ever made for my camera.
So, what does a polarizing lens do? It blocks the sun's glare, just like polarizing sunglasses. And by blocking the sun's glare, you get crisper and less washed-out photos.
This lens will allow you to see through the water instead of getting the annoying glare off the surface.
It's perfect for shots at the beach, lake, or river and for making clouds "pop" in your photos. Clouds often blend in with the sky, but a polarizing lens creates a distinct contrast.
In reality, it makes your greens greener and your blues bluer because you eliminate the sun's washing-out effects. And it only costs $50, and that's a worthy investment, if you ask me.
3. Use a Tripod
I know. Carrying a tripod around is probably the last thing you want to do when traveling. However, it's essential if you're serious about photography, especially at night.
A camera must gather light to take a picture, so the shutter needs to stay open longer at night. If your camera is not on a tripod, it tends to move even the tiniest amount, which causes blurring.
There's no way around it. Even if you use a railing or rock to steady your camera, you still get some shake. Sometimes you may get lucky and hold it steady enough to get a good night shot, but most of the time, you don't.
Trust me, I know from experience. And it's not only applicable to night shots. During the day, a tripod is the best way to capture time-lapse shots and achieve the highest clarity.
So if you're serious about your photos, bring a tripod along. You won't regret it.
4. Be Creative
Try the same shot from different angles. Play with the settings on your camera. Just try to take a picture that everyone and their mother hasn't done before.
Of course, there is a limit to this. But for a second, put yourself in the shoes of the people viewing your photos.
What do you think will grab their attention? And what's the best way of doing that? Sometimes you may get it right, occasionally dead wrong. But you can't succeed unless you try.
Typically, looking for scenes with high contrast gets a positive reaction. Sunsets are incredible because there is a sharp contrast between a lit-up sky and a darker foreground.
Also, dark objects against a cloudy sky or a landscape with the sun on your back tend to get positive reactions.
In the end, it's all about you. But if you can think of new ways to make your photos more attractive to the audience, you will have great success.
5. Have Fun
This may seem obvious and unneeded, but it's true. The best photos I've ever taken are when I'm having a good time and relaxed, not when I'm worried about how the image will turn out.
If you stress about how your photos will turn out, it's probably not helping you or your photography. Let things happen naturally. If it's meant to be, it will happen, and you'll get that perfect moment to snap a shot. If not, there's always another day.
Trust me. The more fun you have, the better the photos. Always! So kick back and enjoy it because life's too short not to have fun.
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About the Author: Ryan has been backpacking around the world since 2005 and has recently launched FollowMeEverywhere.com to combine his love of travel with work. If you like his stuff, subscribe and follow him on Twitter: @RyanMartin07.
