5 Tips for Taking Better Travel Photos

Camera set up

I have always enjoyed looking at photos of beautiful and exotic locations, and food, but photography is not something I was initially interested in doing myself.

But the more I traveled and took photos with my little point and shoot, the more I wanted to record better, more emotional, and more eye-catching pictures as I traveled.

So a few years ago, I finally made the jump from a point and shoot to a DSLR.

A DSLR does improve the quality and function of a camera, but it doesn't necessarily improve the subject or the scenery we all see when we travel.

No matter what kind of camera you use, we can all achieve better results by learning some photography tips.

After getting my DSLR camera, I purchased a copy of the Getting Out of Auto ebook, and it was a great introduction to photography and especially how to have an eye for taking better photos.

I'm still learning a lot about photography (and want to learn more), but here are a few of the things I've learned over the years.

1. Bring your camera everywhere you go

This doesn't mean you need to take a photo wherever you go, but having your camera with you at the right time in the right place is crucial for getting good images.

Except for going somewhere unsafe where it's dangerous to have valuables, I carry my camera with me every day, and everywhere I go.

Be sure to protect your camera no matter if you're walking around or going to the beach, but you never know when a unique photo opportunity will arise.

2. Be confident

I've hung out with a couple of pro photographers during my travels, and one thing I've learned from them is to be confident taking pictures.

While I'm often intimidated or shy to take photos in certain places (especially when there are lots of people around), the pros know exactly what they're doing, and shoot photos with confidence, quickly and discreetly.

Being confident, not stuttering, and quick to press the shutter is a way to get great memorable shots.

Remember the details

3. Details

When I initially started taking travel photos, I pretty much only took far off shots of beautiful landscapes.

But then I realized that there are so many details that we notice when traveling, which make for amazing photos.

Taking close up shots of details is an excellent addition to any folder of travel photos, no matter where you go.

Coffee man in Zanzibar

4. People

One of the hardest parts of photography is taking photos of people, and yet every time I get a good shot of a human (both portraits and action shots), I think they are the most powerful travel photos.

There are two ways to take photos of people, doing it quickly without asking, or asking someone if you can take their picture.

Both work and both methods take plenty of confidence to accomplish, yet the results make some of the best travel photos.

5. Don’t overdo it

Something I have personally struggled with and I’m working on is to not over-do it when it comes to taking photos.

It’s easy to snap as many photos as possible in every possible angle and lighting condition, while almost neglecting to look at the subject you’ve come to see with your very own eyes.

I’ve found that if I take my time and take photos with a little thought before snapping, not only do I get better shots, but I also don’t spend all of my time with one eye in the camera and the other eye closed.

Take some photos and then enjoy whatever you see with your own eyes!

Photography is a wonderful way to remember and share what we see, eat, and do when we travel.

No matter what kind of camera we use, we can all improve and get better with our picture-taking.

Mark Wiens

Mark was raised in central Africa before migrating back to the U.S. for University. After graduating, he decided to continue traveling the world. On Migrationology, he shares the cultural side of travel from a slow-paced local perspective that often revolves around his love for eating all forms of food. Join him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @migrationology.