So you’re passionate about 3 things: travel, photography and adventure. However, let’s face it, you don’t work at National Geographic Traveller or Conde Nast. In fact you daydream about beating the crap out of professional travel photographers and their fancy digital SLRs so you can snag their next assignment, somewhere in the jungle of Costa Rica, the Caribbean seas or a wild Mexican fiesta. You may not have your dream travel job yet but while on vacation whip out that handy camera of yours like an expert travel photographer you know you can be.
Try 7 travel photography techniques that will help you capture amazing holiday photos.
1. Good travel photos have great details.
Editing is not just an important writing tool, photographers need that skill as well. Amazing photographs are made when small details are able to tell the big picture. A digital SLR or a powerful lens is a plus when taking travel photos but it is not a necessity. You can use your handy travel point and shoot camera and still take photographs that look like PRO by focusing on the detail of your surroundings. It can be the knob on an old wooden door that shows Columbian artwork or a quaint little alley that gives a peek to the real Florence Italy.
2. Be ready for the money shot travel photos
Indonesian skim boarders
Travel photographers make big buck because their eyes are attuned to ‘The money shot’. That shot is that fascinating and spontaneous image that happens just as you’re holding your camera. It can happen in Thailand where you see a yellow robed monk ride the Bangkok streets on an elephant. Those photos are precious and unrepeatable so always have that camera ready. Invest in a good neck strap so you can comfortably have an easy access to your camera. Set your camera in Program mode, this adjusts your aperture and shutter speed automatically.
3. Kids and wrinkled faces create photos that say ‘awww’
Laos tabacco smoker
Travel magazine have two common themes: kids and old people. Wrinkled old faces wearing funny hats and funky canes are popular images. Photos of kids playing on dusty streets are staple Life Magazine images. Keep your eye on these subjects and shoot them against an uncomplicated simple background and you’ll have a professional looking photo. Avoid taking pictures of crowd, they are messy visually and make for a cluttered photograph.
4. Make ‘good looking’ friends your photo subject
Beach girl
A trade secret of professional travel photographers is to hire models. That’s why you see awesome shots of beautiful people in exotic locations. That Guatemalan beauty in a travel photo carrying those juicy pineapple, she’s probably a model. It’s not expected of you to hire models but try shooting your friends or family members in their best angle. Keep accessories like scarf’s or Panama hats in your bag and ask your travelling companions to accessorize. This will make eye candy photograph.
5. Wake up early to get good lighting
Angkore Wat Temple
Travel photographers wake up at the crack of dawn because they know the lighting is perfect. Good photography is good lighting. That golden sky, brilliant mountain and ocean photograph is made possible because of lighting. Just ask photographer guru, Ansel Adams. It’s your vacation so you’re allowed to sleep late but to take good photographs take advantage of the dawn. Walking up before dawn also allows for better architecture and structure pictures as they cast artistic shadows to your photos.
6. Vivid and bold make incredible photos
Hong Kong beans
An unforgettable photo is spiced with vivid and bold colors. In your vacation you’ll encounter bold-colored walls, remarkable street paintings and even locals wearing colourful traditional outfits. Try to capture images that have amazing color contrast. For example make a flower vendor in Brazil pose against one of its yellow walls. Not only do you capture an ‘everyday Brazil image’ but with the color yellow you give vibrancy to the photo and the memory of a warm, sunny Brazilian adventure.
7. Check websites like Photosecrets.com
Find inspiration in the amazing photos check this website out. It gives tips on secret location that makes good photographs. If you travel often it’s also good to invest in a camera that suits your personality. If you want amazing photos but can’t be hassled by the heavy digital SLRs you can find point and shoot cameras like Canon and Leica’s that are slim yet pack a punch with wide angle lens features and fast speed burst modes.
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