How to Become a Better Travel Photographer
Those stunning pictures in travel brochures don’t just happen by themselves. Every photo of the Taj Mahal or of penguins on ice floes in the Antarctic or lions in the Serengeti was taken by a travel photographer. The stunning images of stucco cottages washed with sunset fire or the close-up of a clownfish with streaks of watery sunlight filtering through the water aren’t just lucky shots. They were taken by a professional travel photographer, wildlife photographer or underwater photographer who spent the time and expended the effort to set up that shot precisely and perfectly.
Whether you’re a professional travel photographer or a hobbyist who wants to take travel photographs that rival the pros, these simple tips can help you take photos you and others will enjoy and appreciate for years.
Do Your Research Before You Travel
The popular image of the travel photographer probably doesn’t include hours of research, but research is an important part of getting the best photographs. Spend some time checking out the work of other travel photographers who have visited the site to which you’re traveling. Their best photos will serve as both inspiration and caution, and can help you start planning the photos you want to take.
Also, take some time to research the local culture, laws and customs. Learn the best ways to ask permission to photograph people and their belongings, and be aware of any laws you may inadvertently violate. The last thing you want is to spend part of your vacation in a foreign jail because your camera violated security protocols.
Set Aside Time Just for Photography
That’s not to say you shouldn’t carry your camera with you always, or that you should avoid taking photos outside your “appointed time.” If you’re traveling with family or friends on vacation, though, you really should put aside some time to get away and concentrate just on taking photographs. Without distractions, you’ll be free to wander and look for interesting compositions and photographic subjects.
For best results – both photographic and social – try to schedule your photography time in the early morning or late afternoon. The more diffuse light is better for photographs – and you’re not as likely to have to fight crowds around popular tourist attractions during their off hours. Any photographer or artist will tell you that the best light is generally in the hour or so after the sun rises and before the sun sets.
Use Colors to Help Shape Composition
Color can bring a photograph together in a way that few other things can. Photos that are crowded with many colors and shapes are confusing to the eye. Simplify your focus. Concentrate on isolating one or two colors and frame your photo around them for a dramatic effect.
Plan Ahead
One strategy for great travel photography is to keep your eye out for interesting things to photograph when you’re out and about with friends and family, then return in the evening or early morning to capture the image in the best light. At the same time, be ready for anything. A suddenly darkened sky can cast dramatic shadows and show landscapes from a completely different perspective. Keep your camera ready to capture unexpected changes in light and movement.
Try a Different Perspective
When photographing well-known landmarks, a good travel photographer will strive to get a unique perspective. There are tens of thousands of photographs of the Roman Coliseum, for example, and most of them are nearly indistinguishable from each other. Look for different angles, unusual lighting effects or small details that other photographers may have considered uninteresting.
Becoming a better travel photographer is its own reward. You’ll have a portfolio of stunning, unique photos to enjoy and show off to others. If you want to expand your skills as a specialty photographer, take the time to explore the work of others. Spending time with the works of a well-known wildlife photographer or underwater photographer can help you see possibilities you never imagined before.
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the world’s MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.
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