We all bring back fantastic memories of our holidays – the landscapes, the people, the experiences – and it’s natural to want to capture those memories on camera. However, it can be disappointing to find that the images we bring home with us just don’t do our holiday destinations justice. You don’t have to be a professional photographer or even own expensive equipment to get great holiday and travel photos; you just need to follow a few simple rules.
Shoot when the light’s right
We all love sunny days on holiday – the more sun to soak up, the better. However, if you look at the best landscape and travel photos out there, they’re not shot in the mid-day sun. Why’s that? Its simple – the mid-day sun is white, brittle and flat, which doesn’t make for a great photo.
Early morning or evening sun tends to be warmer in tone and richer in feel, allowing colours to really shine through. Not only that, if you catch the sunrise or sunset, you’ll capture stunning colours which just aren’t available at any other time of day – getting a more individual and much more engaging shot.
Flashguns in the sun? Are you crazy?
It might sound like madness, but using a flash in the brightest time of the day can be the best thing you ever do to your travel photos – particularly when taking shots of people. When the sun is overhead, you’ll often get unflattering vertical shadows on people’s faces – or if they’re wearing a hat with a brim, their face will often be completely in shadow. By using a ‘fill-in’ flash, you’ll soften those hard shadows and access detail not normally visible during the harsh mid-day sun – and create much better photos to boot.
Landscapes – always have a point to your story
You can get great landscape images on camera, and it’s fairly simple to do so – by making sure you have one strong focal point on your image which adds interest and depth. Whether that’s a tree or building in the foreground, or a road that curves intriguingly through the vista, that’s up to you. The simple rule is to use a focal point to give your landscape shots perspective, depth and focus, and you’re onto a winner.
Let’s face it – a flat horizon with no depth and no focal point isn’t going to win any prizes – so take time to compose your shots well. In addition, if you have a DSLR, using a wide angle lens will help to capture more of the vista and give your landscape image added drama – so if you’re into landscapes, stock up on one before you go.
Taking pictures of the locals – use tact and diplomacy
Sometimes, the best travel images are those of the local people – adding a personal touch to your pictures and capturing what the locality and culture is really about. However, bear in mind that whilst these people may make great shots, they may not appreciate being the subject of your travel shoot.
Make it a policy to ask before taking photos of individuals (if you don’t speak the native language, gently waving your camera tends to get the message across) and be prepared that many locals in developing countries may expect payment for having their photo taken, so keep change in your pockets. Above all, be unobtrusive, quick and polite – and if someone refuses, take it with good grace and don’t press the issue.
The Golden Rule – always have your camera to hand
The best travel photography is often about the unplanned and spontaneous moment – which is why you should never be without a camera to hand. If you’re rocking a heavy DSLR, this might not always be possible, particularly when you’re about in the evenings, so it’s wise to invest in a good quality digital camera which you can pop in your pocket to accompany you wherever you go.
They’re particularly good for unobtrusive street or documentary photography, too. So, even if your first love is your DSLR, make a space in your heart for your pocket sized digital rocket – you’ll be thankful of it when you have the opportunity to capture that once-in-a-lifetime occurrences which move your travel photography from the mundane to the marvellous.
About Belinda McCarthy
Belinda McCarthy is an art, lifestyle & event photographer based in Somerset & working throughout the South West of England. Her travels with her camera have taken her from the wilds of Yorkshire to the skylines of Cuba. Belinda’s work has been featured in the Tate Modern in London, and she is available for private and commercial commissions.
Photograph Credit: Belinda McCarthy
Good tips. If you have a good zoom you can often take photos of people unobtrusively so you don’t have to ask. Often this is better if you are after a less posed shot.
awesome website. I’m so happy I stumbled here through google, Gonna definitely need to add this one to the morning routine
Personally, I think that paying locals for photos does more harm than good in the long run, it just instills a sense of entitlement in them. So unless it’s a purpose-made paid photo-op, like someone in their full native gear putting on a show for photographers, I don’t pay.
Mmm good comment Anna. I would never think of paying someone for being part of a photograph, when they are in the general public.