Photos are great reminders of the places you have been to or the people you met during the journey. These travel photos will be with you for the rest of your life – whether on your laptop, phone, on a frame, or the wall as part of interior design.
Whether you are using your smartphone, a DSLR, or a point-and-shoot camera, the tips in this article will guide you in creating better images that you will love and remember for a long time.
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Be as close as you are to your subject
Expert photographers often say, “If your photos are not good, it means you are not close enough.” In a literal sense, the closer you are to your subject, the more interest, detail, and depth you can capture in each image.
There are two ways to do this, and both methods are equally effective and valid. One is to zoom in on your subject by using the telephoto feature on most cameras (smartphones, included). In this age of bigger lenses, zooming in on your subject has mostly resulted in many compelling images.
The other method is by literally using your legs to walk closer to your subject. While some may not be comfortable with this, the viewer will be grateful for this simple effort, as the human eye appreciates more when a certain image is taken up close.
Know the location of the sun
Knowing where the sun is and putting your subject in the best light possible is the simplest and easiest way to create stunning travel photos. If you want the image of an old architectural bench to shine like in the brochures, take the photo when the sun casts its ray on it. To let your subject’s face shine, turn them around to where the sun is shining to have that natural light reflection on their faces. Also, if you want to capture the gleaming light on the ocean, take the shot when the sun is low over the horizon to bounce off the waves.
Sunrise and sunset are the best times
To get the best landscapes, stay up late or wake up early. The golden hour – that moment shortly after sunrise or before sunset – is the perfect hour to capture stunning images. Shooting during this hour will result in images that have more impact, softer lights, and longer shadow effects.
Shooting during this hour also means fewer crowds, giving you a unique vantage point to capture beautiful landscape photos. Silhouettes that are taken during sunset also create a more dramatic effect. Sunsets with clouds provide interesting uniqueness and patterns from the colours of the rising or setting sun.
Do your research and know what time the sun rises or sets to help you plan your day. You can scout for places to be about at least one hour before sunset or sunrise to ensure that you capture the best light and the changing colours of the sky.
You don’t have to be a professional photographer or own a high-end smartphone to take stunning travel photos. You can create high-definition images, even with an old camera. Taking travel photos does not have to be complicated; it just takes time and proper knowledge.
If you are looking for travel photography workshops in London, get in touch with us to see how we can help.