6 Travel Photography Tips

Open most travel albums, and chances are you’ll find that the majority of photos merely tell the story, “I have been here.” With every turn of the page, you will be greeted by the sight of the same stances, smiles, and composition.

However, with just small changes to photo-taking routines, you could create results that are far more interesting and which may stand out from the usual holiday albums you see.

Off-Centre Subject

Much has been said against dead-centre subjects. Instead, recompose with off-centre focal points to give photos an artistic feel.

The rule of third makes photos interesting

Non Eye-Level Photos

Want to go from good to great? Be an active outdoor photographer by stooping or climbing, and angle lens skywards or ground-wards to get a different perspective. It helps compose unique photos, which tell the story from different angles.

Look for interesting angles

Acting

Sometimes you’ll see funny road names and signs that just beg to be spoofed, so don’t waste the opportunity. Or get local by doing the wai (beside a wai-posing Ronald McDonald) in Thailand, or the shaka in Hawaii. What’s more, if you can pull off a suave Fred Astaire pose on a normal street, you not only show a sense of humour, you’re also conveying you are having a great time on your vacation.

Runway

Mix casualness with style. Add a bit of glamour to your photos by remembering that models don’t always smile and look directly at the camera for those cool, publication-worthy shots. This technique may need practice, learning and a whole lot of thick skin to perfect especially in tourist-crowded areas.

Candid

NatGeo-like, candid shots are not just reserved for birthdays and weddings. The secret to achieving them? Just refrain from saying ‘Cheese’, snap away with the camera, but be prepared to suffer the delight / ire of family members upon your return.

Side-Profile

Imagine this - your son is standing in awe before a museum case. By snapping a side-profile, you get both your son and the artifact in one shot. It’s an interesting way to present itinerary stops in a different light.

Holidays can be not just fun, but a chance to flex your creative muscles. For instance, if you like movies, why not create a video album of your trip? Simply capture short reels of video as you travel. Once you can return home, you can compile them to create an impressive home movie to show your guests, colleagues and relatives. Bring your holidays to life and let everyone share in the amazing sights and scenes you experienced first-hand.