5 Tips for Better Travel Photos
Ubehebe Crater - Death Valley
I’ve travelled far from home many times and had great experiences, capturing many photos I adore today. However, there have been destinations I have travelled to where I did not get any photos that I considered very good or ones worth sharing. Some steps can be taken to get the best out of travel and what photos we come home with, and this post will look at five tips that can help you capture better travel photos.
1. Do Some Research
An element of the unknown makes arriving at a destination exciting. Keeping plans and bookings to a minimum before arriving can have its benefits. However, doing a fair amount of research on your destination can be a good option. It can make or break your trip, especially if you have limited time there. Today, there are plenty of resources online for your destination of choice, or if desired, you can pick up travel books such as the ones from Lonely Planet to complement your trip.
Know the most popular spots in your destination. Iconic landmarks and tourist draws are popular for a reason, and you should visit these spots, especially if this is your first time there. Take some time to enjoy the experience first, as there could be the urge to photograph immediately and do so from the known “best” spots. This leads me to:
2. Change Your View
Any time on travel-related accounts on Instagram or a quick Google search will reveal the most popular draws for visitors to a city. Most times, these locations are photographed from a few select spots that, honestly, look great. There is nothing wrong with getting your version of this photo. Being there is part of the enjoyment and fulfillment of travel, but you will want to explore different ways to capture this location. Fortunately, doing so can also come with the benefit of avoiding crowds of people who are trying to capture that standard viewpoint.
3. Check the Weather
What time of year are you travelling? What is the average temperature during this time? What is the weather forecast for the time you will be there? Weather is unpredictable, but you can get a good idea of what you will be subject to when you arrive, and being prepared for those situations makes a big difference. It can alter plans completely and change how and what gear you use; you don’t want to do this when you get there if you can avoid it. Some places are more predictable than others, and people travel during times of the year for that reason. Check the weather close to departure and prepare as best you can.
4. Be Ready
This tip relates to your camera and the gear you choose to bring with you. Many cameras can be customized to function easier for the user. That could be adding or removing things from menus, turning off touch screens, or assigning certain buttons to your most used functions. If you haven’t had time to familiarize yourself with your camera, you will not know what you want to change and what will work best for you. Once your camera is set up to your liking, you can switch settings on the fly without worrying about how to do so. I’ve moved a few options around on the cameras I have used, including having easy button access to various settings. I find quickly accessing ISO settings, shutter speed, and AE and AF lock the most beneficial.
5. Take More
There are many times when I am out photographing travels and get to an area or a scene that seems fantastic. The light and weather are excellent, and numerous subjects exist. I capture some photos and think, maybe I have what I want. I better wait; that perfect moment is coming. I can feel it. That’s it, I got the photo! I’m so excited. I review the pictures on my camera screen, flipping through this series of images. They look great! I can’t wait to get to my computer to view this on a monitor and look at the details and what I think works. I import my photos into Lightroom and quickly navigate the filmstrip to get to this series. I look at each one, skip to the next, and hope the next in the series will be the one. And then I realized that these photos are not great. They may not even be good. Why did I think these would be great?
It’s important not to rely on a quick preview on your camera screen as it may not be a fair representation of the final photo and how you will feel about it. If you are excited about what is in front of you and have the time, take more. Although that perfect shot may be the one you already have, having additional variations of that photo is beneficial.
Summary
Knowing the most exciting places for your destination and the expected weather is essential. This can be completed using numerous methods, including online and physical books. But prepping for the travel is only part of it. To maximize your time and satisfaction with your results, be sure to use familiar equipment and set it up so that you can access features and change them as quickly as possible.