6 Tips for Better Travel Photos
As travel becomes more accessible, travel photography continues to grow in popularity. Yet many underestimate the depth and challenges associated with this unassuming genre. We asked the experts at SLR Lounge to share the tips you need to take better travel photos.
Today’s best travel photographers are also proficient travelers. They navigate locations and cultures as nimbly and skillfully as they do their cameras. From portraits to landscapes and beyond, these six tips will make you a better photographer—and a better traveler.
Tip 1: Research Your Destination
When visiting a destination for the first time, get the lay of the land online. It may seem obvious, but no two cultures are exactly alike and many will be very different than your own. Read up on the area to familiarize yourself with the customs and rules, especially about photography. Do the locals frown upon strangers photographing them? Is it downright illegal to take photos of the local sites—or at all?
Once you know the ground rules, you can boost your creativity. Search Google Images, Instagram, and Pinterest to see how others have captured the location. If you notice a popular image appearing again and again, start thinking about how you’ll shoot that same location in a different way.
Tip 2: Join a Traveling Group or Take a Predesigned Tour
Leave the itineraries and daily schedules to the travel pros. The more you rely on the expertise of a tour guide, the more you can focus on capturing incredible photos.
Photography-centric group travel will allow you exclusive access to a destination. These tours include local experts and technical guidance from experienced travel photographers. Check out the upcoming photography trips on Atlas Obscura.
Tip 3: Pack Accordingly for Your Shoot
This goes beyond general travel regulations and carry-on limitations. Will you be walking a lot, or will you remain stationary in a few locations? Will you be shooting during the day or at night? Inside or outside? The answer to each of these questions is a different type and amount of gear.
For example, to photograph desert sculptures in Borrego Springs by night, you’ll need a tripod and spare batteries. Capturing several long exposures for nightscape photography can quickly consume your battery power. When shooting the Avenue of Baobabs in Madagascar during the day, take a wide-angle lens, such as a 20mm prime or a 16-35mm zoom, to photograph the epic landscape. And don't forget to bring a telephoto lens to photograph the lemurs. Any 70-300mm or 100-400mm lens will give you a great value. Whatever the case, be prepared to take the appropriate gear for a given destination.
Tip 4: Maximize Dynamic Range
Wherever you travel, shoot in RAW and maximize your dynamic range. Dynamic range is the range from the brightest (highlights) to the darkest (shadows) visible area of an image. The more shadows and highlights you capture, the more detailed your image will be. This also gives you more flexibility when editing your images.
Tip 5: Learn the Rules of Composition
Whether you’re capturing something ordinary or extraordinary, remember to follow the rules of composition.
Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds divides an image evenly into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. The idea is to place the subject or focal point of your image along one of the lines, preferably where two lines intersect.
Another way to use the rule of thirds in travel photography is to place the horizon along one of the horizontal lines.
Natural Frames
Look for a frame within your scene. It can be a window or doorway, or an overhanging branch from a tree. Place your subjects within a frame to enhance the visual aesthetic of your photo and further draw focus to the subject.
Negative Space
Negative space, also known as white space, is the space around and between the subject. More negative, or open space, means fewer distracting elements to take the focus off your subject.
Leading Lines
As the name implies, leading lines lead the eye through a scene and give depth to an image. Common lines include roads, fences, buildings, rivers, and shorelines. They can, for example, connect the foreground to the background, or draw attention to a subject.
Before you set up a shot, scout the scene for these lines. Some are obvious while others are hiding in plain sight. You may need to spend time searching for the best perspective, but leading lines are sure to enhance your travel photos.
Perfect Symmetry
Look for examples of perfect symmetry to enhance the visual appeal of your travel photos. In urban settings, look for symmetrical design in vertical architecture. Besides balancing your composition, it highlights a building’s shape, size, and design.
Combine Two or More of the “Rules” Above
Challenge yourself to go beyond the basics and combine two or more rules in a single image. The rules help create strong images, so combining them creates even stronger images.
Tip 6: Incorporate Local People or Animals
You can find photos of famous landmarks from every angle imaginable. Adding people or animals to the mix can make a photo dynamic and unrepeatable. The subjects can also add a story to the image and bring it to life.
Ready to hone your skills? SLR Lounge's photography workshops will teach you everything you need to know before your trip. Whether you're traveling to the far corners of the world or somewhere closer to home, make sure you return with enduring, once-in-a-lifetime images.
By Nick Papa
I’m the editor of the Atlas Obscura trips blog. I talk to our trip leaders, travelers, and friends in the industry about how they explore the world’s wondrous places.
