Secrets to Taking Amazing Travel Photos
So are you a globetrotter or a road-tripper? Doesn’t really matter. We’re pretty sure that no matter where your travels take you, or how you get there, you’re gonna want pictures to go along with them. Travel photos are an amazing way to document your journey and share your adventure with others. Maybe you’ll also inspire them to travel a little more.
But just any old photo won’t do. What’s the point of climbing a mountain if the photo you take up top comes out black? Or what if that dolphin that jumped out of the water to say hi is nothing but a big blur? If you want to inspire others, or yourself, you need great pictures to do it. The more photos you take, the more memories you’ll have to look back on.
Keep track of all your adventures with your Newverest map, and make sure you never forget the places you’ve been. You don’t have to wait for an adventure to end before you start planning a new one either. The entire world is open to you, where will it take you next? Let us know where you end up, and definitely send us some pictures.
Check out these Secrets To Taking Amazing Travel Photos.
Composition: Rule of Thirds
Ever hear of the Rule of Thirds? It’s all about composition. You know, where you place things in a picture. Basically, the Rule of Thirds says that you should divide every photo you take into thirds horizontally and vertically. Your picture’s main focus should sit at the intersection of those lines, or right along one of them. It might sound tricky at first, but the more you practice it, the easier it gets. And you’re pretty much guaranteed to walk away with a great picture every time.
Research Isn’t Boring
When you’re excited to visit a new location, it’s easy to forget to do your research. But putting in a little time now can save you a lot of time later, and probably several headaches to go with it. If you already have a destination in mind, then look it up before you go. Knowing what to expect when you arrive can set your mind spinning with photography ideas before you even get there. When you arrive, you won’t be taken aback by the sights, you’ll already know where to point the camera.
Contrast: Light vs Dark
Imagine taking a picture of a person dressed head to toe in white against a white background. What do you get? A monotone picture that’s boring to look at and probably difficult to focus on. If it’s all the same color, just what should we be looking at? Our eyes want us to point them in one direction or another. Now take that same person dressed in white and stick them against an all-black background. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the person. Think about contrast when you’re taking pictures and use it to your advantage.
Don’t Pass Up the Locals
On vacations, your immediate inclination is probably to get pictures of all the tourist hotspots and squeeze your friends and family in. Or maybe you’ll do the selfie thing and squeeze yourself in. But don’t pass up the locals. Seriously. Local people can convey a lot about a place with just one picture. Are the streets dirty or clean? Busy or isolated? Are the people who live here happy? So many things can be gleaned from locals that you’ll never get if you only stick with touristy photos. Take a look around before you leave and snap a few pictures of the locals. You won’t regret it.
Get Weird With It
Who says pictures can only be shot from the front? Or behind? Try taking pictures when you’re pointing your camera straight down, or crouch low and point it straight up. The point is to find a new approach. Not every angle has to be the same. Forget shooting things head-on and climb a tree, or lay flat on your back and see how the viewpoint changes. There are a million ways to get different kinds of angles for your pictures, use them all.
Slow and Steady Wins The Race
The last thing you want to do when taking a picture is a rush. Your photos will end up blurry and your composition will be messy. Take your time with things. First, decide what it is you want to shoot. Then set up your camera to ensure the perfect shot. You don’t need a tripod to hold things steady, just use whatever’s around you. That means walls, garbage cans, chairs, tabletops… there are so many easy options. Pick the one that’s most convenient and will give you the angle you need.
A Matter of Perspective
You know how when you stand next to a mountain you look really small, and the mountain looks really big? That’s called perspective, and you need it in your photos. It doesn’t really matter what you’re shooting, it could be a skyscraper or a bird. Just make sure there’s something else in the shot that can give you that perspective you need. If that bird is ten times the size of your hand, the wow factor will be obvious. If it’s as small as a penny, the wow factor will be just as clear and just as stunning. Keep that in mind.
Always Be Ready
Whether you’re hunting down everything in your guidebook or just taking a stroll through the local market, you should be ready to snap some pictures. That means get your phone or camera ready before you go. Make sure the battery is fully charged and any lenses you might need are at your fingertips. Keep cleaning cloths in your pockets, and maybe even some spray cleaner, especially if you’re using a camera. The moment you see something worthy of a picture, take it. Don’t stop to think, just do it fast before the moment passes and you lose it forever.
All right, now that you know how to get the perfect pictures, go out and take some. We can’t wait to see what you come back with. Pictures are an amazing way to document the journeys you take through life and keep those memories alive forever. Add in a Newverest travel map along with your photos, and you’ll have a personalized travelogue that will last you forever.
