8 tips for taking better holiday photos
Betsy Goldberg writes for Virtuoso Luxury Traveller, the blog of a global luxury travel network, and she enjoys nothing more than taking a holiday.
A whopping 93 per cent of travellers take photos as keepsakes of their vacation sights and experiences, according to the U.S. Travel Association. The association, however, doesn’t offer any statistics on how many of those travellers could use help polishing their techniques for capturing vacation photos.
If you’re thinking ahead to your next journey, read on for eight easy ways to take great-looking vacation photos.
Tip 1: Think about lighting
Use a flash outdoors if your subject is in shadow – even on sunny days. Shoot with the sun behind you instead of the subject. Cloudy days or shade can provide flattering lighting. And remember the magic hour of early or late in the day when the light is golden. It will make your vacation photos look stunning.
Tip 2: Look for close-up opportunities
Fill the picture area with the subject. It’ll make for a more dramatic, interesting photo with details that aren’t visible with a wider shot.
Tip 3: Move your subject to one side
Fight the natural impulse to centre the subject. Centring the subject may mean the background gets minimized or even lost. Positioning your subject to one side brings out the complete setting and provides more visual interest.
Tip 4: Find an unusual angle
Shooting a photo of your three-year-old? Crouch down to his level. Want a birds’-eye view? Raise yourself and your camera higher. This technique enhances interest by providing a view that most people (who tend to see things at eye level) may miss.
Tip 5: Frame the image
Shoot your subject through an object such as a window or doorway. Even objects as diverse as ancient ruins or an abstract sculpture can offer on-the-spot ways to frame and emphasize your subject.
Tip 6: Keep it simple
Too many elements in a photo distract the viewer and create a messy shot. Pick out just a few elements – or even one – and fill your shot with those.
Tip 7: Look for colour
Colour livens up a picture and opportunities to snap vacation photos full of it abound. Think of fruits and vegetables at a local market, or bright flowers in a green field.
Tip 8: Use black and white
Conversely, try using black and white only. It will heighten the drama, emotion and contrast.
Interested in flexing your photographic muscle? Book a trip that provides great opportunities for stunning vacation photos. At virtuoso.com, you’ll find photo tours and on-location workshops for a range of destinations. Just search for ‘photo’ and ‘photography.’ You’ll also find advisors with an interest in photography who can help plan your next trip.
Do you have a favourite travel photograph?
Let us know in the comments.
First appeared on Virtuoso Luxury Traveller. Click here to visit its website for more information.
Related links:
10 of the best travel photos from 2016 so far
10 best National Geographic’s travel photos of the year
7 reasons to become a travel blogger