Who doesn’t enjoy traveling and discovering new destinations? And when you have a camera to capture these moments, it becomes even more exciting! I won’t focus on the usual suggestions like planning your trip, capturing images during golden hour, or packing light. Instead, let’s dive into the creative side of travel photography. Here are five tips to help you return home with photos that not only look great but also share a captivating story about the places you visited.
Search for Unique Angles
When you’re at a well-known spot, resist the urge to take the same photo everyone else is snapping. It can feel repetitive, much like following a herd. Take a moment to explore and discover a fresh perspective that stands out. Consider the following:
Would adjusting my camera’s height lead to a more striking or dynamic shot?
Can I incorporate something in the foreground to add depth or context to my image?
I often stroll around to find unique perspectives. For me, this exploration is the most thrilling part of photography as it poses a creative challenge. During my visit to Charles Bridge in Prague, I encountered countless photographers capturing the same scene. I arrived just before dawn, and there were already several photographers stationed at identical heights with their tripods, waiting for the sun to rise enough to illuminate the buildings behind.
After capturing the standard scene, I wandered to the edges of the bridge. As the light improved, I noticed the tower’s lights still on, illuminating a beautiful ceiling. I had discovered my unique shot! I snapped it just before the lights went out—talk about good timing! Without the illumination, that image wouldn’t have been possible.
On another visit to the bridge, I employed a personal favorite technique when inspiration is running low—placing the camera on the ground for a fresh point of view. This time it worked, and I returned home with two distinct images from a typically crowded location. A fantastic outcome!
Become Part of the Scene
We often take photos from a distance, but immersing ourselves in the environment allows us to capture meaningful moments and create more engaging photos. By getting closer, we can add layers to our compositions and fill the frame with visual interest. Using a wide-angle lens, such as 28mm or 20mm, can help with this.
Document the Culture
The local climate and terrain influence what can be cultivated and produced, impacting the resources available for constructing buildings or making goods. These factors greatly shape the culture and way of life in a region.
A place’s culture reflects its essence, and the best way to capture that sense of place in your travel shots is to highlight its cultural identity. This can be seen in architecture, signage, cuisine, attire, local events, and traditions.
Elements such as textures in fabrics, colorful tiles, architectural hues, market spices, and local artisans all contribute to a locality’s cultural identity.
During a visit to a lesser-known area of Cuba, I observed that people were struggling in the tough economy and hot climate, prompting them to set up street stalls selling locally grown fruit. This entrepreneurial spirit was essential for survival and defined the local culture. For me, it became a photography project focusing on the street vendors’ daily lives, rather than typical tourist sights like stunning architecture or beach sunsets.
I mentioned the idea of a story. A narrative is crucial. Creating a cohesive set of images that tells a story holds much more impact than capturing a random assortment of pretty pictures.
Photograph Local People
While traveling, we often snap selfies and pictures of our companions, but I find it far more engaging to photograph the locals. They are what truly give a place its character. This overlaps with the previous tip about capturing culture, as people personify cultural identity. Moreover, including locals in your images adds relatability and interest.
When I find a fascinating restaurant, shop, or street vendor, I usually ask if I can include them in my shots. Most are happy to oblige!
If I’m about 12 feet away from someone, I always ask for permission first. I find it polite to inquire before photographing someone up close. If they are farther away or I’m using a longer lens, a quick candid shot works just fine.
This might be the most significant piece of advice in this article. Adding people to your travel photos—whether they’re posing or simply going about their daily routine—can elevate the image.
Many of us hesitate to approach strangers for a photo. It can be daunting at first, but stepping out of our comfort zones is key. People will likely respond positively or decline; that’s the simple truth. Here’s a tip: show genuine interest, engage them in conversation, and ask kindly—you’ll often find they’re open to being photographed.
Seek Out Contrasting Colors
Nothing captures the spirit of summer quite like vibrant colors. Summer spots burst with hues, from building facades to lively attire. Using bold colors can encapsulate the season’s energy. For impactful images, I focus on finding contrasting colors within a scene, typically featuring two colors that are opposite on the color wheel.
The most striking photos with contrasting colors tend to have a simple composition.
Utilize a Polarizing Filter
Bright sunlight can enhance colors, so take advantage of it. Employing a polarizing filter can amplify colors even more. Personally, I keep a polarizer on my lens year-round, especially in summer.
