Photographs are a great means of capturing a beautiful experience and remembering it for life. Images of different places we travel can hold details about different cultures, local art and other things which people might not have normally taken the time to notice.
Travel photography can be a hobby for some and a profession for others but it definitely requires time and devotion in order for improvement to take place. Here are some of the best rules you can follow in order to make sure the next photographs you take at your travels will be your best yet.
1. Always have your camera with you
Something that most people might not even consider is that wherever you go, you might be able to have the chance to capture a good image. When traveling abroad, everything around you is new and you might find inspiration where you least expect it.
Whether you decide to go for a walk around your new neighborhood or a simple trip to the local convenience store, there is always a chance you might come back only wishing you had brought your camera along.
In order to avoid this from happening, you should be prepared in advance and bring a camera along with you at all times. Even if you don’t get the best picture of your trip, you might still find a good chance or a reason to practice your skills around town.
2. Bring the right gear along
Preparing your gear in advance is the best way for you to make sure that you bring along everything you need. Depending on the place you will be visiting, you need to keep in mind that you might not only be capturing pictures of landscapes.
A big part of travel photography revolves around the locals, the architecture and even the local cuisine you will come to experience through your trip. Having packed different lenses, a tripod or a second camera might help you capture a unique image.
On the same note, you should also make sure that you are mindful of the weight of the equipment you decide to bring along. Having heavy equipment can slow you down and you might not have the time to change lenses or cameras if you are trying to capture certain images in different settings.
3. Implement the rule of thirds
A great way for you to make sure your images captivate the attention of those that view them is to implement the rule of thirds in your travel photography. This simple rule essentially requires you to split the image you are about to take in vertical and horizontal thirds as if you were seeing the image through a grid.
This will help you determine where each element of the picture should be placed. For example, if you are taking a picture in a field you should make sure that the image consists of equal amounts of the sky and the field.
The rule of thirds will help you keep a balance of the different elements in your photographs and help you choose the right angles and positions for your upcoming travel photographs.
4. Do research about the place you are visiting
Another important aspect of travel photography is visiting a new place with certain expectations. Each country and each city have different things to show to their visitors and by doing some research before visiting, you will be able to locate certain artifacts and local attractions you might not have been able to find by asking others when you’re already there.
This will also give you a much better idea of the images you wish to capture during your stay. If you wish to photograph certain artifacts and monuments you will potentially have to make time for only those. If you wish to capture a more intimate side of the place you are visiting, you will have to do some exploring on your own.
In either case, your previous research will serve your photography goals and help you have a clearer image of the expectations you can have for your travels.
5. Connect with the locals
Taking pictures of the local people is something many photographers enjoy doing but many feel insecure about approaching someone they have never met before. Apart from making someone feel uncomfortable by asking to take their picture, you might come across communication issues or cultural barriers you might not be able to understand right away.
Being polite and showing interest in the person or a certain aspect of the culture might be all you need in order to connect with a local. Even if verbal communication is a problem, you can always show them some of your pictures and help them understand your purpose of visiting.
If you do end up needing some help with communicating with certain locals you will come in contact with frequently on your trip, you can always use a translation service in order to make sure you are able to express your intentions clearly.
Finding your own style of photography
Each photographer holds their own style which can be very visible through their work. Whether you enjoy taking pictures of nature or of local people when you travel, you should continue working on your passion and enjoying every picture you capture during your explorations.
Travel photography can offer you the opportunity to visit new places, learn about different cultures and experience new countries in a very intimate and respectful way. These tips will only help you improve your skills and find new ways of making your travel photographs even more personal.