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Taking photos during your travels is a great way to capture the feeling of a place and remember the people and things that stood out to you during your trip.
In the past I was a picture taking fiend on our travels, but my shots were not well composed or really very nice to look back at, especially for family and friends I wanted to share them with.
Over the years I’ve used many different cameras, but it turns out that the camera isn’t the most important part of photography. How you compose your shots and interact with your subject goes a lot farther in taking good pictures.
I have tried to hone my photography skills over the years by learning tips from websites such as dps.com and by talking to professional photographers we’ve met during our travels who are always willing to share a tip or two.
No matter what kind of camera you have, you can use these five simple travel photography tips to better compose your shots and improve your travel photos.
1. Follow the rule of thirds
If your camera has a feature that makes a grid, turn it on, at least until you master this tip. Putting the subject of your photo on the grid line intersections will create more interest than placing it in the center of the photo. Lining up the horizon with either the top or bottom horizontal line will also add more interest.
Placing the boat at a grid line intersection and lining up the horizon with the bottom horizontal line creates a more visually appealing image. Otres Beach, Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
2. Where is the light?
Be sure your subject is not backlit, meaning the light source is not behind it. Backlit subjects will appear as shadowy figures and you will lose a lot of the details of what you are shooting. Conversely this can work to your advantage if you are trying to capture an interesting silhouette.
Catching the morning light on a face at Bayon Temple. Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Using the back light to capture the silhouette of a motorbike driver smoking at sunset. Sras Srong Lake, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
3. Groups of three
Taking pictures of groups of three is visually interesting to the human eye. When possible, try to get a group of three things or people in your shot.
Three bowls sitting on a ledge at a temple. Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
4. Don’t fear taking pictures of people
I, like many people, have a fear of taking pictures of people. I don’t want to come across as impolite or intrusive. But pictures of people are almost always my favorites from our travels. Over time I’ve learned how to get over my fear and be respectful at the same time. One way is to take photos of people from a distance using your zoom. This works especially well if you are trying to get a more candid shot. Another option is to ask the person you would like to take the photo of if it’s okay with them first. You can do this by miming and smiling nicely, or better yet by learning to say “May I take a picture?” in the local language. At all times, follow the golden rule and “treat other people the way you would want to be treated.”
This lovely monk was sitting outside a temple. When I asked her if I could take her picture in Khmer, she happily obliged. Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
5. Set up the shot you want
Try to visualize the picture you want to take, and then create the set up to make it happen. Maybe a boat is coming from far off and you want to frame it in a certain way. Perhaps you find a particularly cool background and all you need is a subject to walk in front of your “canvas”. Think about setting up and creating the shots you want, rather than just shooting what’s right in front of you. (This photo is kind of blurry, but you get the idea.)
Spotting monks walking my way off in the distance, I waited in front of this bright yellow wall for them to walk by. Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
I am not good with cameras and my pictures don’t come out as something other people would like looking at. Yet, for me, each of the old pictures I dig through, there is a memory re-visited, a story re-told, a sensation re-lived. One of these days, I would enroll in a professional photography course to get the technique right!
We absolutely agree that photos are the best souvenirs to bring back memories! Thanks for your comment 🙂
Always good to be reminded of the basics. Still the best tips.
Read your Camera Manual!! It has a wealth of information and is the first thing you have to familiarise yourself with, I still read mine all the time xx
Definitely this is something I struggle with. I don’t think I have a good eye for photography. I have to really work at it and take dozens of shots to get one that looks great. You’ve given some great tips here.
Practice, practice, practice! I’ve heard that even the pros take loads of pictures and only choose a few winners from the bunch. So you’re doing great!
Great tips! I definitely agree that it is more than just the camera, everyone should learn how to work with it and practice whenever they can. It can be easier to point and shoot but if you want specific details, then it is important to have patience and take the time to do different settings/ angles to get the pictures you want. I have my go pro which I am still learning more and more as I use it to get the videos and pictures I need.
The Go Pro is the next camera we want to get! How are you liking it?
Very helpful posts! I love photography and I’m one of those traveller who are glued to their camera because I want to capture everything 🙂
That brings me to another tip, which helped me a lot: Practice as much as you can!
In the beginning, I read a lot of books and websites about photography, but in the end I’m still learning a lot by just doing it.
That’s a great tip! Carrying your camera around everywhere is a great way to get in practice whenever possible. Thanks Tatiana 😀
Great tips! Nothing is worse than getting back from a day taking photos and realizing that the shots you took didn’t turn out well. Practice, practice, practice!
Thanks Jen! So true. I have so many instances of that from my early days of travel. It’s worth making the effort to improve your photography skills, even just a little!
Thanks for the tips, I already use the rule of thirds a lot but had to be reminded of the other ones. Also – what I like to do is go out when the sun is about to set, everything is so much better in that specific light, rather than when the sun is high on the horizon!
That’s a great tip Antonette! The early morning and late afternoon golden hours are some of the best light you can get all day.
Great photography tips. I have learned to be patient and wait for the shot I like. When I see a good back ground , I stay there awhile to either wait for a clean shot or a good shot ☺
That’s a great strategy! It’s so fun to create your own canvas and then shoot the world passing by it 😀
Great tips! Rule of thirds is a great one that more people should abide by! Also the silhouettes. Love them.
Thanks Karilyn! Rule of thirds changed my life!
I’ve been a fan of the rule of thirds since I started with photography. Another tip is, “the beauty is in the details” so find the most interesting detail about your subject and focus on that one. 🙂
Great tips! Love the silhouette photo! So stunning.
Thank you Anna! I like that one too, especially the glowing cigarette.
These are brilliant tips! The rule of thirds, and groups of three are something I am going to apply in the future!
Thanks Dave! Glad you found them useful 🙂 Cheers!