10 Tips for Shooting Amazing Travel Photography
Hey, there, fellow adventurers! Shooting travel photography can be tricky. You want to get the perfect shot of that breathtaking sunset over the ocean, but somehow all you end up with is a bunch of blurry pictures of the sand. Or, you want to capture the feeling of wanderlust as you’re strolling through an old European city, but all your photos make it look like you’re just taking a walk in your neighborhood back home.
If you love traveling and photography, it’s only natural to combine the two. Travel photography is a favorite genre because it allows one to capture the spirit of a place and the people who live there.
Before you even start packing your bags, I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks for how to take amazing travel photos. If you want to step up your travel photography game, read on ten excellent tips by Dan Doyle, Pleasantville photographer.
1. Get Up Early
One of the best pieces of advice for taking amazing travel photos is to get up early. This is especially true if you’re traveling to a city. A lot of times, the streets will be empty in the early morning hours, and you’ll be able to get shots without worrying about crowds of people getting in the way.
2. Find the Right Light
Good lighting makes all the difference when it comes to photography. If you’re shooting outdoors, try to avoid direct sunlight, which can wash out your photos. Instead, look for softer light in the shade or during golden hour (the hour before sunset).
3. Use a Tripod
A tripod is one of the most important pieces of equipment for any photographer, but it’s especially helpful when traveling. A tripod will help you keep your camera steady when shooting in low light or in precarious situations. It also frees up your hands to experiment with things like long exposures and light painting.
4. Shoot in RAW
If you want to have ultimate control over your travel photos, make sure to shoot in RAW format. RAW files are larger than JPEGs, but they give you much more flexibility when editing because your camera hasn’t compressed them.
5. Experiment with Angles
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different angles and perspectives when taking travel photos. Climb up on things, shoot from below, or even lie down on the ground if it means getting a good shot. The best photographs are often those that are taken from unexpected angles.
6. Take Your Time
One of the great things about travel photography is that you don’t have to worry about getting shots quickly; you can take your time and really capture the essence of a place. So slow down, roam around, and wait for that perfect moment to snap a photo.
7. Edit Intentionally
Editing is an important part of any photographer’s workflow, but it’s especially important when shooting travel photos. That’s because there are often distractions in the background that you’ll want to remove in post-processing. So take some time to learn how to use editing software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop and experiment with different ways to improve your travel photos.
8. Invest in Some Good Equipment
If you want to take your travel photography to the next level, consider investing in better equipment. A DSLR camera will give you much more control over your shots than a point-and-shoot or smartphone. And if you can afford it, splurge on a few nice lenses too. They’ll make a big difference in the quality of your photos.
9. Hire a Local Guide
Hiring a local guide is a great option if you want to get off the beaten path and experience a place. They’ll be able to take you to all the best spots for photos, away from the tourist traps. And they’ll also be able to give you insights into the culture that you wouldn’t get if you were exploring on your own.
10. Get a Drone
Drones are becoming increasingly popular with photographers, and for good reason. They give you the ability to capture stunning aerial shots that would otherwise be impossible to get. If you’re interested in taking travel photography to new heights, definitely consider buying a drone.
Final Thoughts
Travel photography is many people’s favorite type of photography because it allows you to capture the beauty of a place and your personal experience of it. If you’re interested in taking better travel photos, hopefully, these tips will help you out. And as always, practice makes perfect—so get out there and start shooting.
These are just a few tips to help you take amazing travel photos. But ultimately, the best way to improve your photography is to practice as much as possible. So get out there and start exploring the world with your camera!
