In this age when cameras are so easily available, every traveler should have one for capturing the precious moments of their journeys. These images will not only remind you of the fun times but will become those small personal details that turn a house into a home, if you believe the words of The Atlantic’s editor Julie Beck. And if you use some basic photography tips and get lots of practice during travels, your works might even make it to the Photo of the Day at National Geographic. If that’s your goal, you’ll need to get very well acquainted with your camera, develop a smart itinerary for the trip, and master the art of composition.Four of my best tips for taking photos while traveling.In this article, you will find a list of Photography Tips for a Traveler.
4 Basic Photography Tips for Beginners with a Passion for Travel
1. Learn your camera first
Despite their technical characteristics being similar, every camera out there has its own ‘character’. That’s why if you want to take good photographs, you need to know all the peculiarities of your own tool.
Learning your camera also means understanding all its functions. You’ll need to try out each and research them in detail to understand how to use the gadget to its full capacity. This means that you should take your time getting acquainted with the device before you set out on a journey to take photos. Be sure to buy your camera at least a month in advance and set aside an hour or two in your daily schedule for mastering it.
2. Plan your itinerary with photo shoots in mind
Unlike a professional photographer in a studio, you won’t be able to adjust the lights when taking pictures outdoors. This means you need to plan your shoots to catch the best natural light if you want pictures that will look stunning and professional in your travel photo book.
Research basic photography tips from professionals to learn about the pros and cons of natural light depending on the time of day. Then plan your trip so you’ll have the best times of the day free for taking pictures. Don’t forget to include a few days of scoping out the new area to look for the best views into your itinerary as well.
3. Have a camera on you at all times
While planning your shots to capture the best light and weather conditions is important if you want to get beautiful pictures, you should never forget that sometimes you just get lucky. Many of the most famous photographs were taken ‘by accident’ just because the person had a camera to capture that perfect shot.
You can only do this when you have the camera with you and within easy reach as well. Travel photography can be extremely ‘fast-paced’ so you need to be ready and take shots every time you see something exciting. The majority of the shots may turn out quite bad, but there are sure to be a few gems.
4. Learn composition
Quite often, composition is what makes the difference between a bad and a good picture. The good news is that even a complete novice can learn to take good pictures fast by simply mastering the rule of thirds, which is a ‘golden standard’ of composition.
This is the most important of all the basic photography tips as it will help you to develop the habit of positioning the shots right. By following the rules of composition, you’ll be able to take pictures where all items are placed in a way that’s easier for the human eye to process.