One of the greatest things about travelling is the memories you get to take home with you. Of course, so many of us like to preserve these memories by snapping hundreds of photos of the sights and experiences we have while we’re discovering a new part of the world. However, so many otherwise wonderful holiday snaps can be ruined by being out of focus or poorly set up, and the ones that are a success are usually left on a memory card in the back of a drawer. To combat this, today’s blog post will show you how to take great photos to help you remember how great your trip was, as well as a few ideas of how to display them.
The first thing to do is take your destination into account. For example, if you’re likely to spot the Northern Lights you’ll want a camera with the correct exposure length, if you’ll be taking snaps on the beach take a scratch resistant lens, and if diving is part of your itinerary then invest in a waterproof camera. A top priority is to make sure you have enough memory cards and a bag to take all your kit in. Likewise, if you just want to take a few snaps while you’re on the go then pack a lightweight point and shoot camera rather than a heavy DSLR.
Before you leave, get to know your camera – play with the settings so you can achieve maximum depth of field (Aperture Priority, or Av, mode might be best for this) and figure out what shutter speed you’ll need. If your camera has this capability you can save all your favourite settings in a custom set up so it’s easily accessed while you’re on the go – the last thing you want is to be fiddling about with white balance when you’re in the middle of paradise.
One final thing before you leave for your trip – make sure your camera and equipment are all insured!
Once you’ve arrived at your destination, use your hotel’s view to your advantage. If you’ve managed to snag a room with a picture perfect view then indulge in some early morning photography of the views before the tourists arrive and your beach shot is crowded with people.
When photographing people it always pays to go for candid shots over posed pictures – candid photos feel more real and genuinely capture a moment because the people in them are having fun, not posing.
A great tip is to play with composition – imagine the ‘rule of thirds’ when dabbling in travel photography, as it helps to keep things interesting. If you aren’t sure how to set up your pictures then try looking up some travel photography online before you leave – it’s a great source of inspiration.
An important thing to remember is not to let the weather dictate things – you might think rain is a disaster but natural beauty spots like waterfalls and jungles look magical when it’s raining. Close ups work particularly well in wet conditions so play to your strengths and the weather can never dampen the mood.
So what do you do with your favourite shots when you get home? There are plenty of shops online that allow you to order canvases, magnets, coasters, photo books – the list is endless! These are just a few of the creative ways you can use your photos and ensure they see the light of day, while reminding you of the great time you had on holiday. Plus, they might just inspire you to book your next trip!
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