7 Tips for Taking Great Travel Pictures

Photography Tips  •  Travel Photography

Taking great pictures of your vacation can be easy if you have a few basic photography skills. In this article, you will find seven travel photography tips that will help you take fantastic pictures that you’ll enjoy for years to come.

1. Add Drama to Your Pictures

By adding drama to your pictures, you make them more interesting and visually appealing. If you want to add drama to your pictures, one way is to show scale. You can do this by adding people or natural features to your photographs of big things like monuments, landscapes, or the world’s biggest Redwood.

2. Clean up the Clutter

When you’re seeing exciting new things, it’s easy to ignore the background. But before you hit the shutter release button, look at what you’re really photographing. In some cases, moving a few feet could eliminate unwanted clutter like power lines, billboards, or people walking through your picture.

3. Photograph the Locals

No matter where you are traveling in the world, learn how to say some basic things like, “May I please take your picture?” in the local language. Offer to send those you photograph a copy; make sure to have a small notebook or pencil to jot down names, addresses, or emails.

4. Look for Unique and Candid Photos

Candid shots when traveling are the best, but occasional portraits of the family in front of spectacular views and famous landmarks are part of almost every vacation album. Don’t forget to get in the vacation pictures too by using the self timer or remote shutter.

Always take pictures of things that interest you instead of taking pictures of things “you have to take”—like those shown on postcards in the gift store. You can always pick up some postcards to add to your vacation souvenirs. Unique subjects make great travel pictures, so look out for these opportunities.

5. Remember That Every Photo Has a Story

You may want to tell your vacation story by using your photographs from the time you departed to your return home, so make sure to capture these moments, too. Include highlights like your campground neighbors, an unusual meal you had, activities, the look on a family member’s face when he or she saw something for the first time. Once you get home and look at all of the pictures, select those pictures that best reflect your trip and frame them on your wall to remember.

6. Get the Kids in on the Act

If you are traveling with children, give each child a camera and encourage them to take pictures, too.

Then when you return home you can create a fun photo album to remember your vacation. While on your vacation, make sure to make notes so you can later add captions to your photos.

7. Be Aware of Camera Logistics

If you’re going to be near or in the ocean, bring a waterproof camera. Watch out for salt water and sand as they can wreak havoc on your camera.

Remember that not every picture will turn out well; even the seasoned photographer take bad pictures from time to time. The best solution is to bring extra memory cards and have a way to upload your photos each day while you’re away.

And don’t forget to prepare your camera for the next day by recharging the batteries and replacing the memory card. By doing this, you’ll be ready to go in the morning!

As you can see, taking great travel and vacation pictures can be a lot of fun and relatively easy just by following these seven tips. By the time you return home you will have a lot of fantastic pictures to share with your friends and family.

About the Author:
Autumn Lockwood is a writer for Your Picture Frames (www.yourpictureframes.com) and loves taking pictures. Your Picture Frames makes it easy for you to find just the perfect frame for your photo or artwork.