Nine Valuable Tips for Great Travel Photography!

It's not very difficult to take a good picture when you're traveling. It's not easy, but it's also not an insurmountable challenge. We offer nine tips below on producing great holiday travel photos you'll be proud to share with others. 

1. Capture unique features

Part of the joy of traveling is experiencing the unique characteristics of a place. Capturing those in your photography elevates your images to more than a photo souvenir.

The best travel photography captures elements that define the destination, making it unique. Look for them within the local culture, landmarks, clothing, people, landscapes, or other exciting features. 

2. Capture the iconic

If there is an iconic feature or element, photograph it. For example, it could be the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Leaning Tower in Pisa, or the Coliseum in Rome. To take better pictures of iconic features already photographed millions of times, consider how you frame or compose your shot, the hour of the day, and the lighting.

Consider the foreground and background when you're framing your shot. Remember to always be respectful of the locals and their customs. In some places, taking pictures of locals is strongly discouraged, while a small gratuity is expected in other places. 

3. Capture the lesser-known

There are some fabulous travel images of lesser-known features. These can be more interesting and unique than an iconic element we all recognize. For example, in Venice, rather than shooting yet another picture of a canal and gondola, a beautifully carved door, old building, or back alley can be just as impressive. The best way to find these is to walk around with your camera and explore. 

4. Look for the details

Sometimes, it's the details that really stand out, particularly in ancient, rich cultures. Look for things that are intricate and unique to the destination. These are sometimes found on building facades, architectural elements, items sold in an open bazaar or market, and historical sites. 

5. Consider the light

Shooting at different times of the day when the light has shifted can produce some spectacular images. Try shooting a location around sunrise, returning at sunset to shoot again. Compare the images. Avoid shooting in the bright, midday sun, if at all possible.

It can wash out a picture and create harsh shadows. If you can't avoid it, consider using a polarizing filter or do post-processing edits. Also, look for how light and shadows affect things like architectural elements and even people. 

6. Night Time shots

While night photography can be more challenging, it can be worth the effort. You should always travel with a travel tripod, just in case. Take various shots on low ISO settings. Some camera phones can do a decent job shooting in low-light conditions.

The key is to stabilize the camera to avoid blur or grainy images. Pictures of iconic features like the Eiffel Tower, London Bridge, or Big Ben lighted up at night can be stunning. 

7. Local events

If you are attending an event as part of your travels, take the opportunity to capture a few images. Consider events like Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Carnival in Brazil, or Holi in India and the plethora of opportunities they present for beautiful travel images.

All of the elements needed for powerful imagery are all there in one place: people, details, color, action, and iconic features. Try different perspectives and angles to add interest. Shoot wide and shoot closeup; from high to low (like from a balcony overlooking the event); shoot from low to high (crouch down safely close to the ground and aim up). 

8. Include yourself

Don't be so much of a travel photographer focused on what is interesting that you forget to take a picture of yourself and anyone traveling with you! These types of photos can serve as a more intimate reminder of your travels, and with the tips, we've provided, look terrific back home!

9. Post-processing

Lastly, don't be shy about post-processing your images. Once you're home, enhancements and edits can provide the perfect finishing touches to your photos. At some point, most photographers rely on post-processing edits to polish up their images, and travel photography is no exception.

After all, it's not always easy to capture perfect pictures on the road. Travel Lightroom Presets Collection, can be a significant time-saver and provide the ideal enhancements across a batch of images! 

We hope you enjoy your next travels and find our tips useful!