Whether you are on a road trip or an around-the-world cruise vacations, one of the joys of travel is to see new places and experience other cultures. While today’s digital cameras’ advanced features make vacation photography easier, here are few tips to transform your memorable moments from mere snapshots to full-fledged photographs.
Themes along the way
Like every good movie; make your shots more interesting by showing some themes in them. Mix ordinary shots – breakfast table scenes, for example – in with the more adventuresome moments. Try to keep people in your photographs. They bring interest and perspective. The beach and palm trees on Petit St. Vincent in the Grenadines are majestic, but if you add the honeymooning couple walking on the sand … now that’s a photograph!
Look for color
To spice up your shots, look for opportunities to shoot in color. Try to take pictures of local festivals, banners, logos, and of course local fruits, flowers, and market days to make your pictures look livelier.
Another way to put some life into your photographs is to have a sense of play and fun. If your travel companions are willing to get in on the fun and pose for amusing scenes, so much the better, try poses that imitate statues or themes around you in silly ways.
Pragmatic tips
Of course photography involves a lot of technical aspects. Practice before you go, particularly with the camera you intend to take. Remember that you will be taking shots in different kinds of light, so experiment with your camera’s lenses, settings, and flash to become familiar with all your options.
Don’t forget to notice the direction and quality of light. Front lighting makes it easier for most basic cameras, but pictures often appear flat. Side lighting highlights three-dimensionality which makes it a good choice for landscapes or objects where you want to show their texture. And backlighting is very dramatic, but if you don’t know how to adjust your exposure, you may find that details are lost to shadow.
Keep track of your photography:
Jot down the shots you’ve taken and their subject to jog your memory when you get home. If using a digital camera, invest in extra memory – it’s worth it to be able to feel free to shoot whatever captures your interest.
And don’t forget to look beyond the lens from time to time and enjoy the trip as well. Travel photographs are wonderful mementos – but they need the experience to go along with them!
