How To Take Good Pictures During Your Travels
So many articles focus on the many aspects of travel, but most don't discuss how to make these memories last. Let's face it, not all of us are great at taking pictures, but you don't have to be to catalog a sense of having a good time. Even amateur photographers can make their memories last a lifetime. Try some of the great advice discussed in the article below!
Always start your travels by getting acquainted with your digital camera. No, you don't have to be a technology wizard to get a good picture taken. Understand your equipment and the basic functions of your camera before you begin. It can really hinder your ability to take good pictures if you don't know how to use the zoom function, how to change the light settings and when to use flash. Read the entire manual before going on a photo shooting safari!
Don't take a boring tried and true approach to your photographs. Sure, the Eiffel Tower is hard to resist or Big Ben, but the old postcard looking shots are becoming the "norm". You want to remember your vacation the way you saw it and not the way it was on a postcard. Try taking photographs of popular attractions using a slanted camera, close-ups or find a different focal point altogether. Shoot pictures from different locations. In other words, instead of looking up to the tower, look down from the tower and shoot that!
Capture actual moments of your vacation. People often forget the intimate details that need to be captured on camera. Take pictures of the foods you ate, people you've met, taxi cabs you've ridden in or just something that captured your eye. Remember, chronicling your vacation is about you and the sights that made you feel happy. These are the sights that are worth remembering!
Take a different perspective to each picture. Use the zoom function on your camera and shoot far, close or in an angle. What makes an ordinary picture interesting is the initiative you take on perspective.
Early morning and the late afternoon are the most optimal times to take good pictures in terms of lighting. A good photographer takes advantage of the "magical" photography hours of the day. A nice sunset can help colors glow and come alive. Major attractions are even more attractive during sunset hours and help bring your pictures into a new focus.
Focus on one detail per shot. Don't take a picture of an entire attraction in one photo. It can be overwhelming and your eye won't know where to look. Focus on simple details one at a time when shooting. Zero in on the details and keep in mind that the most interesting subjects are the locals themselves. Get up the nerve and ask a few people to take their pictures. Most people will be delighted to be subjects in your photos.
Bringing your camera on vacation is fun, but always remember that it screams tourist and it can be the barrier between you and getting to know locals. Get out there and really get to know your surroundings, and only take photos of the important things!
