How To Improve Your Travel Photos
Useful Amateur Travel Photos Tips
If you love to travel and take amazing photos as an amateur photographer, there is always room for improvement. With useful tips you can enhance your composition skills and help you discover new techniques, taking your photography game to the next level.
You can improve your travel photos by knowing how to use natural light to your advantage, making the most out of different camera settings, and exploring the different types of photography, such as landscape, portrait, and candid shots.
By developing your style and perfecting your craft, you can create stunning travel photos that will leave a lasting impression.
Remember that mastering photography is an art that takes time and effort, but with patience and persistence, you can create amazing works of art.
You have been waiting for a trip to your dream destination.
Now that you finally have, you want to take the best travel photos to share with your loved ones. However, you are unsure how to capture the perfect shot that you see on social media.
Even though I admit that I am an amateur photographer, I have learned a few tricks over the years that I want to share with you so that you can take better travel photos.
Today is the perfect day to learn, so let’s get started.
Taking Pictures During Winter!!
Winter is a well-known and predictable season in Canada. It is characterized by snow and low temperatures, which require people to take extra precautions to keep themselves warm. One of the difficulties that we face during this season is the cold weather, which can be particularly harsh on our fingers, especially when we need to take pictures without gloves.
Although learning is always essential, it can be quite challenging to stay focused and motivated during winter when the fingers are numb from the cold. However, with proper clothing and gloves, learners can still enjoy an educational experience, despite the cold weather. By being prepared and staying focused, we can have a productive winter season, even amid the cold weather.
*Tips for Beginners.
Let me talk about the “general” travel photography tips that are the most important, but also the most difficult to master. Developing an eye for photography takes time, and I still do. It would be best if you started learning to frame and compose a shot, the rest is easy.
*First Learn Your Camera
Whether you shoot on a DSLR, mirrorless or a smartphone the first travel photography tip is to get to know your camera equipment. Read the instructions for your camera, play with all the buttons and settings and practice, practice, practice. I still practice every weekend while walking in my neighborhood. When you pick up your camera after all the practice you will feel comfortable and know exactly what to do. Then getting better pictures will come easier for you.
*Keep your batteries warm in winter
Take your battery and any extras out of the camera & bag and put them in a pocket close to your body. You’ll want to make sure that you can easily access this pocket. Pop the battery into the camera when you think you’ll be shooting.
When you’re done shooting for a while, take it back out of the camera and put it in your pocket. At home do not open your camera or memory card, let them warm up first.
**Focus on the Golden and Blue Hours
Light is everything when it comes to travel photographs and photos, and there’s a good chance you’ve already heard about the golden and blue hours.
The Golden Hour is that time when the sun is low in the sky.
The Blue Hour is when the sun is below the horizon and the sky gives off a beautiful blue hue.
Think of the first hour after the sun rises in the morning or the last hour before the sun goes over the horizon at the end of the day.
If you want to see the beauty of the light, get used to waking up early and staying late to make the most of the day.
Taking photos in the middle of the day can still result in great shots, but in general, you’ll find the sky is too blue or hazed unless there are interesting clouds.
Instead, get street photography, an iron balcony, an interesting door design, a little street around the corner etc.
*Framing your shot
When you look through the viewfinder or screen, don’t just focus on the subject.
Make sure you’re not accidentally cutting off something important, like a head or half a body in the shot.
Think of looking out a window at the scenery or from a lake with a tree on each side.
These can all help make better travel photos.
*Learn About Composition
You’ve probably heard about how important it is to compose a shot the right way, and if you’ve ever read a photography manual you would have come across the “rule of thirds”
A good composition can be the difference between an average shot and your best photos.
The concept of the Rule of Thirds is you divide your image into 9 even squares (many cameras have this grid line feature built into their display options).
Then what you do is place the subjects and points of interest such as a human element along those lines and squares.
The eye of a bird will also go on a crossline.
Remember that rules can be broken.
*Don’t stay in one spot, move around
This is one of the most important travel photography tips I can give you – move your feet, crunch down.
Look around the corner you never know what you might find. ( a little street, something unusual!!)
Don’t just take a shot of the place you’re standing, instead, take a few minutes to walk around and see if there is a better frame or composition.
Better yet, take multiple photos from a different angle and fill up your memory cards and when you get home see which is your favorite.
*Always Ask People for Permission
Travel photography isn’t all about capturing beautiful sunsets and architecture around the world.
Your Travel photos is also about the people you meet.
But if you’re shy like me, how do you get those photos without feeling rude? Usually, I don’t!! Most of the time people in my shot are far away and not the subject.
If you have a zoom lens, use it. This way you can be on the other side of the street and still photograph the person. Asking someone for permission to take their photo is polite and respectful.
A tripod is one of the best camera accessories you can have in your camera bag, and essential for travel photography.
You don’t always need a massive tripod to travel around with, especially if you want to travel light and are an amateur photographer.
Honestly, if you want to become a better travel photographer, you’ll need to invest in at least a small tripod.
I don’t travel with my big tripod, too bulky for me and heavy to lug around. If I need stabilization, I brace my elbow against a wall, or a tree or crouch down and use my legs to steady myself. If your body moves less, the camera will move less, and you’ll automatically cut down on camera shake.
Many lenses (especially Canon and Nikon) have a built-in option for image stabilization. Lenses with image stabilizers tend to be more expensive than those without, but the results are also more effective.
Finally, here’s another trick to steady yourself when shooting without a remote release or self-timer. Take a breath in, and then breathe out slowly, depressing the shutter button completely during the exhale.
*Find the Right Travel Photography Gear
You don’t need to go out and spend tens of thousands of dollars on new travel photography gear to get the best shots. Chances are you already have a perfect camera right next to you (your phone).
**Things like filters, tripods, flashes, prime lenses, zoom lenses, etc will come in time. For now, all you need is a camera, a memory card and have fun!!!
Find Your Niche
*Find Your niche as a Photographer
Travel photography is such a broad term that can cover just about anything. Just taking any travel photos will fit the description, whether it is landscape photography, wildlife photography, architecture, portraits, food or whatever.
I love taking pictures of an iron balcony, windows, and all kinds of architecture. I love Macro Photos also.
Just find the style you love the most, and focus on getting better at it. If you like black-and-white photography, then start shooting in black and white!
Travel photography is a broad term that can cover various aspects of photography. It can include landscape photography, wildlife photography, architecture, portraits, food, and more. If you want to specialize in travel photography, it’s essential to find the style of photography that you enjoy the most.
For instance, if you love architecture, you can focus on capturing iron balconies, windows, and other architectural elements.
Similarly, if you’re interested in macro photography, you can explore that field further.
By focusing on the style of photography you love and working on it, you can improve your skills and develop a unique perspective.
For example, if you enjoy black-and-white photography, you can start shooting in black and white to improve your craft.”
And Practice, Practice, Practice
My first try at Food Photography
Just like anything, becoming a great travel photographer takes time and a lot of practice. The only way you can get better at it, get out there and take photos! Lately, I am learning about food photography. This is a good way to learn your camera.
I hope this general guide on travel photos tips for beginners has been helpful.
Have fun and good luck on your photographic journey.
You can practice taking photos around your town, in your garden, or at a zoo.
Once you’ve practiced, you’ll be ready to show off your most beautiful travel photos.
You might also be interested in:
Learn Shooting Manual!! The Easy Way.
Updated on Feb, 2024: This article was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
I’m just about to head off on a trip so I am definitely going to take these tips with me. Always ask for permission is a good tip and also be very careful about taking photos with children in it. I try to avoid it. Great list – thank you!
You welcome. It is funny you take pictures and dont realize that some of them are a nono!!
Great tips! Photos are my biggest souvenir from travel so I love improving my photo-taking and editing skills!
Thank you. I love taking pictures also :O)
Wow, these tips are a game-changer for anyone itching to take their travel photos to the next level! Whether you’re just starting out like me or you’ve been snapping pics for ages, these tips are pure gold for getting those epic travel shots just right. Can’t wait to try them out on my next adventure! ☺️
I am glad you like them,can wait to see your pictures :O)
Those are some great tips!! Thank you for putting this together
You welcome :O)
After a recent trip to Napa, I was looking at my photos thinking “I need to take a photography class.” This post is so helpful! I will be implementing (and revisiting it) the techniques for future travels.
I am glad it will help you :O).
Even for someone who has some experience your tips here serve as a great reminder of what we should be doing.
Thanks so much for these photography tips. My daughter thinks I take awful pictures, so I am so very interested in taking pictures like a pro!
With a little practice every day, you will master it in no time I am sure.
Love these tips! These are so useful to make a good picture great.
Thank you :O)
I do agree that the pictures taken during golden and blue hour turn out to be magical. Good compilation of tips.
I don’t know why I’ve always had a hard time with the rule of thirds. Thanks for explaining it so simply!