Capturing the Trail: Your Guide to Flawless Travel Photography

A trip of a lifetime is over before you know it, and all you have left are your memories. Help hold onto those memories by bringing home photographs that are lively, original and personal.

Just “point and shoot” – it couldn’t be easier, especially with today’s digital cameras that generally do all the hard work for you. Photography has certainly been made easier and more convenient with the invention and general widespread use of digital cameras, which are getting ever smaller, meaning they’re extremely easy to pack into your bag and take along wherever you go. Everyone now has a camera in his or her pocket, in the form of a phone, and many have lenses of a quality on a par with your average digital camera.

Still, a photo is nothing without a good image – and here are a few tips about getting one. 

Do your research

If you’re really serious about getting some excellent images, you might want to research the location before you leave. Take a look at other photographs for inspiration, as well as tips on some of the clichéd shots you might want to avoid. 

Getting the right subject

Don’t whip out your camera and start clicking away the minute you arrive. Give yourself time to fully experience where you are, and make your response to the location personal.

If you see something unexpected, enjoy it and be prepared for it! Some of the best travel photographs record a surprise moment or encounter. Similarly, don’t despair if it rains – try taking some shots indoors or try again tomorrow. 

Details and new takes on old subject matter

Certain landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower, have been photographed countless times, so it’s worth attempting to find a new take on them. If the subject appears overwhelming, then try to look for small, interesting details rather than the big picture. Don’t be afraid to experiment and play around with your ideas, even if they seem obscure or quirky.

Think in terms of color

The worst travel photographs are devoid of life or color. Photos seem much more lively and vibrant with the use of bold, bright colors – strong primary colors, when they dominate an image, can evoke very powerful emotions, from the calming effect of an azure blue sea to the lush green of a forest in springtime. 

Creating the right lighting conditions

Dull, cloudy days make for boring travel photographs. Take advantage of the bright light of the early morning or a slowly setting sun – but remember that great light can occur at other times of the day – so don’t obsess too much about that sunset image, which you can rest assured won’t be the first of its kind. Late afternoon light provides optimal conditions, as it is so much softer than the harsh light in the middle of a sunny day.

What to do with your travel photos once you’ve taken them

Download your digital photographs to your PC, making them available to friends via social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram. While some sites help you store your photos and make them available to a select group of family and friends, many professional as well as amateur photographers now showcase their images on Flickr. You could even try to sell them as stock photography: stock websites such as Dreamstime collect photos on many different subject matters, making them available to the public for a variety of purposes.