How to Take Your Own Travel Pictures
Eight top-notch advice for outstanding travel photographs
There are many reasons why we choose to take pictures. Some would say that they help us express ourselves; others think that photographs matter because, through them, we freeze the most precious moments that we can always come back to and appreciate later when time and years have passed. Overall, we can all agree that every picture we take ends up being a small piece of that puzzle we call life.
If we are talking about capturing beautiful moments, we cannot take photos while traveling. In the era of Instagram and Facebook, taking pictures while on a trip has become a habit no one can escape from. And who can we blame for that? Those photographs become our most precious belonging! The memories of a long-awaited trip with family, friends, or solo are all captured in those photographs. It’s not all the time my sister and I are together, so the struggle is REAL, and taking pretty photos by yourself may not be easy as it sounds. So, what can you do to achieve that perfect picture? That nice and bright photo that you can flaunt on your social media while making everyone desire to be in your shoes? Well, stick to this article, and we will introduce you to some top-notch advice that will help you take pictures that will make everyone else go OMG!
Don’t be late! No seriously, don’t be.
There is no better advice to start with than admitting that the best way to get photos is to show up at the right moment. Whether you are standing at the Lempuyang Temple, in front of The Gate of Paradise in Bali, at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, or the Taj Mahal in India, you know you will encounter crowds of tourists. Take your camera and get there as soon as possible, before anyone else shows up, and be assured you will be able to take outstanding pictures with no one around you to judge or make you feel weird. Plus, no one will photobomb you.
A tripod will allow you to capture a longer exposure and give you the exact height and positioning you want. The only thing you need to do is to get your phone or camera, set it to take photos every 2 to 3 seconds, so you can keep changing poses. Then if you also have a remote, you can link it to your device through your Bluetooth, and you are done! All ready to take outstanding shots! It will make things much easier, and your photos will have a more professional look.
A drone might be the best option if you want to take travel pictures and videos from angles that no one else can reach. Drones are becoming widely popular as they allow you to take picturesque photos. Just be aware of the regulations on drones that apply to the location you are planning to visit, as you may need a special permit to fly it. Other than that, a drone will help you take excellent aerial shots to appreciate the full view. Nowadays, drones are more accessible than before, so look them up on Amazon and purchase the most suitable option for your needs.
Burst mode, a game-changer for your pictures
Burst Mode! While scrolling your Instagram feed, I am pretty sure you have seen those pictures in which people are twirling, spinning around, jumping in the air, being in motion. If you wondered how people got those jumping or twirling moments caught on camera, let me tell you the secret.
This setting allows you to take between 8 to 10 pictures in less than 3 seconds, meaning that you will have a higher chance to get the perfect picture instead of just using the simple timer setting. Once you use this setting, you will never go back to taking photographs the same way you used to do before.
Don’t be intimidated; ask for little help from people
If you didn’t have time to pack your tripod or that drone was too heavy to bring along, don’t miss the chance to take a picture when the weather is beautiful just because you do not have the tools with you. There is nothing wrong with asking others to help you take a photograph. Set your frame, think about your pose beforehand, and ask the person to capture the moment. Don’t forget to suggest taking multiple pictures to have more options to choose from. Just a quick tip: look for someone who has a camera, better chances that person knows how to take pictures, and you will not have a fear of them running away with your phone/camera. Once you get your shot, offer to return the favor and take a picture for them which is an excellent way to thank them for their effort.
Once you have grasped the use of a tripod, a drone, and the art of asking others to take a picture of you, then the only thing left is POSING! Yes, because an image is not complete without a striking pose.
Learn your angles, how to make yourself look good, and most importantly, how to feel comfortable when standing in front of the camera. My suggestion is to stand in front of a mirror to practice which facial expressions and poses will make you look the best. It may feel silly at first, but we all did this at least once. Once you have mastered the art of posing, your confidence in front of the camera will skyrocket, and taking pictures will become more accessible and more enjoyable.
People’s Judgment is not for us.
We all get that sense of embarrassment when taking a picture, especially if there are other people around us waiting in line for their turn, and as a result, the chances for the photo to turn bad are pretty high. Well, let’s think of it in this way: you are in a place you have been dreaming of, and after all your hard work, you managed to book that plane ticket and get there. Are you going to mess up the chance for an unforgettable photo just because of some visitors around you? Nah, you can do it! Be confident, chin up and take that picture you always wanted to. Tourists are too busy planning their trip and which place they will visit that they will not even remember you were there.
Don’t be too serious when taking pictures. I know it may sound cliché, but I often see people too focused on taking a perfect shot, and therefore, they are not enjoying themselves. Please don’t do this.
Yes, taking the perfect picture may be your final goal, but don’t forget that it should be fun and exciting in the middle of your vacation. Sometimes the most beautiful photos come from spontaneity, so enjoy the process and if the pictures do not turn as perfect as you want them to be, stay assured you will have enough chances during the trip to achieve that perfect shot. We all have been in that same spot, with no ideal pictures but enough memories of that perfect moment.
Read it all? Then you are set for your next holiday!
What are you waiting for? Take your camera, book your next trip and go ahead, taking all those pictures that one day you will look back at and remember all those memories of this exciting and fantastic trip.