Travel Photography: How to Take the Best Pictures

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15 April 2010

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1.Take Photos of Everyday Life. Some of the most fascinatingfeatures of travelling are noticing the contrast between daily life in your travel destination versus daily life back where you live Snapshots of persons at work reveal alot about their culture. Snapping photos of local types of transportation, such as trains and buses, can convey the exotic taste of a faraway location.In order to get great pictures, make sure you correctly frame them.

Regardless, before taking pictures of persons, ascertain how the local people feel about their photo being taken. I fly periodically to Honduras, and persons there enjoy having their pictures taken, especially of their young children. However, I discovered this past summer that the French people do not like their picture to be taken. What they really find offensive is for a stranger to snap pictures of children. So, then, make sure to discover what the local feelings are and honor them.

2. Town Plazas and Markets.The town plaza often allows unparalleled opportunities to take candid pictures of people at leisure. Another place where you can find people in their normal, everyday setting is the city market. In reality, not only do the sellers and buyers in the market make good subjects for pictures, but the vegetables, fruit, and other products capture a lot of the flavor of a place.

3. Learn to Take Candid Photos. Quite often people will be happy to pose for pictures, but I prefer candid pictures of people when I am on a trip. I try to always be respectful, not only in following local customs, but also not to take a photo of a person in such circumstances that it would be offensive. Usually the easiest way to capture such candid photos is by using a mid-range telephoto lens (about 100 mm to 200 mm). Using such a medium telephoto lens, I’ve learned that most people do not even realize that I’m taking their picture. Naturally, having the proper camera equipment helps a whole lot.

4. Search For What Is Unique.Try to find what is special and unique about the place you are visiting, regardless of whether you are in a different part of your own state or in a distant country. If it is a famous area, you will naturally want to take photos of the well-known sites. But do not be satisfied with that. Capture features of the place that aren’t as famous, but which make an impression on you. Landscape photography in a distant land takes on a special dimension, as you discover scenery very different from your own back home.

5. Vivid Color Emphasizes the Exotic.If you are in an exotic location, don’t be afraid to make bold use of color in your travel pictures. Capture deep blue skies and bright flowers. Snap photos of people in colorful clothing. I love taking photographs when I travel to Honduras because the Hondurans love bright colors. Their trucks aren’t painted with the plain-vanilla colors as are most trucks in the U.S. Rather, they are often striped with bright blue, red, and yellow.