How many times have you wanted to get an amazing travel photo, but it is always something that doesn't go completely right? I know, it's really annoying. So I'm going to give you some tips how you can improve your travel pictures that you proudly can show to your friends and family.

EQUIPMENT

The right equipment is really important. You will not get a perfect night shot if you do not have something to put the camera on, like a tripod. And if you are a amateur, do not spend all your savings on expensive equipment, because even if the camera is a big part of the process, the camera is not what makes the photo. It's you and your knowledge. The camera only saves what you want to capture.

RESEARCH

If you really want to get a good shot of a special place, object or landmark, do some research before going there. Then you will be prepared and know the environment. Maybe there's a large building who´s shadow cover your object in a special hour? Then maybe you should get there an hour earlier or later to avoid these kinds of problems. You can also see how different people have portrayed the place and you will get some inspiration.

KNOW YOUR CAMERA

To know your camera is actually more important then you might think. Before heading of on a trip with a new camera, read all the manuals and be well prepared. Because with the wrong settings you will not get a good photograph.

LIGHTS

The most important thing that you should think of while taking traveling photos, is the light. It is not much fun when you come home and look at your photos and discover that they are under/overexposed.

The best time to photograph is in the afternoon, when the sun is not too high and not to low. Then you most likely will get a soft, harmonious light.

Also think about having the sun in your back while photographing, unless you want backlight.

HOW TO TAKE AN UNIQUE PHOTO

It can be really hard to get an unique photo of a popular landmark, but there is actually some things that you can do. Try different angles, and try to back off a bit from the building or whatever the object is. Another tip is that you do not always have to place the subject in the middle of your photo. Experiment with the composition! You can try to place it on the side and in that way get more details of the environment.

If you want to capture the feeling in one place, it's really important to take pictures of many details. It is the small details that makes the feeling.

FLASH – WHEN TO USE?

It is a very common mistake to over use the flash.

Do not use it if it's not necessary. The only time it's necessary is when it is really, really dark outside. Try to take your photo without your flash, and if you just get a dark, blurry picture, then you might have to use it.. But as already mentioned, try to photograph without it as much as you can.

If you use a flash at midday, it will just look plastic and fake. You will get a much softer and more natural photo without a flash.

If your object is far away, the flash will not reach the whole way. It will only catch dust and objects that are close to the camera. In this situation it's better to use a long shutter and maybe a tripod, but if this is not possible you can just try to hold your camera really still, or maybe use something in the environment to support on. Remember, a flash does not reach very far and it's not the only way to get more light in a photograph!

 
NEVER STOP SHOOTING

Take many photos. It's better to have too many than too few. Buy at least two larger memory cards. It is not that expensive, and it is never fun to discover that you do not have any more memory on your card when you have time left on your trip and don't have access to a computer to transfer the photos to.

It is better to be on the safe side and be well prepared. There is no such thing as too many photos.


Hanna Nilsson