Are you also someone who always keeps their camera handy whenever out on the go? If yes, then we clearly understand your love for travel photography. However, what’s important to understand is that photography is not just about clicking random pictures. There are a whole lot of things to learn and practice.
This blog will guide you through the basics of travel photography including everything from travel photography tips and techniques.
Basics of Photography
When it comes to traveling photography, it’s important to have a basic understanding of photography in general. No matter whether you’re a newbie or an experienced professional, mastering the fundamentals of photography will help you capture the true essence of the places you visit and the moments you experience.
Here are some basics of photography that you should familiarize yourself with-
Know Your Equipment
Before you set your foot out on a travel expedition, make yourself familiar with your camera and its features. For this, you can go through the user manual to learn and experiment with different settings. Knowing the capabilities and limitations of your camera will help you make the most of it during the photography.
Learn the basics of Composition
Composition is all about how you arrange different elements in your frame to create a visually appealing picture. Here are some composition skills that you should learn about:
- Rule of Thirds: The Rule of Thirds is to divide your frame into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. Place your object along these lines or at their intersections to get the best line of frame.
- Negative Space: Avoid creating a cluttered frame in order to fill in the negative space. Negative space instead can help bring your subject better in light, creating a sense of balance.
- Leading Lines: Leading lines can be a great way to direct the viewer towards your subject. Hence, try using straight pathways or roads to add a sense of depth to your pictures.
- Framing: Use natural elements such as tree branches or arches to frame your subject. This will help improve the overall composition of your pictures and make it more interesting for the viewers.
Importance of Lighting
Lighting can make or break a photo. While there may be times when you’d have limited control over the lighting conditions, you should be well informed on how to make the most of different lighting situations. Here are a few lightning tips you should keep in mind:
- Make the most of the Golden Hour: Golden Hour is the time right before sunset or sunrise when you can experience soft warm lighting around. This is probably the best time to get those amazing portraits, landscapes, or architectural shots.
- Avoid shooting in harsh midday lighting: The midday time creates a sharp and hard lighting condition and shooting during these hours can make your photos look unflattering. Hence, try capturing your shots during the early morning or late afternoon when the light is comparatively soft.
- Experiment with Backlighting: Try shooting towards the light source. This technique will help create a dramatic effect and give your photo a whole different touch and vibe.
Top 10 Smart Travel Photography Tips & Techniques
Use the Right Colors and Contrast
One of the most effective ways to get stunning travel pictures is by smartly adjusting the color and contrast levels. By adding elements of different colors & textures and rightly contrasting light and dark areas, you can create visually captivating pictures that grab the attention of the viewers.
Experiment with Different Angles
One foolproof way to make your photography stand out is by experimenting with different angles and perspectives. So don’t hesitate if it comes down to either getting down on the ground, climbing on the top for an elevated structure, or exploring a whole different point to capture your subject from a whole new perspective.
Try Capturing True Emotions and Feeling
This might come as a surprise but travel photography is not just about capturing landscapes and or famous landmarks. Rather it’s about capturing moments that tell a story and evoke emotions of the viewers. Adding human elements to your travel photographs can help create depth and cast an emotional impact.
Plan Your Shot Wisely
Before traveling out to a place, take some time to research about your location. Look out for iconic monuments, places, and events you can cover in your shoot. Besides this, also check for the weather and lighting conditions to plan your shoot accordingly and take the best advantage of all the unique aspects of the place.
Grab the Early Bird Advantage
Being an early bird will not only help you avoid those heavy crowds at popular landmarks but also give you ample time to create your best shots without interruption. So, try getting early to the locations where you plan to shoot. Trust me, sacrificing a day’s sleep can get you some truly spectacular shots.
Practice Patience
Being patient is the key to capturing the best moments and views in travel photography. Hence, avoid rushing to take a shot right away. Rather, take your time to observe the view and wait for the right moment to shoot your shot. Meanwhile, also make sure to stay observant and look out for moments that you can best capture, be it a scenic landscape, a flying bird, or a child giggling.
Respect Local Cultures and Laws
Make sure to read into the local culture and traditions before you start clicking pictures. There might be places or communities that might find photographing them offensive. Hence, always be polite and ask for consent foremost. More so, know that each country may have specific rules and regulations regarding photography. Therefore, ensure being familiar with all the established laws before visiting the place.
Always Take a Backup of Your Photos
Clicking pictures in a go may seem all fun and exciting but the actual part comes later i.e., during post-processing. Always make sure to organize and back up your travel photos. Create specified categories or folders to sort your images and back up your files regularly to ensure you never lose any of those amazing shots.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q. Is travel photography a good career?
A. Yes, travel photography is a rewarding career option, especially for skilled photographers who love to travel and explore.
Q. Do travel photographers get paid?
A. A travel photographer can earn anywhere between $20 to $50,000 plus. However, this primarily depends on what you are shooting, who are you specifically shooting it for, and how experienced and popular you are in the industry.
Q. Who is the best travel photographer?
A. Michael Yamashita is one of the best travel photographers.
Q. Where to start travel photography?
A. Start by investing in some basic photography equipment. Additionally, observe and learn from famous travel photographers. Take inspiration from their work, and develop a style of your own using which you can create content to build a compelling portfolio.
Q. What is the salary for travel photography in India?
A. The average salary of a travel photographer in India ranges between INR 1.3 Lakhs to 6 Lakhs per annum.
Q. Which course is best for travel photography?
A. You can opt for a Diploma in Travel and Nature Photography or a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Travel Photography. Besides this, there are many other photography courses that you can research about to pick what best fits your interest.
Q. Is photography a stressful job?
A. Photography can be a stressful job. No matter whether you’re a freelancer, an employee, or a studio owner, there will be times when you’ll have to deal with tight deadlines, limited budgets, and the ever-growing competition in the market.
Q. Where can I sell my travel photos?
A. You can sell your photos to stock shot agencies like Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, or Getty Images. However, to earn more profit consider selling your photos directly to the clients.
Q. What are the disadvantages of being a travel photographer?
A. Some of the disadvantages of being a travel photographer are-
- Long and undefined working hours
- Lower wages
- Dealing with the ever-growing competition