There’s nothing quite as satisfying as returning from a memorable holiday with a treasure trove of images on your camera that transport you back to the destination. A picture certainly does speak a thousand words, even when words fail: how else would you describe the feeling of coming upon the magnificent glaciers of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile or gazing at the limitless Indian Ocean in the Maldives?
If you are looking to uplevel your travel photography skills, the first rule of thumb is to experiment. Click photos of people, places, landscapes, food and things. Click photos from every angle and perspective possible. You might be surprised by what you are drawn towards.
Before you pack and leave for your next holiday with us, here are some travel photography tips to help you capture memories that will last a lifetime.
Do not be afraid to get dirty
Being straightforward is a great quality except in photography. Sometimes you might find the best angle from very strange places, especially, if you’re on a safari holiday. You might have to get down on your knees, bend over backwards, climb up to a vantage point and be unafraid to get dirty, if you want the perfect picture! The results can be particularly rewarding.
Let the lines lead you
A photo with obvious lines that converge onto the subject, makes it stand out. Take a look at photographs that use symmetry and lines to highlight a subject, to get a fair sense of how this works, and you’ll understand that good composition is key to a great image. Think about what you want to capture and find the best possible way to do it, before you click away.
Use the gridlines on your camera
Here we come to the ‘Rule of Thirds’. It is all about positioning our subject in such a way that it is not at the very centre of the photo. All we need to do is place our subject along one of the four gridlines or their intersections. Practising and experimenting with this rule is a great idea before you develop your own style. If you’re ever planning to travel to Morocco, Colombia or Cambodia, you will find plenty of symmetry in the architecture, to help you balance your compositions.
Learn about the Trinity of Photography
ISO (Exposure): This controls the light sensitivity of the camera. Use a lower ISO (100, 200) in a bright setting. But, if you’re shooting in low light, don’t be afraid to increase the ISO to 1600 or 2400 or more, depending on how much exposure you need.
Aperture: The opening of your lens controls how much light enters the sensor. A wider aperture (lower f-number) lets in more light and helps you isolate your subject. But if you want the whole frame to be in focus, for a group photo or a landscape, a lower aperture (higher f-number) is best.
Shutter Speed: The longer the shutter stays open, the more light enters the sensor. A high shutter speed is great for moving objects. But if you are working in low light, with stationary subjects, lowering the shutter speed helps you click great photos.
Discover the magic of long exposure
Long exposure is simply lowering the shutter speed to a point where only the main objects are captured clearly. Imagine a busy street in the background, while your subject is stationary for your photo. The photo will capture your subject with clarity while all the moving vehicles and people in the background will be a blur of lights and lines. You will either need super steady hands or a tripod for this one.
Invest in a tripod
A tripod is a photographer’s best friend. Be it low light, long exposure shots or a video, a tripod lets you focus and add depth to your images. Getting crisp photos even in the middle of a busy street in Mexico, for instance, becomes possible with a tripod. Even if you are travelling lightly, you can bring a small, collapsable one that can easily fit in a daypack.
How to click perfect portraits
If you are a people person, you might find yourself drawn towards taking more portraits. Consent is key, even if it is a spontaneous shot. Ask for permission to shoot and keep the photos you take of them.
Portraits of people and animals can be powerful, depending on how they are placed in the photo. Make sure the camera is focused on the eyes and faces of your subject.
Shooting portraits in busy places, such as the markets of Vietnam or the streets of India, is an exciting challenge. How do you balance the frame so that your subject stands out among the crowd? Try out the long exposure trick and ask your subject to stay still.
If you already have a camera and are looking to go the extra mile, consider investing in a prime lens for your portraits.
Lighting is key
Photographers are always trying to catch up with what they call the golden hour. This is usually the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. If natural lighting is not an option, try out different lighting sources to best illuminate the subject of your photo.
You don’t really need professional gear to start learning the basics of clicking a good photo. All you need is a decent phone camera and the enthusiasm to close the gap between your taste and your skills. Here’s your call from the universe to travel to your dream destination this year, and capture every moment of your trip!
Check out these sample itineraries
Luxury Golden Triangle India Tour
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Indian Subcontinent inspiration
For more exciting destination ideas, browse these Indian Subcontinent pages and start planning your next adventure.
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