After your vacation is over, it’s always nice to have great photographs to look at and reminisce. Unfortunately, sometimes our photos don’t align with the memories of images that we have in our heads. The lighting is off, we missed the best part or they just lack that something special that makes the subjects seem to leap off of the print (or computer monitor, as the case may be). Even the pros typically don’t lug all of their expensive equipment on every family vacation, so don’t feel as though your reasonably-priced camera isn’t good enough for the job. Here are some tips for taking great vacation photos next time you’re on vacation.
- Start with the basics. Be sure to carry extra batteries for your camera, and make sure that you know how to use all of the settings before you leave for your trip. If you’re using a film camera, bring extra film along. If you’re using a digital camera, take along an extra memory card if you’re not able to upload them each day.
- Choose a focus. If you’re taking a photo of your child, then focus on the child, not the waterfall behind her. If you’re shooting a picture of the waterfall, then leave your child out of the picture. Shooting a photograph of something very large, like an Egyptian pyramid, requires even more discernment: If you try to get the whole family in front of the whole pyramid, you’ll have to stand so far away that you won’t be able to make out faces. Take family photographs with just a small piece of a large landmark visible.
- Take advantage of good lighting. Early and late in the day are the best times for taking photos, because this is when the natural light is the softest and most flattering. If you’re taking pictures of people, this is also when they won’t be squinting or have a lot of shadows on their faces.
- Shoot off-center. Put your subject anywhere but right in the center; this creates visual interest. Popular advice from experts is to imagine that your photograph has a tic-tac-toe grid on top of it. Put the focus of your photo close to one of the intersections. If you’re shooting a picture of the sunrise or sunset, let the sky take up 2/3 of the photograph instead of putting the horizon right across the middle.
- Take the time to take good photos. If having nice pictures after the fact is important to you, then make sure to add in enough time to take a few minutes getting your photographs well-framed and adjusting your camera as needed.
- With that said, don’t let photography become the focus of your vacation. Actually seeing the sights in person and making mental memories may be more important than viewing them from behind a camera. Don’t forget to look up and see everything for yourself!
- Use technology and social media to your advantage! It’s fun to use a program such as Instagram to share photos from abroad with your Facebook friends and Twitter followers! Just don’t make a nuisance of yourself by posting every photo you take in real time; save that for the most spectacular or awe-inspiring shots, and show off the rest when you get home (in person or by uploading them into one digital album).
What are some of your best tips for taking great vacation photos?
