Travel Photography 101: tips for better shots this summer

Perhaps you too love taking great images. But, if you’re like most budding photographers, you’re often disappointed with the results. (Don’t worry, professionals suffer many disappointing moments as well!). Some of the most common mistakes? Blown out skies. Soft focus. Tilted horizon lines. Underexposure. Distracting elements. And inaccurate colours. Here are a few tips that address these issues … and more. Because, in my opinion, it’s better to take one amazing image than 100 poor ones.

    Shoot In Good Light — It’s been said a million times before, but shooting in the early mornings (yes, that sometimes means getting up at 5 a.m., or earlier!) and late evening — when golden, low-angled light provides beautiful shadows and detail — is critical for good outdoor photos. If you really want nice photos, especially nature and landscapes, avoid the harsh, mid-day light at all costs. And just a simple tip for shooting people — get them in the shade!


    Know How To Use Your Equipment — “Wow, you must have a really good camera,” is a line I often hear. The comment is always well intended, of course, but it’s only part of the equation. While having a decent camera is somewhat important, it’s more important that, regardless of what you’re using, you know how to use it. Point and shoots can produce stunning results, too. Especially if the operator knows how to compose, adjust exposures, work the settings to accommodate the subject best, nail the focus, etc.
    Learn How To Edit Your Photos — True, a lot of it comes down to personal preference. However, you still need some skills when it comes to managing your files and doing the bare essentials when it comes to processing. Things like cropping, adjusting the white balance (ie: snow should not be yellow!), and fixing crooked horizon lines are necessary skills.

    Be Selective, Take Your Time, and Compose Great Images — News flash: having a beautiful poplar branch in the foreground does not, typically, enhance your composition. A branch in the foreground is called a distracting element. However, using leading lines — things like shorelines, winding roads, rivers, etc. — can be a powerful way to lead the viewer’s eye into the scene and produce a winning image. Take your time! Think about what you’re trying to achieve with the shot. Avoid too much boring space in the foreground. If the sky is bland don’t include any of it in your image. And only shoot when you really believe you have the right elements in place.

    Use the Rule of Thirds — Placing your subject right in the middle of your image will usually produce a boring, static image. Use the full frame. Divide your image into thirds and position your subject on one of those “lines.” Then find leading lines to draw the eye to that location in the image. Then, if you’ve got good light and a compelling subject, you’ve got an image!
    Do Your Research — The best images are typically made when a photographer does his/her homework. In other words, don’t waste your time photographing a scene during a time or season when it doesn’t look good. Instead, plan to photograph a scene during the best time of year with the best lighting possible. This means you may have to make multiple visits to the same location to “nail it.”

    Use Filters — Polarizing filters are important to use if you want nice blue skies in your photos. Grey neutral density graduated filters are also handy accessories if you want to keep the colour in your skies and still get a nice exposure in the foreground. If you don’t know how to use them or where to get them, do some research. The Internet will tell you everything you need to know — and then some — about filters. Also, experimenting with HD photography and stitching multiple exposures together is also another way to help manage exposures.

    Practice Makes Perfect — There is no such thing as producing consistently amazing imagery if you don’t get out there and practise your craft on a regular basis. Photography is like anything else. That is, if you put some time and effort into it you will be rewarded. Happy shooting!