Travelling and photography are two hobbies that naturally mesh well together. As you travel, you’ll get to see new sights and sceneries—and what better way to capture great memories of a foreign place than through photos?
It’s no wonder that travel photography is a craft that many people are enthusiastic about trying out. Some, however, may end up wanting to pursue the craft more seriously. Perhaps you’re one of them and you wish to strengthen your travel photography skills further.
To that end, here are some practical tips to consider if you want to improve upon your craft as an amateur travel photographer and be able to capture the most stunning photos of the places you’ve visited:
1) Don’t Skip the Basics
If you truly want to get better at photography, then it’s crucial to build a solid foundation by mastering the basics. Travel photography isn’t just about going to a new place and then clicking a button on your camera. Rather, the input of a photographer who knows proper composition and perspective is what will make each shot look great. Before your next travel adventures, it’s important to study various compositions and techniques such as proper framing, the rule of thirds, symmetry, negative space, leading lines, and more.
There are many ways that you can pick up on these techniques. Even if you’re on a budget, there are tons of resources out there such as tutorial videos, free online courses, and photo blogs to help you find your footing. You can even practise what you’ve learned in a curated setting by doing a quick online search for a “photo studio near me.” And if you know someone who practises travel photography, don’t be afraid to ask for their feedback as well. Who knows—you might even meet a valuable mentor through this approach.
2) Look for Inspiration Wherever You Go
Many travel photographers are motivated by the idea of capturing beautiful and rare sceneries, allowing people who haven’t been to a particular place a chance to gaze upon its beauty through the photos. While you can get started by taking photos of locations near you, you’ll eventually want to venture out further in search of a view or subject that’ll get your creative juices flowing.
Always take your camera during trips and look for inspiration wherever you go. Let your wanderlust and that inspiration guide you in finding a view you’d want to share with the rest of the world.
3) Consider Upgrading Your Equipment
As an amateur photographer, you can probably get away with an entry-level camera to get the job done. However, the more serious you get at your practice, the more you may want to consider upgrading your camera and lens. Better gear will allow you to expand your settings and thus help you take better shots.
Look up photography forums and blogs to see what community experts are recommending. This way, you’ll be able to find a camera, lenses, and other equipment that will suit your travel photography needs.
After buying new equipment, remember that you may have to go through a period of adjustment with it. It can be frustrating at first, but you’ll get the hang of it by constantly using and familiarising yourself with your new tools.
4) Experiment with Different Styles to Find Your Own Unique Style
Mastering the basics shouldn’t cage you when it comes to composing your shots. Try to use this knowledge to experiment with various photography techniques so that you can come up with unique shots. As the saying goes, you should learn the rules first before breaking them.
Experimenting with various styles can also lead you to finding your own style, or the photographer’s equivalent of an artist or writer’s voice. Do you work better at portrait or landscape photography? Do you enjoy taking photos of travel scenery full of people, or do you prefer focusing on structures? Part of developing your craft pertains to asking these questions and figuring out your strengths as a photographer, and you can only start doing this by letting yourself try out different styles along the way.
5) Build a Travel Photography Portfolio
Consistent practice is a great way to develop any craft, and you’ll want to document your growth by building your own travel photography portfolio. You’ll need to travel and take your first travel photography trip. Here you can showcase not only the various locations you’ve visited, but also the different styles you’re capable of. And if someday you may want to offer travel photography services, then you’ll already be set with a strong portfolio to show potential clients.
6) Sharpen Your Photo Editing Skills
Sometimes you’ll come up with travel photos that are just a few tweaks off from being perfect. Perhaps the exposure level is a bit too high on one, or the colour is too warm on another for your liking.
To help enhance your raw photos, learn to use photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Don’t rely on these tools alone to produce excellent photos, but use them to complement your natural composition.
7) Always Keep Learning
Lastly, a good rule to adhere to as an amateur photographer is to never stop learning. Join a local photography club and meet other people who are just as passionate about travelling and photography as you are.
Look for online communities for travel photographers and share your portfolio to get feedback. Participate in photography contests, whether online or offline, to gauge your skill level. Don’t let your amateur status hold you back from expanding your horizons and taking on challenges that can help you grow.
As you keep learning you may even want to experiment with travel videos and learn how to make travel videos on YouTube. Travel photography can be quite challenging to any aspirant knowing how large the scope is. But there should be no running away from it if wanderlust, adventure, and artistry through photography are what you’re passionate about. Hopefully, the tips in these article can motivate you further to pick up your camera and jet off to exciting new lands.
