Travel is one of the best experiences anyone can have; it exposes us to different cultures ancient traditions, we meet new people and can see some of the most beautiful vistas on the planet.
Every moment is as memorable as the last, and when we cast our mind back to those unforgettable points in time, they bring warmth, often a smile. But if you have a picture to go with the memory, it captures that spot in time for the rest of your life. We all love to show off our images, and you only have to look across social media to see how many of our friends and family do the same; it’s become so prevalent that it’s almost become an unwritten rule that you have to provide content for others to view.
This summer looks like you may see more of the pictures than ever, with record numbers expected to be going for that idyllic getaway, but rather than looking at the images of others, it’s time for you to get out there and take some of your own.
Equipment
However, to get the best pictures that perfectly capture the moment, it’s vital you have the right equipment. For great photos, you should ideally pick your camera from the wide range of DSLR cameras on the market.
Canon or Nikon tend to be the strongest, with something like the Canon EOS Rebel T7 being a great choice at $479. Another alternative to the Canon would be the Sony A7R III which is so versatile, it’s got a huge 42.4-megapixel sensor and it’s fantastic for those wide, crisp landscape shots.
It would be ideal to pick up a couple of lenses with the camera if your budget allows. Much like the camera bodies, there are so many lens types to choose from, so it depends on what you want to shoot. If it’s those epic landscape shots you want on your epic hiking trips, then a wide-angle F2.8 16-35mm would be ideal; also it’s good for night and star photography too.
However, if you can’t carry an extra lens around, then a F2.8 24-70mm is almost the go-anywhere choice. It will take solid landscape shots, albeit not as wide, and because it will close into 70mm, it’s great for close-ups or even portrait pictures, perfect for Instagram, Facebook, or print.
Top Photo Tips
As crazy as it may seem, when the sun is at its highest, the middle of the day isn’t the best time to take a picture. Shadows can cause issues, and the light is so harsh it’s much better to take shots when the light is warmer, just after sunrise or just before sunset.
However, if you take pictures in the daytime, try and position the sun between yourself and the subject or even use cloud cover to diffuse the effect of the sun, you’ll get much better images and less chance of dark spots or glare.
As the people in any country are part of the culture you’re visiting, why not ask a local if you can take a picture of them? It will give you the perfect snapshot of the place, the people, and their culture (if they’re wearing a traditional dress) all in one image.
Different compositions of shots can give the same location a totally different feel in a picture. Take a photo stood, with the subject in the center of the frame, then shoot from a lower angle.
Maybe even a different distance too, start wide, then mid-range image before getting close. By only taking one image, you could miss out on a perfect shot that was literally staring you straight in the face.
Capture action shots if you’re on a train journey through the mountains; that way, you’ll recall the feeling of movement through the image. Setting the shutter speed on the camera to 1/30th of a second would capture the movement of the landscape while keeping the train in focus.
This works brilliantly if you can lean out of the window, but please, stay safe!
Conclusion
Overall when it comes to travel photography having the right equipment is fantastic, but that’s only the start. You need to invest a little time in thinking about your surroundings and what you want from your image. While there’s nothing particularly wrong with taking quick snaps, if you want that image that evokes the emotion of your epic trip or even just want to be the envy of all your friends on social media, it’s definitely worth it.
