We all want to disconnect from our hectic lives when traveling but still come away with an album of beautiful photos. In this day and age, travel photography has become essential for any voyage. However, none of us wants to spend our whole trip looking through the lens of our camera. Being more thoughtful about your photos means taking home stunning pictures without having to take home a million. So we're here to share the best ways to nail your travel photos so you can put your camera down and live in the moment.

A word about gear

So what is some essential gear that will keep your photos vivid and stunning? Whether you're a pro or just love capturing moments on your mobile phone, having the right gear can make all the difference.

First up, let's talk about DSLR cameras. They are a fantastic choice if you're aiming for high-quality images. A great option is to pair your DSLR with a prime lens. Prime lenses, unlike zoom lenses, have a fixed focal length, which might sound limiting, but they offer incredible sharpness, superior low-light performance, and beautiful bokeh effects. For instance, a 50mm prime lens is excellent for portraits, street photography, and even some landscape shots. The clarity and detail that prime lenses capture are unparalleled, and some folks only travel with a single prime lens.

Now, while DSLRs are amazing, they can be bulky and sometimes a hassle to carry around. This is where modern mobile phone cameras come in handy. The advancements in mobile phone camera technology are astounding. These days, many smartphones come equipped with multiple lenses, including wide-angle and telephoto options, allowing you to capture a variety of shots without needing extra equipment. The convenience of having a powerful camera in your pocket is unbeatable, especially for spontaneous moments.

In short, consider bringing a DSLR with a prime lens for those thoughtfully composed shots and your mobile phone for quick, on-the-go photography. This combination ensures you're always ready to capture the beauty of your journey without missing a beat.

The power of Golden Hour

Golden hour light is like nature's own Instagram filter, perfect for travel photography. This magical period, just after sunrise and just before sunset, bathes everything in a soft, warm glow that makes your photos look incredible without much effort. The shadows are longer and softer, adding depth and dimension to your shots, which you don't get during the harsh midday sun.

One of the best things about golden hour is the way it enhances colors. The warm tones make landscapes, cityscapes, and even portraits pop with vibrancy and warmth. Imagine capturing a serene beach with the golden rays kissing the waves or a bustling market street glowing under the soft light. It’s like every photo tells a story of tranquility and adventure.

Moreover, golden hour light is incredibly flattering for people. It's soft and diffused, which means no harsh shadows or squinting eyes. This makes it the ideal time for capturing those candid travel moments with friends or locals you meet along the way.

In short, golden hour light is perfect for travel photography because it makes everything look magical and more appealing, transforming ordinary scenes into extraordinary memories. So, grab your camera and make the most of this enchanting time of day!

Framing and lighting portraits of people

From your travel companions, to the people you come across on any journey, people are always a part of every travel experience. A few quick notes about how to frame and capture people in photos you will cherish. The biggest point here is to make sure you aren't cropping arms or legs in strange ways — try to stick with either including their whole body, or crop at the waist. Remember— you can always crop out a section of an existing image, but you can’t crop outward beyond the limits of the original image.

Because all camera lenses are curved — especially mobile phone cameras — try taking the photo from your subject’s waist level to avoid making their upper body look disproportionate to their lower body (this is called Lens Distortion). You can also try using Portrait Mode to create awesome background blur effects (this effect is called bokeh). Portrait Mode will also force you to move around to frame the shot the way you want it, without losing any image quality by using the digital zoom in normal camera mode.

Golden hour light is significantly better for photographing people’s skin tone than direct sunlight. The same is also true for diffused sunlight, like on a cloudy day, or if your subject is sitting near a window. The rule here is to photograph your subjects in indirect, soft light whenever possible.

Frame images like an artist

Most mobile and DSLR cameras feature a set of lines that break the image up into 9 blocks — this is to help you frame a photo based on the Rule of Thirds, a well known method for framing photos in a more balanced way. Align your subject within any of the vertical or horizontal spaces, or use the lines to break up foreground, mid-ground and sky in your photos. The Rule of Thirds can also help define areas of color or movement in an image — take a look at the photos in this post and see how the images are framed this way.

You can also try creative framing, like lining up your shot squarely with a window or doorway to capture your subject through a natural frame. The key is for your photos to tell a story, rather than merely documenting something you saw.

Mind the details

DSLR and mobile phone cameras take incredibly detailed photos — more detail than you are aware of when framing a photo. Take your time framing that special moment, especially if you're photographing your travel partner. Resist the urge to just take the photo and check it later. Instead, take a few photos and spend an extra moment to look at them more closely. You may notice different distractions or distortions that you did not notice through the lens, and you can save yourself the regret of having missed the perfect shot.

Look for leading lines in your frame

Leading lines are an awesome trick in photography to direct people's eyes through your picture, adding depth and highlighting the main subject. These lines can be anything like roads, rivers, fences, or shadows, and they do a great job of guiding the viewer's gaze from the foreground to the background or straight to the main focus of the shot.

To incorporate leading lines into your photos, find strong, clear lines in your scene that can naturally steer the viewer’s eye. Placing these lines cleverly within the frame can boost your composition, making it dynamic and engaging. Plus, leading lines can give a sense of movement or direction, making the photo more immersive.

Try out different angles and perspectives to maximize the effect of leading lines, turning a simple scene into a visually stunning piece.

Edit with Care

Editing photos isn't just about making them look better, it's also about enhancing the story they tell. Here are some tips to help you do just that, in a fun and informal way.

First, start with the basics. Adjust the brightness and contrast. A well-lit photo can bring out details you didn't even know were there and make the main subject pop. Don't go overboard though – too much contrast can make the photo look unnatural.

Next, play with the colors. Adjust the saturation to make the colors more vibrant or to give your photo a certain mood. For example, increasing the warmth can give a cozy, nostalgic vibe, while a cooler tone might make it feel serene or even a bit mysterious. Again, moderation is key.

Cropping is another powerful tool. By cutting out unnecessary parts of the photo, you can focus the viewer's attention on the most important elements. It's like zooming in on the story you want to tell.

Don't forget about filters. They can add a lot of character to your photos. Whether you want a vintage feel or a modern, sleek look, there's a filter for that. Just make sure it complements the story you're trying to tell and doesn’t overshadow it.

Lastly, add some finishing touches. Small tweaks like sharpening the image, reducing noise, or adding a subtle vignette can make a big difference. These details can help guide the viewer's eye and enhance the overall impact of your photo story.

Enjoy the Moment

Don't forget to put your camera down once you have the shot you want! As seasoned travelers, we know that not every moment or experience can — or should — be photographed. Sometimes, you just have to take a step back and be present in the moment!

Travel Photography Tips