Whether you are a total beginner to photography or a seasoned semi-pro, taking vacation pictures can pose quite a challenge. It seems that good photos come about almost by random magic. This year your vacation photographs can be full of unique and attractive shots if you follow these simple rules.
1. Get to know your equipment ahead of time.
There are plenty of new variables when you embark on a vacation; don’t let your equipment be one of them. Before you go on vacation, get to know all of your photography equipment, including how to operate all of the features and adjust the settings. This will allow you to grab winning shots as you come upon them, rather than walking around with your nose buried in a user’s manual.
2. Bring the necessary accessories.
The bare minimum packing list would include the camera, tripod, a memory card or film, batteries and chargers, and an external flash. You may question whether these are all necessary, but all indeed are. You will also need appropriate and portable cases for these items to keep them safe and within reach while you are exploring. If you really want superior pictures, consider investing in a circular polarized filter. These are relatively inexpensive yet can enhance color, reduce glare, and even allow you to photograph objects under water.
3. Protect your equipment.
One important thing to remember when taking an airplane is to never check the bags containing your photography equipment. Not only does this leave it susceptible to theft (which is more common than we would like it to be), it also exposes your expensive camera and accessories to wide changes in temperature and air pressure as well as dampness and rough handling. Contrary to popular belief, the security x-ray will not harm digital equipment or memory cards. If you are going to be in a moist or humid area, consider sealing your camera in a plastic bag when not in use. As soon as possible after taking pictures, back them up on a spare memory card or storage website to prevent loss. Most important, if you are going to be in sand or water, consider buying a cheap or even disposable camera to avoid ruining more expensive equipment.
4. Know your location.
Most vacationers know approximately what sites they will be visiting during their trip. Taking the time to check out each location ahead of time can let you plan ahead for certain shots. You can even make a list of photo opportunities you would like to shoot so you can visit them during the time of day when the light is best for that particular feature. You will also be able to view other people’s pictures of the attraction, identifying and preventing common pitfalls. Thanks to the many resources available on the internet and the local library, finding this information can be both easy and free.
5. Take pictures during the ‘golden hour’.
Despite the name, there are two ‘golden hours’ during the day: the hour after dawn and the hour just before sunset. At these times, the sunlight is coming from low in the sky, reducing shadows, and also tends to be naturally diffused. The result is a softly but completely lit photo that captures the true essence of the subject. As a bonus, sunrises and sunsets are usually beautiful in themselves and provide an attractive backdrop to other shots.
6. Avoid clichés.
There are some shots that have been done so often they are nearly meaningless. You can see them on almost every postcard for the given area. Of course you will be tempted to photograph these famous and noteworthy sites, but consider ahead of time what you can do to bring a new perspective to the shot. Sometimes all it takes is a light spring rain or an interesting collection of clouds to bring new life to well-known landmarks.
7. Include people and loved ones in your photos.
In a way, this tip is related to the prior one; no photo is cliché if it includes a silly shot of your child or an attractive likeness of anyone you love. You likely are going on vacation with people that you care about. Don’t be afraid that these people will ruin your pictures; in most cases, they will make them all the more lovely.
8. Be spontaneous.
In many cases, the best photos are not of a location, but of the people and culture that define it. Don’t be afraid to take pictures of local characters (ask first, of course!) or to capture a local village or farmer’s market. Take pictures of meals with local flavor and the everyday objects that make up life in the area. These will be the memories you truly want to record. Planned shots can be lovely, but mix them liberally with impromptu pictures that capture the uniqueness of the location.
9. Take risks.
If you are taking a lot of pictures (and what vacationer isn’t?) you can afford to take a few risks. Try to stretch your photographic abilities, to capture the sunset shimmering across a lake or a dramatic tropical lightning storm. At the very worst, you’ll end up with a handful of throw-away photos. However, there is a good chance that a few of these complicated shots will be pictures you can display with pride. This is the only way to learn how to get pictures in unusual situations.
10. Bring a notebook.
There are many reasons to record the particulars of interesting photographs. If you get a particularly good shot, people are sure to ask questions. If it is particularly good, you may want to submit the photo to a website or travel magazine. Either way, it is good to have details written down for memory’s sake. A small, pocket-sized notebook, such as the type you might buy at a dollar store, is a good way of storing the place, time, of day, and other information about your photographs. Your photographs are your memories, and the notebook will fill in the details.
