Basic Photography Tips for Travel Blogs

Whether you are using a digital camera or your phone for your travel photography, try these basic photography tips for travel blogs.

When I started my travel blog I was lucky that I was able to ask for basic photography tips from professionals I had worked with. As a professional makeup artist, I often work with A-list photographers such as Joe Edelman. I’ve learned a lot about photography by paying attention while on the job, asking questions, practicing a lot, and trying new ideas.

If you have a travel blog, then you know good photographs are a must. Whether you shoot landscapes, food, or people, the photos should tell the story. Once you’ve got the basics down and  you want to get more creative, you can use software for more advanced editing, like combining two photos into one or adding an element of one photo into another.  

 Here,  I will share some tips with you that I’ve learned along the way primarily by trial and error.
I created the photos for this article using a Nikon DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera. No matter which camera you choose, I think you’ll find a tip or two that will save you some time and some tears.

Tell A Story With Photographs

Travel photography should tell a story. Of course, you’re going to write some text to go along with the photographs but the photos should be a visual illustration of the text. In other words, you can communicate that you had a delicious cappuccino simply by taking a nicely composed photograph. It can make the story more interesting if you also have some shots of the café, (interior and exterior) and maybe even a shot of a waiter or the barista, at work.

Practice. A lot!

Take a lot of photographs. That’s the beauty of digital cameras.  If your memory card is full you can always download images to your laptop or another storage device. Or you can just delete the images that are a total bust and start again.

Take photos from a different perspectives

Look at your subject in new ways. Try different angles. Look at it from all sides. Try shooting with your camera angled up, or get low. Make something normal and common look unique and different. Sometimes that means you have to take a lot of photographs until you begin to see things in a new way.

Do Some Pre-Travel Research

The internet makes it easy to research anything. Just as a writer writes an outline for a book or a director has a storyboard for a film, your photography will benefit from a plan. 

For example, if you’re going to Rome and you want to photograph the Colosseum, your research may include mapping the quickest way to get there from your hotel. Do you want to go inside the Colosseum? You’ll need to take into account crowds, hours of operation, and fees, for starters. It can also be useful to look at other people’s photographs to study the different angles and lighting.

Details work great on travel blogs

Get close. A photographer once told me, don’t be afraid to get right next to your subject. Try shooting buildings and architectural details up close too. These kinds of images work well on blogs and in photo collages.

Timing is everything

Get out of bed! I’ve taken some of my favorite photos in the early morning hours before everyone else is up and about. This is crucial if you want to take photographs in areas around popular monuments. It’s also a great time to photograph interiors without people in the way.  

Preparation is key to success in travel photography

Be prepared. Carry a quart-size plastic Ziploc bag or two with you. If it rains you can use it to shield your camera. They are also handy waterproof storage for extra batteries, lenses, memory cards, and anything else you need to carry with you.

Chose a theme

Choose a theme or subject. Food, colors, churches, people, and markets, all make great subjects to build a photo story.

Photography is light

 Are you a golden hour person or a blue hour person? In other words, are you are sunrise or a sunset person? Think about what you want to shoot and the best time of day to do so. Either way, early morning and sunset provide the best available light for landscape and outdoor photography. And bonus, if you get up really early you can reward yourself with a break midday when the light outside is high and too harsh. 

Get Physical!

No, I’m not talking about Oliva Newton John. Work out! Photography can be athletic. The best way to see an area is to walk it. I go to Italy frequently and there are lots of hills, cobblestone streets, and stairs. It’s aerobic! I also know a guy who likes to ride his bike while shooting in urban areas – it’s easier than driving and parking.

Aim for perfection in the camera

Compose in the camera. Check the edges of the frame. Sometimes we don’t notice small things creeping into the shot because we are so focused on the subject. Don’t rely on editing software. Aim for perfection before editing.

In conclusion
Finally, join photo groups online.  Read. Go on photo walks. Most important of all, go out and shoot.

What do you like to photograph? Leave a comment below.