Jan 30, 2024

[Photography] 10 Travel Photography Ideas to Get You Inspired in 2024

The post 10 Travel Photography Ideas to Get You Inspired in 2024 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jeremy Flint.

travel photo ideas to get you inspired

Travel photography is one of the most exciting forms of picture taking; it evokes images of exotic, far-away places and distant lands, enough to thrill any budding photographer.

But how should you approach photographing a new destination? How can you capture images that stand the test of time?

In this article, I share 10 travel photography ideas – that are guaranteed to get your creative juices flowing. So whether you’re headed to a gorgeous city or a stunning island, keep reading. You’re bound to find an idea or two that’ll kickstart your photos!

1. Photograph the city from a rooftop

Cities are a great place to get started with travel photography, as the scenes and lighting are so varied. Plus, when visiting cities, you will find no shortage of incredible views!

For the most majestic city photos, don’t shoot from the ground; instead, shoot from a roof, which will let you capture the city as a whole, and will present a stunning perspective at any time of day.

a city from above

How can you find accessible rooftops to shoot from? Before arriving at your destination, do some quick Googling. Some famous landmarks offer roof access, as do plenty of bars, restaurants, and parking garages. Some buildings even feature observation decks, which offer mesmerizing views from dizzying heights and will leave you feeling in awe of your wonderful location.

2. Photograph the place you’re staying

Did you know that one of the best travel photography ideas is to simply take images of where you’re staying? It might sound silly, but trust me; once you start looking for photos, you’ll find plenty of opportunities in your accommodations, whether it’s a bed and breakfast or a hotel.

You can photograph the different rooms, the outside of the building, and the doorways and entrances. You might even consider photographing other people staying in the same location (or if no one is available, you can do some self-portraits that capture both you and your accommodations). It’s a great way to hone your travel photography skills and capture memories of your travels.

3. Shoot an unfamiliar street scene

street scene on an overcast day travel photography

If you’re a beginner travel photographer, one of the easiest ways to introduce yourself to the genre is by capturing an image of an unfamiliar street. That way, you have some fun exploring – and you can record the essence of your destination.

So the next time you’re visiting a town or a city, take your camera with you, walk the streets, and find a beautiful street scene. Try to include interesting elements, such as stunning architecture, eye-catching streetlights, essential landmarks, and people wandering about.

4. Capture an image of the city streets at night

If you find yourself in a city at night, then I highly recommend you head out with your camera (though be sure to stay safe, of course!). You can capture stunning images of the city streets when the skies are dark and the buildings are illuminated by streetlights and windows.

The combination of structures and street lights can be dazzling. Use the contrast between the light and the shape of the buildings to make your city street images stand out.

street scene at night travel photography ideas

5. Shoot from a hilltop

If you’re visiting a rural area or a natural location, you’ll find that some of the best scenic overlooks are at the summit of a hill. (You can use this trick in certain cities, too; just head to an area with the highest elevation!)

the coast at sunset

Take a walk or two around your location, looking for hills, mountains, and cliffs. Then head to the top and capture the surroundings from your elevated position! Although the hike might be challenging, you’ll be rewarded for your efforts with a tremendous view – plus, shooting from a bird’s-eye perspective is a great way to capture unique travel photos.

6. Shoot from the ground

tropical paradise travel idea

While you can capture majestic natural and urban views from the summit of a hill or rooftop…

…sometimes it’s best to stay at ground level, just walking with your camera and enjoying the scenery. After all, ground-level photos do provide a more intimate perspective of your destination, plus they reflect how most vacation-goers experience the area.

And if you do shoot from the ground, you’ll still find some of the best views, including striking landscapes and architectural delights. You’ll also encounter street scenes filled with cars, buildings, lights, and life that changes constantly as people go about their day. Be patient and capture each scene as it unfolds!

7. Capture your travels on a local adventure

Do you want to do travel photography, but you’re not currently able to visit far-flung corners of the globe? That’s totally okay – because you can always find plenty of travel subjects right where you live.

You see, travel photography isn’t just about capturing exotic locations. It’s also about exploring and approaching subjects with a fresh perspective, which you can do from just outside your house! (Plus, heading out with a camera will help you practice and improve your skills, which is always a bonus!)

So head out in a car, on a bike, or on foot. Capture the surrounding countryside, or go into the nearest city for urban scenes. Visit your local park and capture the scenery, visit a nearby zoo and photograph the residents, or take some images of your hometown.

Sure, your shots might not be exotic, but they can still be beautiful. And you’ll develop your sense of camera settings, light, and composition without spending thousands of dollars traveling to the other side of the world.

8. Capture a panorama

panorama of rock formations

Panoramas are unique, they’re breathtaking, and they’re a great way to capture all of the landscape – so why not take one (or a few) when out traveling?

In fact, capturing a panorama is surprisingly easy. It doesn’t require expensive camera equipment, and you can even get great results with your mobile phone! Simply find your phone’s “Panorama” mode, rotate as instructed, and appreciate your gorgeous final product.

Of course, you don’t need to shoot panoramas everywhere. Reserve them for wide scenes that go beyond the standard horizontal image size.

9. Take a walk in nature

Sometimes when you are traveling to built-up cities, the urban sprawl can be quite chaotic and overwhelming. So a great way to get your creative juices flowing and find inspiration for your travel photography is to go for a walk or hike in nature.

It may take time to get to a good location, particularly if you’re staying in an urban district, but it’s generally worth it; it’ll make you feel refreshed, and when you’re done, you’ll be ready to tackle urban travel photography once again.

Also, feel free to bring your camera on your natural excursion! You’ll find many things to photograph, from birds and animals to flowers and foliage. And there’s a bonus: the health benefits that come from spending time in the great outdoors. 

robin in a tree

10. Get lost

Guidebooks are an easy way to familiarize yourself with a new area. But sometimes, the best way to find great travel photos is to simply…get lost.

Wandering in an unfamiliar place heightens the senses and can give you so much more creative freedom in your travel photos. I’ve found that getting lost leads to unexpected places that I may not have found if I had spent all my time following the guidebook and its recommendations.

So take your time, get lost, and enjoy the experience. You never know where you might end up and what you might find to photograph on your journey!

breathtaking travel photography idea landscape with mountains

Travel photography ideas: final words

Now that you’ve finished this article, you should have a few travel photography ideas to keep you inspired when out shooting.

Capturing beautiful travel photography doesn’t have to be hard. Simply remember the ideas I’ve shared, have fun, and enjoy your adventures!

Now over to you:

Which of these ideas for travel photography will you use? Do you have any ideas that I didn’t mention? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post 10 Travel Photography Ideas to Get You Inspired in 2024 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jeremy Flint.



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Jan 28, 2024

[Photography] Black and White Photography: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started

The post Black and White Photography: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Andrew S. Gibson.

black and white photography a beginner's guide

If you’ve never tried black and white photography before, you may feel a bit intimidated. After all, how do you get started? Should you be shooting black and white on your camera, or should you be converting color images to black and white? And how can you create stunning black and white images, anyway?

In this article, I aim to answer all those questions. I’ll explain the value of black and white, how to do it, plus I’ll share some tips along the way!

Black and white photography

Why is black and white photography important?

In the photographic world, black and white is an art form of its own. Some would even say the best photographers work in monochrome. It’s a medium with a rich history; look at the work of Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, or Henri Cartier-Bresson for some truly stunning examples.

Just as importantly, working in black and white can help you become a better photographer. 

How?

It’s all about seeing.

Color is very powerful. It tends to dominate photos – to the point that beginners struggle to see other key elements like contrast, texture, shape, form, and quality of light.

Experienced photographers instinctively see these things, regardless of whether they work in color or black and white. But if you’re just starting out, you may need some assistance. Black and white strips away color, allowing you to focus on the other elements that matter.

seaside black and white
Black and white emphasizes the textures of the rocks and sea in this landscape photo.

Naturally, there are certain subjects that tend to work better than others in black and white. In particular, black and white lends itself to landscapes and portraits.

So if this is your first time shooting in black and white, then those are great starter subjects!

black and white portrait
Black and white portraits emphasize expression and light.

How to shoot in black and white

Before digital photography, the only way to work in black and white was to use black and white film.

But these days, you have two options:

  1. You can shoot in color and convert your photos to black and white in Lightroom, Photoshop, or some other post-processing program.
  2. You can switch your camera to its Monochrome mode.

I highly recommend you choose the second option, and here’s why:

By shooting in black and white from the beginning, you’ll get black and white previews on your camera’s LCD. You’ll also be able to see in black and white via your camera’s Live View mode. And if you use a mirrorless camera, you can look through a black and white viewfinder – so you know exactly how the different colors will convert before you press the shutter button.

(If you’re not sure how to switch your camera to black and white, check your camera’s manual. Don’t worry; it’s not difficult!)

One last piece of advice here:

Shoot in RAW, not JPEG (or shoot in RAW+JPEG, which will give you a file in each format every time you press the shutter button).

RAW essentially offers you insurance. If you decide you don’t like your shot in black and white, your RAW files can be reverted back to color with the click of a mouse. And if you decide to extensively edit your photos in post-processing, RAW gives you a lot of flexibility.

However, if you’re new to photography, I recognize that you may want to work exclusively in JPEG, and that’s okay. Just know that you’ll probably want to switch to RAW eventually (it’ll deliver better image quality in the long run).

Working in Monochrome mode

As explained above, I highly recommend you set your camera to Monochrome mode. And to get basic black and white shots, that’s all you need to do.

However, once you’re in Monochrome mode, you may have color filter options. And through careful application of these filters, you can capture even better black and white shots.

Color filters

The color filter settings come from the days of film photography. Photographers would use color filters to alter the tones in black and white photos. These days, digital photographers rarely work with physical color filters – instead, they use camera software or post-processing to mimic filter effects.

Your camera likely includes a few color filter options. For instance, you might use a yellow or orange filter to darken a blue sky or a red filter to turn it nearly black.

Here’s a shot before adding a color filter:

black and white church with less contrast
This scene works quite well in black and white, but it’s not nearly as dramatic as it could be.

And here’s the shot after applying a red filter:

Black and white church with red filter
Applying the red filter setting makes the blue sky go much darker, creating a dramatic version of the same scene.

There is also a place for green filters, which can bring out more detail in green subjects like leafy forests.

Those four colored filters (red, orange, yellow, and green) have made their way onto most digital cameras as black and white settings.

Quick tip: Don’t forget about contrast!

If you take a photo in dull light – in shade, for instance, or under a cloudy sky – the photo may look flat (i.e., two-dimensional), especially in black and white.

So what do you do?

You compensate by increasing the contrast. A contrast boost will deepen the shadows, brighten the highlights, and make your main subject pop!

Here’s a portrait without a contrast adjustment:

b&w portrait with no contrast adjustment
The model was standing in the shade when I took this photo. The light lacks contrast, and the black and white photo is flat.

And here’s the same portrait, but with a contrast boost:

Black and white portrait with contrast adjustment
Increasing contrast creates a much stronger image.

To my eye, the final (adjusted) result is much more powerful.

You can increase the contrast after the photo has been taken (in Photoshop or Lightroom), or you can do it in-camera by adjusting the contrast setting (see your manual if you’re not sure how to do this!).

Composing in black and white

Remember how I said black and white forces you to think about other key elements, such as shape and form?

It’s true. And it’s the reason why composition becomes so important when shooting in black and white.

Unfortunately, there’s not really a quick solution to capturing good compositions; a lot of it just depends on your ability to see shapes, lines, and textures (which you can develop through practice or study or simply by looking at great photography).

However, there is one item that can improve your black and white compositions:

The aspect ratio.

You see, certain aspect ratios (such as the 1:1, or square format) make composition easier. Whereas other aspect ratios (such as most cameras’ native 3:2 ratio) make composition tricky.

So after you’ve set your camera to Monochrome mode, I recommend heading into the settings and changing the aspect ratio to Square. It’ll improve the way you frame scenes (and if your camera has an electronic viewfinder, it’ll let you see the new aspect ratio in real-time!).

Black and white photography in a square format
Cropping to the square format emphasized the shapes of these three pots.

Toning in black and white

Toning is the process of adding color to your images, but only after they’ve been converted to black and white.

This can give very cool effects – for instance, it can turn your shots yellow or purple or red.

Now, your camera may allow you to tone your photos when you take them. But the effect is usually very heavy-handed, which is why I recommend you avoid in-camera toning.

Instead, test out toning in post-processing. You can have lots of fun applying a single tone to your images (such as a nice sepia). And if you want to get really creative, you can add multiple tones, an effect called split toning.

Black and white photography: final words

Black and white is a beautiful medium to work in, one that you will appreciate even more as your skills grow.

In the meantime, have fun and enjoy yourself. You are following a path trodden by some of the most famous names in photography!

Now over to you:

Have you tried shooting in black and white before? How did it go? Do you have any favorite black and white subjects? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post Black and White Photography: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Andrew S. Gibson.



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Jan 26, 2024

[Photography] 16 Tips for Beautiful Travel Portrait Photography

The post 16 Tips for Beautiful Travel Portrait Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Philipp Dukatz.

travel portrait photography tips

This article was updated in January 2024 with contributions from Philipp Dukatz, Ben McKechnie, Oded Wagenstein, Matt Dutile, Darren Rowse, Kevin Landwer-Johan, Suzi Pratt, and Peter West Carey.

Travel portrait photography might seem difficult – but with the right approach, it’s surprisingly easy.

I’ve taken photos of people while traveling all around the world, and in this article, I explain everything you need to know for stunning travel portraiture, including:

  • The best ways to approach locals
  • A simple trick to set your subjects at ease
  • How to choose the right gear
  • How to find the best locations
  • Much more!

So if you want to become a travel photography master, then let’s dive right in, starting with my first tip:

1. Be ready for beautiful moments

travel portrait photography

If you’re serious about capturing top-notch travel portraits, then you should be ready to fire the camera shutter at all times.

Travel portraiture is all about shooting the brief moments – the glimpses into a person’s life that aren’t replicable. You’re not doing landscape photography, where you (often) have plenty of time to select a lens, set up your tripod, and choose your settings; instead, you’re doing travel portraits, which require a fast shutter finger and intense mental focus.

That’s why you should constantly scan the environment, looking for potential candid subjects. And even once you’ve found a subject, watch them carefully for a memorable split-second expression.

Also, make sure you take your lens cap off, switch your camera on, adjust your travel settings in advance, and be ready to shoot!

travel portrait photography

2. Get close to your subject

Do you feel your travel portraits look boring? It’s probably because you are too far away.

travel portrait photography

I know it feels awkward to get close to someone you don’t know, especially in a foreign country. It seems so much easier to shoot from a distance and capture a more environmental travel portrait, or to break out that telephoto lens, zoom in, and click away.

Unfortunately, in my experience, this just won’t work.

If you want to capture crisp, sharp, extraordinary images that tell a story and leave your audience stunned, you must overcome your shyness. A close perspective will add more details to your subject’s face; it will also simplify the composition so that you’re focusing on just one or two elements. And by walking in close, you’ll gain control over key items: the lighting, the background, the composition, and the depth of field. These factors are vital in good portrait photography and are so much easier to adjust when you are close to your subject.

How can you get up close without feeling uncomfortable? That’s what I explain in my next few tips:

3. Practice approaching people

travel portrait photography

It’s the biggest challenge in travel portrait photography: How do you get close to people without bothering them? How do you talk to strangers and ask for permission to take pictures?

My recommendation:

Start by practicing.

Think about what you might say to a person. Write out a script (or three) if you have to. Then practice it in the mirror. Practice smiling, practice gesturing to your camera, and practice saying the script repeatedly until it becomes automatic.

Sure, you might feel a bit silly – but when it comes time to actually approach a person, it’ll be so much easier!

When you’re approaching a person for real, it’s all about your attitude. So make contact, seem upbeat, talk, and – most importantly! – smile.

Bottom line: Don’t be shy, adapt to the local culture, get to know people, make friends, and you will take great pictures.

4. Learn the basics of the local language

You may be wondering:

If I don’t know the local language, then how can I approach people and interact successfully?

It’s simple: Just learn a few basic phrases. These won’t take much effort, but they’ll go a long way to helping you approach people. In my experience, these are the six most important phrases you should learn before traveling to a new country:

  • Hello, how are you?
  • My name is …?
  • I am from …?
  • What is your name?
  • Thank you!
  • Beautiful!

Practice the phrases on bus rides, and ask your hotel receptionist, taxi driver, or local friends how to pronounce words. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes!

Then, when you’re out shooting, go up to people with your camera and use the phrases. Once you’ve gotten acquainted, gesture to your camera – and if you get the nod of approval, take their photo!

travel portrait photography

5. Smile a lot!

I said it before, but it’s so important that it deserves its own section:

Whatever you do, when you’re approaching strangers, make sure to smile. A smile can go such a long way. If you are grumpy and angry because you’re not getting the shots you want, it’ll put people off. No one will want to go near you, and people definitely won’t want to get their picture taken by you.

If you do it right, when you come home from a photo walk, you’ll have lots of pictures. And your cheeks should hurt from all the smiling!

travel portrait photography

6. Take your time

Once you’ve made contact with a potential subject, and you’ve established a good vibe, it’s time to take a picture. But don’t rush; that will make your subject uncomfortable, and it won’t make for a good result.

Instead, take advantage of all the “work” you’ve put in and take your time. Be calm, think about the light, think about what you want to emphasize (the eyes, the hands, or the person itself), and think about the background. Take a deep breath and try a couple of shots. Maybe switch angles and test out different compositions.

As you work, your subject will also become more relaxed and get used to the camera. Again, there is no need to rush. In my experience, a slow portrait is nearly always better than a fast one!

travel portrait photography

7. Don’t be afraid to capture candid portraits

When encountering people who are totally engrossed in what they are doing, it’s best not to interrupt them. Instead, remain separate and capture candid or semi-candid photos.

I rarely hide my camera; instead, I prefer to have it out in the open so people can be aware that I’m taking photos. Most folks pay no attention, especially when you’re in a tourist area.

For this next photo, I wanted to capture the young boy advertising goods at the top of his voice. He and the older man (I assume it was his grandfather that he was helping) were aware of my presence and that I was taking photos. I was able to do so without disrupting the action.

16 Tips for Beautiful Travel Portrait Photography
Image by Kevin Landwer-Johan

8. Choose a strong composition

Numerous compositions can work for portraits. The rule of thirds can work incredibly well, but don’t overdo it or all your travel portraits will look the same.

Another approach is to place one of your subject’s eyes directly in the center of the frame; a study proved that portraits composed this way appeal to viewers on a subconscious level. (I promise I’m not making that up!) It’s a trick that can be applied in both portrait and landscape orientation.

A general rule exists in travel portraiture that you shouldn’t place your subject directly in the center of the frame. However, rules are made to be broken sometimes!

How to Shoot Engaging Travel Portraits from Start to Finish
As I stood taking pictures of the Banaue rice terraces, I heard a frail voice saying “Photo? Who is taking a photo?” It belonged to a 96-year-old woman named Bah Gu-An. She was completely blind. I wasn’t sure how to communicate as I normally would for a portrait, so took her hands in mine to let her know I was there. Her friends translated back and forth for us. I decided on a rule of thirds composition because I felt the blue umbrella added extra visual interest and balance to the frame.
(Image by Ben McKechnie)

9. Come down to their eye level

Try not to stand above your subject if they are sitting. It’s intimidating and works against your goal to relax the person. Positive psychological things happen when you get down on someone’s eye level. Take a look at the example below:

How to Shoot Engaging Travel Portraits from Start to Finish
A Hindu holy man on a tiny island in the Brahmaputra River, Assam, India.
(Image by Ben McKechnie)

The image was not captured in a touristy location in India, so he is the real deal. I sat down on the step to receive a blessing. Accompanied by mystical chanting, I drank some lukewarm tea of unknown provenance, had air blown all over my face, and ash spread across my forehead. We chatted after, and I felt in no rush to suggest a portrait. It was a fascinating experience. What do you think when you look at his facial expression – is the time spent together palpable?

10. Always be aware of the lighting

Light will add feeling to your travel portraits when you use it well. Look at the type of lighting in the location where you’re making your portraits. Is it conducive to the style of the portrait you wish to capture? Do you need to come back at another time of the day or night? Will adding some flash improve the shot?

When you’re traveling, you often can’t wait for the right light, so you must make the best use of available light. When the light at the location is not great, you need to get creative and add illumination – either with a flash or a reflector.

For this night portrait of a Samlor rider, I was able to position him to make the most of the light in the street market behind him. I also used my flash to illuminate him and help catch a glimpse of the motorcycle passing behind.

16 Tips for Beautiful Travel Portrait Photography
Image by Kevin Landwer-Johan

11. Don’t be afraid to move

Reality can be quite boring, and while there are plenty of great subjects, not all compositions work – so don’t get stuck capturing the same obvious, conventional shots.

Instead, when you approach a new subject, think about all the different crops and angles you might use. Envision a strong image in your head. Then move to make it happen!

In particular, pay attention to your subject’s position in the scene and how they relate to elements in the foreground and the background. You don’t want trees or signs coming out of your subject’s head, and you don’t want any strong splashes of color that will distract the viewer, either.

Fortunately, just by taking a few steps to the right or left, you can often eliminate distractions and/or include additional beautiful elements.

Don’t be lazy! And don’t just rely on your lens’s zoom capabilities. For the best shots, move those feet!

travel portrait photography

12. Get a 50mm lens

I know, I know: You can take great travel photos with any lens (and any camera, for that matter). However, certain lenses are ideal for certain types of photography, and if you want stunning travel portrait photos, I highly recommend you invest in a 50mm lens.

What makes a 50mm lens so special?

For one, the perspective is very natural and therefore great for portraits. You’ll be able to capture detailed shots without standing too close to your subject, but you’ll also be able to back up for a wider field of view in case you want to take some environmental images.

Plus, a 50mm prime lens will force you to really think about your compositions. You won’t be able to zoom in on your subjects; if you want to get a tight shot, you’ll need to make the deliberate decision to move closer.

Bonus: 50mm lenses are super portable, which means you can carry one all day and you won’t notice the weight.

travel portrait photography

13. Choose the right settings for travel portraits

With my fixed focal lens, I often shoot portraits at f/2.8 or slightly above. If you shoot any wider, the focal plane can be so thin that you risk your subject’s eyes being in focus but having their nose out of focus. For a zoom lens, I recommend selecting your widest aperture but standing further away from your subject. Zooming in on their face will accentuate the shallow depth of field effect that works so well for portraits.

How to Shoot Engaging Travel Portraits from Start to Finish
A Muslim traveler at Haji Ali Dargah, an Islamic shrine off the coast of Mumbai – India.
(Image by Ben McKechnie)

For engaging portraits, the most important element requiring sharp focus is the eyes. I suggest setting your camera to spot focus on the center AF point. Next, aim the center point at one of your subject’s eyes. Use the focus and recompose method or even better – the back button focus method to lock in on the eyes. This will ensure they’re in sharp focus in the finished photo.

14. Start by shooting kids and people in action

If you’re still feeling a bit uncomfortable about approaching people and asking for a shot, then start out easy:

With kids, and with people in action.

You see, kids are so easy to photograph. They usually love getting their picture taken; they’ll pose for long minutes and never get bored! Of course, be mindful of boundaries, and always ask the parents before shooting their child.

As for capturing people in action:

I’m talking about people who are doing something. For instance, you’ll have an easy time photographing a person playing a musical instrument, whereas a person doing nothing will surely notice your approach. Do you see what I mean? People who are busy with tasks won’t care about you taking pictures, so they’re a great beginner’s subject!

Pro tip: Look for traditional workshops or handicraft businesses. They usually make for great travel portrait opportunities!

travel portrait photography

15. Shoot a series with the same subject

When you have someone’s permission and have bonded with them, consider staying with them a while and shooting a series of images. This is what I did when I met a man in the Philippines recently. I directed him gently for a series of shots after telling him how interested people would be to learn about his culture. He was happy to oblige.

How to Shoot Engaging Travel Portraits from Start to Finish
I would have kicked myself if I’d walked away without getting a side profile shot of this man and his headdress that featured the real heads of a long-dead bird and monkey.
(Image by Ben McKechnie)
How to Shoot Engaging Travel Portraits from Start to Finish
I decided to fill the frame here to draw attention to his excellent smile, patterned clothes, and monkey headdress.
(Image by Ben McKechnie)

16. Get out of the touristy areas

Travel portrait photography is about capturing authentic images that really tell the story of a location.

And you won’t find that story in touristy hubs.

You see, tourist attractions are (usually) far from a country’s reality. Sure, take a few images in the tourist traps, but then move farther afield. Note that getting off the beaten track isn’t as difficult as you might think; sometimes it takes just 15 minutes to find yourself in a small, local village.

And as a photographer, that is where you want to be. You’ll meet real people who aren’t out to sell things. You will have more chances to interact, practice your newly acquired language skills, and take more authentic photographs.

Plus, it’ll make for a much better travel experience than the “Lonely Planet path.”

travel portrait photography

Travel portrait photography: final words

Capturing great travel portraits takes a little practice.

But it’s worth it.

So don’t be shy; instead, get out that camera, make friends with the locals, and capture some great photos! Take your time, open up, get close, and don’t forget to smile.

Now over to you:

Which of these travel portrait tips do you plan to use on your next trip? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Table of contents

Travel Photography

The post 16 Tips for Beautiful Travel Portrait Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Philipp Dukatz.



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