a guest blog by Ewen Bell
I’m thrilled that Ewen Bell of PhotographyforTravellers.com agreed to share his top tips for travel photography with us. I say “Ditto”!
Nepal Kathmandu Valley photo by Ewen BellRead on for Ewen’s advice for how to return home with vacation pictures that will make your friends and family feel they went along on the trip.
1. Get Closer
The easiest way to improve your photography is to get closer to the subject. The world changes when you are closer to it.
2. Go Slow
Take your time and you will take better photos. Rushing about gives you lots of shots that you might not want to keep, so maybe it’s better to go slow and enjoy the travel.
3. Shoot Wide
Get a wide angle lens and get more into the shot. Many compact cameras shoot the equivalent of 24mm wide, and that’s good.
4. Look for the Light
Cameras shoot light not objects, so you have to practice seeing the light as your camera does. Lovely light makes for lovely photos.
5. Ask first
Show respect for other people and ask permission before shooting. It avoids offending strangers and gives you a chance to better connect with the locals. Getting local is what it is all about!
6. Get Details
Take photos of the little things along the journey, not just the big ones. The texture of a place can be revealed in detail photos.
7. Review Your Shots
Every night, have a look through your photos for the day. It helps you to appreciate the effort you put into them, and can reveal some missing subjects that you can work on the next day.
8. Creative Control
Try taking control of the camera instead of letting the camera determine your photo. Exploring the craft of photography is about cultivating your own ability to be creative.
9. Shoot for Love
We fall in love with places as we travel, so let your passion for a place guide your photography. Ask yourself: what is it about the place that makes it special, and do my photos reveal that quality?
10. People Matter
Travel is about people, and so should your photography. Your most treasured memories of a place are usually the people and their character, so try to get a little of them on film.
Ewen Bell is an award-winning photographer from Australia who leads photographic tours across Asia. He is also a contributor to the travel media in Australia, and publishes a website with free advice for photographers who enjoy travel. You can find more detailed discussions of how to improve your photographic expression and guides to specific destinations on the website: www.photographyfortravellers.com.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".