Raksha Rao - The Roving Heart
Raksha Rao

I am a passionate traveler, photographer and an engineer by profession. I have always loved new travel experiences. However, it reached a whole new level when I took off for a Himalayan trek in May 2015 - it made me realise how totally gratifying travel can be. Since then, I have traveled near and far, as much as I can,  always looking for new and immersive adventures.

Be it trekking on snow in the mighty Himalayan range, bungee jumping with a river view in Rishikesh, cliff jumping or scuba diving in the emerald blue waters of Thailand, high-altitude river rafting at the freezing cold rivers of Zanskar in Leh - my propensity for new experiences is ever growing as is my wishlist.

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The Roving Heart
  • Destinations
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      • Sri Lanka
      • Vietnam
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Photography

Practical Tips to Ace Travel Photography For Amateurs

posted by Raksha Rao
Last updated on May 8, 2021, 6525 20
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THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES. PLEASE READ THE DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFORMATION


Have you ever wondered how photographers always manage to take editorial shots that could have easily been on the cover of a NatGeo magazine? Most amateurs assume that it’s the camera that’s doing all the magic. That’s until they try a fancy camera and the photos don’t look nearly as pleasing. That sucks, right? Trust me, we have all been there.

Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst. – Henri Cartier-Bresson, father of modern photojournalism

As Henri Cartier Bresson indirectly hinted, there’s a steep learning curve that goes with learning photography even in this digital age when it’s quite easy to get your hands on a camera.

While I can’t promise to make a world-class photographer out of you right out of the bat, I can help you top up your photography game just by going through this post.

Whether you are using a DSLR or a simple phone camera, here are the top travel photography tips I wish I knew when I first started shooting four years ago.

While most of these concepts can be applied in normal circumstances as well, it becomes even more crucial during travel photography with limited equipment available for disposal.

Now, let’s get straight into it, shall we?

Table of Contents

  • Lighting is Key – Travel Photography tips
    • Direct Light
    • Backlit
    • Silhouette
  • Blue Hour
  • Perspective – Travel Photography tips
  • Layering – Travel Photography tips
  • Leading lines – Travel Photography tips
  • Rule of thirds – Travel Photography tips
  • Subject – Travel Photography tips
  • A sense of movement – Travel Photography tips
  • Minimalism – Travel Photography tips
  • Depth of field – Travel Photography tips
  • Reflection – Travel Photography tips
  • Limitations
  • Research Travel Photography Spots
  • Beginner Cameras for Travel Photography
  • Additional Resources and Courses

Lighting is Key – Travel Photography tips

A post shared by Raksha ▪The Roving Heart (@therovingheart) on Apr 5, 2016 at 9:00pm PDT

Lighting is one of the crucial aspects of photography and playing with light is one of my favorite activities to do while shooting pictures of my travels.

Without being able to afford additional lighting equipment while on the go, understanding the source of light and making ample use of naturally available light sources is even more necessary when it comes to travel photography.

If there is one thing you would want to take away from this post, then let it be the lighting. Lighting is vital for a great picture, and it can either make or break a photo.

It could be light falling on the subject illuminating it, or backlit images producing a dramatic picture or silhouette images telling a story, there are so many ways to play with light.

Direct Light

Far too many times, I have seen people taking pictures with the sun to their backs, and expect to have a well-lit-up photo with their faces clearly visible. This is obviously not possible if the light is not falling directly on the face of the subject. Ideally, the light should be falling on the subject unless silhouette is what you are going for!

Backlit

Backlit photos can do wonders if the light is positioned properly. Backlit photos are the ones where the subject is directly between the source of light and the camera, resulting in a backlit image that could lead to some dynamic and interesting images.

morning yoga travel photography tips

A post shared by Raksha ▪The Roving Heart (@therovingheart) on Jan 3, 2017 at 2:58am PST

Silhouette

If you are looking to make silhouette images then make sure the foreground is darker than the background. Also, reduce the clutter as much as possible to please the senses.

railay long tail boats krabi thailand travel photography tips

Blue Hour

The best time to photograph would be, without a doubt, during the golden hour and blue hour.

The Golden hour is a period shortly after sunrise or before sunset during which light is redder and softer than when the sun is higher in the sky.

The blue hour is a period of twilight in the morning and the evening, when the sun is at a significant depth below the horizon and when the residual, indirect sunlight takes on a predominantly blue shade.

So, make sure to keep your cameras ready for the golden hour and blue hour.

Perspective – Travel Photography tips

Always aim for a different perspective. Either plan for a top view or a bottom view image or point your camera at an oblique angle. Having a different perspective than eye level can produce some intriguing images.

Layering – Travel Photography tips

Layers can add depth to the image. Have a foreground, midground, and background which can layer your picture and make it seem alluring.

Leading lines – Travel Photography tips

Use leading lines to guide the viewer through the image towards the subject. It paves an easy path for the viewer to follow and can make it pleasing to the beholder. Usually, they start at the bottom of the image and guide your way upward.

leh ladakh travel photography tips

Rule of thirds – Travel Photography tips

Always use the rule of thirds. It’s a brilliant rule in photography for better composition which was derived from painting. This goes to say that it’s aesthetically better to place the subject at one-third or two-thirds of the image in both horizontal and vertical axis rather than at the center of the image.

However, some professionals break the rule of thirds once in a while and come out with an aesthetically pleasing picture, but it’s better to stick to the rule of thirds when you are starting.

Note – For beginners, modern day phone cameras are equipped to display the screen in grids which help in better deciding where to place the subject.

Subject – Travel Photography tips

Always have a subject in the picture. Not necessarily a person, but it could be a boat or stone or a tree for that matter. Unless you are planning to create abstract images, it is always a good idea to have a subject in the picture. The subject acts as an anchor for the picture – the first thing eyes wander to when you look at the image.

A sense of movement – Travel Photography tips

Have a moving element in the picture can add an enchanting facet to the image. It could be a moving car, running animal,, or even as simple as pouring a drink!

Regnan sweet - Shiraz Red wine hertiage winery travel photography tips

Minimalism – Travel Photography tips

Choose a maximum of two colors in the frame to have a minimalistic look. More the colors, the more cluttered the pictures will look! (This is something I’m striving to achieve too since I love colors and use colors extensively in my pictures, it’s difficult to restrict them!)

Note – If you think there are too many colours which are taking away the essence of the image, then it is a good idea to convert it into a grayscale image(B&W).

Depth of field – Travel Photography tips

If you think there is too much clutter in the background, and there is no way to avoid it, use the depth of field to blur the background. It helps to focus on the subject and makes the image more pleasing. The depth of field is an amazing concept when it comes to portrait photography.

Reflection – Travel Photography tips

It could be a pond, puddle, or a pool, be on the lookout for reflections. Using reflections in your images can easily help in creating a stunning picture! The professionals say it’s alright to break the rule of thirds and look for symmetry only in case of reflections.

Limitations

Even though our phone cameras have developed exponentially over the years, there are still many limitations when it comes to phone photography. I’m fascinated by Astrophotography, but unfortunately, our phones are not equipped to handle night sky photography yet. It mandates using a DSLR and having significant exposure to capturing shots out of Auto mode. If you are keen on night sky photography, then check out Pratap’s site pratapj.com for excellent tips on the same!

On the other hand, if you want a dedicated camera and at the same time don’t want to shell out a lot of money for buying a DSLR, then consider buying an instant camera. It’s perfect for special occasions like birthdays or to memorialize your travels. Perfect for gifting too. While it has limitations, it’s great to start with and you’ll be more mindful of the pictures you click as you don’t want to waste the printing sheets.

pangong lake travel photography tips
View of the beautiful Pangong Lake

 

fire show phi phi thailand travel photography tips
Experimenting with low shutter speed in a fire show in Koh Phi Phi island
maldives-maafushi travel photography tips
Experimenting with high shutter speed while heading on a ferry to an island in the Maldives.

If you want to get serious about photography, keep in mind that like everything else in life that’s worth doing, honing your photography skills takes time and effort. It doesn’t happen overnight. So, don’t be deterred if you are not making progress right away.

And, don’t be afraid to experiment with your camera and more importantly, have fun while doing it!

Also, take the time to truly be in the moment and watch the marvel of the universe with your own eyes and not just through the viewfinder! It’s necessary to strike a balance between the two.

Research Travel Photography Spots

Before you travel to a particular location, research photography spots in that location. You can look up on Instagram or try a quick Google search to find the popular and offbeat spots. Visit these spots during blue hour (just before sunrise and right after sunset)  to set you up for success. And then follow the tips mentioned here and you have already leveled up!

Beginner Cameras for Travel Photography

Here are some beginner cameras recommended by The Roving Heart.

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Additional Resources and Courses

Photographing the world with Elia Locardi.

Not exactly travel-related, but still, there’s a lot to learn about photography from here as well – A free and quick introduction to Fine Art photography course on Udemy

Check my portfolio here.

Follow me on Instagram.

If you have any other travel photography tips, let me know in the comments below.

Travel photography tips Travel photography tips

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Hola! I’m Raksha Rao, the founder and Chief Editor of The Roving Heart and I heartily welcome you to this blog!

I’m perpetually in search of the next trip, next adventure and forever aching to fly far away to a land of strangers.

Come follow me on my journey and I promise you to take you on an adventure!

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Comments

20 Comments
  1. posted by
    Pratap
    Feb 17, 2018 Reply

    You’ve covered all the essentials! Will come handy when someone asks me for tips. Bookmarked 🙂

    • posted by
      Raksha Rao
      Mar 27, 2018 Reply

      Thanks, Pratap. Glad to hear that coming from you 🙂

  2. posted by
    Suzy
    Feb 17, 2018 Reply

    So many awesome tips here thank you so much! I love the idea of creating movement. Can’t wait to try out these tips soon!

    • posted by
      Raksha Rao
      Mar 27, 2018 Reply

      Glad to be of help Suzy 🙂

  3. posted by
    Kathi
    Feb 17, 2018 Reply

    These tips are great! It really is all about composition! Adding layers is still something I’m working on – thanks for sharing this as inspiration!!

  4. posted by
    Caroline
    Feb 17, 2018 Reply

    This is so helpful for amateur photographers like me. I’m a documentary filmmaker by trade but SLR photography is a whole different ball game. So many great tips on here – thanks x

    • posted by
      Raksha Rao
      Mar 27, 2018 Reply

      I was struggling to understand the nooks and crannies of photography when I started and hope it will be a faster learning process for you than it was for me!

  5. posted by
    Rosie
    Feb 17, 2018 Reply

    Great tips on photography. Fabulous photos too. Thanks for sharing.

  6. posted by
    leanne
    Feb 17, 2018 Reply

    Some great tips here that will be really useful for beginner photographers. I absolutely loved the back lit photo of you doing yoga. Very creative!

    • posted by
      Raksha Rao
      Mar 27, 2018 Reply

      That’s one of my favourite photos too Leanne. Thank you.

  7. posted by
    Ana Ro
    Feb 17, 2018 Reply

    Very useful tips for me, as I’m just starting!

  8. posted by
    Tasha
    Feb 17, 2018 Reply

    Very useful tips! I particularly like your advice with the lighting and using a subject in between the light source and the camera.

    • posted by
      Raksha Rao
      Mar 27, 2018 Reply

      That’s one of my favourite techniques too. The backlit images look stunning if done properly 🙂

  9. posted by
    Lenise Calleja
    Feb 17, 2018 Reply

    Thanks for sharing these tips. I love your photography 🙂

    • posted by
      Raksha Rao
      Mar 27, 2018 Reply

      Thanks Lenise.

  10. posted by
    Sachin Baikar
    Feb 19, 2018 Reply

    Great tips 🙂
    Thanks for sharing 🙂

    • posted by
      Raksha Rao
      Mar 27, 2018 Reply

      Happy to help Sachin. Thanks for dropping by.

  11. posted by
    Rika Guite
    Jun 26, 2018 Reply

    Great article! Especially where you talk about rule of third and depth of field, these tips will come handy on my next expedition.
    Thanks

    • posted by
      Raksha Rao
      Jun 26, 2018 Reply

      Thanks for stopping by Rika. Glad you found it useful!

  12. posted by
    A Travel Blogger's Photography Kit
    May 21, 2021 Reply

    […] Want to practice your travel photography? Check out these great tips! […]

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