How to take Great Vacation Photos
Are you headed on a tropical vacation this holiday season? Even if Hawaii or a magical theme park are not in your budget this year, you may be taking a trip just the same. You will want to document your time with family or friends on any trips you are taking, but you may be wondering how to take amazing photos that you’ll be proud to display or share on Instagram or Facebook. Here are our best tips to getting the portraits you want:
Source: Pexels.com
- Use contrast: Keep your eye out for walls with pops of color, and utilize negative space to create contrast between your subject and the background. Murals, plain walls, colorful buildings, and plants all make great contrasting backdrops. If you are using an iPhone, use portrait mode to create a blurred effect behind your subject(s), or use a 55mm lens on a regular DSLR to achieve a simple and pretty contrast.
- Use a tripod: There are many small tripods available for iPhones these days, but you can use a light pole, shelf, or fence (get creative!) to get a steady shot without any blur. If you are repeatedly getting blurry photos, try increasing your ISO for low light situations.
- Look for good lighting: Natural lighting is your best friend when it comes to photography. If you are indoors, look for spots near open windows, or open them to create extra light. Steer clear of fluorescent or harsh lighting which can cast strange skin tones and make your images warmer or cooler than you want. Coffee shops and restaurants often have large windows and create really nice locations for casual photos while traveling.
- Use perspective and angles: Try moving around while getting a photos, and use angles from down on the ground or raised up on a step, for example. A little bit of change in perspective can make an interesting portrait out of everyday experiences, especially in new places. Don’t be afraid to examine how your subject is filling the frame of the image, and to change things up to get some new types of photos.
