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Take memorable shots
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The camera is one of the most important things you should take along on your vacation. Wonderful memories last forever but pictures make you relive the moment! Doesn’t it just add oomph every time you look at the pleasant shock on grandma’s face when she got a pinch on her back side in the streets of Rome? Or doesn’t it make you chuckle all over again at that funny remark made in front of the Eiffel tower?
You even remember the smell of the Greek restaurant in Athens while you wait to be served… or even the music played in the streets of Sorrento that August afternoon …
This is the magic of pictures.
And these pictures are absolutely priceless!
Not all of us are professional photographers and all we need to know are a few do’s and don’ts on shooting pictures that we will be happy to look at for years to come.
Here are our travel photo tips.
TRAVEL PHOTO TIPS BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR YOUR VACATION
Choose your camera. If you don’t have a camera, choose one that is simple to use. The type you need is the point and click type. Do not attempt to buy all-professional equipment at this stage. It will just be one frustrating journey if you need to figure out how to use these while on your trip.
Practice makes perfect. Let’s make this as stress-free as possible. That’s why you need to test your camera a few weeks before the trip. Digital cameras are wonderful because you see immediate results.
Read the manual! Is that the backyard tree sticking out of the head of mommy?
The photo on the left shows the Vatican obelisk growing out of the head of one of the subjects. You might just need to make another trip to Rome just to get a better shot! Review the shot if you use a digital camera. With a few tips in your head (not growing out of it), “horror” pictures like these will be cut down to a minimum.
Make that list, check it twice.Come up with a list of landmarks or places you plan to shoot. This will more or less condition yourself for ideas on travel shots.
TRAVEL PHOTO TIPS WITH YOU AS THE PHOTOGRAPHER
So, you have been chosen as the designated photographer. Or you are traveling alone. Here are a few handy travel photo tips to remember:
Keep you camera within easy reach. You don’t have to hang this around your neck like a Japanese tourist (no offense, Uncle Chic! See Chic Nakayama’s super travel photo tips here). You won’t catch any interesting moments if the camera is always in its protective case at the bottom of your bag. Think photojournalist.
Keep the sun behind you (and at an angle). If we take pictures with the sun behind our subject, we don’t get to see their faces. Experiment from different angles. Clouds diffuse the light, that means, the natural smiles of your friends and family will shine through.
Avoid the bullseye effect. Don’t position your little darling right in the middle of the shot! Follow the rule of thirds, then place her in one of the side grids. This will make an interesting shot.
Oh no, not the firing squad. In group photos, try to avoid standing in line. Be creative and natural. The photo above shows the entire family in a warm and loving pose. Not stiff and rigid.
Ah those candid shots. Don’t you just love those candid moments? You will have to keep your camera ready to shoot.
TRAVEL PHOTO TIPS WITH YOU AS THE SUBJECT
What are vacation shots without you in them? You definitely need evidence that you’ve been there, done that. Not just got the T-shirt.Smile! Should you show your pearly whites or give a Mona Lisa hint-of-a-smile? I’ve learned a few things from my sisters in the magazine industry.
Forget the “say cheese” smile. Very unnatural. If you have any tell tale lines, they will be the talk of the town once these photos come out. The photo on the left shows the "cheese" smile, complete with crow's feet! Argggh.. that's me!
Saying “sex” isn’t sexy. Whoever thought saying “sex” would give you that Marilyn Monroe look? Far from it!
What does the trick? For that model smile, say a long “A…” Yes, the first letter of the alphabet holds the key to that knock-out smile. It not only gives you a natural glow, the eyes also give a pleasant expression. Nothing too stiff or conscious looking. As like taking pictures, practice this at home, preferably in front of a mirror or your best friend.
These travel photo tips are just guidelines, you can still be as spontaneous as you want. We all love those crazy faces! What's a vacation without them?
So start clicking away!
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