By guest blogger, Cassie Steele
From the powerful waterfalls of Patagonia to the serene Arenal volcano in Costa Rica, Yampu Tours takes you to destinations that usually have one vital ingredient in common: visual splendor. Some of Yampu Tours’ destinations are the most photographed in the world. For instance, Machu Picchu in Peru is the 12th most photographed site in the world, according to Conde Nast Traveller. If you are planning a trip to a bucket list destination and you want to make sure that your photographs capture the true majesty of the sites you are beholding, follow these tips and turn your Instagram account into the most followed in your friend group.
Choosing the Right Equipment
Everyone has a smartphone and that means that all users already have at least a basic notion of photography. While it is true that phones like the Huawei P30 Pro or the iPhone XS have a reputation for taking gorgeous high-resolution shots, if you want to capture truly spectacular shots, investing in a small camera is a good idea. A mirrorless or DSLR camera that has a good zoom range, simple auto mode, and lightweight are important. You should also bring a small foldable tripod and a gimbal to ensure the stability of your photographs and videos, respectively. Finally, play around with different lenses and filters so you already have a good idea of which one to use when you get to photographable sites. For action shots, consider bringing a GoPro along. These cameras produce images with a characteristic, ultra-wide-angle fisheye look, which are super arty and ideal for Instagram and other photo-sharing sites.
Selection of the Right Composition and Angle
When you are before a beautiful site – for instance, a mountainside, architectural wonder, or soft sand beach – consider where the different elements in your view should appear. The general rule is that you should divide your image into nine even blocks. Try not to put the subject of your photo in the very center of your image (unless you are photographing a person) and play around with angles until you find the most dramatic or impactful angle for your shot. If you have a GoPro, play around with interesting angles, taking action shots from below or from within water features like a pool or sea, asking someone to dive in so you can capture the bubble-filled action.
Considering the Ultimate Destination of Your Photo
Knowing how you plan on presenting your travel photos will help you determine what type of shots you need to take. If you plan on presenting your photographs as photo collages, make sure to take many pictures that share the same subject, tonalities, or mood. For blown-up portraits or still shots, get that zoom lens out and go for extreme close-ups. For a long poster-type image, panoramic shots will be a perfect choice. Therefore, before leaving, try to have at least an idea of the space in which you will be displaying your work and the type of material you will be printing your images on. Bear in mind that you don’t necessarily have to use glossy paper. You could instead opt for matte paper, canvass or even cloth to create accessories such as cloth tote bags or pillows.
Discover Something Unique in Each Place You Photograph
Some travelers make the mistake of photographing only the most iconic landmarks they find – think the Sydney Opera Bridge, Notre Dame, or the Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona. Sometimes, however, it is the things nobody notices that really make an impact on you. Thus, if you are at a natural park and you stumble across fascinating insects or animals, water features (such as the source of a river), or fascinating people, try to capture these through your lens, so you can recall some of the most impactful moments of your personal journey.
Travel is a magnificent medium through which to hone your photographic technique. The first step to taking good photos is to invest a small amount in a good camera and accessories. After that, the next step is to look through beautiful travel imagery in books and online, so you can find common elements that run through photography that entices you. Composition, lighting, and angles are three areas you can experiment with, though remember that sometimes, simple automatic pictures can be the very best in your memory card.
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About Cassie;
Cassie formerly worked as a flight attendant for over a decade, taking her all over Asia, including South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and India, among others. The combination of exciting cultures, low prices, and delicious food was the reason why Asia became a favorite stop of hers.
A couple of years ago, Cassie took a step back to spend more time with her family and became a freelance writer and editor in which she uses her vast knowledge on Asian destinations to further inspire other travelers to witness the beautiful continent.
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