Travel Photography: Tips for Capturing the Essence of a Destination

Travel Photography: Tips for Capturing the Essence of a Destination

Traveling is more than taking a vacation or sightseeing in a well-known destination — it’s an immersive experience in which you have the opportunity to soak up the culture, flavor, and atmosphere of a community. Travel photographers have the unique opportunity to use their lens to provide insight into far-off destinations, making this the ideal career opportunity for adventurous and passionate artists.

This travel photography guide will provide you with all of the information you need to build a career that accommodates your wanderlust.

Preparing for Your Travel Photography Adventure

While it may be tempting to book a flight and head off to your next destination with your camera in hand, you will want to take some time to thoughtfully consider your next trip in advance. These travel photography tips and tricks for preparation will ensure that you arrive with confidence, knowing that you are going to get the best shots that will truly reflect the place that you are visiting.

Researching Your Destination

Researching a travel photography destination is similar to researching a destination for a leisure trip. You will want to conduct thorough research in advance in order to determine if the destination will offer the views and lighting you need for your images as well as the accommodations required in order to enjoy your stay. You may be able to find travel photography inspiration through travel guidebooks, on social media influencers’ profiles, and on online review websites.

Packing the Right Gear

Arriving at your destination prepared and equipped with the right travel photography gear is essential to your success. PhotographyLife recommends packing the following gear for off-the-beaten-path photography:

  • Your primary camera and a backup camera, in case of equipment malfunction.
  • At least three or four lenses that you use on a regular basis.
  • A camera bag with plenty of storage. Remember that you are going to be carrying your bag frequently, so make sure that it’s comfortable and easy to use.
  • Your camera tripod.

Capturing the Unique Aspects of a Destination

As an art form, travel photography requires you to do more than take quick snapshots of the popular tourist attractions at any given destination. You are not a tourist taking pictures of your family on vacation. You are an artist who is attempting to capture the essence of the place you are visiting. By relying on your creative eye and your photographic skills, you will be able to showcase the destination in a way that no one else has seen before.

Focus on Local Culture and People

One of the primary reasons that people travel is to experience a new culture and meet people who have experienced life differently. As a travel photographer, you can capture the heart and soul of a destination by creating images of local people living out their daily lives. There are some considerations to keep in mind when photographing strangers in travel destinations:

  • If you are taking a portrait shot of an individual at a destination, you should ask their permission first. Keep in mind cultural norms in the area where you are visiting, and always be respectful of personal beliefs and preferences.
  • If you are taking a landscape shot of a busy scene with multiple people, you do not have to ask for permission. However, always keep a pulse on the atmosphere, and ensure that you are not disrupting the scene as you take your pictures.

As a travel photographer, you walk a fine line between capturing the beauty of a destination and exploiting the people who live there. By asking permission and being aware of cultural expectations of the destination you are visiting, you can become a responsible and respectful travel photographer.

Showcasing Local Architecture and Landmarks

Another reason that travel photography is so powerful is that it showcases the iconic attractions and monumental landmarks that exist in places around the world, many of which tell the story of the destination’s past, present, and future. By prioritizing the local architecture and landmarks in a destination, you can give a glimpse into the history of the area and the shape of the culture today. For example, if you are in Egypt, you are going to want to take artistic photographs of the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx of Giza, as these ancient landmarks showcase the lasting impact of the Egyptian culture and way of life.

Telling a Story Through Your Photos

Travel photographers often consider themselves visual storytellers. If you want to go beyond showcasing a destination’s potential and aim to become a travel photographer who captures its culture and landscape, you can take steps to create more engaging and immersive images.

Capturing Emotions and Atmosphere

Many people who go on vacation return home talking about how they felt while they were abroad. They might describe the romantic ambiance of Paris or the vibrant way of life in Puerto Rico. As a travel photographer, you have a responsibility to capture the emotions and atmosphere of a destination, and according to NPR, one of the best ways to do that is to get up close and personal when you press the shutter. One of the most common mistakes that new travel photographers make is putting too much distance between themselves and their subject. By drawing nearer to the subject of your photo and capturing the details, you can highlight the emotions and atmosphere of the region.

Using Color and Texture

By artfully considering the color and texture of your photos, you can create a mood that transcends the image and offers insight into what the destination feels like. To maximize your use of color and texture, you should make sure that your exposure travel photography settings are correct. Elevating your exposure will allow you to increase the light, which can add a sense of airy brightness to your images, which is  great for sunrises. z

Techniques for Shooting in Different Environments

As you continue to explore the travel photography essentials, you will want to adapt your techniques based on the current environment. Knowing the right travel photography techniques will allow you to capture the best possible images, no matter where you are around the world.

Landscape Photography

Landscape photography can be particularly moving, especially when you are capturing images of far-off destinations that few people are ever able to reach. You can improve your landscape photography while you are abroad by:

  • Using a wide-angle lens to capture the depth and breadth of the local landscape.
  • Highlighting reflections, particularly when taking pictures of bodies of water.
  • Focusing on unique points of interest within the landscape that the average visitor may not notice.

Urban Photography

Urban photography has the ability to shed light on the pulse of the local community, showcasing the architecture juxtaposed by the people who call that bustling metropolis home. Play with the lighting when you are in an urban destination and try to capture the movement and mood of the city.

Coastal and Seaside Photography

Humans have always been drawn to water, which is why coastal and seaside photography is endlessly appealing to travel photographers. You can improve your coastal and seaside travel photography techniques by:

  • Adjusting the shutter speed in order to capture the movement of the water. To freeze waves in action, you will want to increase the shutter speed. To create the appearance of flowing water, slow the shutter speed down.
  • Use natural elements around the water to frame the scene, such as rocks along the shoreline or palm trees lining the beach.

Capturing the Essence of Food and Traditions

Another way to showcase the culture of a destination is to capture images of the local food and the traditional experiences that the people who live in the area participate in.

Photographing Local Cuisine

Food is an integral part of the travel experience, and travel photographers should not discount the importance of photographing the local cuisine. By intentionally choosing local restaurants that offer traditional meals or locally sourced food, you can expertly photograph your meals as they arrive at your table.

Highlighting Festivals and Cultural Events

As you continue to explore travel photography for beginners, consider attending a local festival or cultural event. These public experiences give insight into the culture and traditions of the local people and can provide you with an opportunity to capture vibrant and authentic images.

Post-Processing to Enhance Your Travel Photos

The vast majority of travel photographers take their raw images and enhance them through the editing process. By taking an artful approach to the post-processing stage, you can create vivid and compelling images of the destinations you have visited.

Editing for Impact

Using editing techniques, you can reimagine your photo in order to make it more impactful. Cropping can help you narrow in on the focal point of the image or frame the focal point in a more artistic way. Adjusting the lighting can bring out the colors better or reduce the shadows in the image. As a travel photographer, you have the creative license to edit your image in a way that conveys the story you want to share.

Preserving the Natural Look

While editing is commonplace in the photography industry, you also have to balance your creativity with authenticity. You should make an active effort to preserve the natural appearance of the destination and showcase the local culture in a way that is respectful and responsible.

Learn the Leading Travel Photography Techniques at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design

With an emphasis on authenticity and cultural awareness, travel photographers have the opportunity to showcase the true beauty of a destination. Those who are interested in a career in travel portrait photography should consider earning a photography degree in order to develop an understanding of the most advanced travel photography techniques.

At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, we offer an online Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography degree as well as an on-campus Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography degree. Our skills-based degree programs will not only provide you with travel photography tips, but also will give you an opportunity to develop the technical skills needed to capture beautiful images throughout your career. Request more information about our degree programs today.

Categories
Archives

We're accepting applications!  No fee, Apply Today!

Classes Starting Soon!

Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design Campus

No Application fee