Top 5 Tips for Capturing the Essence of Your Travel Destination
Travelling and photography go hand in hand. Exploring a place you haven’t seen before inspires you to pick up the camera and document your experience.
The reasons for that might vary; whether it be mementos for yourself to look back on, snaps to show friends and family, or images to add to your photography portfolio.
Whatever the motivation, one common theme stands – trying to portray what you experienced.
As simple as this concept seems it can be a common frustration for many, as the shots often lack the ability to showcase the awe you felt or fail to relay the story you wanted to tell.
I’ve fought with this process time and time again myself and feel like the below ideas help me find some direction in these situations:
1. Get the big/iconic scene out of the way
We’re all guilty of it. You go to an iconic destination, perhaps one that has been shot to death already and find yourself wanting to re-create the thousands of images that already exist. Finding an original composition in these locations can be a real challenge. There’s a reason people keep taking the same shot of those places and as much as you want to fight it sometimes it’s best to just get it out of your system so you can move on. If you can’t fight the urge, try to visit during unique light or weather conditions. Go at night, go before the crowds arrive.
Similar to this is the wide-sweeping landscape shot. That urge to squeeze everything you can see into one image. You know it’s not the most compelling composition and won’t end up being a strong image, but sometimes it just needs to be done. Allow yourself to throw on the wide-angle and snap away at eye level, then look for something more interesting.
2. Document the unusual
We travel to experience something different from what we have at home. Different cultures, landscapes, plants, animals, food, weather. Whatever it is that captures your attention, even the smallest details, grab your camera and document it. These not only make interesting subjects but are often strong story telling images. They set the scene for the viewer and provide an insight into the place.
If nothing else, they are great for looking back on to spark memories from your time away.
3. Get off the beaten path
Once you’ve got your iconic shot out of the way, challenge yourself to wander off the beaten track. Finding a place you didn’t know existed is rewarding and means you’ll have more freedom to create strong images without the restrictions of crowds.
Chatting to a local is a great way to discover hidden gems, along with scouting google maps street view or just using your own two legs to explore! It’s amazing what is often only meters around the corner from a busy tourist stop.
4. Explore after hours
Less people. Better light. Whole place to yourself. Need I say more?
5. Go out in bad weather
A huge percentage of my favourite images were taken in less than ideal weather conditions. Sideways rain, wind strong enough to blow waterfalls uphill and uncontrollable hair are all signs of something magic.
If you’re looking for unique images that can’t easily be replicated or look different from everything you’ve seen before, bad weather is your answer. You don’t get a rainbow without the rain!
Travelling to new places is a fantastic source of inspiration for creativity. Make sure you make the most of those unique surroundings. You might only visit once so give yourself a chance to get shots you’re proud of and remind you of the place.
Kahli