5 Tips for Better Travel Photos

1) The right location at the right time. This will require some research on your part. Find out when sunset and sunrise will occur because that is when you will get the best light. Get to your location early, and try to avoid times of the day when there will be lots of people around, or conversely, know when the local festivals and activities will be taking place.

2) Don't be shy. If you see an interesting person you want to photograph, don't be shy about asking. Even if you can't speak their language, a simple gesture and a smile is generally all that is needed. Most people do not mind having their picture taken, and in some parts of the world it is considered an honor. Always be willing to show them your picture afterward (if you are shooting in digital) and always be respectful. If they say no, do not photograph them.

3) Get in Close. It's the small details that often get overlooked when visiting a new place, but they can often be the most interesting. Look around... door knobs, peeling paint, storefronts and city streets signs all make compelling compositions and subjects.


4) Know your camera. Getting a good picture isn't about having the best camera, but it is about knowing what to do with the camera you have. Read your manual, and be familiar with all of it's functions and settings. When a once in a lifetime opportunity presents itself, you do not want to be fumbling over buttons and menus.

5) Shoot lots of pictures. Digital makes this easy. When you are going to be gone for any length of time, be sure you bring enough memory and have a system of backing up in place before you go. This may be burning to CD's at local internet cafe's or bringing along a laptop or a portable hard drive to upload to as you go along. For my own shooting, I bring along 1 and 4gb memory cards and an Epson P-2000 for backing-up my files on the go.