Travel & Shoot!

Travelling can be great fun, whether it is done alone, with family or friends. One of the many highlight of travelling is of course, the sights and sounds that we see and experience of somewhere new and foreign. While sounds cannot possibly be physically recorded, sights most definitely hold the key trigger to these wonderful memories. Pictures paints a thousand words, but what happens when a slight error in your photo’s composition mars what should be picture perfect? So what’s the key to taking good travelling photos?

Composition

Composition basically refers to the angle of which a picture is taken. A slight change to its position may alter tremendously which will produce completely different (and perhaps better) results. For instance, when taking a picture of the ocean, instead of instinctively positioning the horizon in the centre, try concentrating more on the water and only showing a tiny bit of the sky. Also, if there is an object within your picture frame, try positioning it from centre to the left. You will soon see a vast difference to your picture!

Potraits

If you have several camera lenses to play with, tele-lenses are best for portraits. However, if you have a simple point and shoot camera, don’t fret - you can still take a good picture. Firstly, get close - after all, the face is the most important part of your subject. Focus on capturing the emotions of your subject. This will prove to be much more impressive and personal as a close-up. Showing the whole body rarely is necessary.

Night Shooting

When shooting at night, it is advisable to use a tripod and the self timer. A flashlight can be very handy for checking the setup and changing film etc. If you do not have a tripod with you, try to use an elevated object like a wall instead. Alternatively, you can also opt for a slow synch option, which is readily available in most digital point and shoot cameras. Do note that you would still need a pair of steady hands for the shot.

Manners

When travelling to somewhere foreign, we should always be respectful of its culture. If you’re intending to take a picture of the locals, do ask permission first before pointing and shooting. Some cultures may find it offensive to have their picture taken. If you do not speak the language, learning a few phrases might help!

Did you know…

“Sometimes rules are made to be broken, so don’t be afraid to break any photography rules to experiment what may work best for capturing that perfect picture!”