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A great travel shot will provide viewers with a sense of place. Though, it’s important to give viewers an accurate depiction of what a place looks like, an outstanding travel photo will do more than just that. It should transport the viewer to the scene simply by looking at it. There are number of ways we can do this, but, in my opinion, one of the most effective ways to do this actually has less to do with taking photos and more to do with personal experience.
Research, Research, Research
Before you pack your bags and head off to the airport, make sure you dedicate a decent amount of time researching your destination. Find reliable information on local rules, laws, and customs that may restrict you from taking photos. Don’t just assume that wonderful exotic location you are heading off to, has liberal photography rules. In some cultures it is taboo to photograph people, so when you’re heading to a new place, make sure you know the rules!
Now that you’re sure you can take photos, do some research on photogenic places to visit and places you may want to steer clear of. Learn as much background information as you can to help you better prepare and make the most out of your time there. And don’t forget to look at the local weather forecast so you know what to expect!
The Human Element
It’s not uncommon for us to include people in our travel photography, but it’s important to make sure we are not only photographing our friends and family, or whoever happens to be travelling with us. One of the best ways you can portray what a place is like is by photographing the way of life for the locals. If you’re in a location where it is okay to do so, take some shots of the people who live there. These can be street photography type shots of the locals or, for the more adventurous, you can approach someone who strikes your interest and chat with them for a while to learn more about them, then ask to take their portrait.
If you’re visiting a popular tourist attraction–it can be difficult to get shots without tourists getting in the way. But, rather than being annoyed, turn the unfortunate situation into a good one. Including sightseers in your travel photography, is an excellent way to inject emotion into your work. Try snapping photos of the reactions other are having experiencing the destination for the first time.
The human element is my go-to technique for taking awesome travel photography photos. I even teach an entire online class about it, which you can check out here: Travel Photography: Using The Human Element As A Storytelling Tool.
Local Immersion
For me, travelling is not about staying in luxury hotels or posh resorts. Those are a lot of fun some of the time, but my preferred style is to immerse myself in local culture as much as possible. I do a lot of couchsurfing, work exchanging, and renting rooms in homes of the locals. For me personally, living like and among the locals has been one of the most rewarding ways to travel. This, however, will be out of the question for a lot of people who have limited time or do not like the idea of staying somewhere that isn’t a hotel or vacation rental. Both of which are perfectly okay.
You can still immerse yourself in local culture with a little strategic planning. For example, rather than sticking to the hotel restaurant, make sure you ask around for the local hidden gems for a more authentic experience. Don’t just stick to the touristy parts of the town, go to areas that are not as popular with tourists–oftentimes, these are the best places to find original photo opportunities that haven’t already been photographed by every other photographer who has visited the region before.
Above all else, talk to people. Strike up a conversation with the locals about anything from the weather to current events. Build up a friendly rapport and learn as much as you can from them about which places to visit, their favorite things to do in the area, etc. Remember, you are trying to capture an insiders view of the location so people who have never been there can look at a picture and accurately see what it is like.
“The more you understand local culture, the more accurately and intimately you will be able to photograph it.”
One Last Thing Before You Go
In other words, don’t be afraid to step off the beaten path! There are many incredible places tucked away that are waiting to be discovered. Don’t resign yourself to be just a tourist, regardless of your travel plans. Get involved
