Tips To Capture Those Perfect Travel Moments

Every traveler collects souvenirs but photographs are the most memorable, cherished and heartfelt and are yet the least expensive way of remembering your experiences. With digital cameras on the rage, it is even easier to capture those perfect moments. But the question remains- how many of the candid moments are going to be puffed-up to be shown off to the others? We know travel photography can be an overwhelming job, so here are a few tricks and tips to make your so-so pictures go to spectacular!

Always be ready:



While on a trip, it is not only necessary to get your camera along but it is also important to be ready to shoot. Many picture perfect images happen impulsively and vanish as fast as they materialize. And if you are too busy fidgeting, you will miss the shot and the moment is gone forever. So choose to shoot on a mode you are comfortable working in even if it is one of the creative modes. It is better to capture an image that is faintly under or overexposed than to have missed the moment!

Remember the cliches: If you are at a popular destination with everyone around you taking the same pictures from the same angles then it's time for the traveler inside you to stop yourself from taking the picture. It's always good to embrace the inner traveler without expunging the tourist. Let the tourist in you visit the attraction but make sure you clinch the unusual by capturing the sight from different angles and perspectives. Getting off the beaten path even a little can expose you to more exceptional and unforgettable occurrences.

Seek out the Golden Hour: The first and last hours of daylight is usually referred to as the golden hours by most photographers as under the perfect conditions leads to a soft and warm glow on anything in its path. Though trying to take advantage of it is thorny, try paying attention as the sun is about to set as it may pay you incentives in the form of stunning shots filled with interesting colors and hues. Shadows of structures also tend to get long and well-defined during this time, so look for angles that attribute these contrasts.

Do some Research: Many photo sharing websites are out there, so before going aboard on a trip, make a list of pictures that have been clicked and try replicating or putting your stamp on some of your favourites. There are forums which allow you to reach out to other photographers who know the best places to shoot, expose you to things that you would be hard-pressed to trail on our own.

Shoot humdrum things that remind you of something special: Travel photography is all about capturing those perfectly memorable moments for you, not just places. So do not vacillate to take shots of things that capture the spirit of your journey. There is no need to stick yourself into shooting just forts and squares in this age of innumerable memory cards and digital photography. Take some time out from shooting cliched stuff to take shoots of some weird things you see or of interesting meals and if you are creative enough, the possibilities for you are endless. And it so happens that most of these pictures are usually the ones you will be the proudest of once you are back home.

Risks: Taking calculated risks always pays off. There are better stories to tell and better pictures to show if you take risks. The question to ask yourself though is "how far will I go to get the shot?"

People: People add spice, life and flavor to your photographs like nothing else can. Asking people to be in your shots by establishing a rapport is kind of the right way to do it. If you're going to go the zoom lens route, just place yourself in a way that you're inconspicuous and the people you're photographing don't know. Then you can zoom in and snap away, shooting the locals performing naturally because they don't know you're there.

Taking Time out: Feeling camera fatigue or less creative on holidays is obvious. But remember, clicking pictures should never feel like a chore. If you don't feel like clicking pictures, trade your camera for an i-pod or something else that you like, it will leave you feeling refreshed and re-energizing you to get into the clicking mode again.

Look for reflections in still water:



Going hand in hand with the golden our trick, conditions are at their best during the early or the late hours of the day which give you a perfect setting for that stunning picture. The truth is mirror images in still (or nearly still) water add a natural unusual effect to a photograph that always makes them more interesting and fascinating.

Technical Stuff:



Always carry extra memory cards, polarizer and neutral density filters. Don't leave home without lens cleaning wipes and brush. Learn and accept the limitations and rewards of your camera to achieve what you want to. Afterall, at the end of the day the eye for the detail is what matters- not the gear.