How to make travel photos more interesting
We love travelling, be it in the UK or abroad and we aspire to make our photo’s more interesting.
We do own a good DSLR camera, but in all honesty we take as many photographs on our smart phones as we do using the camera, as they are such good quality these days and far easier to carry around with you.
Taking a photo is relatively easy, just point and shoot, however taking a little more time over the composition can take your photo’s from being average, to great!
10 Top Tips to making travel photo’s more interesting
1. Use different angles
This is my husband’s forte – he thinks nothing crouching down, climbing walls or laying on the floor to get the best angle for a photo.
Believe it or not, was leaning over the side of the lake, hovering his camera over the lake for the picture above.
2. Invest in a lensball
We love lensball photography and it is something we have been doing for the last couple of years.
I carry ours around in my handbag and it works really well with my smartphone.
I would advise investing in a good quality lensball and stand as cheaper versions don’t offer the same quality and scratch easily.
3. Keep it steady and invest in a tripod
I have a compact Joby gorilla pod which enables me to attach my camera, smart phone or lensball on it.
The real benefit is that the legs are very bendy and flexible making it perfect for sticking on fences or around lampposts for fun images.
4. Use a timer
There is nothing worse than taking a family photo with one person missing. In a time where we are especially relunctant to let other people touch or property, attach your camera to the tripod, set the time and strike a pose.
5. Lighting
My favourite photo’s are always the ones taken in the “golden hour” – the hour after sunrise or before sunset, as they have a real golden and warm tone to them.
We cannot always be in the right place at the right time, but try and have the sun behind you to avoid the glare if you can.
6. Use a filter
I am still learning how to use ISO and aperture and all the other various settings on my camera and often don’t have time to faff about with settings when out with the kids.
One of our favourite photo editing apps is Snapseed, which can give you lots of different looks to your photo, or I edit with picmonkey on my computer when I get home.
7. Find the reflection
Reflections can really make a photo stand out from the crowd.
I am a little addicted to watching photography tips on Tik Tok, some of which use a simple bottle of water to get their reflection shot.
8. Keep it natural
Posed photo’s can be great, but invariably, one of you pulls a funny face, looks the wrong way or really doesn’t want their photo taken.
The best photo’s are always the natural ones, where the kids are playing not aware that the camera is on them. If you must try for a posed one, try using burst for rapid fire exposure as you are bound to get the photo you want.
9. Know your camera
There are some fabulous photography settings on the iphone and other smart phones.
My favourite is live photo, where you can get a long exposure photo or video loops.
10. Know your subject
If you are travelling, always research the place you are visiting as chances are, other people will give you tips for iconic locations to visit, like the Solheimasandur Plane Wreck on the black beach in Iceland.
Good places to look are instagram and pinterest, using hashtags or locations to search.
Thanks to the fabulous team at lensball.co.uk, I have a fabulous 60mm lensball to giveaway to one lucky reader.
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Iain maciver
a good camera
Solange
Create a sense of depth and use simple backgrounds.
victoria minihane
Good lighting,preferably natural and outside.
Matthew Hale
I use a load of tricks. Usually I hold the camera at angles and don’t look through the viewfinder and choose the most fun shot. Sometimes I take a shot behind me to see what will appear!
Stephanie K
Shoot from the hip
Kathy Cakebread
Always use natural light where possible
Patrick Quilty
never take one photo take several photos then you can choose the best shot you have taken
ashleigh allan
Have a good camera!
Elaine Betteridge
My hubby has just discovered some fab apps and I’m abit jealous that all his recent photos are so much better than mine haha!
Sarah Cooper
I always love using Portrait mode for a good photo.
KarenHutchinson
A Good camera and take lots of photos ( the beauty of digital ) . If all else fails I give the camera to my son as he is far better with technology
Margaret Gallagher
Lighting ! Makes a massive difference
Samantha Butler
I’m an amateur so I always find that taking loads of photos results in getting at least a few good shots 🙂
Paul Harris
lovely little magical ball
Tracy Nixon
A good camera!
Sonia
WOW amazing tips here Kara and thank you so much for linking to my iPhoneography tips 🙂
Great comp. xx
Elizm
Having a decent camera helps – also thinking about composition of the picture and what you want it for
Heather Haigh
It’s all about the light, look for great lighting and use it well.
Kelly Wheelhouse
My best tip is to take more than one photo of each thing. Try a couple of different angles too! Sometimes if you snap one photo it won’t look quite how you wanted it to, so it’s best to have a couple to chose the best from 🙂
Chris Andrews
What is your favourite photography tip for getting your perfect picture? , , ,l don’t have one as l am a novice, this would be a brilliant prize for me
Matt
Nice list, I agree that tripods are useful.
Suanu Watts
Good lighting
Gaelle
My best pictures have always come from spontaneous moments, an animal suddenly appearing in the forest, a family member laughing…
Julie Quarterman
Make sure the lighting is right and try and get a natural picture. They are normally the best.
Tammy Tudor
brush up on your lighting skills, the best lighting can make or break a photo
Moth
Use a tripod for low light levels
Sheena Batey
It is crucial to keep it steady to avoid a blurred image
Bryan
Get up early for the best light.
lynn neal
Take your camera every where with you so you are ready to to take a photograph an seize the moment!
Natasha Whenham
Get my dad to take it! He’s a fantastic photographer
Helen Tovell
To take less obvious shots to capture unusual and natural looks
Tammy Westrup
Make sure the lighting is right, or the position of the sun
Caroline Blaza
When taking pictures of people take when they are not looking to get totally natural photos
Amanda Walsh
for us its just a bonus to get everyone looking in the same direction !SO its point press and hope
Mo Haigh
try looking at thigs from different angles
Kelly Smith
Having a decent camera makes a massive difference ❤️
Suzanne
A good quality lens and natural, non-posed photographs.
Lorraine Williams
Position what you are photographing a third in to the image to make it more interesting
Craig Wells
I love night photography, painting pictures with torches!
Emma Kellow
Always take several pictures of the same subject, including from different angles as that can make all the difference and give an even better result than you intended.
Ers
Neat ball! (and the plane shot ain’t bad either)
Joanne Harley
Make sure your exposure triangle is bang on.
Janet T
I have tried many of these tips before but I do keep forgetting them and taking the same photos time after time! A useful list – and I love the beach hut portraits.
Laura Pritchard
Taking pictures into the sun/light always gives a great glow. I also crop a lot.
Allan Smith
Good lighting
Jo Young
Your tips are brilliant and all I can add is to think out of the box and take shots from various angles.
Caroline H
Loving the tips! Mine would be to quickly scan the background of your photo in your camera to make sure there’s nothing unattractive (like the wheely bin at the side of a family garden shot) or odd (like a vase of flowers behind someone that makes it look like they are growing out of their head).
Harry G
Some of the best shots are spontaneous ones, so always be prepared!
fiona waterworth
good lighting, and a good tripod
Rhian westbury
That lensball is so cool, I love the photos you have taken with it. I may have to see if I can get one to take some interesting shots x
Sejal Trivedy
Lighting is key!
Hassni
Don’t be disheartened by photographs that come out bad. You learn more about photography by making mistakes.
Niraj Shah
I know how important good lighting is for the quality of a picture! I am no expert in taking pictures, and something I want to work on!
Ellie Spider
Mine is when your taking photos or videos on your phone to do it with the phone held horizontally – its easier to crop that way
Simon Knuckey
Stay Focus With A Good CAMERA
Liam | Whatthedadsaid
Some good tips and advice, my wife is much better at photos than me when we are away, i get 1 in about 10 really good ones, where she knows exactly what shes doing lol, great post.
Rebecca Smith
Some wonderful tips here. We were planning to do a lot of travelling this year but obviously coronavirus put paid to that! Will take advantage of your tips once we can travel again.
Emily Underworld
These are all brilliant photography tips! My favourite is to experiment with different angles. I love the effect created by a lensball, it’d be so fun to try one out!
claire woods
Avoid Camera Shake and Shoot more than you need
Yeah Lifestyle
I adore taking photos and always looking for ways to enhance my photos. This lensball looks like a fab gadget, fingers cross I win it
Rich Tyler
Don’t rush taking photo
Ruth Harwood
I just take 4 or 5 pictures in a row and move a bit around to see if the light can fall just right on my image xx
Sally Akins
These are some really useful tips, I especially like the tips for getting natural photos of your children!
Kira
I’m really not anything special when it comes to photos and making them look fancy. Will definitely try out some of these tricks
Helen Grayson
Take time to set up the shot. Don’t just shoot and go. Make sure you take the time to line things up and get it into focus
Beth.R
Don’t get caught up trying to line up the perfect shot, the best photos are spontaneous
Peter Nickson
The more the merrier as you will always get one that’s perfect
Playdays and Runways
I really need to use some of these tips when taking photos they are really good, thanks.
Adam
Neat bit of kit
Mark R
Get up early when no one else is about
Rachel Butterworth
Patience.
TonyG
Choose the right time of day for your shot
Alison Johnson
Let my Hubby take it for a start as I’m know for taking bad photos. His top tip would be to take more than you actually need so you can choose your favourite/best shot.
Rebecca Beesley
These are really good tips! I feel really naive saying this but i never really knew how people took those photos – I didn’t know what a lensball was! i suppose my top tip is to try to get good daylight as it makes a real difference at times and a steady hand to avoid blurry photos.
Tony Martin
Be patient to capture that perfect moment especially with action shots or wildlife
Emma Byford
Good lighting! Outside light can really change a photo
Valerie Seal
I have no tips, but our granddaughter is going to do photography at school, so will recommend your site!
Lyndsey cooksey
Fantastic tips here! The lense ball looks amazing! Where possible, use natural light.
Amy Bondoc
a good quality camera!
cat
lots of practice , you wont get it right first time
Jazz Tattersall
Find a flat surface to steady hand shaking
Alex Bell
Follow the 2/3 rule
Lucy
Hello, my photography tip is to photograph things from a low angle as it makes what you are trying to photograph look quite striking.
Alexa K
Don’t miss the moment – amazing things happen when you least expect it, so always be ready. And Lightroom can fix most things if you end up with a head/leaf in the middle of your shot 😉
susan taylor
Good lighting
leanne weir
To be persistent and keep experimenting
Darren Jacobs
Hold your breathe as you take the shot
Rebecca Walker
be patient
Clare McGill
Good lighting is a must but for me a tripod has always been the most useful tool.
Nikki
Good lighting. Try to make the most of natural lighting rather than using the flash.
Jo F
It always the lighting that makes a difference, usually the early morning or early evening are best.
Helen H
It’s always about lighting! Natural is best if possible but always think about the position of the sun, it’s easy to forget when concentrating on composition!
kw
Take your time
ADEINNE TONNER
My tip is to have good lighting and try taking the photo from various different angles
Kristie Metcalfe
Give yourself plenty of time to set everything up and do a test run to check the best angles and lighting. Then when you are ready to go you already know what should look good.
David Bailey
Excellent advice, will be thinking about these top tips when taking photos over the summer.
Clare A Gillman
My tip is to try and take photos early in the morning or late afternoon. The light is better, making the colours of the photo look more vibrant. Plus, if you are photographing friends and family, there will be less squinting into the sun!
Kim Carberry
Make sure you have good lighting x
Sian Buckingham
Lighting really does play a huge part in taking a great shot!
MichelleD
Don’t rush the shot if you can help it!
Alex
My husband always takes the pictures as he’s better than me.these tips are helpful though. Thank you
Rebecca King
Good natural lighting makes the world of a difference!
Jodie Green
I love an angled shot, very rarely take a photo front on. Also natural photos, especially of my children just doing whatever they are doing, completely natural no filter and no posing 🙂
S straw
I always try to get the lighting position right and have a decent flash too. If in doubt I take lots of shots and hope for the best.
Katrina Adams
Everyday objects can be used to create fun photos, like bottles, mirrors but in all honesty, I’m only just getting started with photography and am looking to improve them so reading these tips has been great.
Sarah Ann
Natural light definitely. My favourite time to take photos is sunrise or sunset.
James Travis
Use natural light and take your time, be patient
Dale Dow
Take the same image from different angles, what may appear perfect through the lens may have it’s flaws when opened
Charmaine Dance
Get up early to ensure you have the best light
Eileen Hindley
Always take unusual quirky shots 🙂
YOLANDA DAVIS
Take a few pics of the same thing, then you can choose the best one.
donna jones
Use a plain background.
fran coles
get up close and personal to make sure the frame is filled
Patricia Barrett
Use the rule of thirds as it helps you take eye-catching pictures by using one of the most effective rules of composition.
Alex
get down low for a different perspective
HowToDrawAnOwl
wait for THAT light
Sarah Hanson
Don’t suggest taking a nice smiley photo with teenagers, they just pull faces
Lorraine
Pick an interesting subject and shoot from interesting angle that makes people think
sue leake
If using a DSLR buy the best lens you can afford
Sheri Darby
Take my time
Scott Fallon
Lot’s of natural light
Adrian Bold
Buy the best camera you can afford.
Cara-Jane Hunter
Breathe in, relax and take your time!
Laura Green
love a good filter!
Fiona Johnstone
Don’t have people squinting because they are facing the sun. All my childhood photos are of me with my eyes and face screwed up as my dad insisted we always faced the sun. Haimes though.
janine atkin
experiment with the lighting
Dorothy McDowell
take your time getting the right shot, it will be worth the effort
Sheena Read
Make sure the light levels are correct.
Beth Parsons
Use a tripod!
betsy ferguson
Be lower than the subject matter, and if there is a focal point like a person or object, don’t place them right at the center – just to the side a bit. And, the best light is very, very early in the morning x
Victoria Bazley
Don’t be afraid to go low or high to get the right angel. Crouching down on the floor can make all the difference.
Troy Easton
Using Lights behind the person stand in front to get the light, to make it brighter.
Elaine Stokes
good lighting, take more than one shot chose the best
Jennifer Turnbull
Watch photography tutorials online, youtube has loads and they are a great help.
Jennifer Turnbull
Watch photography tutorials online, youtube is a good source.
Helen
Keeping your fingers/straps, etc away from the lens is a good start!
Susan Hoggett
natural light for good photo,s
Thomas Riley
lighting
Denise S
always check the background , before this tip has lots of signposts or fences “growing out of peoples heads”
Laura Napier
Its all about angles and lighting!
Simon Tinsley
I have this one tip…let my wife do it. She’s brilliant at it and I’m awful. Know your limits!
Ruth T
I like to make sure there is nothing too unsightly in my photos. If I am taking a photo of my children I like an uncluttered background with good lighting and the children are always natural.
Christine Taylor
for me it’s alway about the lighting, makng the best use of what light you have x
Robyn Clarke
Keep it fun, I get the best photos of my children when they are just being themselves as opposed to me trying to direct them.
Clair
My Son would love this, he has a real passion for photography ever since his Granddad gave him a camera last year.
RACHELL LYNCH
Its all about getting the right angle
PhillW
Take a camera everywhere you go and take loads of photo’s. You never know when you’ll capture that perfect moment.
Phil Bowell
Use a tripod
Deb Shepherd
Keep very still
Angela Kelly
My tip would be to get someone else to take the photo since I’m rubbish. My Dad is really into photography though and he’d love this.
adrian price
control your breathing for a steady handy
sharon martin
patience and waiting good light
Lucy robinson
I try and take photos when nobody is looking.
Amy Stevens
More natural if people don’t know you are taking a picture
MERYL Thomas
Patience and a good DSLR
Cathryn Crawshaw
a camera
Emma-Louise Davidson
I’m far from a professional photographer. My main tip for myself is to make sure my kid or dog stays still, as it’s normally them I’m taking photos of!
Janine H
I usually take 4 or 5 photographs of the same subject at slightly different angles then choose my favourite
Niamh
Use natural light
And try to catch the person doing the sort of smile that lights up their eyes x
Jeanette Leighton
a steady hand and good lighting
Jeanet Richardson
Always hold your breath to help you take a steady photo in focus
Stef Acaster
My tip is to try taking shots from different angles
Aidan
String ‘Tripod’ –
get a small bolt that fits the tripod screw on camera, tie a piece of string to it that reaches from your eyes to your feet and stand on the other end. This will give some stability to camera when you need it but haven’t got more solid options
Ross Leech
Invest in a good tripod or two.
Sarah Roberts
Experiment with different lens and filters to find your favourite
Jessica Hutton
When taking photos of animals always take loads. You will delete 99% but generally get a good one.
Adele Knight
Taking from unusual angles , being up high looking down is my favourite at the moment
Aileen
Use rule of thirds for good composition
Teresa Sheldon
Don’t rush be patient and that fantastic photo will happen
Violet Phillippo
We take it in turns to be the person ‘in charge’ of taking photos this helps to capture natural and fun/random photos.
Phillip James Davies
Take Photos from different angles / heights , not just at eye level / head height !
Darren Bourne
Make sure you have good lighting and a tripod.