7 Travel Photography Tips For Beginners

If you’ve ever dreamt of freezing those breathtaking moments from your adventures in a frame, you’re in the right place. Today, we’re diving into the world of travel photography and uncovering some simple yet effective tips for beginners. Let’s turn your travel snapshots into cherished memories!

1. Embrace the Golden Hours

 The early morning and late afternoon sunlight provide a soft, warm glow that can transform your photos. Aim to shoot during these golden hours to add a magical touch to your travel memories.

I recommend finding interesting angles (angles again!) like I mentioned in my Nature Scapes Photography post. The sun always shines its rays in interesting ways that can enhance a background in a travel photo.

I used golden hour to my advantage here when I was in Dominican Republic! The sun shined in the perfect spot.

2. Rule of Thirds

Another tip for travel photography beginners is to break down your frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically. Position your main subject along these lines or at their intersections. This simple rule can create a more visually appealing and balanced composition.

Your phone usually has a setting that can allow a grid to appear. This can help guide you when taking a photo of your subject!

For this photo the subject would be in the middle of the grid.

3.Experiment with Perspectives

I say this all the time but it is true! Experiment with your perspective and angles. Don’t be afraid to get low or high to capture unique angles. Changing your perspective can add depth and interest to your photographs. Kneel down to capture a child’s view or climb a viewpoint for a bird’s-eye panorama.

4. Include People

I personally love taking landscape photos, but sometimes adding people makes your picture all the better. Whether this means getting someone to take a picture of you or if you want to take photos of people walking along a bustling street, having people makes your image more personal!

In the café, Le Petit Dep, I tried to capture the coziness of the place by incorporating people!

5. Focus on Details

Sometimes, the beauty lies in the details. Zoom in on intricate architecture, vibrant street art, or local cuisine. These close-ups can convey the essence of a place in a unique way.

I am personally a big architecture nerd myself so I love to zoom in on the details of beautiful structures.

I loved the details of this beautiful staircase!

6. Use Leading Lines

 Another one of my travel photography tips for a beginners is to use leading lines. Leading lines guide the viewer’s eye through the photo. Utilize roads, rivers, or even architectural elements to create visual pathways that draw attention to the focal point.

The way this building follows the street helps direct your eyes towards the beautiful architecture of the building!

7. Don’t Forget to Edit

My last tip if to edit afterwards. Editing afterwards can enhance your travel photos significantly. Experiment with basic editing tools to adjust exposure, contrast, and color balance. Keep it subtle to maintain the authenticity of your shots.

Conclusion

Now that you know these beginner-friendly travel photography tips, you’re ready to embark on a visual journey like never before. Remember, the best camera is the one you have with you, so don’t be afraid to start with the equipment you own. Thanks for reading and may your travel album be filled with memories as vibrant as your adventures! Safe travels!

– xoxo Cadence