Travel Photography: Take It to the Next Level

Joshua Dylan Goh shares tips and tricks that sure to be useful when snapping pictures for your upcoming holiday.

Mount Fuji on a clear winter morning. PHOTO CREDIT | JOSHUA DYLAN GOH

Whether you’re visiting Switzerland for your winter holiday, or away for a weekend shopping trip to Bangkok, snapping pictures is all part of the fun to document your journey.

Where do you start? How can you up your social media game with more eye-catching pictures? These simple yet effective tricks are sure to elevate them and make them more eye-catching.

What gear you’re using doesn’t matter, focusing on how you compose an image, the lighting and making it uniquely yours using the tips and tricks shared in this article will go a long way towards crafting better travel photographs.

1. Composition & Contrast

Framing the man in the middle and contrasting his bright outfit with the dull colours of the pigeons make this photo cohesive. PHOTO CREDIT | JOSHUA DYLAN GOH

Being creative with the composition can elevate and enhance your photograph instantly. The ‘Rule of Thirds’ is a fantastic way to assist you in where to place your subject and frame the shot.

This method of composing and framing divides the frame into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. Placing your subject along one of the intersections will create a photograph that’s naturally pleasing to the eye.

You can use this technique whether you’re photographing landscapes, architecture and even people. It’s all about letting your creative juices flow and playing with the different compositions.

“You can have the scene set for you, perfect lighting, the subject perfectly where you want it to be, perfect everything, but if you can’t compose the shot well, the picture will only be mediocre at best,” said Marcus Lim, the head photographer of St Andrew’s Junior College photography CCA, through a Telegram interview.

The use of contrast with composition allows you to play with colours that complement each other, further elevating your photograph.

2. Angles

Photograph of the Supertree grove, I took this by lying on the ground and shooting upwards, giving me a unique angle. PHOTO CREDIT | JOSHUA DYLAN GOH

Ever seen those photographers crouching down low or climbing a wall to get ‘THE’ shot and wonder what on earth they see but you don’t?

They’re likely finding a unique angle and it’s a brilliant way to take better pictures. You should give it a go too! You may look a little ridiculous while trying to get the shot but it definitely pays off, especially when you know you got a picture that is one of a kind.

Personally, after finding a shot I like at eye-level, I kneel or sit on the ground to see if the shot looks better from a lower angle.

3. Lighting

Photograph of Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo, taken during ‘Blue Hour’ right after the sunset. PHOTO CREDIT | JOSHUA DYLAN GOH

Lighting is key when it comes to photography, it plays a huge part in how your picture turns out. ‘Golden Hour’ and ‘Blue Hour’ are the best times to take photographs.

‘Golden Hour’ is the time after sunrise and before sunset, while ‘Blue Hour’ is the time before sunrise and after sunset when the sky is deep blue.

These are the best times to take photographs when the light isn’t harsh. The even lighting will allow you to create photographs that are pleasing to the eye.

My favourite time is right after sunset when the sky is blue but still has the orange under-glow to it.

4. Editing & Retouching

View from Mount Fuji’s fifth station, a 10-image panorama stitched and edited in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. PHOTO CREDIT | JOSHUA DYLAN GOH

Editing allows you to adjust your images to make it truly yours. There are no specific rules to follow when editing images, just find your own style and have fun!

“Find a style you like best. There's no 'right' or 'wrong' way to edit a photograph, just have fun with it. Enjoy the process,” said Jay Lim, a freelance photographer, through an email interview.

Whether you want to lightly edit your pictures or get into the nitty-gritty of it, there are many applications out there for different purposes.

For mobile users, Google’s Snapseed, and Adobe’s Lightroom Mobile are great options for you to start learning the basics of editing. For the others who want more control over their images, Adobe’s Lightroom Classic and Photoshop will be your best bet that’s available on both Windows and macOS.

I use a mix of Lightroom Classic and Photoshop as they both complement each other and suit my needs.

Just have fun!

Going out and applying these tips is the best way to improve your skills.

Nevertheless, don’t forget to enjoy yourself while travelling as well! After all, your eyes are the best camera you have and once that moment is gone, you’ll never get to relive again. Experiencing the moment is more important than getting a photograph of it.

As Aldo Melrose, the videographer and Instagram lead at The Travel Intern, says, “Capture the moment but don’t sacrifice it just for the photograph, because once it’s gone you’ll never experience it again.”