Tips for getting the most from your travel photography

By Dylan Morrison

The post-COVID travel revival is upon us and now more than ever is a fantastic opportunity for you to take your travel images to the next level. Whether you’re striving for an enviable Instagram image, or a compelling composition to proudly display at home: here are a few tips to take with you on your next adventure.

CAPTURING EXPERIENCES
Immersing yourself in the culture and traditions of a destination is one of the most rewarding aspects of travel, and something that will add a uniqueness to your images. Engaging with locals will give a greater understanding of a location, and building this repour is useful if you’re capturing portraiture on your travels. Experiences are important as these will have a memorable story which can be conveyed through your imagery. Whilst working in Norway I took a journey through the Mostraumen Fjord by boat, where upon reaching a waterfall, guests had the opportunity to sample crystal pure water flowing straight into the fjord.

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

A simple way to enhance your travels and help make your images stand out is heading off the tourist trails. Researching your destination – crucially, how weather and time of day can alter the scene – in preparation for your trip, will provide inspiration to spark your creativity! Arriving at a location, I like to take things slow by surveying the area paying close attention to any elements distracting you form the main focal point. Composition is key, and I encourage you to get down low, explore different angles, and use elements within your frame for foreground interest.

UNDERSTAND THE TECHNICAL SIDE
Understanding how your camera settings can alter a composition can really take your travel images to the next level. The depth of field within an image plays an important role in highlighting the main focal point. Adjusting your shutterspeed can add some creative flair to your images. In this image from Bergen, Norway, I chose a slow shutterspeed to add motion to the scene, capturing the bustle of the city streets.