Year: 2022

Travel Photography 101: How To Take Great Travel Photos?

Capturing your most memorable adventures while traveling is an important part of the journey.

Learning how to capture each unique destination and help convey the distinct energy of a place can seem daunting at first. After all, a photograph is worth a thousand words, and travel photos bring context to the masses.

Travel photography can be easy and fun, and these tips on how to take great travel photos will have you ready to get out and shoot amazing photos. Even taking passport photos could be fun. 

Lighting Is Everything

The easiest way to ensure great travel photos is to shoot in good lighting. This means getting up early for the golden hour, the time just before sunrise.

And staying out late for blue hour, the time right after sunset. These softer lights photograph really well, as opposed to the harsh midday sun, which makes it harder to photograph locations.

Rule Of Thirds

The rule of thirds is one of the most basic and easy travel photography tips. This helps immensely with the composition of your travel photos.

Essentially, you will split each image into three equal parts either horizontally, vertically, or both.

Most cameras and phones offer a grid setting that will help you do just that and place subjects in your photos. You’ll want to place your subject at the intersecting points, making for a more interesting focal point.

Get In Your Travel Photos

While great landscape photos are beautiful, never underestimate the value of the human element in your travel photography. Typically we live vicariously through the people we see in photos.

There are several ways to capture photos of yourself while traveling, you can be anonymous by not showing your face and using yourself for scale in landscapes.

Or you can capture the candid moments from your trip to instantly transport yourself back to that moment and to help people feel like they are traveling along with you.

Patience

Patience is a virtue and it’s not always an easy task when it comes to travel photography.

It can be difficult to take your time, slow down, and take in the small details. But that is an important part of telling your story through travel photos.

Whether that means waiting for other visitors to move from your perfectly framed shot or waiting for the Northern Lights to show themselves long after everyone else has gone.

Have Your Camera At All Times

This may seem like a given, but it’s easy to forget your camera while traveling. They say the best camera is the one that you have in your hand, and the camera on your phone absolutely counts. The truth is, you just never know what travel photography opportunities will present themselves while you are on the road.

It’s best to have your camera with you at all times, and it’s a great idea to have some extra batteries as well.

These tips on how to take great travel photos will have you telling stories through your travel photos in no time.

7 Air Travel Tips to Have an Enjoyable Flight

There is no denying that air travel can be stressful.

Between delays, cancellations, and crowds, it’s easy to become overwhelmed at the airport. Don’t let long TSA lines, lost luggage, or extra security checks cramp your travel style.

These 7 air travel tips to have an enjoyable flight will help you in both the airport and once you are on the plane.

1. Check-In Early

Checking in online will assist in avoiding long check-in lines at the ticketing counter. It will also help you to save time if you hit traffic on the way to the airport. If you are checking a bag you will still need to check in upon arrival, but most airports have separate, much shorter, lines for those who have checked in online before arrival.

2. Pack A Carry On

For minimalist travelers, this is easy, but for everyone else, this may be the most difficult of these air travel tips. Packing a carry-on will make your trip more enjoyable, not only do you get to skip the lines at check-in, but you also don’t have to lug gigantic bags around the airport. Another positive of traveling light is that you won’t have to worry about lost luggage or to wait at baggage claim once you reach your destination.

3. Make Security A Breeze

To make going through security easier consider enrolling in TSA-Precheck; you’ll want to do this long before your travel plans because it’s a lengthy process. However, it’s worth it and most beneficial for those who fly three or more times yearly. To make security a breeze, have all your items that will need to be shown in a separate clear plastic bag.

Make sure that your electronic devices like a laptop, tablet, or kindle are easily accessible because you will need to take them out of your carry-on. Wear slip-on shoes and clean socks, and don’t wear belts or jewelry. Also, have your I.D. out and ready to go!

4. Have Entertainment Options

Downloading e-books, movies, t.v. shows and music for the flight will keep you entertained for hours. If it’s offered, WiFi on board is typically unreliable and often expensive and slow. You can never count on the plane’s entertainment system to be working. This is also a great way to pass time at the airport before your flight.

5. Pack Snacks

Bringing snacks with you will help both at the airport and on the plane. Airlines have cut down on giving passengers food and drinks on board, so it’s always a good idea to bring a few snacks of your own. It also helps you to avoid splurging on airport food, which is often overpriced and unhealthy.

6. Bring A Reusable Water Bottle

A reusable water bottle can be taken through security as long as it’s empty. Most airports have water fill stations, making refilling your bottle easy post-security. This is the most eco-friendly of the air travel tips, as you will help reduce waste by bringing your own refillable bottle.

It’s important to stay hydrated while traveling, and buying water bottles at the airport is both expensive and not environmentally friendly.

7. Dress In Layers

In terms of comfort, this is the most important of the air travel tips. Plane temperatures can range from freezing to sweltering and everywhere in between. Dressing in layers will keep you comfortable no matter the temperature. Your best bet in most climates is a t-shirt as your base layer, with a sweater or light jacket to keep you warm.

These seven air travel tips to have a more enjoyable flight will facilitate a more carefree air travel experience.