Traveling is exciting. It is the perfect scope to create a lot of memories. With the tendency of human beings to document their lives, taking pictures while traveling is quite common. The appeal of travel photos lies in the fact that as you go through these pictures at a later date, you immediately get transported back to the time the photograph was taken.
Even though capturing these memories while traveling can be quite challenging, the good news is, you do not have to be an expert photographer to take exceptional travel photos.
However, disappointment with certain shots isn’t uncommon. This happens due to certain basic mistakes that people tend to make while capturing the shots. When these mistakes are repeated in several photos, it becomes even more disheartening.
Let’s take a look at some of the travel photography mistakes and how you can avoid them.
#1: Not Doing Your Research
This is one of the gravest mistakes that many tend to make. You should do a thorough research about the place you have planned to visit. Find out more about the weather condition during the time you will be visiting, the primary attractions of the place, the culture, timings of festivals, etc.
This information will give you a head start. Based on this, you will be able to prepare well. For example, if there is a possibility of rain, you would carry protective gear for your photography equipment. You would also know where to be and when.
#2: Not Asking Permission When You Photograph People
One of the best things about traveling is that you will meet several interesting people. You might even strike up a conversation with a few and would want to photograph them. But you should keep in mind that it is always wise to ask for permission to shoot. Not all people are comfortable with it. So, you might face a few rejections, but you would not get into trouble.
In addition to that, when you have the permission to shoot, you will be able to take stunning, close-up, candid photos of the subjects.
#3: Carrying Too Much Equipment
Did you know that carrying too much gear can hurt your chances of capturing a good photo? Hauling a heavy camera and accessories can restrict your ability to move around for long distances and duration. Even though it may be tempting to pack a lot of photography equipment, your camera and couple of good lenses are usually enough. In fact, you would be surprised at the capabilities of your smartphone’s camera.
#4: Not Paying Attention to Light
When you are not aware of the optimal lighting conditions, you would be shooting whatever you see. As a result, the photos you take, no matter how many, will not seem up to the mark. Light can alter the look of an object significantly. While shooting in natural light is the best option, it is important to focus on the direction of the light and how it is illuminating the subject.
Depending on the light conditions, you might want to alter the angle of your shot. If the outcome is not satisfactory, you can consider returning to the spot the next day if you have enough time.
Sunrise and sunset are the best times of the day. Find out the times of sunrise and sunset and do not forget to be there for the amazing photo ops.
#5: Missing the Details
Including small details can make the photo captivating. These tiny details can enhance the picture considerably. Some of these details are usually not in plain sight and you may miss these unless you are careful. Close-ups can reveal a lot about an object. You need to be on the lookout for the details that can make your picture perfect.
#6: Not Brushing up on the Basics
You would need to be familiar with the photography equipment you are carrying. Additionally, it is important that you shoot sharp photographs. For this purpose, you would need to polish your basic skills of photography. If you live in Dubai, you can enroll in photography courses in Dubai for this purpose.
It is always wise to take a lot of photos so that you can select the best ones from the lot. Keep in mind that travel photography is about capturing the memories that you make. Have a lot of fun and do not forget to experiment.
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