ADD MORE IMPACT
Adopt a varied approach to framing and exposure
After setting and subject choices, composition is another element that, when done correctly, can elevate your travel shots from run of the mill to pro status. To start with the basics, try shooting from a different angle to your normal field of view. For example, point the camera upwards and shoot the scene above you, such as at skyscrapers or a forest canopy.
Next up, look to add foreground interest, such as a glistening rock in front of a river or some native flowers in front of a mountain – both of which will also help to add scale.
Another way to add some impact to your images is through creative blur. Experiment with slow shutter speeds to capture expressive ethereal steam or blurred foliage, or capture even longer exposures to capture the pleasingly milky effect of moving water. You can be creative with your images by using fill-in flash. This helps to improve the lighting in difficult lighting situations. For example, when photographing portraits, fill-in flash can lighten your subject’s shadows, particularly if they are wearing a hat. You can use fill-in flash to lighten shadows on nearby animals or close-up photography.
The options for framing pictures are plentiful. Don’t just stick to the traditional landscape format, but turn your camera on its side and shoot in portrait orientation. Another framing option is to shoot as normal and crop in a square image format, which is popular for sharing on social media.
I keep mentioning the importance of framing, but the frame (and negative space in it) can also be determined by an image’s end use. For example, if your shot is destined for a magazine spread or book that will have text over it, it’s important to leave empty areas in the sky. Try changing the position of your horizon from the top third of the image to the bottom third to see which looks best.
When framing your travel photos, ask yourself if there is a key point of interest in this shot, and where you should intentionally place it within the scene. Placing points of interest on the intersections of a 3x2 grid helps key features to stand out and can improve results.