National Geographic Traveller (UK)
TAKE GREAT PHOTOGRAPHS IN THE MALDIVES
Want to take perfect shots of your island escape? From the importance of depth to polarising filters, these three photography tips will help you capture this natural paradise
No destination can conjure up images of tropical luxury quite like the Maldives — and the recently opened Ithaafushi - The Private Island, set in the heart of South Malé Atoll and spread languidly on the archipelago’s biggest private island, perfectly captures the destination’s exclusive atmosphere. National
Geographic Traveller (UK) photographer Richard James Taylor shares three tips to help capture every moment in this unique setting.
1. Add depth to landscapes
The resort’s personal concierges are on hand to organise exclusive excursions and help guests find secluded, stunning vistas. To best capture these views, make sure to create a sense of depth in your photographic landscapes, drawing the viewer into the scene from front to back. Including some foreground interest into your composition — think rock formations or palm trees around the edge of the image — will help create a more dynamic shot. Leading lines create a similar effect; if out sailing, for example, featuring the boat jetty or the prow of one of Ithaafushi’s Princess yachts or sailboats can help draw the eye out into the scene.
2. True colours
With their palette of silvery beaches, cyan lagoons and green fronds, the tropics are fantastic locations to play with colour. To capture every hue, try a polarising filter: it screws on to your lens and helps reduce reflected light, which can cause glare and make photos lose contrast and colour intensity. With uninterrupted views of the sun setting over the Indian Ocean, the resort’s 119 all-pool villas — including the secluded Stella Maris Villa, perched a fiveminute boat ride from the main island
— offer plenty of opportunities to experiment.
3. Under the sea
The resort’s private reef, a sunken garden of coral formations and colourful marine life, calls for below-the-waves action. A few practical tips: test your camera’s underwater housing in advance; keep the aperture at around f8 to ensure the image is sharp; and maintain the ISO as low as possible to reduce noise. Clear, calm water is crucial, as is good light, so stay close to the surface and go when the sun is at its strongest — typically in the early afternoon. Ithaafushi’s dive centre can advise you on when conditions are best and take you to every must-vist spot.