8 Tips for Taking Good Vacation Photos From Around the Web

I have found that some of the pictures that I take are able to bring me back to some of the best moments of my vacations. It took me a while to get the hang of taking better photos while on the road and here's a few tips that can help.

Landscapes: Think About the Foreground

Pisac, Peru, 2008

From Digital Photography Student:

Find an object in the foreground that will add depth to your landscape photos, and use it to your advantage. It can be anything: e.g. rock, branch, plant, boat, person. Our recommendation would be to pick something that will reinforce the overall theme of your landscape shot.

Get a New Perspective

The London Eye, 2006

From Photo.net:

One of the easiest ways to vary your shooting involves some exercise. Photograph from below or shoot from above. Try getting down on the ground to spruce up landscape photography that can make small churches look like cathedrals. You can kneel or simply crouch similar to the way baseman empires do. Point your camera upwards to make things in the foreground appear much bigger than they really are. Look for things like street signs with the city behind it or flowers in the foreground with the grassy knoll in the background.

Make Group Pictures Fun!

Jetty jumping at sunset

Group shots are always tough. Jim Richardson has a bunch of tips that can help. Making it fun and help folks understand what to do makes it alot easier:

Make it fun. A little zaniness on your part will go a long way toward easing the atmosphere.

Play the maestro. When it comes time to snap the picture, change the tempo and take command. Make eye contact. (I like to have the camera on a tripod so I don’t have to be looking through the viewfinder.) Raise your arm like you are ready for the downbeat and say something like “OK, everybody, we’re ready.” (And be ready.)

Tell them what you want them to do. Remember at this critical moment that all those folks have any idea of what’s happening unless you tell them. I like to be really, really plain. I say, “OK, look at me, look at me, don’t blink, eyes open, look at me, don’t blink” while I snap away. The best way to get everybody’s eyes open is to take several pictures. If you need to make adjustments then tell them so. I say, “Don’t go anywhere, but you can relax for a moment.” Ideally, once I get them in position l like the picture to be over and done in 30 seconds.

Seek Out The Golden Hour

Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru, 2008

From BootsNAll:

Photographers sometimes refer to the first and last hour of daylight as the ‘golden hour,’ which, under the right conditions, can often lead to a soft and warm glow on anything in its path. Taking advantage of this while traveling can be tricky, because our daily schedules are often full and dependent on a host of other factors. But if you wake up early enough, or are paying attention as the sun is about to set, you might be rewarded with some spectacular shots full of interesting colors and hues. Shadows also get long and pronounced during this time, so look for angles that feature these contrasts. If your hotel is near a cathedral or any other interesting building, you might make a point to check out the light early or late for a special quick photo opportunity.

Don't Miss the People

A man carries himself. Provincetown, MA

Its a great way to get the feel for a place. Here's some advice from ApartmentTherapy:

Don't be afraid to photograph people while traveling. One strategy is to ask for permission — most of the time people say yes, especially when the question is framed in a compliment: "I love your outfit, would you mind being in my photo?"

Go Candid

Here's the catch. Brewster, MA

I personally like candid shots much more than arranged shots. The one above could have been a man holding a fish and smiling at the camera. It just seems more interesting as he shows it so the kids. Digital Photography School says to go candid:

Get Candid – keep your camera to the eye for taking those spontaneous shots between the more posed ones. It’s amazing what images that you can find when the person isn’t ‘ready’ for you to shoot (or just after you’ve taken a shot). These shots often include people interacting with others or expressing true emotion. I find setting my camera to continuous shooting mode (where it will shoot burts of frames quickly) often leads to some wonderful candid shots.

Zoom in on Parades and Festivals

The Inti Raymi Festival, Cusco, Peru, 2008

From Fordor's:

What to shoot? People, especially children, are the heart of any special event, so use a zoom lens to isolate candid expressions and reactions in the participants and the crowds. Look also for costumes or decorations that symbolize the focus of the festivities—the American flag and Uncle Sam costumes, for instance, are a colorful part of Fourth of July parades. What are the emblems of the event you're shooting? At religious ceremonies and events, take special care to avoid photographing situations or scenes that are sacred to the participants.

Turn Around!

The view when you walk into the Japanese Temple at the Peace Pagoda, Leverett, MA, 2012.

Turning around when you get up front

One of my favorite things to do is to go to the place where everyone is taking pictures and then turn around and see what is there. Sometimes you get some great views you would never have seen otherwise.