Discover how you can capture high-quality images of a total lunar eclipse with these tips and tricks.
GIVE ALASKA YOUR BEST SHOT.
From jagged blue glaciers and stunning wildlife to intriguing towns filled with pioneer and Native American history, the opportunities for breathtaking images on an Alaska cruise are endless. But returning home with disappointing pictures of an amazing journey can leave you frustrated.
To make sure you bring back memorable photographs from your voyage, Vacations Magazine asked me, and pro shooters, Brian Adams and Wayde Caroll, to share a few tricks of the trade.
Check out our tips and learn how to capture memorable photographs on an Alaskan cruise in the article, Shooting The Last Frontier by Alexis Hilts.
a guest blog by Ewen Bell
I’m thrilled that Ewen Bell of PhotographyforTravellers.com agreed to share his top tips for travel photography with us. I say “Ditto”!
Read on for Ewen’s advice for how to return home with vacation pictures that will make your friends and family feel they went along on the trip.
1. Get Closer
The easiest way to improve your photography is to get closer to the subject. The world changes when you are closer to it.
2. Go Slow
Take your time and you will take better photos. Rushing about gives you lots of shots that you might not want to keep, so maybe it’s better to go slow and enjoy the travel.
3. Shoot Wide
Get a wide angle lens and get more into the shot. Many compact cameras shoot the equivalent of 24mm wide, and that’s good.
4. Look for the Light
Cameras shoot light not objects, so you have to practice seeing the light as your camera does. Lovely light makes for lovely photos.
5. Ask first
Show respect for other people and ask permission before shooting. It avoids offending strangers and gives you a chance to better connect with the locals. Getting local is what it is all about!
A friend just turned me onto a fabulous new resource that if you’re into traveling and photography you’ll want to know about…
Photography for Travellers is a new website that helps people to get more from their photos. It’s not a technical site for geeks, but a rich source of philosophies and useful tips on how to take better photos when you travel.
Offering information and inspiration about the world of photography outside the studio, PhotographyforTravellers.com is a fabulous free resource where photography and travel enthusiasts can learn more about taking great pictures.
It’s about getting real with the camera - no models and lights, just real life and lots of advice on how to capture the emotion of your journeys on digital film.
Ideas we can all use to bring home photos that reveal the true spirit of the places we visit.
Developed by travel journalist Ewen Bell (named 2007 Travel Photographer of the Year by the Australian Society of Travel Writers), Photography for Travellers has great, easy-to-follow advice, and anyone can take something away to improve as a photographer.
Check it out at www.PhotographyforTravellers.com and let me know what you think using the comment link below.
As a professional travel photographer, photo tour leader and workshop teacher, I’m often asked by people how they can improve their people pictures. One of my favorite resources to direct them to is Erin Manning’s book Portrait and Candid Photography Photo Workshop (John Wiley & Sons)
“Taking great people pictures isn’t a matter of luck,” writes Manning. “The secret is in observing your subjects and connecting with them, and then using your camera to its best advantage.” I couldn’t agree more!
In the book, Manning, professional photographer, digital photography expert and host of the Telly Award winning how-to series The Whole Picture, uses hundreds of full-color images and step-by-step instructions to help you create people pics with personality including assignments at the end of each chapter so you can build hands on experience. Later you can upload your photos to Photoworkshop.com and get feedback from other readers. How cool is that.
Before you dive headlong into the book, here are 5 simple tips from Manning to help get you started.