Travel photography is one of the most rewarding hobbies out there. Not only do you get to show off your photography skills but also you get to relive your travels every day later when you look at your pictures. In order to prove yourself take photographs.
1. Be inconspicuous
Pack as little as possible. Do not carry a camera bag that looks like one. If you are in a crime-ridden area put the camera strap over your right shoulder, under your jacket, with the lens facing toward your body. It's a quick flip of your wrist to bring the camera to your eye with your right hand.
2. Shoot what interests you
If the Taj Mahal is underwhelming but the street vendors are fascinating to you, shoot the street vendors. You can always get clichéd tourist shots at the postcard shop, so don't bother with those. Be adventurous. Approach locals and ask to photograph them as they go about their business If you are told not to take photos then acknowledge their request and looks elsewhere, however most people will agree, and you will end up with better photos and maybe a good story.
3. Show people and show them doing something
Carrying bricks, playing stickball in the street, selling fish, having dinner, anything that lets a viewer in on how they live their lives. Do not ask people to pose. Let your subjects go about doing their thing rather than stopping them to pose. Occasional portraits in front of spectacular views are great, but more than a few of them are tedious for the subject and your audience.
4. Get close
If your pictures are not turning out very well, you may want to get closer to the subject. Use your zoom, or better yet your feet, to fill the frame with your subject and eliminate anything in the background that is distracting. But don't get too close either, as this may lead to distortion.
5. Take scenery pictures
Taking vacation photos is all about making memories. You will definitely want to remember how beautiful the area was that you visited. If you see something that you consider remarkable, such as a sunset, flowers, mountains, etc., take a photo.
6. Remember to take photos of the people you are travelling with
Include them in photos with scenery; such as near the ocean, or near places you went; such as a restaurant or museum. That way, you not only remember where you went, but who went with you.
7. Take advantage of the time of day
The light is most interesting in the hours just after sunrise and just before sunset, and at those times even mundane scenes can look magical. Plan some of your landscape and street-scene photography for those hours. Also, bad weather and the shadows or mist it creates can lead to good photos, so put on the raincoat and go explore.
8. Use flash to fill in bright light and to reduce blur if the subject matter is moving
The use of a flash will freeze movement so if a picture repeatedly turns out blurry, try using the flash. Even if it's not necessarily needed, it usually helps decrease the blur. Similarly, if it is a sunny day, the faces of your subjects may even so be in shadow. Using the flash will get the light where you need it and keep the faces from being overwhelmed by the sun in the background.
9. Do not use digital zoom
On digital cameras, you have both optical zoom and digital zoom. It is common when you take photos with digital zoom that the result is a blurry picture. Optical Zoom makes a clearer photo. So you must look at the settings of your camera before taking photos. You should turn off the digital zoom of your camera.
10. Know where the sun is
The easiest way to flatter your subject is to put it in the best light. If you want your subjects faces to shine then turn them so the sun is shining on their faces. If you want your photo of your cruise ship to look like the brochures then you must take the photo on the sunny side of the ship. Alternately, if you want to catch the shimmering light on the ocean then take the photo when the sun is low enough to bounce off the waves.
Take the day to scout locations for the next day when the weather clears, and you will know what time is best for the light. What is important is making the most of whatever circumstances come your way. To get a real feel for a new travel destination, and capture it through your lens, let your senses guide you. Happy travels and bring back some killer images!