When photographing people, it’s best to throw out what you know and get into an innocent state of mind. By being genuinely fascinated by what happens in front of you, and what people do, you can develop a sense for portrait photography. If you get too self-conscious and start to wonder about what they might think of you taking their photographs, it may even prevent you from taking your camera out of your bag.
However, if you feel that there is strong negativity, then it’s best to not to take photographs. This especially applies to places where people aren’t too friendly with photographers.
When traveling, you sometimes come across local festivals and events. While the main event may be important for the people there, photographically speaking, it may not always be interesting.
Try photographing the events that happen prior to or following the main event. Scenes like preparations for an event and practice sessions can be far more visually compelling.
Photographers on-the-go are presented with many photographic opportunities. Too many photo opportunities can make you make excuses not to take the photograph immediately. But, the next time you try to recreate the image, things may not work out the same way. The lighting, the scene, the colors, and the people’s mood may not work out the same way next time.
You will never regret stopping and taking the time to take a photo. Even if you don’t end up getting an amazing photo, you’ll often walk away with a pleasant memory or even a valuable life lesson.
How often do we associate travel photography with cloudy skies and rainy conditions? Rarely, right? Rather than keeping your gear somewhere safe during bad weather, it can be a good idea to take your camera out. Cloudy skies and foggy weather can add drama to images. Instead of trying to avoid such conditions, see how you can take advantage of them.
However, while doing so, be wary of the limitations of your camera.
When starting out, it’s common for photographers to look for subjects that are visually appealing. Learn to step out of your comfort zone and photograph subjects that are far from beautiful. Subjects that have a grieving story behind them, places that have been abandoned, and architecture in its ugliest stages can be great subjects. Make a genuine effort to find beauty in the ugliness. Sometimes, the ugliness tells more of a story than the beauty.
You didn’t expect this tip, did you? This tip does not apply to famous places and landmarks. You’re better off visiting them. This is more about rushing to decisions before following the locals’ advice.
Before you visit those places that the locals suggest, search for images from those places on the web. If you feel that it’s your thing, then you can include that in your schedule.
Stay close to the place where the action you want to photograph happens. You can get to the location early, shoot the entire day, and get back to your room for some rest. Also, you don’t have to spend most of your time traveling to and fro. Even if you may have to pay a bit more, staying close to the location is still worth it.
Do you have any unusual tips to share?