Taking photographs while you travel is an awesome way to document your experiences and share them with others. But taking the right photos can be difficult, especially since you are probably traveling pretty light.
But just because you may not have the best equipment doesn’t mean you still can’t take a great photo. With today’s camera technology, if you follow a few simple tips and tricks, you can create magnificent images with any smartphone as well as a thousand dollar camera. You can also try grip and electric rental Pittsburgh if you don’t have all the necessary equipment. Here are a few things you should think about next time you’re away from home and want to get the perfect shot to share with your friends, family and followers.
Check the Time
There is are special times every day for photographers, known as the Golden Hour, when the lighting is perfect for great shots of anything you want to photograph. As a rule of thumb, you can think of the Golden Hour as the one hour after the sunrise and one hour before the sunset.
The reason these times are special for photographers is because the light hits objects at a low angle rather than a high one — such as at noon — so you can capture shadows and highlights that really stand out. What this means, though, is that you will have to always be aware of the time if you want great shots.
This also means that there will be days when you need to wake up early, so make sure you have a good alarm app (learn more here) that is reliable. If you scout out spots beforehand, you should be able to get great photos if you can make it to the Golden Hour.
Learn Basic Composition
Some people go to school for years to learn all there is to know about art, but with a basic understanding of composition, you can create great photographs from Day One.
Perhaps the most important element of composition is known as the Rule of Thirds. This is where you break the photograph down into nine equal squares — imagine two vertical lines and two horizontal lines. The most important elements of your photo should be along these lines and the points where they intersect. This gives a good balance to the photo that people enjoy.
The best part is, most smartphones (and many professional cameras) have these lines built in, so all you have to do is find something interesting and shoot it!
Talk to the People
If you can find anything interesting to shoot, talk to the locals. They will likely enjoy helping you find the most interesting local spots that are either beautiful, historic or otherwise important to them.
If you’re anxious, just say hello and tell them what you want. If they are selling items, buy something small to make them feel at ease. It will be well worth it once you get the perfect shot.
Use these simple tips to get great photographs to share.