And there are exciting new ways to keep the memories of those wonderful trips alive. Today, with digital cameras, taking photos and making picture books is easier than ever.
But how about some tips to improve the quality of those photographs...
Tip number one:
Purchase and carry a digital camera that you like and one that is of decent quality. I travel a lot, so I see other people using cameras. I notice that some people bring great cameras on their travels; however, I also notice people trying to use older, inexpensive, tiny cameras that should have been replaced a few years ago. If you would like to have excellent photos from your trip, purchase a camera that was built in the last three years. Camera technology is rapidly changing and getting better with each passing year. A camera for travel is different than a camera for use at home. Here is what you need:
- Any type of camera will do, but make sure it has at least 5x optical zoom.
- Choose a camera that you are willing to carry (light enough/right size).
- The camera you choose probably needs to cost at least $200.00 (anything cheaper will let you down).
- Purchase at least a 16 GB memory card for the camera, so you can take enough photos.
- Set your camera to the highest resolution it is capable of.
Tip number two:
Take your camera everywhere you go on your trip and take lots of photos. You no longer have to worry about the costs of film or the need to change film in the camera. You can always delete the photos you don't like. You cannot recreate the photos you missed (because your camera was somewhere else). Charge your camera battery each night for use the next day. Purchasing an extra camera battery is a good idea. Sometimes your battery will go out on you while touring (just reach for your fully charged extra battery and keep going).
Tip number three:
You must take these three types of photos -- overview, medium distance and close-ups.
I have seen lots of vacation photos over the past 40 years. The most common mistake of all time -- photos taken from too far away.
Yes, a few photos that show the entire scene before you are great. But remind yourself to walk into the scene and take photos of those elements that are amazing, or that you found interesting, or that have special beauty or meaning to you. When you share your trip with others, they want to be able to see clearly what you saw or experienced. You do not want to be saying "see that diver jumping off the huge rock - he was amazing. Oh,yeah, I know it's hard to see him (that little dot), but he was great."
Remember this phrase: DETAILS ARE IMPORTANT. Sometimes, you need to get close. GET CLOSE, DAMMIT, GET CLOSE. Or, sorry, please excuse me. Boring trip photos are the result of not getting close enough when the photos are being taken. If you take nothing from this blog except one tidbit of useful information. This it it. This is the one. Get close! Not for every photograph, but often enough to really show what you saw.
Examples:
Photograph people. Travelers visit cities. They take photos of buildings, fountains, parks, each other. That's great. If you see interesting people, ask them if can can take their photo.
Take photos at all times of the day. But be sure to include rainy days, foggy days, early morning, late evening, sunrise, sunset, night.
Don't center the main object or person in the middle of the frame. Your photos will be more interesting if the main subject is to the left or right or even higher or lower. Keep the horizon line out of the exact center of the photo. Try to keep the horizon line level.
Look for color to include in your photograph. Color adds interest and beauty.