Tips on Taking Great Vacation Photos

Using a Digital Camera for Taking Pictures of People and Places

Jul 11, 2009

While traveling, it seems as if no part of the trip could ever be forgotten. Memories do fade, so here are a few tips for taking photographs to help relive the moments.

Whether traveling for adventure, to learn about cultures, see famous sites or simply for fun, someone always has a camera and pictures are taken and shared. With a little bit of planning before going on the trip, as well as using these tips, the photographs taken will be great souvenirs of the vacation.

Uses for Vacation Photos

Of course pictures are wanted to show family and friends, and in general to have memories of things seen on the trip. There are other uses for vacation photographs as well, and some planning allows time to make a metal list of the type of pictures to try and capture.

If there is any likelihood of enlarging a photograph later, for best results use the highest megapixel settings the camera offers. Invest in large amounts of memory so worrying about taking too many photos does not lead to lost opportunities for great pictures. Do not try to take pictures on a smaller megapixel setting and consider resetting when needed. Perfect pictures don’t usually wait. The camera needs to be ready.

Know How to Use the Camera

If auto is always used, now is the time before the trip to try out the different settings the camera offers. Be familiar with the setting options and take a few pictures on different settings to view on the computer at home and decide what looks best under what circumstances. Maybe auto looks better than the night screen, but the snow screen setting looks better than auto.

If manual options are available, learn how to use the functions before the trip or wait until the trip is over. Do not be disappointed by missing shots. If the camera has a view finder, remember to use it instead of relying on the LCD screen, especially when the sun is strong. Always have extra batteries, regular as well as rechargeable.

Taking Pictures of People

Take pictures of the people sharing the trip. Try to get them to pose or use props to help remember fun things that happened. Maybe drinking a favourite beverage if it was always chosen, or pretending to serenade a fellow traveler if love or karaoke was in the air. An especially delicious ice cream cone or pizza the kids kept ordering. Remember to get into some of those pictures.

Taking pictures of locals in their everyday activities can be a great way to capture a place and share the culture with friends at home. Remember to be respectful and ask first about taking someone’s picture. In a country where wages are extremely low, even offering enough to buy a coke is appreciated. There are often guides around, or other locals who can translate if the language spoke is unknown.

Take Pictures of Buildings, Scenery and Interesting Things

It is always tempting to put a person into a picture, but great memories are often recalled from specific places as well. A building with interesting architecture or a sunset can bring back a particular feeling. Take pictures of favorite stores, restaurants, an unusual billboard advertisement, a fire truck with a Christmas wreath on the front or anything that seems interesting or different will add to the character of the photos.

Knowing how to use the features on the digital camera, having enough memory and batteries for lots of photos, knowing what the pictures will used for and remembering to take serious, silly and fun photos of friends and places will make great holiday pictures and help maintain well rounded memories of a trip.

The copyright of the article Tips on Taking Great Vacation Photos in Travel Photography is owned by Caroline Post. Permission to republish Tips on Taking Great Vacation Photos in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.