As you head off on your next holiday adventure, you'll undoubtedly want to capture the breathtaking landscapes, picturesque villages, and unforgettable moments of your journey. But does it sometimes feel like the photos you take home don’t do justice to the stunning sights you’ve seen?
As you may already know, Sandie is also a professional dog photographer, and also enjoys travel photography. Here are her top tips for improving your holiday photos:
Choosing the Right Camera
The best camera is the one you're comfortable using, which could be a compact camera or a smartphone. Both have their merits:
Compact cameras offer better zoom capabilities and often perform better in low light, while being small enough to fit in a pocket or handbag. Meanwhile, smartphones are incredibly convenient, offer the added benefit of instant sharing with loved ones, and many modern smartphones also boast impressive camera quality!
Remember, the most important thing is ease of use – you want to enjoy your holiday, not spend it fiddling with complicated settings!
Be patient & wait for the right moment
One of the challenges of taking photographs in public places is that there are often other visitors who might get in the way of your photograph, and filling your shot with people instead of the landscape or architecture. But there’s a simple trick - simply pick your spot and wait a few moments. People are always moving, so a little patience will usually give you a gap in passing traffic and the opportunity to take your photo without people being in the way!
Straighten your horizons
Another simple trick to improve your holiday photos is to make sure the image is straight - so your horizontal and vertical lines should both be straight.
It’s easy to forget if you’re snapping your photo quickly - but most inbuilt photo apps have a simple crop function which will allow you to correct it afterwards
Watch the background
Keep your eyes peeled for distracting features in your background - lampposts popping out of heads or dog poo bins just to the left or right of your subject are things to avoid. Being aware and repositioning yourself can easily avoid these distractions!
Composition Techniques
Composition can sound scary when it comes to photography. It's one of those things that can be quite technical with all sorts of rules - but the good news is you only need to a few quick tips to help improve your photos. Here are our three F's to help you with composition:
FRAMES - Look for natural frames to take your photo through - archways, windows, trees and even buildings make great frames to add depth to your image
FOREGROUND - Elements in the foreground can help 'lead the eye' to your subject, for example paths and rivers make a natural route for your gaze to follow
FOCUS - make sure your subject is in focus - it sounds simple, but the thing that is in focus should always be the thing you want people to look at
The photo above, from a visit to Garinish Island on our Wild Atlantic Way holiday in 2024, demonstrates these composition tips, with the pillars on each side providing a frame and the steps leading the eye from the foreground towards the garden, which is the focus of the image
Landscapes and towns
When photographing landscapes or scenic locations, ensuring you have something in the foreground can add interest and lead the eye into your photograph, rather than just having a potentially boring image of the rolling hills in the distance
Look for cottages, pathways or traditional stone walls that can lead the eye into your landscape, or consider positioning yourself with an interesting tree in the foreground to add interest
In towns, look for unique architecture that can demonstrate the historic elements of the place you are visiting, or consider street scenes with quaint shop fronts. A popular idea is to find old doors with plenty of character, as a interesting feature to capture
Local People and Fellow Travellers
While landscapes are wonderful, don't forget to capture the human elements of your journey. Fellow travellers enjoying a cream tea, a local artisan at work, or your tour guide sharing a fascinating story – these all help to tell the tale of your holiday.
Always remember to ask permission before photographing individuals, and be respectful of local customs and privacy
Be prepared
Time can fly when you're having fun, so it's important to think ahead when you want to capture your images, particularly if it's only a short photo stop at a scenic location:
• Before leaving the coach, have your camera ready and know what you want to shoot.
• Take a moment to absorb the scene before starting to photograph.
• Remember to enjoy the experience – don't spend all your time behind the lens!
Post-Trip: Organising and Sharing Your Photographs
Once home, take some time to organise your photos. Many smartphones and computers have basic editing software that can help enhance your images with simple adjustments to brightness and contrast.
Consider creating a photo book or slideshow to share with family and friends. It's a wonderful way to relive your journey and maybe even inspire your next adventure!
In conclusion, remember that the most important thing is to enjoy your holiday. These tips are here to help you capture those special moments, but don't let photography distract you from the experience itself. Make the most of making memories and take home a few photos to remember your adventures onboard the coach!