Travel photography tips and composition ideas

Recently while holidaying in Sydney I decided to look at normal tourist attractions through a photographers eyes. I go there quite often and find my digital photographs always look the same as the year before. Listed below are a few travel photography tips I learned this time around while trying make each photo look more unique.

1. The majority of travellers photograph famous icons all from the same view point. Stand back and look for a different angle. For example taking a photograph of an icon as shown in a windows reflection can make an interesting composition.

2. Not all tourist attractions are tripod friendly. For example if you go on a cave tour or into a skyline viewing tower. Depending on the circumstances, sometimes it's good to phone ahead and check if camera tripods are allowed.

3. Your images should reflect the characteristics of the place your photographing. For example, when visiting Luna Park in Australia, photographing the fun side of theme parks was more interesting for family and friends than brochure style images taken from a distance. Of course if it's your first time visiting then a mixture of the two is always fantanstic for the holiday album.

4. Always think about how you can use people to effectively tell a story. For example the people seen within the photograph below helps to convey how large the aquarium was to view.

5. Photograph anything that makes you laugh, whether it be road signage or a famous footpath signature. These sorts of images will make you laugh time and time again even after you've returned home.

6. Try photographing landscapes in portrait mode. Or in other words vertically instead of horizontally.

7. Your day doesn't end on sundown and neither should your photography. Night time is when some of the best travelling spots come alive. Relive the exitement with friends back home by photographing these experiences as well.

8. Taste and smell is said to be some of our strongest senses. Try photographing something you really enjoyed eating while on your travels. Every time you look at the photograph you will remember the exact place and time you took the image.

One of the most useful tips I can share for travel photography is to take an all purpose camera lens. I find connecting a Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens to my digital SLR camera is usually all I need for a days touring. Sometimes the last thing you want to do while on holidays is to change a camera lens every 20 minutes.