Think Before You Click
Before taking any photo, it may be worthwhile asking yourself what you are trying to document. If you understand the intention behind the picture, you are more likely to create an image that will last a lifetime and elicit the meaning and significance you want.
Having a ‘why’ when deciding what to shoot helps you focus on what part of the photo will help you remember this particular memory or experience in years to come. This reason can be as simple or complex as you choose, from a funny interaction with wildlife to a sunset that reminds you of a loved one.
Build a Checklist
Many professional photographers create ‘shot lists’, which is a detailed checklist of the photos they hope to capture, along with the style and composition they think will make the best effect. While your checklist doesn’t need to be as specific or detailed, it may be useful to think in advance about the types of photographs you want to capture while travelling.
It is a simple and effective way to ensure you end your trip with the photos you most wanted and allows you to avoid wasting your time trying to capture scenes you don’t necessarily want to have. Remember, this checklist is merely a guide, not a strict set of rules. Should an unexpected opportunity present itself, take full advantage of the picturesque scenery on offer.
Employ the Rule of Thirds
One of the simplest yet most powerful techniques to instantly enhance the visual appeal of your photos is the Rule of Thirds. Imagine a grid overlaid on your photograph, dividing it into thirds both horizontally and vertically. This grid, which some camera models can display on their LCDs, guides you to position your points of interest at the four points where the grid lines meet.
The four points where each of these lines intersect are where you should attempt to place your points of interest, such as the main focus of your photo, an element you want to highlight, or the eyes of the person you photograph.
If you are taking a picture of the horizon, avoid placing it in the centre of the photo. Instead, position it to align with the top or bottom line of horizontal blocks in your grid. Asymmetry adds visual interest to any photo with minimal effort but maximum impact.
