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How to take better holiday photos this summer - 5 easy tips and tricks
Hopefully like me, you will be heading off with friends or family (or both!) on holiday this summer. If so, I'm sure you're looking forward to coming back with some great photos to remind you of the time you had.
Having been a commercial photographer for over 14 years, I have learnt plenty of ways to take great photographs. So I thought I would share with you a few very easy techniques to quickly and easily improve the photos you take. All you need to have is a smart phone and an open mind....
Tip Number 1 - Clean your lens every time you take a photo!
It may sound really obvious, but you’d be amazed what I see…. sometimes photos that look like vaseline has been smeared all over the lens! Your phone sits in your pocket, your handbag, on your desk etc. and gathers finger prints and goodness knows what else in the process.
Useful tip - Before you take your photo – give the lens a little wipe and you’ll be guaranteed crystal clear photos every time!
Tip Number 2 - The rule of thirds
Composition is so important in photography and one of the first things you are taught is the Rule of Thirds. This is one of the simplest principles to learn and to implement. And for all those visual learners out there (like me!) it's very easy to understand.
All you have to do is imagine you have split your camera screen into a grid - just like a noughts and crosses board. Then, place the main subject(s) of your photo where the lines intersect. For example, in the photos below, the subject is placed left or right of centre which is much more striking than if it was bang in the middle.
Useful tip. - turn on your camera’s rule-of-thirds grid to improve your photography skills.
Tip Number 3 - Use leading lines to create interest in your shot and draw your eye into the photo. So – a bit like the rule of thirds, you are making your shots that little bit more creative than just photographing from straight on. Move around and experiment with different angles - straight on isn't always the best angle. Below are two examples where leading lines add interest to a photo.
Useful tip - things like walls/pathways/rivers/fences/staircases can lead be used to lead your viewers' eye further into the picture. This will make it a much more interesting image.
Tip Number 4 - Look for the light. Everyone thinks the best photos are taken on bright, sunny days. Not true!
If you place your subject in the bright sunlight, all you will get is someone squinting with shadows/rings under their eyes. The absolute prime time of day to take photos is during the 'golden hour'. This is the time either shortly after sunrise or before sunset during which almost everyone and everything looks absolutely gorgeous. (Think of those lovely early evening holiday photos when the sun is going down). See below for an example.
Useful tip - If you can’t avoid a bright, sunny day, head for some top-shade . This is created by doorways/under trees etc. Your subject will still be lit beautifully, but won’t be blinded by the sun. Or lastly, my best advice would be to take your photos on overcast days – the clouds act like a virtual soft box.
Tip Number 5 - Control exposure
This is fairly limited on smart phones, but can still make a big difference. On I-phones when you have a photo you’d like to take, simply tap and hold the screen on the part you would like the best exposure (eg someone's face). You will see a slider, which allows you to increase/decrease exposure.
Useful tip -
You can also lock focus – so you can decide what is in focus and what is not.
I hope you find these tips useful and can start putting them into practice straight away. Even if you only use one or two of them, hopefully, your holiday photos will immediately look better!
Have a lovely summer.
Pennie
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