10 Tips for Better Vacation Photographs

If there is an occasion in which everybody thinks about taking photos, then it is the vacation. Whether you are traveling to a far away place which you probably won’t visit again or just visiting family an hour away, you will want to document every moment of your vacation. Photos will help you remember the good times you experience and will also be a good way to share these moments with your family and friends, once you return home.

So here is a series of points you might find helpful. This is not a definitive list by any means but some pointers to think about before you embark on your family vacation.

1. Get familiar with your camera. This may sound obvious but could solve some very common mistakes. Read the manual and play with your camera before your vacation. Learn what all the dials do and how they can help you take the best possible photo. You may also want to learn how to use the self-timer, which could open up a whole window of opportunity.

2. Be aware of distractions in the frame. Move yourself or your subject to avoid clutter and distracting shapes, colors, objects, etc. Also, make sure that you don’t have anything directly behind the person you are photographing that will look like an extension of them.

3. Keep the sun at your back when possible. It’s not always possible do this. And, if you can’t, then I suggest using a fill flash to help open the shadows. For example, if you’re taking a photo of your daughter who’s standing with her back to the sun, then you will get a silhouette of her. Using your flash, you can light her face so that you can actually see her expression.

4. Find Interesting Angles. The point of view of a photo plays a big role in determining the impact of the image. Don’t just point and shoot. Try to find an interesting angle of view that will provide the viewer with a unique perspective. Don’t hesitate to lie on the ground or stand on a chair, it can really make all the difference.

5. The best time of day to shoot people, outside, is before 10 am and after 2 pm (or 4 pm during the summer months). This is one of the best tips I can give you and can make a big difference in your images. The light is much softer either early morning or later afternoon and more flattering for people. It’s also better for photographing scenes and landscapes because you won’t have dark shadows and bright white highlights.

What if it’s noon and I have to take the picture? If possible, position people in the shade. You’ll get better skin tones and more flattering light.

What if there’s not enough shade to fit everyone? Then either break the group into multiple photos or get everyone into the sun. Avoid having some of your people in sunlight and others in shade. Keeping the lighting even on all people will create much better photos.

6. Be creative when framing your subject. To get a little more creative, try framing your subjects off center. Try depressing the shutter halfway to focus. Recompose the photo off-center, and take the shot. This should keep the focus on the subject, even if it is not at the center of frame. This should work with most point-and-shoots, but some cameras will default to the center as the point of focus. In that case, change the AF setting to “Spot” or “Tracking AF” via the menu system.

7. Always have the camera on hand. You never know when something interesting might happen. Try to keep the camera close in order to be ready to capture any photo opportunity that might present itself.

8. Take extra batteries and memory cards. You will be taking hundreds of photos and the more memory space you have, the better.

9. Give the kids the camera too, let them be a photographer – This is one I often forget but could be quiet fun when the tables are turned. Not only will you be sharing your passion with them but you will get to see the holiday from their perspective. Who knows, you could have a budding photographer on your hands!

10. Don’t forget to get someone to take a picture of all of you together!!! It might not be perfect but it will be all of you together and years from now you’ll want this lasting memory of your family together on vacation!

Last but not least, relax and enjoy yourself! Here are some examples of photographs I’ve taken while on vacation ..