4 Tips for Travel Photography

1.  Go where people aren't.  

You'll have plenty of opportunity to shoot the standard fare that everyone else shoots.  But when you do that, find a spot where people aren't gathering, and get a shot that's fresh.  Look for something no one else is looking at.  Additionally, go to places that are more off the beaten path, to further inject your own signature into your shots.

2.  Go when people aren't.  

Having a person or two in your shot is great, to give a sense of size and scope.  But too many people are a detriment, and waiting for the crowd to thin won't always work.  Instead, go first thing in the morning or at the end of the day.  It's surprising how few people are sightseeing during those times, and you may find that the lighting is better too.  This may seem to fly in the face of something I've written before, about not caring so much about Golden Hour shots.  That advice still stands, and is separate from this advice, because you're using the time of day for two advantages - one for crowd relief, and one for lighting.  If it fits into your schedule, go ahead and do it.  If it doesn't, then turn away from the crowds and find another shot.  Simple.  You're welcome to use the light to your advantage, just don't think you're limited to only that time.

3.  Use a focal length you don't want to use.  

If you were about to shoot long, walk up to the shot instead, look left and right, and come up with something totally different than you anticipated.  If you were going wide, zoom in on something of interest.  This tip is all about shifting your perspective, trying to tell a story you wouldn't have otherwise told.

4.  Shoot life.  

When traveling we tend to concentrate on landscapes and things.  That's great!  But expand yourself into the people who live where you're going, asking them if you can take their picture while they're doing something interesting, like going on about their life.  They'll pretty much always say yes, and you'll have something more personal, that no one else on your Facebook feed will have.  I think you'll find that people will be more interested in your shots as well.