Sunscreen, swimsuit and camera – you’re all set to capture those happy holiday memories. Use these simple tips to help maximise your camera’s potential and give your photos an extra artistic touch.
Get up and get out there
You’re on holiday to take it easy, but it’s well worth getting up early and heading out to catch the sunrise. For the perfect early-morning landscape shot, have your wide angle lens all set up and just wait for the magic to unfold. As the sun bursts through the sky and lights up the scene, you’ll be glad you didn’t hit the snooze button.
It’s all in the details
Temples. Statues. Monuments. Don’t be shy to get up close and personal to famous landmarks and capture smaller details using a shallow depth of field. To achieve this you’ll need a wide aperture, which you can get by simply lowering the f-number on your camera. This will also give your shots that nice ‘bokeh’ background effect, just like the professionals.
Be ready for action
Whether you’re watching the fireworks from your balcony or your friend getting pushed into the swimming pool, make sure you’re always ready to capture those wild moments. If you get a sense that something is about to happen, set your camera to Shutter Priority mode. With a fast shutter speed, you’ll ace the perfect shot.
Start exploring when the sun goes down
Just because the sun’s gone down doesn’t mean you should put your camera away – that’s when you can get some of the best holiday shots. With bright lights and dark shadows, street markets come to life and buildings light up – even traffic becomes a visual spectacle. Just remember to turn the ISO setting up to make your camera more sensitive to light.
Look out for reflections
Professional photographers are always searching for unexpected beauty in everyday situations, and one tip is to keep a look out for reflections. Capturing the light bouncing on the sea or a car on the street can be the perfect way to add a little artistry to your shots.
Move away from the centre
Your partner might be the centre of your world, but they don’t always need to be in the centre of your shot. Instead, divide your frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically and aim to put the subject of your photo along the lines, or at the intersections to help balance out your photo.
Don’t lose your focus
If you want to take photos of people, especially strangers, you need to be quick and prepared at all times. A good tip to make sure you’re always in focus is to half-press the shutter button so the camera focuses on the subject’s eyes. You can then recompose the image however you want before fully pressing the button, so that you get a sharp image without making enemies of the locals.
Get out there, whatever the weather
Don’t hide indoors and watch Netflix just because the weather has taken a turn for the worse. Unpredictable weather can create breath-taking photography. With a high shutter speed you’ll be able to freeze the elements in motion, so whether it’s monsoon season in Sri Lanka or Christmas in Canada, you can find beauty in everything – including rain, sleet or snow.
It’s OK to put the camera away!
Every trip has so much that you’ll want to capture on your camera, but always remember to look up from the lens and enjoy your holiday, too. See the sights with your own eyes, engage with that’s in front of you and make those special memories that you’ll remember for years to come.
All photography by Marko Anstice - markoanstice.com.
