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I’m in no way a professional photographer, but when I travel, I always want to get the best photos possible. While I do have a digital SLR camera that I absolutely love, many times I’ve only got my iPhone on me. So, many times I end up taking pictures with my phone, which works well for when I want to upload to Instagram right away. Over the past few years I’ve gotten some photos I really love. Here are my top amateur travel photography tips.
Products I recommend:
Use Leading Lines
I love this technique, and end up using it a lot. Leading lines take the viewers’ eyes to a focal point. In the image directly above, I photographed the pathway to the Marco Island Beach – the eyes go directly to the beach. When taking a photo like this for Instagram, remember that the photo will need to be cropped into a square.
Find a Different Perspective
The best photo isn’t always taken straight ahead. Look up, look under things, and find an interesting and fun perspective. I loved this photo of the hot air balloon so much that I had it mounted on canvas and have it hanging in my office.
Photograph the Details:
This fountain, located in the Gaylord Opryland Resort, is just one tiny fountain in a giant hotel. But I loved the detail on it, and years later, it’s still one of my favorite photos from that resort.
Capture the Moment
I didn’t have my DSLR in hand when my kids posed like this, but I was able to quickly snap a picture with my iPhone. The composition/lighting of this photo is awful, but it brings back such great memories.
Keep Snapping
You can take an almost endless amount of photos with a digital camera, so don’t feel limited. When the dolphins on the Marco Dolphin Explorer started playing in the wake behind our boat, I snapped dozens of pictures before I got one great one of a dolphin mid air. This is one of the reasons I prefer to take my Instagram photos right in the iPhone camera app first. That way, I can wait until I find the perfect photo.
Use the Rule of Thirds
I was so excited when I saw these two white beach chairs on the this perfect spot of land that I didn’t do a great job composing the photo. Imagine how much better this picture would look if I’d put the beach chairs either a little to the left or a little to the right. The good thing is that with Instagram, you can crop it perfectly after the fact!
Chronicle Your Journey
When we were delayed three hours at the Fort Myers airport, my kids slept on the floor for a while. I made sure to get a photo, because it’s definitely one of our big vacation memories from that trip.
Be Ready To Snap a Photo Anytime
Because you never know when you’ll see a man, at Starbucks, with two birds on his arms.
This post is part of Instagram Travel Thursday. See more posts at Skimbaco Lifestyle.
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Tina Saib says
Loved your photography tips. I also have a digital SLR camera and find myself with only my iphone to snap pictures!
Jodi Grundig says
As the iPhone gets better and better (and more convenient), I’m finding myself leaving the DSLR at home.
Elena says
Great tips- and so true about the leading lines. There is often such depth (not that I have ever intentionally thought about this- but of course now I will!)
Jodi Grundig says
I think it adds such a unique perspective to take pictures with them incorporated.
Leigh Powell HInes says
Fabulous tips, Jodi. This was really good.
Reeta @houseofanais says
Great tips! I so agree with the leading lines and positioning the photos.
Satu VW / Destination Unknown says
Great tips and photos Jodi! I love my DSLR but would love to get a smaller camera too, iPhone is great to certain extent but it doesn’t always deliver , especially if you have to zoom in or it is dark. Your post proves though that you can get amazing shots with just the phone!
Jodi Grundig says
Thanks! I did use my DSLR for some of these photos, but I have gotten great photos with the iPhone too.
Caryl Anne says
These are great tips! I will have to keep these in mind on my next travel adventure! Thanks for sharing!
Yashy Murphy says
Love these tips! Instagram has most definitely made me a better photographer and i’m not just talking about the filters!
JD Pham says
Thanks for the tips! Even though the iphone camera has gotten alot better in the past few years, I still prefer my Canon DSLR. I just wish the DSRL could fit in my pocket! LOL
Patricia says
I appreciate the tips! Really working on my game these days and every little tip helps!!
Charlie / CLEW Travel says
These are great tips! My wife is usually the photographer for our trips and I get inspired just watching her capture our family’s memories along the way. Here, I captured some of those times she was capturing the moments.
https://clewtravel.com/2017/03/09/behind-the-scenes/