Take Better Travel Photos

Snap a city scene without getting bogged down in trai c and tourists, says Antony Zacharias, by using a long exposure…Take Better Travel Photos

1. Timing is everything

Setting up a tripod or using your camera at a popular spot in the middle of the day will be dii cult. Try to visit early in the morning or later on, when there are fewer people and, usually, better light. The midday sun can often lead to harsh light with strong shadows, which makes it more dii cult to capture a good image.

2. Water works

Water always photographs well with longer exposures, especially at dusk, so try and include it. Water can capture the streaks of colour from urban lights and if there is no wind it can act like a giant mirror, refl ecting parts of the scenery.

3. Stray of main street

Often there are spectacular images to be had in areas slightly of the beaten path. Look for scenes that capture the essence of where you are visiting, such as distinctive architecture or other subjects. You never know what you may stumble upon by wandering around, and you will usually fi nd something unique.

4. Look out for light

Light is vital for all photography. Cities have a multitude of dif erent-coloured lights and these, mixed with the evening light, can help to make compelling additions to an image. If your camera has an ‘aperture mode’, then try taking the image at a high f-stop number (eg f16), to add ‘spikes’ of dif racted light for an added special ef ect.

5. Keep it steady

Keeping the camera still is essential for long exposures; the image will blur if the camera shakes or moves. A tripod is helpful, though choose a lightweight carbon-fi bre version to keep weight and size down to a minimum for ease. Small, light travel tripods are a good option, or even a wall will do at a pinch.

sources: Wanderlust UK , July 2018