Trafalgar is all about rediscovering the romance of travel and coming away with unforgettable memories. Soon you too could be jetting off on one of our incredible tours, as we’re offering you the chance to win a Trafalgar tour in our Pictures of the World Photo Competition!
We want to see our tours through your eyes: whether it’s the locals, the culture, or anything you see on your travels that inspires you. The deadline is midnight (GMT) on 30 November 2010, so you’ve still got plenty of time to get snapping and send us your favourite travel photos.
The winner will be the entry judged most creative, so to give you a helping hand, read on for some top tips on taking great photos of your travels and capturing the extraordinary landscapes, buildings and people you encounter.
Variety is the spice of life
For a travel album that will be the envy of your friends, take a variety of different shots rather than just photographing buildings or landscapes. Build up an album of photos which tell the tale of your travels: who did you travel with and meet along the way? What new dishes did you try? What methods of transport did you use?
The Rule of Thirds
To take interesting photos, ensure the subject is offset rather than slap bang in the middle of the shot. It may help to use the so-called ‘Rule of Thirds’: simply visualize a 3×3 grid and use it to place the subjects of your photos. When photographing a person, for example, align their face with one of the lines of your imaginary grid. Similarly, make sure you offset the horizon from the centre of the photo; for instance, more sky and less foreground can work well for shots of dramatic clouds.
Odd numbers
Try to photograph subjects in odd numbers. Research has shown that viewers find photographs more visually appealing and comfortable to look at where the number of subjects is odd rather than even. The obvious exception to this rule is photographing a couple, but as a general rule ones, threes, fives and so on work best.
Watch out for the sun
When photographing people, ensure that the sun is behind you, not them – otherwise they will be in shadow. Avoid photography around midday when the sun is strongest and photos can appear washed out; the best time for light is early morning and evening. When light is low, adjust your camera settings accordingly (select a higher ISO setting) and consider using a tripod to achieve the best shots.
Give your subjects space
Where appropriate, such as for depicting movement, ensure that some of the photograph is clutter-free and that the subject has somewhere to go. For instance, a vehicle in motion should have some empty space ahead in which to drive, showing the viewer that the scene extends beyond the boundary of the photograph.
Don’t forget the little details
Intriguing details of a mighty monument are often just as interesting as the structure as a whole, yet they are usually overlooked. Next time you visit a vast cathedral or even a restaurant or souvenir shop, try looking closely and see what you can spot. As well as producing an interesting photograph, you’ll be surprised by how much you notice that other people don’t!
Above all, to create memorable photos, don’t just point and shoot. Thinking carefully about your subject and composition can mean the difference between a dull photo and amazing one. Good luck – we can’t wait to see your photos!
Will you be entering the competition? What type of subject do you like taking pictures of?
Do you like our advice, or do you have more photography advice you’d like to share?
Comment below and let us know your thoughts – we’ll tweet the best ones!
GRAND CANYON, USA.
