Taking photos was always part of our life, but since we began to see the world, it took an important role in our travels. So much so that sometimes we plan itineraries according to the photos we want to take, or the time of day we want to be in a particular place.

And since the existence of Instagram, travel photos have become quite a job for travelers. That is why we would like to share our tips so that you can give a little more art to the photos of your next vacation.

Big cameras usually mean significant features. But, when we refer to a trip, it also means equipment heavy enough to charge us extra on the plane ticket. Smartphone cameras, on the other hand, are perfect for travel photography. They’re easy cameras to pack because they’re always in your pocket, and newer models have great specs for taking great pictures (and videos). But are they ideal for travel photography? The truth is that knowing a few tricks always helps, right? Therefore, we have put together some tips on taking good pictures on travel with a smartphone.

The key to getting great travel photos with a smartphone is understanding what your phone can and cannot do. Most smartphones have a single lens with a wide-angle focal length, while dual-lens models have a bit more versatility and offer a slight zoom.

With that being said, we present you five key areas to focus on which Nivedith Gajapathy, commonly known as, #MacroTraveller lays great emphasis on. The blogger, traveler, and adventurer has had complete memorable journeys and documented experiences in the form of photographs and travel blogs for a wide array of platforms.

#MacroTraveller is a regular contributor on platforms, such as The Lonely Planet Magazine India, FEMINA, TOI, Bangalore Times, Economic Times, Quint, Hindu, NDTV, Deccan Herald, Yahoo etc. His exciting traveling experiences are followed by a globally spread audience and here he shares his insights on taking on travel photography:

  1. Know your camera

You do not need super equipment, or it is super expensive to take good photos. What you need is to know the camera’s functions. Study it, read the instruction manual, look for info on the internet, and above all else, practice to get the most out of it. Do not complicate yourself with very sophisticated equipment that, in the end, is not necessary.

You must know the main settings regarding ISO, focus, depth of field, and exposure. Setting these functions of your camera well, depending on the scene and the light, will improve your captures.

There is a lot of information on the internet, and nowadays, it is effortless to learn how to use your camera by merely watching a video on YouTube. We usually regularly consult several YouTubers when there is something we want to know about our camera. Therefore, it can be said that we are continually learning.

Regarding lenses or objectives, not all of them are suitable for the same situations, so it is essential to know how to choose them. The fixed ones can be more useful in places with little light. A wide-angle is used for large spaces so that more information is in the image, and for distant objects, a telephoto lens is best. Therefore, depending on what you are going to photograph, you should buy a special one, and it is not necessary to have a lot if, in the end, you are not going to use it

  1. Plan what you want to tell

We spend time in pre-production. More than anything, when traveling, we do not have time first to see the place, think about the photos, and come back at another time. But, nowadays, with the internet and with Instagram, this is easier.

First, think that you want to have your image, what you would like people to think or feel when they see it. Second, dedicate some time to the composition, the details, the colors, the accessories. It is not something that is already being in place. You have not taken something that you wanted to appear in the photo. And third, be original. Today, we know that almost everything is seen on social networks, but your journey and your way of seeing life are unique, so take that as a base and create from there.

  1. Give importance to light

Everything in photography is light, so it must be given the importance it deserves. The same place can look completely different depending on the time of day.

The best times to photograph are sunrise or sunset because the sun is low. This prevents the shadows from being too sharp and certain places in the photo from being overexposed to light. But, if for some reason you have to take photos in the radiant light of the afternoon, look for shady places, where trees or clouds are natural filters.

Sometimes, on trips, we spend little time in places, and external factors such as the weather do not allow us to achieve the photo we had in mind (we say this from our own experience). You have to try not to get frustrated and get creative with what you have. And, even if the perfect photo is not achieved for our Instagram feed, enjoy the moment, take a thousand photos that are for you, and when you see them, it will remind you of that moment and that place in a unique way.

  1. Try different perspectives

Some of our favorite travel photos are those we take from viewpoints. The same place can be completely different from above. But at the same time, it is very different if we put the camera on the ground.

Try changing the perspective, play with the camera from different angles. Use the chopped, zoom in and out. Look for contrasts, find references, and play with the scales. All this can make the photo more exciting and undoubtedly tell other things.

  1. Analyze the environment

Often, it happens that, being in a place of travel, we see all the tourists standing in the same place, taking the same photo and, we suppose that if they are all there, it is because the best frame is found.

Instagram helped us see sites, looking at them differently from how they are usually seen. A place that you already know can look different by taking the photo from another point of view. When you get to the place where you want to take the photo, analyze the scene, walk to one side, and the other. And take photos, you may be surprised to see that there is another right approach that is not the typical one.