Whether you have managed to go on holiday this year or not, there’s no doubt that you have taken plenty of holiday photos in your lifetime. How many of those photos do you look at when you get home, and realise they could have been much better? From the lighting to the positioning, your holiday photos could be easily improved with just a few simple tips.
Holidaying abroad or in the UK is a great way to spend time with family and friends, and it’s a lovely excuse to get some beautiful photos of everyone together as they unwind and enjoy exploring somewhere new. Whether you’re hoping to improve your nature photography or work on your portraiture, here are some tips to help you along the way.
Consider the lighting
The lighting of your photo can make or break the final appearance of the image. If you’re outside, then you are no doubt relying on natural light to help you create the right effect through the lens. Consider the time of day and where the sun is positioned in the sky, as this can have the biggest impact on the photo. For instance, when it is early in the morning or late in the afternoon, the sun will be lower and will create a glow instead of a harsh light. However, this can depend on the effect you’re hoping to create through your photography.
If you’re near water, you should also be wary of light that reflects off the surface. This can include pools, lakes or the sea. Placing your subject accordingly in relation to the light source is one of the first things you should think about. Most of the time, placing the subject so the light is directly in front can highlight detail and allows any shadows to fall behind the subject.
Coordinate colours
Holiday photos are often renowned for their bright colours and being able to transport you somewhere a little more exotic. Think about the colours that will be in your shot, and consider what impact they will have. Lots of greenery mixed with blue, orange and yellow can create an instant holiday feel to any image, while darker or neutral colours might not have the same effect.
You could also think about your subject in regard to colour. If you are photographing people, look at their clothes and see how they contrast or coordinate with the backdrop. You’ll likely want your subject to stand out against the background, so be aware of this.
Be mindful of the background
In many cases, the background of holiday photos can be full of action and a bustling resort of people enjoying themselves. In most cases this can create a great image for your memory bank, but if you’re hoping to streamline your photography skills, then pay more attention to the background.
Try to make sure your subject is placed in a relatively quiet area, with little distracting elements such as other people, animals, or oddly shaped plants that look like they’re coming out of your subject’s head! It can be helpful to place your subject a suitable distance away from anything that might steal the limelight.
Arrange your subjects
Similarly, consider if you have more than one subject and how they interact with each other. You can try to integrate popular photography themes like mirroring or contrast to create an eye-catching effect. It’s popular to try and arrange your subjects in a posed manner, but you could also experiment and take some more candid photos too. You might be surprised what you end up with!
