The Beginner's Guide to Better Travel Photos: 7 Tips That Actually Work

Introduction

Have you ever gotten home from a trip, scrolled through your photos, and thought… "Wait, these looked so much better in person"?

In this blog I'll share with you 7 simple but powerful tips to help you take better travel photos - even if you're just starting out.

1. Composition is King

The foundation of every great photo is composition. Here are three things to keep in mind:

• Positioning: Place your subject somewhere pleasing in the frame. The rule of thirds is your friend - try putting your subject at one of the grid's intersections, and leave space in the direction they're facing or moving.
• Include/Exclude: What you leave out is just as important as what you include. Before you snap, ask: "Does this element add to my photo?" If not, zoom in or reframe to remove distractions.
• Angle: Don't just shoot from eye level! Try a low angle to make your subject look more powerful, or a high angle for a different perspective. Move around and experiment.

2. Understand & Use Natural Light

Light can make or break a photo. Here's how to handle different conditions:

• Harsh midday sun: Find shade for portraits, or embrace dramatic shadows and patterns for more abstract shots.
• Golden hour: This is your time to shine! Use the warm, soft light for backlit portraits, rim lighting, or epic landscapes.
• Cloudy/overcast: Everything is evenly lit - perfect for group shots or experimenting with creative compositions.
• Blue hour: Grab a fast lens and use city lights for moody cityscapes or portraits.
• Night: Steady hands, fast lenses, and don't be afraid to bump up your ISO. Underexpose a little for richer colors.

For more lighting tips, check out my other blog post or my dedicated video on this topic!

3. Storytelling Through Your Photos

Travel photos aren't just about the places - they're about the moments. After you've shot the big landscapes and landmarks, look for the little stories:

• People interacting
• Local animals
• Candid moments
• Weather and atmosphere

These are the shots that will bring back memories and spark curiosity for anyone who sees them.

4. Master Basic Camera Settings

Don't be afraid of manual mode! Practice until you know what every button does. Once you're comfortable, use semi-automatic modes like Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority to make life easier and to be able to react quicker to stuff happening around you.

• My go-to: Aperture Priority, Auto ISO, and Minimum Shutter Speed.
• When to switch: If I need a specific shutter speed, I just set it manually.

This helps you focus on the scene, not fiddling with settings. I'll have a dedicated video on camera settings soon - stay tuned!

5. Keep Your Gear Simple & Accessible

You don't need a ton of gear!

• Keep your camera handy - use a neck strap, wrist strap, or a clip (like Peak Design's).
• Use a simple lens setup. I travel with just two: a versatile zoom (like a 16-50mm) for daytime, and a fast prime (like a 23mm f/1.4) for low light or portraits.
• The easier your camera is to grab, the more moments you'll capture.

6. Basic Editing Can Transform Your Images

• Shoot RAW: Edit in Lightroom or your favorite app. RAW files are like digital negatives - they need developing!
• Shoot JPEG: If your camera has great color profiles (like Fujifilm), use them! You can tweak in your phone's gallery app if needed.
• Phone photos: Shoot RAW if possible, and edit for a more "camera-like" look.
• Presets: Speed up your editing with Lightroom presets - make your own or find some you like.

RAW

Lightroom Edit

7. Never Stop Learning & Practicing

The best way to get better? Shoot more!

Practice with street scenes, portraits, landscapes, animals - whatever interests you. The more you shoot, the more natural it'll feel, and the better your travel photos will be.

Conclusion & Call to Action

So there you have it - 7 beginner tips that will instantly improve your travel photography.

• Focus on composition
• Use light to your advantage
• Look for stories
• Keep your gear simple
• Edit your photos
• And most importantly… keep practicing!

Want more travel photography tips? Follow me on Instagram @wfs_wanderframe or check out my other guides on my youtube channel!