Traveling is one of life’s great pleasures. In all of us there lies a spark for adventure, a calling for the open road, wild abandon, and mystery. Whether it’s Dublin or Cape Town, we all have a thirst to see new lands and drink from the fountains of their culture. And like many of life’s experiences it’s often better when shared with friends, family and loved ones. The internet has given us the platforms and functionality to do just that – staying in contact via instant messaging, photos and videos. But not all content is made equal. There’s a certain amount of skill that comes with taking great travel photos, whether it’s for sharing on Instagram or just for posterity. And while some photographers are undoubtedly born with a more studious eye for framing and angles, there is a surprising amount that can be learned and applied without too much effort. Below we’ll take a look at some tips to help you get the best travel photos for Instagram.
Third Party Apps
While the editing features that Instagram currently sports are considerable, utilizing third party apps can lend a much needed helping hand to give your photos an extra edge or effect that may be missing from the standard Instagram features. These apps can be used not only for photo editing, but also for extending your digital reach, helping you to showcase your photos to a larger number of followers.
Composition
The way a photo is composed can be the difference between an image that pleases the eye and one that is merely mediocre. This is a skill that requires some practice, but there are some techniques that can be used with fair reliability for achieving some decent results. The rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, symmetry, and patterns and repetition are all composition techniques that lend an image a particular striking quality that highlights certain elements within the frame.
Lighting
Lighting, in particular the quality of light, is one of the most defining features when it comes to setting the mood and tone of a photo. Playing with the amount of light, the placement of light, types of lights and number of lights can dramatically alter a photos appearance. Hard, bright light is great for bringing out gritty details, such as the lines of a face in a portrait. While soft, diffuse light – such as when the sun shines through clouds – is better when a softer appearance is wanted.
