Sun, Sand and Photos....

So you are planning a vacation getaway this winter, tickets are bought and your bags are packed. Now is the time to brush up on your photography skills. Don't be just another tourist with a camera. Use these simple photography tips to create stunning photos.

Composition

How to spot an interesting scene:

• Look for the un-ordinary. if it's interesting to you it will be interesting to others

• Lines and shapes create interest

• Foreground items draw attention in

• People help tell stories

• Vivid colors catch your attention

Framing the scene to create appeal and balance: refer to a previous post for more info

• Using the rule of thirds is a proven method

• Stepping outside the composition box can produce unique shots, so keep an open mind

Lighting

How to use available light:

• Morning - great for color, fog, silhouettes and reflections

• Noon - keep the sun at your back and use a polarizer

• Evening - sunsets are excellent for color, silhouettes and interesting shadows

• Late night - use long exposures for stars and city-scapes

• Use your meter and camera settings to manipulate light

• Adjusting fstop, shutter speed and ISO can change the amount of light being exposed and can create interesting lighting affects

20 More Tips for Better Vacation Photos

• Instead of pointing your camera at the buildings off in the distance capturing their unique architecture try to put interesting elements in the foreground to help create a story

• Wait for subjects to come into your composition. It may take a few minutes of waiting to catch your foreground interest but it will pay off adding additional appeal to your photos

• It is common to pull the camera out in midday when the sun and tourist are out in full force, try getting out first thing in the morning or at the end of the day when the light is complimentary for great photography color and depth

• Mid-day bright light mixed with deep shadows can be difficult to expose, use your spot meter to get an average meter reading

• Get out early to beat the tourist crowds and be amongst the locals on their way to work or out doing their morning activities, they can make for excellent added interest

• Look for unique compositions that differ from typical vacation snap shots, change up your perspectives, get down low or get up high for a bird's eye view, place objects in your composition to the outer edges (not smack in the middle)

• Be aware of tourist who insist on being in your frame no matter how you move about, just wait them out or turn around and see what's in the other direction

• Be aware of locals who do not want to be photographed, some may get upset without their permission

• Be aware of locals that want to be photographed but want to be paid, they see you with a camera and want to make a quick buck

• Be aware of the direction of the sun in relation to your scene - it seems like all the best stuff wants to point you towards the bright light, if possible keep the sun at your back

• The beach and ocean can be difficult to photograph, use additional foreground or background interests to spice things up

• If you have a tripod and a ND filter long exposures of the ocean waves make for interesting shots

• Be quick, scenes change in an instance

• Snap a series of photos to give you more choices within the same scene

• Bracket your exposures, I like 3 quick shots 1 stop apart, that way if my meter reading is off I will most likely have one properly exposed shot or I will have 3 images for exposure blending or HDR processing

• Try to be inconspicuous when photographing, candid shots are always best

• Pack extra memory cards and batteries, you do not want to run out when it's all happening

• Keep a lens cleaning cloth handy, the ocean air can leave a salt film on your camera and lens in a matter of minutes

• Never change your lens at the beach, blowing sand and salt air can wreak havoc on your gear

• TAKE GIGS OF PHOTOS, more is better

Photographing Havana Cuba is a photographers dream with its architecture, cars and people. But you need to beware of your surroundings at all times and ready at a moment's notice to frame your foreground interest just right so that your composition falls generally within the rule of thirds grid (vertical and horizontal). Things happen quickly in the big city so have your camera and eye ready at all times and you will have some amazing holiday photos to show friends, family and the world.

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Article and photos by Mark McCulloch / www.photopaddler.com