Whether you are taking a trip for a relaxing week away at a beach resort or flying off to a bustling city break, the one thing we all want by the end of the holiday are some wonderful memories. Having some great holiday photos to look back on, whether on social media or in a photobook, is a must too. The good news is you don’t need an expensive digital SLR to achieve some eye-catching snaps. The camera on your smartphone will more than do the job. Here, we share our 5 top tips to add some extra flare to your holiday photos.
1. Find some interesting backdrops
This may sound a little obvious, but to really get that holiday feel in your photos you need to bring location into your shots. This does not mean 100 shots of you standing in front of the main sites in Paris, but rather mixing these ‘classic’ snaps with backdrops that give an authentic feel of the place around you.
Seek out interesting back streets, a bustling market at night time, or a beautiful nature spot nearby. These locations can also become the fascinating subject of your images, with interesting details popping through.
2. Try out different angles
Showing off the main attractions or beautiful beach view are must have holiday photos, but they are rarely interesting when taken straight on. Try out different angles in your shots and see how this transforms your images.
Taking shots from the ground can bring in a new level of detail. Taking from high up looking down brings out the structure and details of a place. Photographing from slightly above your subject will make them appear smaller. Turning the camera 45 degrees to contrast the horizon line and subject can create a different feel too, and if you take a set of these shots in sequence it can look great in a photobook.
3. Get up close to the detail
Getting the holiday feel in your photos is often about adding colour and detail. If you are creating a photobook or online collage of your shots, intermixing close up details of your location will add an authentic flavour to you other photos. Hone in on the textures around you, the details of builds or colourful market stalls, the depth of structures, or the repeating patterns of tiles.
These shots are also great personal additions for your phone and social backgrounds that will instantly draw you back to your trip.
4. Use reflections
Using the reflections around you - whether water, mirrors, or windows – is a simple but very effective way to add interest into your holiday photos. Photographing a landmark from the reflection in a puddle will transform the shot while adding extra depth and mood. Placing your smartphone camera next to a window can create a fascinating mirror image. And, if it is a dry day, make your own reflection by pouring some water on the ground in an ideal spot.
A top tip for reflection shots from the ground is to turn your smartphone camera upside down. This will realign the shot with the lens positioned closer to the reflective surface.
5. Work with the light around you
Lighting can make or break your holiday photos and, often, we will be taking photos in light conditions we are not used to. Working with the natural light around you is always the best option rather than trying to adjust the light settings after.
If you are in a dark building such as a castle or church, use that low light level by contrasting the darker areas with the light from the arrowslits or stained glass. If you are taking photos in very bright conditions, you could adjust the contrast settings on your smartphone to bring more colour back in. If it is a sunny day and you want to highlight your subject, you can keep the sun behind the camera or, alternatively, use the flare and shadow by angling towards the sun to create extra drama in your shot (please remember never to look directly at the sun though!).
Taking photos during the ‘golden hour’ (the hour after sunrise and before sunset) is also a great way to capture an iconic holiday photo you will always remember.
If you would like to learn more about using your smartphone camera to take great holiday photos, get in touch. We can create a tailored smartphone photography workshop for whatever skills you would like to learn.
For smartphone safaris in London, Brighton, Oxford, Cambridge and St Albans, email Jeanette at jet@jetblacksquares.com
For smartphone safaris in Newcastle and Durham, email Becky at becky@jetblacksquares.com