So you’ve chosen the location and bagged the flights in the sale; now it’s time to prepare to capture the local culture and sights on camera. The Jesspos Academy team is here to help, so you take photos that you’ll be proud to show off when you return.
Research
Before
you arrive in the city, research the best places to visit and top
tourist attractions. See how others have captured it before and think
how you might like to capture it. Look at the perspectives and angles
that have been used and think of those that haven’t. Take a look on
Google street view at the surroundings for any potentially unexplored
vantage points, roof tops and terraces nearby that you could also
capture. Also consider what would be the best time of day to take this
photograph. Ask yourself, is it lit beautifully by the setting or rising
sun? Or maybe it would look great with the sun bright and high in the
sky, casting gorgeous shadows and rays of light.
Master the Rule of Thirds
The
‘rule of thirds’ is a multi-generational tip that will pay dividends
for years to come. The secret to mastering this technique is to
visualise a grid of lines running horizontally and vertically, breaking
the image into thirds. Using the ‘Live View’ shooting screen will allow
you to display the ‘Thirds’ grid to aid in visualising and achieving
this. Composing your key points of interest in the image by placing them
in one of the thirds or intersecting points on the grid will instantly
draw attention to them and make the photo pleasing to the eye. Take a
few moments before you snap away to consider the composition, lighting
and angles before hitting the shutter button
Get Stabilised
Stabilise
your camera with a tripod or support. Tripods today are compact, light
and agile so won’t take up precious space in your cabin bag. A tripod
will minimise any camera shake which is the most common cause of blurry
pictures. Don't forget a tripod’s best friend is a remote release. If
you don't have one you could also use the self-timer to trigger your
camera, this helps to further eliminate any vibration from pressing the
camera’s shutter button.
Foreground Detail
Including
something in your foreground – a statue or monument, a fountain or sun
dial, even a steamy coffee while you take five minutes to relax – will
add a sense of scale and context. It can also lead the eye into the
picture, balance the frame and add a point of interest.
