Feature: More Travel Photo Tips

For as long as cameras have been common household gadgets, they've been an essential item on the packing list when planning a trip. Most of us get by with a simple, lightweight point-and-shoot; a few photography buffs take an SLR, three lenses, an external flash, and other accessories, almost as if they're on assignment for National Geographic.

No matter what kind of photographer you are, though, you probably want to capture the best possible vacation photos. Last week, I gave you a few suggestions on how to take interesting, somewhat out-of-the-ordinary travel photos. Let's wrap up the discussion this week with a few more tips on travel photos you might not otherwise think to take.

Include Yourself

Last week's suggestions were about looking for ways to capture interesting scenes of landmarks, famous locales, and people. But in all the photographic excitement, don't forget to include yourself in a few pictures. It's easy to go the entire trip and realize only later that there's no evidence you were there. (My wife estimates that there are perhaps only six pictures of me in existence, including the small one that sits at the top of this newsletter each week.)

Certainly, you can ask people to take your picture or, occasionally, do something unusual like capture your reflection in a mirror. For example, I found a reflective sphere on a trip a few years ago and decided it was a great way to capture the giddiness of our mood.

Start Your Own Photo Tradition

When my wife and I went on a trip with a friend a few years ago, our friend told us about an expression that her family had traditionally associated with vacations. Whenever they went on a trip, they'd announce to their feet where they had just arrived. So it was not unusual for her mom to shout "Feet, you're in Florida!" after getting off the plane. I stole the idea on that very trip and starting taking pictures like this.

It's silly, but it's now a traditional photo my family looks forward to taking whenever we go on a vacation. Think of your own photo tradition--the feet idea is mine.

Look for Unexpected Details

While everyone else has their camera lens set on wide angle, trying to shoehorn an entire landmark into each frame, think outside the box and look for the details. I love snooping around famous places and zooming in on things that most other photographers might miss. It may be a snippet of graffiti at Abbey Road, or unusual angles in the ceiling of a museum.

Read "Shooting Inside Museums and Cathedrals" for tips on getting the best shots.

Wait Until the Lights Go Down

Finally, remember to carry your camera at night. Most cities have a very different character at night than they do during the day, and you can record a sense of that if you try your hand at some night photography.

Your subjects can be classic landmarks, like London's Big Ben or something as mundane as a telephone booth.

Your night photos can be some of the highlights of your vacation album, as long as you remember to "think night" when you shoot. Be sure to use a tripod or brace the camera against a stationary object. Shoot with a high ISO to minimize the shutter speed and reduce the risk of blurry pictures; but don't be afraid to use longer, multisecond exposures if you can secure the camera with a tripod.

Read "Better Night Photos," one of my older newsletters, for tips on night photography.