Your guide for perfect vacation photos

Nowadays, there is hardly anyone who does not take photos on a trip. After all, the smartphone is always in the luggage and is now equipped with a high-quality camera that can almost compete with a DSLR. But nowadays, vacation photos can be even more than mere mementos. They can become a decorative element in your own home, entertainment for your followers on social media, or even a source of income, if you make travel your profession want. So whether you're a (budding) travel blogger or travel photographer, or just want to take great snapshots, the following tips will help you take your vacation photos to the next level.

Tip 1: Make a fundamental decision.

As just mentioned, modern smartphones are equipped with powerful cameras nowadays. In most cases, these are sufficient to take professional pictures as a souvenir or for social media. The advantage is that you have the smartphone with you anyway, so you don't have to take on any unnecessary luggage or additional costs. Only if you really are or want to be a professional photographer on the road, the investment in the DSLR is still worth it - and in the corresponding accessories. But then that means having to take a lot of equipment with you when you travel. Ultimately, you have to make this fundamental decision yourself.

Tip 2: Know the right times of day - and use them.

The right light is the be-all and end-all for successful shots. When traveling, you usually shoot "outdoors" and have no artificial exposure. Therefore, it is even more important to know and take advantage of the times of day with the best lighting conditions. This may mean adjusting your plans to be in the right place at the right time, as the saying goes. The minutes before sunrise and sunset tend to be the best. Then there is a soft and even light, which is particularly flattering and does not cause too much difference in brightness (overexposure or shadows). In addition, nature shows its most beautiful side at these times, at best with a colorful sky that gives every photo a wow effect.

Tip 3: Experiment with perspectives.

If you take a look at the feeds of successful travel bloggers or at professional travel photographs, you'll quickly notice that it's the perspectives that make a photo special. The classic vacation photo with a smiling person in front of a landmark is boring. Instead, it's worth trying out unusual perspectives and poses. A basic knowledge about lines, grids, and the "golden ratio" won't hurt. But above all, you need to be willing to experiment, and you'll quickly notice how your images become more exciting - even for potential followers.

Extra tip: Despite unusual perspectives and experimentation, it is important that the horizon remains straight and the directions are correct; for example, that tree tops point straight up. Otherwise, the photos will look confusing and unprofessional to viewers. Exceptions confirm the rule, but are more likely to be found in the artistic field than in outdoor photography.

Tip 4: Use a tripod.

You have the problem that your camera is good, but the pictures still look blurry? Then minimal movements that you make while taking pictures and that cannot be prevented without a tripod may be to blame. A tripod is therefore a sensible investment, whereby even a small and inexpensive model in travel format is sufficient. It's worth trying it out, because such a mini tripod is a small helper with a big effect. In addition, it brings another advantage with it: Everyone can be in the photo, although no stranger is available as a photographer. Instead, you control the perspective, the settings and thus the quality of the results yourself, wherever you happen to be. And solo travelers can even take cool snapshots of themselves, as many travel bloggers do.

Tip 5: Capture details for atmospheric photos.

In vacation photos, people want to see what is not available at home. It's all about the special, the different, the fascinating. That's what you need to capture to create perfect mementos or an impressive social media feed. So keep your eyes open and your camera handy on your trip. Try to create special moods, to stage details like exotic food or to capture the culture of the country on a photo. This is the art of creating a special travel photo that stands out from typical vacation snapshots. This search for inspiration also ensures that you experience the destination even more consciously and intensively. It's a win-win situation, so to speak. But be careful with photographs of other people, because you are not allowed to simply publish them or use them commercially. Also legal basics you should therefore knowIf you want to use your vacation photos not only as a souvenir or decoration in your own four walls.

Tip 6: Learn the basics of image editing.

Now all that's missing is the finishing touch. Digital technologies now offer numerous functions for image editing, from simple filters to individual editing with the blur tool. It represents only one of many tools available, but it already makes it clear, how diverse the possibilities are. Apps for the smartphone or (specially created) filters are particularly well suited for this processing while still on the road. Alternatively, image editing can also be done on the laptop, either during the trip in a free time slot or in peace at home after returning. So even though good photographs don't need extensive image editing, it's still worth making small changes to get even more out of them - just for the perfect vacation photo.