Capturing the essence of your travels when you’re both the photographer and the subject can be a creative and fulfilling experience. In this guide, we’ll explore innovative ways to frame shots that highlight your adventures and tell your story.
Using a Tripod or Alternative Stands
A lightweight, portable tripod is a solo traveler’s best friend, providing stability for that perfect shot. If you find yourself without one, we’ll discuss DIY solutions for steadying your camera.
Self-Timer and Remote Shutter Releases
Mastering the self-timer function on your camera or smartphone is essential for solo shots. We’ll also look at the benefits of remote shutters and apps that let you control your camera from afar.
Experimenting with Angles and Perspectives
Different angles can transform a photo from good to great. We’ll encourage you to use the environment around you to find those unique perspectives.
Leveraging Natural Light
Natural light is a powerful tool in photography. We’ll share best practices for using it and tips for planning shoots during the golden hour.
When I go out to shoot here’s what I bring:
-
- Sony A7ii: I am in LOVE with this camera. There was a bit of a learning curve as I switched from Canon, but I am so happy with it now that I know how to use it.
- Tamron 17-28mm: I LOVE a wide angle lens, especially when I’m shooting in the city. I can put my tripod just off the side walk and still be able to capture the entire building behind me without cutting anything off. It’s also great for landscapes!
- Tamron 70-300mm: This lens is heavy and a bit bulky, but I love the compression it gives. I use it for shots where I want the view to appear close behind me. This does mean that I have to put the tripod MUCH further away from me so a remote shutter is necessary as is making sure no one is around to steal it.
- Sony 28-70mm: This is the kit lens and it does a really nice job. If I only want to bring one lens with me, this is the one I’ll bring.
- Cell Phone: I recently upgraded from the iPhone 8 to the 13 and OMG. My mind is blown at how well this phone takes photos. I also use it as a remote shutter.
- Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod: I’ve had this for AGES. It’s held up so well with all of the crazy places I’ve set it up.
- Cleaning Kit: I recommend learning how to clean your camera and lenses before shooting. Or taking it to a local camera shop every now and then for them to do it. But if you get dust on the lens, a cleaning kit will help you quickly remove it and get back to shooting. These usually come with a kit or a lens, but if not, you can purchase this one here.
- Spare battery: I’ve definitely left my house to go shoot only to pull out my camera to find the battery dead or not even there! I always keep a fully charged battery in my camera backpack.
- Spare memory card: The same thing happens consistently with my memory card. I always leave it attached to my computer when I go out to shoot so I have a couple of spares in my backpack. Although, you could easily stop at a Walgreens or CVS to pick on up in a pinch.
- Portable charger: Pairing your camera and phone over WiFi drains the battery quite quickly on both devices. So be sure to carry a strong portable charger.
- Backpack: I got this BagSmart backpack off of Amazon to hold my kit so I could just grab and go. But to be honest, it’s a bit bulky and awkward so I’m still in the market for a good camera gear backpack that can hold everything and still be cute!
Interacting with the Environment
Interacting with your surroundings can add life to your photos. We’ll suggest ways to engage with the environment and incorporate local elements for authenticity.
Safety Considerations
We’ll discuss how to keep your equipment safe while setting up shots and the importance of being mindful of your surroundings.
Editing and Post-Processing
Even simple editing techniques can elevate your travel photos. We’ll recommend user-friendly apps and software for enhancing your images on the go.
Asking Strangers for Help
Sometimes, the best shot requires a helping hand. We’ll offer tips for asking strangers to take your photo and how to communicate your vision to them.
Conclusion
Capturing your solo travel experiences can be incredibly rewarding. We hope these tips inspire you to experiment and develop your unique photography style.