Scenic Photography Tips

Greetings Fellow Photographers!

Spring is in full swing! This time of year many families hit the open road on holiday, making memories along every kilometre that are cherished for years to come. So fuel up the car, grab your camera, and check out these tips for photographing amusement parks, landscapes, and the road!

Landscapes

No  road trip is complete without a few scenic views along the way. The best time to shoot scenics is during the sun's golden hours: sunrise or sunset. When you are framing your shot, it is usually best to avoid placing your subject dead centre in the photo. Instead, place it on the left, right, top, or bottom, and the photo will be much more interesting (this is called the "rule of thirds"). Make your shot more personal by adding a family member, your car, or another object. A picture of  Uluru is great, but putting a family member in the shot makes it much more personal. Another fun technique to try is using a different point of focus, like focusing on a blooming flower in the corner of your shot with a valley or mountain in the background.

On the Road

One of the best parts about a road trip is the trip itself; getting there is half the fun! So, don't put your camera away just because you are on the road (of course, leave the driving to the driver and the picture-taking to everyone else!). Capture the feel of your trip. If it is hot and dry, figure out how to capture the heat in your photos, like including empty water bottles or sweaty foreheads. Use humor as well; the kids sleeping in front of a beautiful scenic view or landmark will make a hilarious shot later. Slow shutter speed pan shots are another fun thing to try when you're on the road: use a slow shutter speed, press the button, and pan the camera to the side as it is taking the shot. A good resulting shot will be focused on one thing with blur and movement surrounding it. Finally, get candid pictures of the car's interior. After all, it's where you spent most of your time!