Rather than making pictures that are simply versions of the postcards you see on the street, how about taking a more innovative approach to travel photography? It’s fun and will make you an even better photographer in the process.
When visiting a well-known tourist destination, it can be easy to fall into the trap of taking exactly the same photos as everyone else. Some monuments and attractions are so well photographed that it can be very hard to come up with new picture ideas that haven’t already been done. But this is the key to really good travel photography: showing your destination in a way that hasn’t been thought of before and showing what the trip meant to you. The key words here are ‘original’ and ‘personal.’
©Valérie Jardin
© Dan Hogman
It’s hard for us to tell you exactly how to do this, of course. If we did, it wouldn’t come from you and it wouldn’t be personal at all. But we can help you with the thought processes you’ll need to go through, and the approaches to take.
Remember Your Style
Try to remember how you make images when you’re at home, because this is a big part of you and your unique photographic style. Just because you’re on vacation, it doesn’t mean you have to try to photograph like someone else or leave behind everything you have ever learned.
© Axel Fassio
If you like to photograph up close with wide-angle lenses at home, then do this when you’re away, too. Likewise, if you enjoy framing doorways, picking out details, or stopping strangers for a chat and a portrait, then do that! Whatever it is, be true to yourself and your own style.
How Are You Feeling?
Or, more precisely, how does your location make you feel? And can this feeling inform your photography? You might feel inspired by color and light, and make pictures that convey the power and majesty of a location. Or you may be affected by sights of poverty and deprivation and want to show this side of your trip with sympathetic, human images.
© Afton Almaraz
It’s worth taking stock of your feelings whenever you pick up your camera – try putting a small sticker that says ‘feelings’ on the back of it so you’ll be prompted to stop and think whenever you start to create.
Is There a Theme You’ve Noticed?
Have you noticed a small detail that you keep seeing everywhere? A piece of street art, barber’s shops, rows of battered student bikes, or street cafes on street corners? Whatever it might be, this is a good chance to create a series of images that all hang together and say more as a collection than they do individually.
© Ryan Budhu
Photographing in this way is a very effective form of documentary photography – collecting images in the same way that other people collect stamps. You can even set yourself daily challenges – like photographing the numbers one through ten or seeking out unusual hardware on front doors.
Don’t Forget the Tourists
While avoiding photographing tourist traps can be a necessary part of evading clichés, tourists themselves are an important part of the character of many vacation destinations. So why not make them the subject of some of your photography?
© Afton Almaraz
People on vacation make a great subject for some street photography – particularly when photographed with a candid approach. Try to frame the interaction between the tourists and the place they are visiting. What influences do they have – both good and bad – and how does their behavior differ from that of the local residents?
Close Your Eyes…
If you are really stuck for inspiration, try closing your eyes and using one of your other senses instead. It’s easy to get obsessed by what you can see (after all, photography is a visual medium), so sit down for a moment, shut your eyes, and focus on what you can hear instead: the buzz of the crowds, birds singing in the trees, children playing in a park far away. What does this tell you about your destination? How does it make you feel? And does it give you any inspiration for what you’re going to do with your camera today?
Remember to Enjoy Yourself
All of this earnest searching for originality can be exhausting and not much fun if you’re struggling, so don’t beat yourself up if you want to indulge in some occasional photographing of clichés on your trip. Sometimes it’s just nice to compose the shot and press the button, and the process can help you when you’re creating something more original a little further down the road. Remember that every cliché was an original thought once upon a time.
Your Next Steps
- CHALLENGE The next time you’re away on your travels, pour yourself into a picture and show what the trip meant to you and how it made you feel. Post your image (or images, if it’s a series) to social media using the hashtags #MyFujifilmLegacy and #mytravelstory. You can also submit your work here for a chance to be featured on our social media channels.
Header image © Afton Almaraz