Robert’s top travel photography tips – part two

Having dedicated my life to travel photography – creating a world famous travel photo agency with 1100 photographers working in the far-flung corners of the globe – I know what makes a great travel image. Here’s the second in my series of top photo-tips for all you aspiring travel photographers out there.

7. Use a figure in the frame to emphasise scale. When photographing natural wonders and huge, epic landscapes, a person can help create a sense of wonder.

Man standing in front of Skogafoss waterfall, Iceland, Polar Regions

Berber man walking among the orange sand dunes of the Erg Chebbi sand sea, Sahara Desert near Merzouga, Morocco

8. Find new ways to photograph iconic subjects. People will always want to see photos of famous sites, but we tire of seeing the same old compositions. Capture some unusual foreground interest to show the subject in a new light.

Houses of Parliament and Big Ben floodlit at night with colourful light trails from passing traffic on Westminster Bridge, London, England

The Taj Mahal, India

9. Get down low to create dynamic images. This adds drama to your shot, makes people seem heroic and gets rid of the problem of background clutter.

Low angle shot of The Capitolio with classic American car, Havana, Cuba

Annual Gerewol male beauty contest, Niger

10. Capture compelling details that say something about a place. In particular, food, textiles, architectural details can all capture the essence of a destination.

Still life of a selection of fish, prawns and other seafood from the Mediterranean, on a blue wooden table, Andalusia, Spain

Peppers at Sao Joaquim market, Salvador de Bahia, Brazil

Detail of blue painted wooden door, Chefchaouen, Morocco

11. Look for graphic compositions and eye-catching repetition. Some of the most striking photos are ones that fill the frame with abstract patterns and colour.

Aerial view of a floating market on a canal in Bangkok, Thailand

Palace of the Winds, Rajasthan, Jaipur, India

Field of sunflowers, Regional Natural Park of Verdon, Valensole, France

12. Photograph during the ‘golden hour’ before sunset, to capture dramatic lighting and atmosphere. Have a siesta during the midday hours, when the sun is too bright and high in the sky to get good shots. Instead, concentrate your energies on evening time when contrast is lessened and warm light gives a beautiful glow to your subject.

Fort in the Gorge of the Dades, High Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Manarola, Cinque Terre, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rivera di Levante, Liguria, Italy

See part one of Robert’s photography tips

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