GET THE SHOT
Do you take your photos seriously? Maybe you’re just a hobbyist or maybe you are you just trying to capture memories on your vacation?
It doesn’t matter if you are a photographer with a client, a content creator, or just on vacation looking to capture some great pictures of family and friends. Everyone loves a good photo. Sometimes it can be hard to achieve this in places that are popular tourist destinations. Not to worry though I got you covered. Here are 5 tips to get the job done. Some you may know and some you may want to try.
1. ANGLE UP.
If you find yourself snapping shots around tall objects like Tokyo Tower for example you may find yourself surrounded by other people trying to do the same. Try angling up to get an epic shot of you and whatever is behind you with an unobstructed view.
THE SIZE OF IT
An example of angling up to remove unwanted objects in your frame.
2. TRY BLOCKING UNWANTED DISTRACTIONS USING YOUR SURROUNDINGS.
This is one of my favorite techniques. You can accomplish this by finding a tree a building, a car or even a prop like a hat. Use it to block out unwanted distractions. Lean on a tree for example leaving your subject visible while blocking everyone else out with the tree.
A TRIP TO DUOMO
An example of using your surroundings to block out unwanted distractions in your images.
3. EARLY BIRD.
I think everyone knows that getting up early allows you to capture images without unwanted photo bombers. It’s also important to note that sunrise is not always the best time to shoot. In some cases this might lead you to shoot into the sun. For example its better to shoot the Duomo in Milan at sunset when the front is well lit as apposed to sunrise unless this is what you seek creatively.
MOMENT OF REFLECTION
Example of being an early bird and getting the shot before the world wakes up.
4. SHOOT AT LOW SHUTTER SPEEDS.
It’s pretty difficult in the day if you don’t have a ND filter on your camera but almost anyone with a tripod can do it at night. Choose your framing and set up your tripod. Choose a very low shutter speed on your camera or choice. This may very based off your lighting scenario. Once you are in position trigger your shutter using a remote. The results should be you either alone in your image or surrounded by beautiful motion blur from moving objects in your frame .
NIGHTS LIKE THIS
Example of shooting at low shutter speeds. No one was removed from this image. The low shutter speeds create an illusion as though I was alone.
5. OFFER TO TAKE OTHER PEOPLE’S PHOTOS.
We’re all here to do the same thing. Sometimes offering someone help with their photo will lead to you getting that shot you wanted without someone else posing behind you.
LOST IN JORDAN
While taking photos at Wadi Mujib there were many people hiking as well. We offered to photograph then and afterwards they kindly stepped out of our way allowing us to capture this image.
That wraps things up for my “GET THE SHOT” 5 Tips for taking great photos in crowded places. As always if this was helpful let me know down in the comments. Of course if you have any questions or suggestions they are always welcome here at The FO&O. See you next time*
