Holiday photo composition

Try to be very careful with the composition and subject matter. Note that one thing you can do to improve your photography is good composition and layout ideas. Older manuals used to say that you should place your subject in the middle of the photo image. Note that this was because viewfinders showed more than would end up in your picture, but it usually looks poor.

Try to imagine three equally-spaced lines running across your image both horizontally and vertically lined up. Note that where the lines meet are the strongest areas to place your object. Of course, you don't need to draw lines on your viewfinder to do this, however, just practice putting your subjects off-centre. Now try taking a few shots from different angles, you'll get the hang of it quite quickly.

Always shoot slightly more than you want in the picture, because when you get prints, your images may end up getting cropped to fit the print. Now, if you have photo editing software, you can crop it yourself to the right size so that it looks the best possible. Try not to go over board with the extra space, though, because printing a small portion of a larger image will result in poor quality results.

Photographing landscapes will help capture the feeling of a place, but too often they are boring. Placing something in the foreground will jazz up your landscape scenes. For example, a lone fisherman on the lake in front of majestic mountains not only adds interest to the shot, it shows just how huge the mountains actually were. Try leading lines, which are good in any image, and even more so in landscape shots. Leading lines are things like roads, fences, or a line of trees which begin in the foreground and lead the viewer's eye to the background of the scene.

When you're traveling you also want to see people in the scenes. Of course, there's nothing wrong with photographing your companions by a famous landmark, but remember to use creative layout. Avoid the "people standing in a line in front of a monument" snapshot by taking candid shots. Note that you'll also get more genuine expressions.

The more your subject fills the frame, the better the photo will be. This is especially true for people and animal shots. Now, you probably don't care about your companion's vacation wardrobe; what's important is their face in the photo. Your camera may not have a zoom lens, and you'll be more limited in how tight a shot you can achieve. Look at what's going on in the background of the scene. Avoid a sign sticking out of someone's head or face.

Try photographing local people, this can help tell a story about the place you're visiting, especially if you're in an exotic location. Many people find it rude to be photographed without permission, however. If someone looks upset about you pointing your camera at them, ask if it's okay to take their photo. Flattery may be helpful, and some may even ask for payment.

Interesting photo opportunities are everywhere around you. For example, a bustling market, a cityscape, details of an object or building, a roadside food shack, or a lizard sunning himself can all make great photos. While everyone prefers to remember their travels as pleasant experiences, few places are completely stunning, so do your best!