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7 Tips for Taking Better Travel Photos

Simple and effective tips for better travel photography - even with a cellphone!

By Derry

Derry Nairn is Marketing & Sales Manager at Vagabond Tours. A published non-fiction author, Derry holds a BA in History & Politics from University College Dublin.

Want to record your dream Ireland vacation for keeps?

Fear not!

Here are 7 great tips to improve your travel photos.

Read on for our Vagabond and Driftwood Tours travel photography guide.

1. Forget The Camera Vs. Cellphone Debate

It's 2021.

Cellphones have such high quality cameras and lenses built-in that comparisons with purpose-built cameras are pretty much irrelevant.

Yes, specialist cameras in the right hands will deliver professional results.

But even mid-range phones offer amazing photographic results these days. Their easy-to-use apps and highly accessible price makes taking great photos easy.

Graphics overlaid a lady taking a photo with her phone of a scenic lake and mountain in Ireland

The $64,000 question remains: Should you pack your camera and your cellphone?

We always advise travelling light. Pack the least amount you can get away with.

If this means taking along your iPhone but leaving that bulky SLR behind, so be it!

2. The Rule of Thirds.

This is one of the most basic principles of photography. The Rule of Thirds is the idea that you should break your subject down into thirds.

Images taken with the main subject off-centre have an alluring effect. The Rule of Thirds has been scientifically proven to work. Human eyes are drawn naturally off-centre.

Achieve the Rule of Thirds in your travel photography by imagining two horizontal and two vertical lines running across the image. Arrange your most interesting subject to occupy roughly two-thirds of the image. Try to make it appear on one of the intersecting lines.

O'Brien's Tower at the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland with Rule of Thirds lines overlaid

The image above demonstrates the Rule of Thirds. O'Brien's Tower at the Cliffs of Moher has been placed at the centre of the rightmost intersecting lines. It is occupying roughly two-thirds of the image.

3. Take your camera/phone everywhere with you

Whether you are hopping off your VagaTron or Drifter tour vehicle for a quick pit stop, or setting off on a scenic hike, remember to always keep your camera or cellphone with you.

Once your camera or cellphone is readily available, you'll find yourself actively looking for opportunities to take great photos.

Vagabond Tours guest photos three horses at a scenic location in Ireland

An additional benefit of is your travel companions will soon become used the sight of your camera, and your photos will have less of a staged & more of a natural feel.

A stroll after dinner. A visit to a local pub for music. You just never know when the magic memories will happen!

πŸ’‘ Bonus Tip: Don't forget those extra batteries or a charge pack. Imagine reaching a beautiful and remote area, only to have your camera die - AAAaaagh!

4. Become the Director

Now that those in your Vagabond or Driftwood tour are at ease with your avid photo-taking, why not take more control?

Chat with your friendly VagaGuide to check what highlights are coming up on the day's itinerary. Pick a location you want to photograph. Perhaps do some preparatory research on our Instagram account. Then get snapping!

When you're at your destination, instruct your fellow travellers where to move and what to do (politely).

Four Vagabond Tours guests jump for joy on the beach in IrelandDon't forget to have fun! This can really shine through in your images.

5. Be a Storyteller

Think about how you can use your subject to tell a story. 

Why not place people in your photo to show the scale of a landscape?

Vagabond Tours guest poses in front of tour vehicle and mountains in background

Direct eye contact can draw people into your photos. To capture this, try taking a photo at a person's eye level.

VagaGuide Tim relaxes beside tour vehicle while playing music in Ireland

If you want to get creative, why not take a picture from a different height as your subject, but have them looking up or down in your direction. This can make your photos really stand out.

VagaGuide Sean snaps a selfie of himself with some lambs in Ireland

πŸ’‘ Bonus Tip: If you're photographing a stranger's face, you should always obtain permission first.

6. Move About

You've just rolled into a quaint village, somewhere in Ireland. Don't just disembark, take a couple of snaps and forget about them.

Walk around the place. Get a feel for the people and the colours. Try not to take images from the same viewpoint as others. The resulting photography will convey the feeling that you were more involved in the scene and not just a passerby.

Scenic shot of Kylemore Abbey in Connemara, Ireland

June Damanti, who snapped the stunning picture of Carrick-a-Rede below, really explored the Irish landscape on her tour and looked at famous sites from a different perspective.

Guest photo of Carrick a rede rope bridge in Northern Ireland with guest photo graphic overlaid

7. Leading lines

When composing a photograph, you'll want to draw the viewer in. Using 'leading lines' is one way to do this.

What is leading lines in photography? This is the way of using the built or natural features in front of you to make it easy for viewers to figure out your subject and focus.

Scenic shot of mountain and bridge crossing river with Guest Photo graphic overlaid

Use natural geography or other features that the viewer's eye will naturally follow and direct them to the main focus of the picture. Roads, paths and other built architecture often act as excellent leading lines, especially in landscape shots.

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