Whenever you’re traveling abroad, domestically, or even having a stay-cation, it can be a challenge to put your camera down. Every direction you turn, landmarks, quaint villages, and sweeping landscapes are just begging to be photographed.
Taking photos is a great way to “capture” a memory, but you might leave a destination feeling a bit unsatisfied if you spend the majority of your time behind (or in front of) the camera.
Having an excess of photos from a recent trip is a great way to preserve your travel memories in a photo album, provide fresh content for Instagram and Facebook, and help you relive a particular moment. And that’s fantastic! But during all that running around to grab the “perfect” lighting and angle, did you allow yourself to get “in-the-moment?”
I used to work at Disneyland and I can’t tell you how many people I watched taking pictures of every. single. firework. that exploded above their heads.
Or took pictures of every. single. parade float.
While concentrating so hard on capturing the memories, did they really take the time to listen to the music? Or to feel the excitement emanating from the people sitting next to them? While they were photographing character A, did they happen to see the awesome thing that character B just did? Probably not.
I remember during a trip to Maui, Hawaii, my friend Nikki and I watched the sunrise atop the Haleakala Crater, before biking the entire way down (and it was an amazing adventure if you’d like to read about it). We arrived a little before sunrise and had a chance to talk about our viewing game plan. We both decided that we’d rather be in-the-moment than trying to run around and grab all the pictures.
I prepped my camera so that it didn’t need to be at my face, restricting my view to the lens. I set my GoPro to “burst” and made sure that my remote was working properly. As soon as that sky started to turn pink, I was able to enjoy the moment, watching the sun rise majestically, listen to the native Hawaiian lady singing a welcome song to the sun, and just marvel at where I was…while also listening to everyone else’s shutters click. I glanced over at our tour group, only to find every single one of them with their cameras affixed on their faces.
Balance is necessary. The camera viewfinder limits your view and restricts your senses. You miss out on the whole picture.
But how do you find that balance? Is there really such a thing? How can you be in the moment while still trying to get a great shot? Here are a few of my tips to try out on your next adventure:
Be Picky About Your Pictures When Taking Photos
Do you really need a low-quality picture of each and every meal you eat? Do you feel inclined to take 15 selfies in front of a particular building, just because it’s pretty? Have you ever looked though your pictures and questioned your reasoning?
What was I even thinking?
Believe it or not, some photos aren’t worth taking in the first place. Think about it – how many pictures do you take and how many of them wind up on Instagram, Facebook, or a photo book?
There’s nothing fun about looking at your camera roll and realizing that you now have over 1,000 pictures to sort through, decide which to edit/print, and determine which 2-3 get posted to social media.
Not every moment of your trip needs to be captured on film.
It’s okay.
Breathe.
More isn’t always better. Sometimes it’s just…more.
More pictures that you have to swipe past to get to the one shot that you’ve been looking for.
Quantity over quality has never been a thing when it comes to travel photography, fellow adventurers.
And I’ll go on the record with this one: you know how people say “if you didn’t take a picture while X-Y-Z-ing, it didn’t happen?” Yeah, no. Screw that. People lived full lives before the invention of the smartphone and social media.
Capturing a moment in your heart and mind, rather than on camera, does NOT devalue your experience.
Plan Ahead When Taking Photos
Do yourself a favor and research your destinations before you arrive. By having a goal in mind or game plan laid out, you are more able to focus on your surroundings. If you decide ahead of time that you only want to take pictures with a certain color scheme, you will be more apt to leave your camera tucked in your bag until you find that red building.
Returning to a familiar destination? Why not make it a themed trip? Focus on capturing memories that are new, instead of constantly taking the same pictures over and over.
Are you traveling to a popular attraction or show? Why not show up a little early to get your pictures taken, and then enjoy the show?
My friend Ashley and I visited Yellowstone one opening weekend, hoping to visit Old Faithful. We wound up arriving to the visitor center with enough time to look around, frame up some shots, and position ourselves with the optimal viewing spot.
We also learned that Old Faithful shoots water in the air for an extended amount of time, so we were able to enjoy the initial eruption without worrying about missing a photo opportunity.
Set Aside Photo Days
If you will be spending more than one day at a particular destination, consider setting aside a day for photos. Give yourself the option to have a break from carrying around a large and expensive camera.
If you’ve got a few days or more at your destination, allow yourself the opportunity to explore, check out all the best spots, and do so without the fear of getting your expensive camera gear dinged, wet, or stolen. Maybe take all of your pictures on your first day, while everything is still new and exciting. Or, like me, take all of your pictures on your final day, since you’ve spent the last few days figuring out the best locations.
Whatever you decide, setting aside a particular day, afternoon, or morning (depending on your light preference) will free you up to explore. Have an adventure. Take a dip in that pristine beach without worrying about leaving your camera gear.
Hire Someone/Bring an Instagram Spouse
If you dream about getting amazing pictures while being able to stay fully in the moment, consider hiring a photographer to follow you around. Feel like a movie star as you frolic around the globe with your own personal professional photographer. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it?
For the majority of us who can’t afford to hire someone full-time, consider paying a local guide to help you take pictures. If you’re a solo traveler, this might be an option, rather than risking leaving your camera and tripod around on busy streets and popular attractions. Plus, if they’re local, they might have the skinny on some awesome photo spots that aren’t as well-known!
Traveling with a friend or significant other? Consider using them to be your Instagram Husband and take your pictures for you, leaving you free to enjoy whatever activities you wish. Or if you find yourself traveling with your best friend, maybe offer to be their photographer for the day and then switch with them for the next day.
Minimize Your Equipment
Remember the days when we used disposable cameras? Weren’t they so easy? You just point, click, and wind the crank. One of the cool things about smartphones these days is how easy it is to use the camera feature to take professional-looking pictures.
Smartphones are small, light, and easy to carry. They don’t take up a lot of room in your bag and are quick to switch over to the camera app. I took some friends to San Francisco for a birthday trip and we wound up taking a ride on the Cable Cars.
We laughed, waved at people we passed, chatted with the operator and our seat-mates, fully enjoying the moment.
When we hopped off at our stop, I yelled “selfie” and whipped out my iPhone and grabbed the shot above. If I had a big camera like a DSLR or even a GoPro, chances are I wouldn’t have been able to grab this shot, the feelings of ecstasy and thrill still evident on our faces.
How do you find balance when taking photos? Are you able to enjoy the moment at all?
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