Holiday photos can be incredible – even if you take them on your phone. The pictures in this blog are all taken on a mobile phone, on the lovely grounds of Stansted Park, where we are based!
There are many benefits to travelling with just your smartphone. For one, you already know how to use it. They are compact and easier to carry than conventional cameras. Plus, it is easier when you’re home to upload the photos to your PC or get them printed.
We have put together some of our best tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your phone photos.
Can phone settings help to take better holiday photos?
Most smartphones now have settings that can help you when taking photos. ‘Portrait mode‘ is now equipped in most newer phones such as iPhone or Galaxy. This setting enables you to focus on your subject and blur the background, giving a professional finish without the editing.
Another thing you can do is turn on the HDR setting on your phone. This stands for High Dynamic Range and helps you to balance a photo’s light. It also is useful for brightening shadows that may otherwise appear completely black on your phone. You can find this normally in the settings of your phone and it is easy to turn on or off as needed.
Turning on the grid on your camera settings will also help enable you to make sure the image is straight. If you are taking a photo of someone, it makes it easy to see if they are in the centre or off-centre. This is also useful for considering the composition of the picture which we will go into detail about shortly.
What is composition and how will it help me take good holiday photos?
The composition is what makes up the picture and how it is presented. There are a few tricks to getting the best angles for your holiday photos. Firstly, consider the rule of thirds, a technique used to create well-composed shots. It divides the image into 9 equal areas and the idea is to balance the space and the subject of your photograph. It creates a focal point making your pictures more interesting.
Another technique to try is using leading lines. This is where you take photos that lead the viewer’s eyes through an image using natural or man-made lines. It keeps your viewer engaged and makes the photos seem more professional. These can also help to balance your image and using the photo grid on your phone is very useful for this as we mentioned.
Don’t be afraid to get up close and personal. Sometimes taking pictures of the smaller details makes for an excellent photograph. For example, if you are staying on the beach, try to use your phone grid to take the perfect photo of a seashell. Don’t go crazy with Zoom. Zoom is useful for things you can’t get close to like wildlife. However, you will have much better-quality pictures by moving yourself closer rather than zooming in.
Consider taking candid photos too, these techniques are helpful to upgrade your classic holiday photos but it is important to have a mix. Taking a photo of someone laughing will make them look more relaxed and happier than if they have posed for a photo. When you’re taking photos, make the person laugh or capture them doing something they love. This way you will be sure to get them at their best.
What do I take photos of?
Now this is entirely up to you! Some ideas are to look for things that pique your interest. Using colour always makes for good holiday photos. You could even edit the photo when you get home to highlight a specific colour. Or leave only an object or the person in your photograph in colour which will also draw focus.
Alternatively, try and look for symmetry around you. Photos of puddles showing the reflection of a building are interesting and draw attention. There is symmetry everywhere, in reflections, in architecture, or even in the landscape. Try and utilise this to get a truly one-of-a-kind picture.
Are there any apps that can help me create better holiday photos?
There are several apps you can get that will help you edit your holiday photos. Adobe Lightroom has a free version that gives several tools and filters, enough to make the perfect holiday photos. A little goes a long way here, even tweaking some of the settings can make all the difference. Be careful though, too much editing can make the pictures look fake!
Some phones have editing features built-in, so you can edit the brightness or use filters. The filters allow you to make the picture black and white or they have other warmer filters too to enhance your pictures. If you need to, you can also crop the pictures if you want to remove anything or alter the composition. If you have a lot of space around the picture, it might be worth cropping it to make your subject more prominent.
There are also many apps that can help you generally when you are on holiday so be sure to check these out too!
Remember sunshine is the best medicine…
One tip for taking good photographs is to consider where the light is when you are taking the picture. If you are taking a photo of someone and the light is behind them, it will make them hard to see. Instead, place your subject somewhere in the light so that they are more visible. Think about the time of day, try and catch the ‘golden hour’ when the sun is setting/rising as it gives you that perfect holiday glow! Alternatively, you can edit your holiday photos afterwards to make them appear lighter, but it is easier to try and find good lighting at the time.
Also, try taking lots of photos at once – just keep hitting that button! This will hopefully eliminate the risk of closed eyes or distracting things in the background. If in doubt, check what the photo looks like before finishing so you know if you need to move anything. For example, you may not have noticed your bags are actually in the picture! Moving them will save you a lot of editing time at home.
It may sound obvious but clean your camera lens! If the picture seems blurry or ‘not quite right’, just give it a clean with a cloth to see if that does the trick. Sometimes we may not realise it, but it may have gotten dirty in our pocket or bag so if in doubt, give it a clean.
Is there any equipment that can enhance my holiday photos?
You should consider investing in a tripod, you can get portable ones that are small enough to fit in your hand luggage. This is a great way to get holiday photos of yourself and a partner for example if there is no one around to take pictures for you. It is also a way to make sure the shot is framed as you would like without relying on strangers to help you.
Another thing to consider investing in is a portable charger. These are compact and relatively cheap to get. Now you can take photos at your leisure without the risk of your phone dying halfway through the day. Nowadays everything is on our phones, so you might have tickets, directions, payment cards, and your camera on there which is why it is important to plan ahead.
What happens when I get home from my trip?
When you’re back home, printing your holiday photos is just as easy, if not easier than using a camera! You can upload them to a laptop wirelessly or with a normal USB phone lead and print them from there. Or you can go somewhere that prints photos like a supermarket and they will have machines that do this. Alternatively, you can get apps that let you order prints straight from your phone, saving the hassle of uploading them. Several apps even give you a certain number of prints for free a month. You just pay for delivery!
Now that you’re a budding photographer, keep an eye out for our photo competitions! It is always worth entering because you just never know what could happen.
Remember that gadget cover is included as a standard on every Free Spirit Policy. So, check out how you can travel with confidence, with us.