I’m always curious to see what accomplished photographers use as their “rules of thumb” or “best practices.” This video offers five tips to improve anyone’s travel photography, including one I wish I’d heard before my recent trip. 
The internet is filled with lists, tips, and tricks to improve your photography. I find the ones that focus on your thought process rather than settings to be far more valuable. In this video, award-winning commercial photographer Julia Nimke shares five tips to improve your travel photography. I would argue the thought process behind them applies to many genres beyond just travel. 
This short video is for Leica, and Nimke discusses her love for her Leica Q3, but the advice she shares isn’t system-specific; it applies to any photographer using any gear. Her tips are, for me, often-needed reminders of how to train your eye to craft better photos and then take them. 
Framing is one of the most important aspects of a compelling image, and it’s a tip that most photographers need to be continuously aware of. Taking your time and purposefully crafting a quality composition that includes a foreground element that provides context and emphasizes your subject is a hallmark of great photography. When it comes to travel photography, it takes on an extra level of importance. 
Nimke’s philosophy is that your goal as the photographer is to make the viewer feel as if they are part of the scene. Travel photography is not supposed to be a substitute for travel, but an inspiration for it. Powerful photos will make viewers feel as if they are standing where you were. That feeling can motivate them to embark on their own travels, which is often the purpose of commercial travel photos. 
That also means shooting more than just the postcard image. Showing everyday life in a dream vacation destination adds personal elements that help people connect with it. It is another layer to your photography that draws people to your images and, in the case of travel photos, further piques their interest in the destination. 
As for the tip I wish I had heard before my recent trip to Greece, well, you have to watch the video for that one. It is her third tip and is so simple, yet not something I’ve considered. I am definitely a photographer who prefers to be behind the lens, but her advice may lead me to make some subtle changes to that practice. Perhaps it will for you too. 
 
 
Ryan Carignan is a photographer and writer with a primary focus on the automotive and motorsport world. After a 20-year career in the military, he chose to pursue his passion for writing and photography as a full-time freelancer. Based in Nashville, TN, he travels the country, covering the IMSA Series for the Porsche Club of America and other clients.
A video for all to watch and learn REALLY how to see!!!
the one image I would say she needs to capture is Mallorca Spain Caves of Drach where concert are held. Back in the 70’s, my film era, when i was in the Navy and got a $5 tour as well as other on the way.
Low cost tours can open ones eye to what is a capture or just a tourist capture.
Over time, a lot of, and the now the digital and cell phones and pads with all kinds of apps just for photography planning is so easy. TPE app lets you see the sunrise’s/sets along a selected place looking at both as well as moon rise’s/sets for any day or months and all year long, this helps your planning of a dream and seeing in your minds eye.
Two to view as planning tools are 1. PhotoPills, just full of so much to list here the most helpful is the Night AR function where you can pick and day of any month and see what will be as far as sun, moon or Milky Way way before hand. 2. Planit Pro about the same as PhotoPills but added is TIDE’s, the key is a sinewave in the bottom on the time line. Ever try and read a tide chart in the ever disappearing papers this shoes the high, mid and low points by hour and minute and your location (putting the X at your spot).
Weather apps a many like Astro Weather that shows cloud cover for every hour of a day and night very handy for those whispery clouds during day or night saves on a trip of just cloudless times.
Just a few to play with instead of “boob tube” time.
One item you never hear mentioned is the “LENSSKIRT” (large), Have Camera Will Travel, it is for getting there or even when there. If by car, bus, plane or train and even from on high in a hotel room for that city or valley capture with a window to the passing world and not capturing the glare form the inside reflected off the glass. It folds and will fit even in or attached to a teardrop bag.
With a trained eye and driving/riding how many times have you wanted to stop and capture and all day/night never getting any where fast and just end up with what you saw on the trip is an image in your mind and never able to make a print maybe paint one day.
One thing to always remember is time moves on as well as the light but your mind remembers the place and you can see again with the right light as with apps today.

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