Howler monkey. Chilling. In Mombacho, Nicaragua.
The low-pitched, deafening call echoed for miles.
I fully expected to see King Kong crash through the jungle foliage of Mombacho, Nicaragua.
Instead, I saw the guy you see above.
A Howler monkey. Lazing in the forest canopy.
Kelli and I have been blessed to see some amazing places and to capture fabulous images from our 6 year world tour.
I want to share 5 tips to help you preserve postcard worthy images.
1: Check Your Energy
Kelli and I were having fun, feeling the love of being in such a beautiful place.
As we toured the ancient ruins of Paphos, Cyprus, she snapped a shot which displayed the stifling, desert-like conditions in the area.
Brutal heat in Paphos, Cyprus.
Look at those heat waves enveloping the church and surrounding mountainside!
Amazing how the mirage effect of the brutal heat in this region distorted the photo.
We snapped this money shot because we were in the moment, having fun, and not desperate to get the perfect shot.
Becoming a good photographer is an energy game. Have fun snapping shots. Feel the love and gratitude of traveling to fabulous spots. With some patience, you will record a slew of eye-popping images because your energy aligned you with these dazzling pictures.
2: Check Your Lighting
Check out the other-worldly beauty of green, lush, Rivas, Costa Rica.
Gorgeous Rivas, Costa Rica.
I snapped this image at about 9 AM local time. From where we were located in the hills this was the perfect time to dial in to optimal lighting, courtesy of Father Sun.
Trying to capture the image at around noon would have created a flat shot. No crispness because the sun shined evenly on the landscape, providing me with no contrast.
Later in the day the images from our vantage point would fall in shadows. Meaning a lifeless, dull, plain photo.
For day shots, make sure the subject gets ample sunlight, without drowning out the photo in a ball of shine.
3: Check Your Subject
Kelli ensured my V-tapir served as the focal point. Without blocking out the sun. When she snapped this image in Koh Lanta, Thailand.
Me, my V-tapir and astounding Nature at play in Koh Lanta, Thailand.
I am slightly to the right of center. The sunrise is slightly to the left of center. Both subjects are aligned nicely to create an eye-popping, enthralling image of a Koh Lanta sunrise from the back deck.
Remember that every element in this pic has a part to play, from the Thai long tail boats to the bay at low tide to the bean bags and tables and the mountain in the distance.
Think of what you want to capture. Before you capture it. This helps you preserve a clearer reflection of the subjects involved when you take the photo.
4: Practice Practice Practice
Practicing makes you a better photographer.
As you snap more shots you will preserve the postcard-perfect image. Like I did in Savusavu, Fiji, below.
Savusavu, Fiji sunset from the front porch.
I intuitively knew that the sunsets above the bay are breathtaking on clear, peaceful evenings but simply snapping thousands of shots over the years helped me record this image at the perfect moment.
Note the fireball-like nature of the setting sun, the subtle currents dancing about in the water and the lazy palm fronds tickling your senses in the foreground.
Again, I used no filters for these shots.
Maybe I cheated because Savusavu is one of the most pristine, beautiful places on earth but my photography experience and developing skill set helped me capture this photo.
5: Play the Angles
Some of my best shots occurred because I played the angles.
I either:
- raised my viewpoint by positioning myself higher than the subject (via ladder or a few stories)
- snapped the shot from the ground level
I crouched for this shot in New York City.
Bous and the Freedom Tower.
I positioned myself below Bous the Cat and the Freedom Tower to capture the image.
I also liked how the smudge-stained windows offer contrast to the brilliant sunlight, giving the NYC skyline some flavor.
Note; it helps to dive into a variety of tripods and support to choose from when establishing angles because not all settings will be as favorable as a quiet, comfortable luxury apartment 19 stories above the city in Manhattan.
Your Turn
How do you capture the perfect travel shot?
What tips can you add to this list?
