If there is one thing that life has taught us all, it is not to take travel for granted. Travel is an opportunity to see the world through many different lenses; but let us focus on one lens in particular.

Photography allows us to capture the tiniest details, the colours and moments that our memory may not, all while preserving an abundance of treasured recollections.

Wondering what to do while you wait to plan your next big trip? Say goodbye to the simple stop and snap photos and take your travel photography to the next level with these hot tips, courtesy of CAA Travel.

The Rule of Thirds

Before you capture the photo, look at it and imagine it horizontally and vertically broken down into thirds totaling nine separate equal parts. Additionally, rather than solely positioning the subject within the center of the photo, think about where to place your subject within the frame.

Use an Array of Angles

Establish your shot; some photographers will do just about anything for the perfect snap. In fact, wildlife photographer Alan McFadyen took it upon himself to capture the rare but breathtaking Kingfisher diving (precisely) straight into the water without one single splash (and it only took six years). CAA North & East Ontario is not suggesting that you spend 4,200 hours taking 720,000 photos; try to be creative with your angles. Although you may look silly crouched down, bent over, or laying on the ground, incorporating different angles result in unique perspectives of the subject in front of your lens.

Steady as She Goes

In order to ditch the blurry photos, try to stay as steady as possible. If you are prone to shaky hands (or just had one too many cups of coffee), browse through your device’s built-in camera functions or consider investing in a tripod for some added stability.

Break Up With Your “Auto” Settings

• Ditch “auto” settings – play around with the settings on your device’s camera to learn about all the filters and features. A simple adjustment in colour or contrast can take your photos to the next level.
• See beyond the lookouts – watch for additional spots to take your photo from instead of the obvious choice; you might be surprised with how your photo turns out.
• Be aware of your light source – whether you are photographing people or places, you will want to be aware of your light source to avoid or lean into bright spots and shadows.
• Have the proper equipment – whether you are using your phone or a hand-held camera, bring the proper equipment and chargers/batteries with you (lenses, tripods, camera protectors).

Before you go, consider upgrading your camera or photography equipment. Furthermore, once you have returned from your trip, do not just leave those photos on a memory card or camera roll; bring them to life with these ideas from CAA Rewards partners!