Photography is a fun and creative way to document your travels across India. But for beginner photographers, learning the craft can be overwhelming, as there is a lot of technical jargon and shooting techniques to learn. Getting a grasp of some of the basics before you set off to travel around India will give you the creative confidence you need to get the best photos.
Below, we cover some of the top beginner-friendly travel photography tips that will help you prepare for your travels across India, including some of the basic equipment and essential camera settings you need to know.
You’re Capturing the Raw Reality Only
Remember, when you take photos on your adventures, you’re capturing the raw reality of what you see, and it won’t always be perfect. As a beginner, you might make mistakes. By using editing tools such as Photoshop’s AI object remover, you can remove unwanted objects from the frame. This means while you are travelling, try to focus on the fundamentals and remember you can always fix the details later.
Know the Equipment
Photography has changed dramatically over the years of its development. The improvements in lens and sensor technology have changed the game of photography. Having a basic understanding of how your lens and sensor work together can make a difference in how you shoot your photos. So be sure to research equipment can also save you time and money when choosing the right gear for the job.
Lenses
Lenses are like the camera’s eye; it is used to focus light onto the sensor. The two most important aspects of the lens are the aperture and the focal length.
Aperture
The aperture controls how much light is let into the lens. Aperture is expressed in f-stops. For example, a wider aperture like f/1.8 will take in more light and blur backgrounds. A narrow aperture, on the other hand, like f/11 will limit the amount of light and give more detail to the scene.
A higher f-stop is usually good for landscapes, and a lower f/stop is ideal for portraits or macro photography. Changing the f/stop can give images a completely different feel to them as it alters the focal point of the image. The lens aperture can be adjusted on some lenses within a certain range; this is why it is important to choose a lens that is right for the kind of photography you want to do.
Focal Length
The focal length of a lens affects the width of your shot and is measured in millimetres (mm). A wider lens (16-35mm) allows you to capture more of your surroundings, while a narrower lens of 70mm and above is better for far away or smaller subjects. Most lenses fit in one of three categories: wide, standard or telephoto. For travel photography, a wide or standard focal length is best to capture landscapes and travel portraits.
Sensor
The camera sensor takes the light and transforms it into an image. The larger the sensor, the more detail can be captured in the photo. A full-frame sensor is the best for image quality and low-light performance, but comes at the compromise of size and cost. APS-C sensors are smaller and more affordable, a great balance for beginners wanting to start travel photography. An MFT sensor is one of the smallest sensors available while still providing good image quality, great for travellers limited on space.
Know Your Settings
Your camera has a wide range of settings that can be adjusted to dial in the perfect photo. Most modern cameras come equipped with automatic and manual shooting modes that can assist in the process. Don’t be afraid to try all the different modes while travelling, as they all have their own purposes and advantages. If you have the time to practice with these settings below, it will also give you a next level of creative control in your photos.
Shutter Speed
Shutter speed controls the length of time the sensor is exposed to the light and primarily affects the motion blur of the image. Shutter speeds are expressed in fractions of a second. Shutter speeds of 1/500 or faster are ideal for freezing motion in sports or wildlife photography. Slower shutter speeds, 1/60 or slower, are better for blurring the motion on iconic, cascading waterfalls or busy streets.
Slower shutter speeds also allow darker scenes an opportunity to shine as they give darker objects more exposure time to the sensor, making them appear brighter. To capture the most detail in darker scenes, you will want to combine your slower shutter speeds with some form of stabilisation, like a gimbal or tripod.
ISO
ISO controls the camera’s sensitivity to light; lower ISO will produce cleaner images with less grain but reduce the light sensitivity, losing detail in darker environments. For example, a low ISO is great for capturing wildlife with all its wonderful details. It is generally recommended that you keep ISO as low as possible to reduce distortion in your photos. In situations where there is a complex lighting environment, it is best to use auto-ISO to avoid over- or underexposing the image.
White Balance
White balance settings control the colour temperature of your images. For most beginners, the automatic or preset white balances will work best. White balance settings are usually named after the type of lighting that they are for, like indoor, full sun, shade, night scene and tungsten. Choosing the right white balance is as simple as selecting the type of light you are in. Most modern cameras come with a very good automatic white balance as well, which can be helpful when you don’t have time to find the right preset.
If you want to take your photography to the next level, you can manually customise the colour temperature of your images as well to highlight certain tones. Most modern camera sensors will have a custom white balance mode, where you can change the colour temperature and save it for a specific application. This can open lots of creative possibilities when it comes to your travel photography. Adjusting your white balance presets to suit the lighting will bring out the best colours in your scene.
Final Points
Understanding some of the keys of photography and cameras will help you focus on enjoying the fun that is travel photography. Getting an understanding of your camera equipment and how it works, like the lens and sensor, will help you choose the right equipment for the job. Practising with the various settings and modes will allow you to fully immerse yourself in your photography. With this guide, you will be confident to travel around India with your camera, capturing all the best moments the country has to offer.