How you can relish your vacation while taking photos
Remember that time when you went on vacation, and you didn't take a single photo from your smartphone? Neither do I.
We are now living in a different era where taking photos is something we do automatically without even thinking about it. We're taking the "snapshot" expression to the new level with the convenience of having camera phones from your pocket.
On a visit to MoMA in New York a few years ago, when I was standing in front of one of the most celebrated paintings in the history of western art, I noticed another gallery patron standing between myself and the painting who was taking photos without pausing to appreciate the artwork itself. It was disheartening. At that moment I learned a valuable lesson about photography in our everyday life:
“In this digital time, we subconsciously feel the need to freeze every special and not-so-special moment so we can look back on it as a beautiful memory — and share it instantly online before we appreciate what’s in front of us, or even acknowledge the person (or the artistic masterpiece) that is right next to you.”
In this digital time, we subconsciously feel the need to freeze every special and not-so-special moment so we can look back on it as a beautiful memory — and share it instantly online before we appreciate what’s in front of us, or even acknowledge the person (or the artistic masterpiece) that is right next to you.
It's challenging for a photographer not to start taking photos as soon as they find themselves in an Instagram-worthy location. Here are a few tricks I have learned on how you can relish your vacation while taking photos.
Stop, slow down, and look around
You know that you have enough time to take photos wherever you are. Whenever you feel like you need to take photos, take a quick break to tell yourself that the statue or tower that you are looking at is not going anywhere. Take a mental picture and slowly visualize what you want to capture. As photographers, we "frame the shot" before we take photos. I've walked around on a new street during the day and when I get the chance to go back to the same spot the next day I usually end up taking better photos than I imagined from the first time I saw it. Consider it as if you were scouting locations before your photo shoot.
““The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
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Surprise yourself
Travelling is an excellent opportunity to experiment. Be creative. Be bold. Change your perspective. Try different points of view. Give yourself an assignment. I've walked around Manhattan so many times that I have sometimes felt uninspired taking the same photos over and over – so, to mix it up, I challenged myself one time to visualize everything in black & white.
Do your homework
By researching popular photos and famous landmarks before your trip, it will make your life easier and less stressful trying to find ideas. Check out Instagram and search for that location under the "places" tab and click "top" section. Don't worry, you are not stealing their ideas. Use it as a challenge to see if you can replicate the same spectacular shot. Use it as an inspiration to "copy" the same shot but add your twist by taking a photo of the same landmark from a different angle, at a different time, or even have the main subject out of focus.
Be present Spend time with your partner, family or friend without your camera. Take the time to enjoy their company. Keep your camera in your bag or leave it in your room. Don't look at your phone. Turn off the data or put it on the "airplane mode" so you won't be distracted with notifications.
““The best moments I once lived are the ones I absolutely
forgot to take pictures of.” ”
Set some "me time" If you are travelling with family, on a day when everyone else decides to stay in bed, get up early to walk around. This is a great opportunity to explore with your camera without feeling guilty. On a recent trip to a friend's cottage, I woke up early and noticed the fog on the lake, so I took that opportunity to take photos of the canoe. I ended up getting some cool shots and I got my fix – I didn't have to take any more photos that whole weekend.
You can apply these tips to your everyday life. Find time to connect with the person right next to you while you're on vacation. Yes, you may document special moments, but make sure that is not the only thing you're doing all the time. Create memories: not only with your camera – but also with your eyes.