Professional photographer's lessons: how to bring really cool pictures from vacation

Traveling without a camera is a waste of money. Even the most vivid impressions fade in memory over the years, and photos are able to preserve them forever. Unless, of course, these are high-quality pictures, and not kindergarten work, according to which it is not always possible to identify the city. Russian photographer Anton Agarkov talks about how to learn how to take worthwhile photos on trips.

Look at the photos taken in the places where you are going to go, talk to friends who have already been there, read articles. Perhaps you will pass very close to a steep ethnographic complex, a textured village or sleep through some insanely beautiful ceremony. It's worth knowing about such things in advance so that you don't bite your elbows later.

It is always a little scary to go into the depths of the city, but only there you can see it as it really is. And textures for photos in small alleys are always in bulk. Yes, even if you don't take anything off, you will gain new impressions for sure. It will also be useful to communicate with the locals. They can tell you about colorful markets, viewing points or attractions.

Interesting portraits and reportage scenes will add life to your shooting. However, here it is necessary to take into account which country you are in. For example, in some Eastern states, it is better not to openly shoot women and children. If you are not sure if it is possible to take a picture of someone, ask. If the hero refuses, then you can always find a more accommodating character. And after you have clicked someone, do not rush to leave - let the person relax, go about his business. This will make more natural shots.

If you are going to shoot a landscape or architecture, try to figure out in advance how the sun illuminates the subject at dawn and sunset. This will make it easier to find the perfect shooting time. In cities, some buildings are illuminated at night, they should be captured in the so-called blue hour, when the lighting becomes soft and cold at dusk. At this moment, the brightness of the twilight light is compared with the brightness of the city illumination, which allows you to take spectacular photos in which natural and artificial light are mixed.

The camera forces you to constantly look for shots, be more attentive to details, tenacious. Cool, but it's not a vacation. So some days it would be useful to remove the camera, relax and soak up the world around. After all, that's what we're traveling for.