How to take pictures of popular tourist spots

1. Decide who these photos are for

Are they for you personally, so that you can remember the trip later? Then ask yourself what exactly you want to remember. Or are you thinking of showing them to your family? In this case, you should be in most of the photos, because they will not be interested in just looking at the place where you have been, they will want to see you in this place. Or are you going to post these photos on social media? Then they must be original in order to attract more attention.

2. Select subject

What exactly do you want to capture at this particular moment? Think not "I am photographing that building over there", but "I am photographing that doorway, on which the sun's rays fall beautifully." Not "I photograph the locals," but "I photograph the man over there who puts out a cigarette and laughs."

When in doubt, add more humanity to your photos. Try to find some kind of story - they are constantly happening around us. Spot a local doing something out of the ordinary and take a picture of him. Try to make contact. Set aside your camera and talk.

3. Don't take pictures of everything

Don't just take photos. Your goal is to show a new perspective on something. Sometimes, in order to get a good shot, you have to wait and prepare. Think over the composition, find an unusual angle, add something to the foreground, get closer to the subject. Find a position in which nothing extra will fall into the frame.

Be curious. Maybe a hundred people photographed this intersection, but no one looked into the small street - and you look.

Ozturk advises to first of all pay attention to people and lighting. He always looks first to see if there is water or smoke nearby, and tries to photograph the object in front of them. He also recommends taking photos from a low angle. Squat down or put the camera on the ground - you will be able to look at the world from a new angle.

4. Find the right lighting

Poor lighting will ruin the most interesting shot. It is best to photograph during the so-called golden hour - an hour before dusk and an hour after dawn, when the sunlight is warmer and softer.

In the middle of the day, the lighting is too bright and harsh, at this time it is better to photograph in the shade. Bright sunlight can be used to illuminate the subject. Stand with the sun directly behind your subject and lightly backlighting it from behind. For such shots, Ozturk recommends f / 14 or f / 16.

5. Be considerate and patient

Good photos come when you take photos outside of your usual tourist hours, when you’re ready to wait for the right moment while others are having dinner or are still asleep. So be patient. Find the place of interest you want to photograph and wait for ideal conditions.