Joyoz Photography

Lonely Planet’s Richard I’Anson reveals how to take prize-winning snaps.

One of the greatest pleasures and challenges of travel is photography. Photographs are more than souvenirs – they offer you the opportunity to recapture the feeling of a place, if only for a moment.

Research: Read up on your destination before you go. Check your itinerary. What will you be doing and seeing?

Know your gear: If you’ve bought a new camera, get some practice in before you leave so you’re familiar with its functions.

Framing: Fill the frame with your subject. If you have to explain the grey blob is an elephant, the picture has failed.

Composition: There is no one perfect composition, but if in doubts start with the rule of thirds: the main elements of a composition should be places at points one-third of the way from the sides of the frame.

Orientation: Does the subject look best photographed horizontally or vertically?

Perspective: Don’t assume that your eye level or the first place you see your subject from is the best viewpoint. A few steps left or right, going down on one knee or standing significant difference.

No distractions: Look at the space around the behind your subject or ensure nothing overpowers it in color, shape or size.

The eyes have it: Focus on the eyes when photographing people or wildlife. It doesn’t matter if other features are out of focus if the eyes aren’t sharp the image will fail.

Find the horizon: When photographing landscapes keep horizons straight.

Lights, camera, action: The color, quality and direction of light change throughout the day. Note how the light id falling on your subject and select a viewpoint that enhances your subject with those elements of natural light.