Taking photos of yourself when traveling solo can sometimes be challenging. These nine simples tips will make taking great photos easy and fun.

Lighting

If you are looking for the absolute best time to take photos, the golden hour is it!

This is the time of day right after sunrise and right before sunset when the sun is low in the sky and the light is favorable for the perfect photo.

The color of the sky changes from red to orange and then to yellow, and the lighting is low and has radiant glows. As a result, your pictures will be luminous.

Although it’s not always possible to take photos at this time or be in the location you want, similar effects can be had a few hours after sunrise and before sunset.

Avoid overhead lighting as it casts shadows and highlights imperfections.

If you have to shoot photos in the midday sun, pick a spot in the shade with your subject facing the sun.

Timing 

If you want to take great photos at popular locations, the best time to do that is first thing in the morning before the crowds arrive. The next best time is later in the day when there aren’t as many people around.  This will give you time to take uninterrupted photos.

Use a tripod

One of the best fifteen dollar investments you will make on your quest to take excellent photos as a solo traveler. Many tripods are compact, lightweight, fit easily into your bag, and have bluetooth remotes.

No more fumbling around trying to angle your camera in the right direction or trying to find something to lean it against. Your tripod will become your new best friend as it gives you the freedom to move around in your photos, and give you a wide range of shots.

Using a bluetooth remote will enable you to take pictures further away than arms distance, and it will save you from having to run back and forth. This is a great time-saving tip and will allow you to focus on posing and the photo you are working on.

Find Inspiration

Spend some time online looking for inspiration and see what kind of photos you really like.  Notice the lighting, the angles, and the subject matter.  Try your hand at taking similar photos or put your own spin on it. Sometimes all you need is a little help getting yourself headed in the right direction.

Use your self-timer

Setting a self-timer will give you some great options for your photos. If you have an iPhone and turn off live mode, your phone will actually take ten pictures in burst mode. Use it wisely by changing your expression, the direction of your gaze, your smile, and so forth.

Don’t worry about what you look like

Posing by yourself may seem weird or out of place, especially with people around, but don’t worry about it. You’re likely not to see those people again, so who cares what you may look like. 

Chances are that they aren’t even paying attention to you. So, go ahead and strike that pose!

Practice 

Just like anything else, practice makes perfect.  Take your time and take lots of pictures. See what you like and see what needs improvement. Only through trial and error will you really grow as a photographer.

Someone once told me that sometimes the best pictures are behind you, and they were right!  Remember to turn around, and you’ll often find some great shots.

Rule of Thirds

This is a great tip on your quest to take great photos when traveling solo. If you want to take interesting photos that are balanced and pleasing to the eye, try using the rule of thirds. Many people do this already without even realizing it, but if you’re not and you want to take your photos to the next level, you should try it.

If you are using your phone to take pictures, turn on the grid and the lines will be there for you. If not, picture a tic tac toe board. Three equally spaced vertical lines and three equally spaced horizontal lines.  The four points where the lines intersect is where you should put the photo’s subject matter. If you put your subject on those lines, your photo will be more balanced.

Try it and see how the quality of your pictures change!

Leading Lines 

Leading lines can create a visual journey by drawing the eye into the image and right to the subject of the photo.  They do a great job of grabbing the viewer’s attention and bringing it into the picture.

Examples of leading lines can be a river, a bridge, a road, or a fence. 

Editing

If you are taking photos on your iPhone, the magic wand in the photo app is a simple and effective way to make great enhancements to your photos. There are also options to crop and change the lighting.

There are also great apps such as Snapseed, Photoshop Express, and Lightroom that do a great job of making your photos look amazing.

Check these great solo destinations if you are looking for inspiration.

These simple tips will take your photos to the next level when traveling solo. They are easy to incorporate anytime you take a picture as well!

Here is a Pinterest friendly photo……so you can pin it to your favorite board