When you’re traveling, avoid getting “suckered by the exotic”. Here are some practical tips to take better travel photos:
ERIC KIM TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCES >
1. Silhouette
![Silhouette. Kyoto, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/8882CFF0-FDCC-4640-960E-87428175E20F-2000x1325.jpeg?resize=1200%2C795)
One of the best ways to make better travel photos — don’t make it too obvious what you’re photographing. The best photos are mysterious, because it encourages the viewer to make up his or her own story.
![Dots. Abstract street photograph. Kyoto, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/E97C2C79-FA0D-4A23-8098-2C1F4828ED33-2000x1325.jpeg?resize=1200%2C795)
To shoot silhouettes, photograph people through abstracted glass.
2. Photograph the local people
![Kyoto, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/AF83A09C-5AFC-4AA7-9A56-9C8FB5B5D97F-2000x1325.jpeg?resize=1200%2C795)
Don’t just photograph the store vendors, or street performers. Instead, photograph the locals — people who live there.
For example, I like to shoot street photography in busy commercial areas. This way, you just look like another tourist, and you can easily blend in with the background.
3. Photograph details and abstract images
![Kyoto abstract, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ERIC-KIM-KYOTO-STREET-PHOTOGRAPHY-FUJIFILM-XT-2-16mm-1.45-2000x1333.jpg?resize=1200%2C800)
Look down in the gutter, photograph what you find on the ground.
Photograph peeling paint, spots where there used to be posters. Look for textured backgrounds, rust, and look for faces in common objects.
![Dots. Kyoto, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ERIC-KIM-KYOTO-STREET-PHOTOGRAPHY-FUJIFILM-XT-2-16mm-1.43-1333x2000.jpg?resize=1200%2C1800)
![Peeling tape. Kyoto, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ERIC-KIM-KYOTO-STREET-PHOTOGRAPHY-FUJIFILM-XT-2-16mm-1.44-2000x1333.jpg?resize=1200%2C800)
4. Photograph people at cross walks
![Walking woman. Kyoto street photograph, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ERIC-KIM-KYOTO-CHROMA-2017-0139313-2000x1325.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
One of the best places to photograph people is at cross walks. Why? Nobody is paying attention to you.
5. Photograph in restaurants
![Yakiniku grill. Kyoto, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ERIC-KIM-KYOTO-2017-0138745-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1200%2C1811)
Often, the best photo opportunities of people can be inside restaurants.
Tip: pretend like you’re shooting the interior decor of the restaurant, not the people inside.
6. When photographing food, use macro mode and flash.
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ERIC-KIM-KYOTO-2017-0138833-2000x1325.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
7. Look up
![Architecture. Kyoto, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-COLOR-0138583-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1200%2C1811)
Don’t just keep your camera at eye level. Get a good back bend, and shoot looking up.
![Traffic light. Kyoto, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ERIC-KIM-COLOR-KYOTO-STREET-PHOTOGRAPHY-0137939-2000x1325.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
8. Photograph trash cans
![Green trash can. Kyoto, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ERIC-KIM-COLOR-KYOTO-STREET-PHOTOGRAPHY-0137918-2000x1325.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
9. Photograph in grocery stores
![Red wall and green basket inside grocery store. Kyoto, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-COLOR-0138460-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1200%2C1811)
Even ask the cash registers for their portrait.
![Woman at grocery store (Frescos). Kyoto, 2017.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-COLOR-0138467-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1200%2C1811)
![Grocery store. Kyoto, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-COLOR-0138426-2000x1325.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
I often find when traveling, the best way to understand a foreign culture is through their grocery stores, the packaging for the food, and what they sell, and how they sell it:
![Head of lettuce, in grocery store. Kyoto, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ERIC-KIM-COLOR-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-2017-0137766-2000x1325.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
10. Photograph at the mall
![Cindy on escalator. Kyoto, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/2755C49C-6B31-4016-81F7-F134627EDF36-2000x1325.jpeg?resize=1200%2C795)
When you’re traveling, don’t just go to the same tourist destinations. Instead be like a local, and check out the local malls.
11. Photograph inside your hotel room or Airbnb
![Cindy color. Kyoto, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ERIC-KIM-COLOR-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-2017-0137448-2000x1325.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
12. Photograph beautiful decay
Rust, decay, and roughness:
![Red texture. Kyoto, 2017.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-COLOR-RICOH-GR-II-JPEG-0137148.jpg?resize=1200%2C1812)
13. When photographing food, have a simple and clean background
14. Shoot blurry photos at night
![Blurry picture of Cindy. Kyoto, 2017.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-0136109.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
Blurry photos at night, out of focus, will add more mystery, mood, and drama to your travel photos.
15. Shoot in program mode (p)
![Eric Kim Cindy Red Kyoto Curtain](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-DARK-0136720.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
When I shoot while traveling, I just shoot in program mode (p) — and set my ISO to 800-1600 and just “set it and forget it”. Don’t waste your time shooting fully manual. Focus more on enjoying your experiences, than always fumbling around with your camera settings.
16. Photograph your bed
![Ryokan. Uji, Kyoto 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-0134500-1.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
Or have your partner photograph you while sleeping:
![Cindy picture of ERIC sleeping in Ryokan. Uji, Kyoto 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-0135133.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
17. Shoot selfies of yourself through reflections
![ERIC KIM SELFIE in broken mirror. Kyoto, 2017.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-0135700.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
Don’t take selfies with the front facing camera. Rather, be creative — and shoot selfies of yourself through glass and textures.
Or shoot a selfie of your shadows.
![Selfie in Uji, Kyoto 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-0135392.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
![Eric Kim selfie with flash.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-0134866.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
18. Low angle perspectives
![Cindy laughing at red shrine. Kyoto, 2017.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Kyoto-Eric-Kim-Haptic-Snapshots-0133720.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
Shoot your partner or kids when you’re traveling with family, from unique perspectives. Like from very low angles, using a wide-angle lens like a 28mm lens.
19. Tilt your camera — make diagonal compositions
![Kyoto, 2017. Google Nexus 6P and HDR+. Processed with VSCO with a6 preset](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/2017-08-15-10.59.10-1-800x1067.jpg?resize=800%2C1067)
Tilting your camera will make a “Dutch angle” composition — these will make your composition more dynamic.
![Kyoto sunset, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-0135728.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
![Night time picture of Kyoto Bridge. HDR+ on Google Nexus 6P. Processed with VSCO with f2 preset](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/2017-08-17-12.11.41-1.jpg?resize=1200%2C900)
![Diagonal yellow lines. Kyoto, 2017. Google Nexus 6P and HDR+. Processed with VSCO with a6 preset](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/2017-08-14-12.28.21-1-800x600.jpg?resize=800%2C600)
20. Travel with your own coffee maker
I use a “clever dripper” and coffee grinder when traveling (with my own beans) to have a good coffee hit in the morning before traveling and shooting. Real talk, this is the best pro tip.
![Happy with coffee and my film Leica in Portland, 2015](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/coffee-eric-2.jpg?resize=604%2C601)
21. Choose your shooting neighborhoods near good coffee shops
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/2014-09-05-03.05.31-11.jpg?resize=800%2C800)
Not sure where to shoot when you’re abroad? Just find good coffee shops, and shoot on the way to the coffee shop. Shoot around coffee shop, and stop by the coffee shop again for more coffee.
![Tools of Hanoi: Ricoh GR II, GoPro Hero 3, and (lots of) coffee in Hanoi, 2016](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/20160902_121719-1-2000x1500.jpg?resize=1200%2C900)
![SAIGON SATCHEL, RICOH GR II, cappuccino. Saigon, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/NEW-SAIGON-SATCHEL-TOP-COFFEE-RICOH-2000x1337.jpg?resize=1200%2C802)
Also always have your camera on your table, because you’re never sure when a good photo opportunity will happen.
![Hanoi, 2017. Shot of a silhouette of a woman at a coffee shop.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/ERIC-KIM-STREET-PHOTOGRAPHY1-800x530.jpeg?resize=800%2C530)
22. Shoot in galleries and at exhibitions
![Amsterdam, 2014. Shot at the William Klein exhibition at the foam museum.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Klein-0062450-2000x1325.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
I like to visit photography galleries and exhibitions while traveling, and often shoot inside. Try to juxtapose your subjects against the exhibitions.
!["Opposed" - Shot with my Ricoh GRIII at the World Press Exhibition in Zurich, Switzerland](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/ricohgriii.jpg?resize=640%2C480)
Also if the weather isn’t good or raining / snowing, exhibitions are a good place to find inspiration for your photography.
23. Shoot in the train, subway, or while in transit
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/man-on-train-1-2000x1326.jpg?resize=1200%2C796)
You will find interesting people in the subway, bus, or tube.
![Woman in pink and Red Bull. London, 2011. Eric Kim](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/03820011.jpg?resize=444%2C670)
To avoid making a scene, pretend to be a lost tourist photographing the subway maps on top.
![Leica MP + Leica Summicron 35mm f2 ASPH + Kodak Portra 400 + flash in Paris subway.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/SUITS-BY-ERIC-KIM10.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
24. Find an interesting background, and wait for your subjects to enter the frame
In street photography, this is called the “fishing technique”. This is good when you nice architecture or scenes, and want your pictures to be more interesting.
![Woman with umbrella. Seoul, 2011 // ERIC KIM](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/CA896804-4351-441F-8525-1DD37A09DF28.jpeg?resize=1200%2C800)
25. Shoot in bad weather (like rain)
![DARK SKIES OVER TOKYO / Man with umbrella.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/eric-kim-street-photography-tokyo-0000358.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
If you’re in Japan or abroad when traveling, and it starts to rain, buy a clear umbrella and shoot through it with a flash, for cool effects.
![Umbrella and flash in color. Kyoto, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ERIC-KIM-KYOTO-2017-0138880-2000x1325.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
![Woman with clear umbrella shot with flash. Tokyo, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ERIC-KIM-TOKYO-PHOTOGRAPHY-2017-0150460-2000x1325.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
![Blue sky in the rain. Shot with a RICOH GR II in P mode, with flash, through translucent clear umbrella. Kyoto, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/179151CE-BCAA-4A01-8C6E-90FD4C4383EB-2000x1325.jpeg?resize=1200%2C795)
![Umbrella and Dutch angle. Tokyo, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/4187C85F-1D6C-409C-B8CA-18AB830EFDFD-1325x2000.jpeg?resize=1200%2C1811)
26. Shoot your own home, when traveling
![American flag. Prague, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ERIC-KIM-PRAGUE-PICTURES-201800002-2000x1325.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
I’m American, and I always photograph the American flag when traveling.
![Flags. Amsterdam, 2014](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/AMERICA-by-ERIC-KIM-1-2000x1326.jpg?resize=1200%2C796)
27. Photograph store fronts at night
![Berlin coat in window. 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Berlin-coat-in-window--2000x1325.jpeg?resize=1200%2C795)
Use a flash to illuminate the scene.
28. Shoot from high perspectives, looking down
![Overpass in Tokyo. High angle, looking down. Dynamic perspective composition.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/E9D696CB-B611-4DE0-842C-BAD70A0FF10A-2000x1325.jpeg?resize=1200%2C795)
Look for highway overpasses, and shoot looking down.
![Abstracted into colors. Overpass in Tokyo. High angle, looking down. Dynamic perspective composition.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/97578ADE-7D83-4091-AC60-6EC111B72A59-2000x1325.jpeg?resize=1200%2C795)
29. Take street portraits of strangers
![Interact with strangers, a good way to provoke a reaction, to make a good street photograph.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/D76158F1-1977-4F23-BD2D-7C17B0BA7E73-1325x2000.jpeg?resize=1200%2C1811)
If you see an interesting stranger when you are traveling, ask them permission for their portrait. Sometimes they say no, but often they say yes.
![LAUGHING LADY by Eric Kim Contact Sheets from MASTERS](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/0-new-laughing-lady-contact-sheet-eric-kim-marked-3.jpg?resize=1200%2C1580)
30. Keep it simple
![Porsche. Kyoto, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/2017-08-17-02.51.45-2.jpg?resize=1200%2C898)
Seek to make simple, clean pictures. Don’t show everything — focus on details.
![Lines and texture. Kyoto, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/2017-08-17-02.51.39-2.jpg?resize=1200%2C1600)
31. Photograph your family members
![Kyoto, 2017. Google Nexus 6P and HDR+. Processed with VSCO with a6 preset](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/2017-08-15-06.09.08-2-800x1067.jpg?resize=800%2C1067)
Don’t just take photos of the locals, photograph your family members, or traveling partners.
![Family selfie. Kyoto, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/2017-08-20-11.39.47-1.jpg?resize=1200%2C900)
![Kyoto, 2017. Google Nexus 6P and HDR+. Processed with VSCO with a6 preset](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/2017-08-15-10.24.00-1-800x600.jpg?resize=800%2C600)
32. Shoot a foreign city like it were your own city
![Layers in London.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/IMG_0945-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530)
Ask yourself,
If I lived in this city for my whole life, what would I photograph, and what wouldn’t I photograph?
Pretend like you’re a local, so you don’t just photograph the same things that all other traveling photographers shoot.
For example, when you’re traveling, ask your host, or hotel front desk:
“What tourist traps should I AVOID?”
Or ask,
“Where are places in this city that locals avoid?”
33. Enjoy your experiences
![Cindy enjoying a nice cup of coffee at our Airbnb in Amsterdam, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-AMSTERDAM-DIARY-201710-2000x1325.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
The biggest mistake I made in the past when shooting travel pictures:
I treated the photos more important than my experiences.
The most enjoyable experiences when traveling is talking to locals, enjoying local food, having time to reflect on life and meditate, to walk around, and learn more about foreign cultures.
Remember, the experiences you have are more important than taking good pictures.
![Amsterdam, 2017 #cindyproject](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-AMSTERDAM-DIARY-20171-2000x1325.jpg?resize=1200%2C795)
![Tokyo, 2017 #cindyproject](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/E5A7264E-44E9-450B-8F4B-955A490DB071-2000x1325.jpeg?resize=1200%2C795)
Enjoy the journey,
ERIC
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