Most amateur photographers will bend, kneel and back-up to capture the perfect photo. But, consider a drastic change in perspective. Lie on your back for a picture of the exotic flowers bordering your villa. Wade out into the water to capture unique views inland. Climb a rock wall or even a tree to get a bird’s-eye view. A unique perspective can turn an ordinary shot into a work of art.
Foregrounding
Let’s face it, most photos of landscape scenery are boring. Yet we shoot beach after beach, hoping one day it will look like more than a sad patch of sand and a finite stretch of water.
This year, take a tip from award-winning photos and consider the foreground. Stand under a tree and frame your photo with the waving palms in a top corner. This will anchor your photos and make a boring landscape interesting.
Slow Down and Hurry Up
Remember, take your time. Be still. Take in the scene for yourself before you take it in with the camera. After all, you’re on vacation and each delicious moment is precious. So, don’t rush around trying to capture the light or the mood or the quintessential island moment.
But keep your camera handy, because when the pictures do come to you, you’ve got to be ready. Now! Nothing is gone quicker than the perfect picture moment. And there’s no shortage of film, so you don’t have to conserve. After all, a great picture is forever, and film is cheaper than that margarita you’ll only have for ten minutes. And, if you’ve given up on canisters and shutter speeds, those digital shots are free. So, take bad shots. They litter the path to good ones.
Concentrate on Composition
Get familiar with, and use, the rule of thirds. How? Well, look through your lens and mentally divide it evenly into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. These invisible lines intersect at four points that are north, south, east, and west of center. Now, place your point of interest at any one of the intersections for the strongest visual impact.
When you think composition, think "simple." Unless you’re a fan of M. C. Escher, frame out the clutter and concentrate on capturing clean lines.