Those who take the hobby seriously or who specialise in travel photography know that it entails more than just snapping pictures of a place or its people. At its core, it’s about capturing the essence of being somewhere, of sharing an experience that is new and wonderful.
Simply relying on your camera won’t be enough if you want to be a travel photographer. For example, imagine walking through the famous Alexanderplatz, standing before the Berlin Wall, or testing out new techniques in a fotostudio Berlin—almost everywhere you go in a country like Germany, you’ll be met with a vibrant array of colours, emotions, and inspirations for great photos. If you want to produce a compelling image for each location you visit, you’ll want to understand the artistry behind every shot.
One crucial aspect to be aware of is the interplay between light and shadow. After all, the word “photography” itself originates from the Greek words for “light” and “drawing.” Light is the heart of photography, not just a minor element of it. The best photographers learn to work with light, not against it.
With that in mind, here are some tips for using light and shadow to your advantage during your first travel photography endeavours.
Decoding the Light Around You
Natural light is what you’ll mostly be working with. It’s incredibly versatile and it also changes constantly throughout the day, offering a range of moods to experiment with. For example, if you position the sun behind or to the side of your subject, it will achieve a sense of depth. Combine that with a polarising filter in cross-lighting, and you can come up with some seriously dramatic effects.
Then there’s the “golden hour”—the sweet time just after sunrise and before sunset when the light is warm, soft, and perfect for photoshoots. Use apps that tell you exactly when the golden hour will occur, no matter where you are, so that you can maximise the light’s magic during this time.
Midday light is a different beast altogether. It’s harsh, direct, and creates strong shadows and high contrast. It can be tricky, but if used creatively, you can work with it to yield interesting results.
Overcast days provide a completely different type of natural light. The clouds can act like a giant softbox, evenly diffusing the light. This is ideal for portraits, nature shots, or landscapes where you want a soft, balanced look.
Of course, you can also use artificial light—e.g. lamps, studio lights, and flash—to afford you more control. You can use it to fill in shadows, boost contrast, or create specific effects. You can depend on soft, diffused artificial light to achieve even, flattering lighting, while direct light will highlight textures and help you come up with high-contrast, impactful images.
Making Light Work for You
The direction of your light source can also completely transform a photograph. Front lighting will give you an evenly lit subject—perfect for clear, detailed shots. Side lighting adds depth and texture, making things more dramatic. Lastly, backlighting will allow you to create striking silhouettes and can really emphasise shapes.
Bright, sunny days can be tough because of the harsh light, which can cause glare and overexposure. But don’t despair on such days—try shooting in black and white, or use a neutral density (ND) filter for longer exposures. On those clear days, position the sun just at the edge of a building or mountain range, and use a small aperture for a beautiful starburst effect.
Overcast days, often thought of as less ideal for photography, actually present unique advantages to photographers who are willing to work with what they’ve got. When shooting under these conditions, fill the frame with your subject to reduce the amount of dull sky in the composition. And when the rain comes, look for interesting reflections on wet surfaces, particularly in urban settings.
Just make sure to protect your gear! Have indoor options ready if the rain gets too heavy.
Working with the Magic of Shadows
Shadows aren’t just dark areas formed by the absence of light. They can add significant depth, dimension, and drama to any image when used properly.
Cast shadows, created when something blocks the light, can frame your subject in a captivating way or yield some interesting patterns. A good example is a single palm tree on a beach casting a long shadow across the sand towards the setting sun. The shadow will become an integral part of the composition because it adds depth and a sense of scale.
Form shadows, found on the subject itself, reveal its shape and texture. In landscape photography, form shadows can beautifully highlight the texture of sand dunes, the ruggedness of mountains, or the delicate petals of a flower.
Conclusion: Practicing What You Know in Different Locations
Whether you’re photographing famous landmarks, natural wonders, or streets in the world’s busiest cityscapes, your understanding of light and shadow is essential. Knowledge of the golden hour, for example, could help you catch shots of the Brandenburg Gate, Machu Picchu, or the Grand Canyon that you could be endlessly proud of.
Your willingness to work with overcast skies can set you up for the best portraits, street scenes, or landscape shots of places like the Black Forest in Germany or the jungles of Costa Rica, where the light enhances details and minimises harsh shadows. If a downpour surprises you in New York or Tokyo, you can get low on the ground and take shots of the pavement reflecting colourful lights and people with umbrellas.
In the end, always adapt to the conditions you’re in and let the light guide your composition. With more practice and a keen eye, you’ll be able to tell more amazing visual stories from wherever you are in the world.
