Tips for Mastering Solo-Photography
Did you know many influencers and travellers take their photos all on their own? Realising that you can accomplish everything all by yourself is extremely rewarding. Even these days, from time to time, I shoot some of my Instagram photos all on my own. Sure, having a photographer on hand is easier but solo-photography pushes you to develop self-confidence and self-awareness.
This post is to share that you can take amazing photos on your own and you don’t need to rely on anyone else. So, what’re you waiting for? Here’s a few tips to get started.
Invest in a good quality tripod
When it comes to solo travel photography, your tripod is your best friend. It acts as your extra set of arms so you can be hands-free and have the freedom to do whatever you want in your photos. It also keeps your shot steady which means a crisper image. You’re also going to want a tripod that has a ball head which is a mechanism for adjusting the angle of your camera. I currently use and recommend a Manfrotto Tripod, as it’s sturdy enough to hold my camera and doesn’t get blown by the wind. Another recommendation for solo travelers is the MeFoto Backpacker as it’s quite light and can be folded away. I don’t recommend the cheapest tripods out there especially for expensive cameras, as once the tripod falls you might break your fancy camera and lenses. Some of those cheap eBay iPhone tripods hardly even support my phone.
Use a remote shutter
You’re definitely going to want to have a remote shutter as an alternative to self-timer. I recommend this wireless remote which allows you to go quite far from the camera. It works with all mobiles that have bluetooth enabled. However, if you’re using a camera, I’d recommend buying the remote specific to your camera brand (e.g. use a Sony wireless remote with a Sony camera).
App: Photo Timer+
Although most mobiles have self-timer built into the camera, I much prefer to use this app called Photo Timer+. It lets you set intervals and choose how many photos you want to shoot.
For example, you could set your timer to snap multiple photos from 3 seconds to 1 minute apart. The photos will all directly save into your phones camera roll too!
Seek inspiration before you go
It helps to know what kind of pictures you want to take before you get to your destination. Spend time looking at photo inspiration on Pinterest or Instagram ahead of time. Having an idea or two to start with can make you feel more confident and get you into the flow of shooting!
Shoot early
As they say, the early bird catches the worm! Showing up to your photo location early is key. It’s much easier to take photos of yourself when no one else is around to ruin your shot. Plus, I know how awkward it can be when people are watching you. Although I promise the more photos you take of yourself, and the better you get at taking them, the more comfortable you’ll feel. Usually around sunrise can be ideal and you’ll even take advantage of that amazing morning light.
However, I will stress to always take safety precautions if you’re shooting alone with expensive equipment.
Screenshot 4K Video
If you have the ability to shoot with 4K video on your phone, sometimes I will film myself instead of taking photos and take screenshots from that video. It can help especially if you’re after more candid photos. Of course, the quality wont be as great as photos, but it’s easier and can still produce really amazing results sometimes if you’re just uploading to Instagram. Many influencers actually do this and you probably wouldn’t be able to tell – a little secret hack!
Just make sure you’re shooting in 4K because if you screenshot even 1080p, the quality isn’t great.
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