I often travel alone – from a months-long Morocco trip to living by myself in Paris and plenty of short breaks in between, I’m no stranger to a solo trip.
I always want to capture my experiences on camera to keep a lasting memory and, when travelling with people, this is easy to do – as simple as a quick request for a mini photoshoot.
My best friend and boyfriend are both well trained in the art by now.
But when I’m by myself, it can be trickier. How can I get the best shot without a willing volunteer to take it for me?
On a mission to get the perfect photograph, I went on a deep dive of social media to find the best solo traveller photography hacks online to try out and assess if any could be quite as good as having a photographer in tow.
I then spent a sunny afternoon in Madrid, strolling around the city centre testing out the methods – some of which, I will admit, got looks from locals watching from terrace cafes.
But these are the best – and the worst – tips and tricks to get that perfect holiday pic, all of which have been given a ranking out of five…
The self-timer method – 4/5
Erin went on a deep dive to find the best solo traveller photography hacks online to try out and assess if any could be quite as good as having a photographer in tow. The first trick she tried was using my iPhone’s self-timer feature. The results were mixed
If I stayed close enough to the camera, I could get a decent close-up shot
The first trick I tried was using my iPhone’s self-timer feature. Three seconds was too short, I discovered, so I settled on a five-second countdown to get myself in place.
The results were mixed. Occasionally, walking away from the camera adjusted the lighting so what initially seemed to be perfect turned out to be too dark.
But other times, if I stayed near enough to the camera, I could get a decent close-up shot.
Overall verdict? A solid start.
While I refused to buy any equipment, other TikTokers recommended using my handbag as a sort of tripod.
This one took a while, as I needed to find a spot where my belongings wouldn’t be pinched while I was posing – so might work better in a hotel or private space. But I will admit, my bag doubled pretty well as a tripod stand once I found a good wall to lean it on.
I was also told to pose during golden hour – the period of time just before sunset when the light is infused with red and gold tones. This worked very well, as it made the lighting easier.
Live Photos – 3/5
Instagram travellers recommended I enable Live Photos on my iPhone to let me take several pictures at once – which was helpful but, in all honesty, still didn’t make much difference when I still had to take the photos with the front-facing camera as selfies
Next up were some simple phone tricks to try to help you take better photos.
Instagram travellers recommended I enable Live Photos on my iPhone to let me take several pictures at once.
This was helpful but, in all honesty, still didn’t make much difference when I had to take the photos with the front-facing camera as selfies.
Combined with self-timer, though, I could get several shots of myself in one go to choose from.
Flip the camera around – 4/5
Using the back camera, which is higher quality than the selfie front-facing lens, I hoped to get decent shots
The quality is better – even if it did take me a while to get the angle right
Until now, I had been mainly using the front-facing camera so I could see what I looked like while posing.
It was time to go in blind – and flip the camera around.
Using the back camera, which is higher quality than the selfie front-facing lens, I hoped to get decent shots.
I tried similar tactics as before, just with the other lens.
I agree, the quality is better – even if it did take me a while to get the angle right.
Jump over the phone – 1/5
I tested some strange alternatives too – for example, one TikToker advised solo travellers jump over their phone while taking a photo. They made it look so cool. My attempt? Blurry, bizarre and certainly not what I was going for
I tested some strange alternatives too.
For example, one TikToker advised solo travellers jump over their phone while taking a photo.
They made it look impossibly cool.
My attempt? Blurry, bizarre and certainly not what I was going for.
0.5 mode – 3/5
Next up on my list was the classic 0.5 mode on iPhones, which distorted the perspective but was still great
It worked – you could definitely see more of the background. But I didn’t think it gave the kind of photo I’d save as a keepsake
Next up on my list was the classic 0.5 mode on iPhones, which distorted the perspective but was still great.
Ultra-wide angle lenses, more commonly known as 0.5 mode on social media, allow you to capture a broader field of view compared to the standard lens.
The 0.5 selfie is easy enough to execute, various Instagrammers explain. You merely select 0.5 on your camera, then flip your phone around so you’re facing your rear camera.
It worked – you could definitely see more of the background. But I didn’t think it gave the kind of photo I’d save as a keepsake – it was more in the realm of ‘social media selfie’. My arm also took up half of the shot!
Turn the camera upside down – 4/5
I also tried putting the camera upside down, and will admit it worked pretty well
I also tried putting the camera upside down, and will admit it worked pretty well.
I’d read that flipping your camera upside down is a creative photography technique that can improve your photos by changing the perspective.
I had to try the angle a few times as I wanted to avoid having too much of the floor in my photos – and enough of the blue sky.
But once I figured it out, the resolution was great and quality superior as I could also use the back lens at the same time.
Screenshot videos – 5/5
By now I had figured out the right angles, so using a video gave me the freedom to test out different poses
I was looking forward to the next one, though. I’d seen it all over Instagram and TikTok, with seemingly excellent results: take a video of yourself and then screenshot it to get photos.
Again, I needed a safe spot away from the crowds, so I can imagine this one would be fabulous for taking poolside pictures in peace, but it still worked well in central Madrid.
Despite the fact tourists and onlookers watched me spin around, twirling for the camera, this yielded my favourite pictures of the photoshoot – and, what’s more, I could get loads at once.
By now I had figured out the right angles, so using a video gave me the freedom to test out different poses.
And test, I did. And then spent ages afterwards screenshotting every video 10 times.
These were probably the most natural pictures I got, as I didn’t have to pose and press the button so many times.
The closest, I think, to having a partner there with a camera.
‘Pretend to grab the camera’ selfie – 3/5
I also tried another selfie trick – pretending to grab the camera as I took the snaps
This allowed me to get some fun close-ups and shots in busy, historic places
I also tried another selfie trick – pretending to grab the camera as I took the snaps.
This was cute, and allowed me to get some fun close-ups and shots in busy, historic places such as the Plaza de Mayor and outside the Royal Palace.
It took me some time to figure out how to hold the camera, as it often made my arm look awkward or my background distorted.
But once I figured it out, I got some fun selfies. Although, it must be noted, they were very much selfies, and didn’t stand in for having a photographer with me.
They definitely screamed ‘solo trip’ – it was clear I took the pictures myself.
Just ask – 4/5 (although depends on who you ask)
If all else fails, though, there’s one photography technique that stands the test of time: asking a passerby to take your photograph
The results, luckily, were fab. Plus, they meant I could get cultural landmarks in the background, such as the Prado museum and a famous chocolate and churros shop
If all else fails, though, there’s one photography technique that stands the test of time.
This one I didn’t find on social media – my inspiration was my Boomer grandparents, who have no qualms asking a passerby to take a picture of them wherever they are.
Sometimes, many of us will agree, this pictures turn out awfully. It truly depends who you ask. And you always want to exercise caution, as you never know if someone’s going to run off with your phone.
I was judicious in my selection of photographer, targeting women around my own age who were either dressed stylishly, taking their own photos or in a group of travellers who appeared to be taking similarly Instagram-appropriate photos.
The results, luckily, were fabulous. Plus, they meant I could get cultural landmarks in the background, such as the Prado museum and a famous chocolate and churros shop.
You can always offer to return the favour if the photos are especially good.
Source link
CHECK OUT: Top Travel Destinations
READ MORE: Travel News
