Everything looks better, or at least different, when seen from above. Seek out viewing platforms, sky bars, cable car rides and overhead walkways for expansive perspectives.
1. Get high —
Everything looks better, or at least different, when seen from above. Seek out viewing platforms, sky bars, cable car rides and overhead walkways for expansive perspectives.
Jethro Mullen/cnn
You can find photogenic spots in the places you visit through hashtags, geotags and feeds of local Instagrammers. A photographer I knew through Instagram pointed me in the direction of this colorful staircase.
2. Learn from locals —
You can find photogenic spots in the places you visit through hashtags, geotags and feeds of local Instagrammers. A photographer I knew through Instagram pointed me in the direction of this colorful staircase.
Jethro Mullen/cnn
Architecture and activity at airports and rail stations provide rich photo opportunities. Flights from southern China to Europe can offer majestic views of mountains on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, like this one.
3. Don't tune out while in transit —
Architecture and activity at airports and rail stations provide rich photo opportunities. Flights from southern China to Europe can offer majestic views of mountains on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, like this one.
Jethro Mullen/cnn
Some of the most memorable pictures can be those you stumble upon when exploring a less frequented area. In Thailand, I turned my back on the beach one afternoon and found this enticing alley of trees.
4. Get lost —
Some of the most memorable pictures can be those you stumble upon when exploring a less frequented area. In Thailand, I turned my back on the beach one afternoon and found this enticing alley of trees.
Jethro Mullen/cnn
Lens attachments, like the Olloclip, provide fisheye, wide-angle and macro options. Flexible tripods, like the GorillaPod, allow you to set up long-exposure shots using apps like Average Camera Pro and Slow Shutter Cam.
5. Pack extras —
Lens attachments, like the Olloclip, provide fisheye, wide-angle and macro options. Flexible tripods, like the GorillaPod, allow you to set up long-exposure shots using apps like Average Camera Pro and Slow Shutter Cam.
Jethro Mullen/cnn
Editing apps like Snapseed, Afterlight (both of which I used in this photo) and VSCO Cam allow you to tinker with images in a gentle manner. I edit nearly every Instagram I take using these tools.
6. Use the right apps —
Editing apps like Snapseed, Afterlight (both of which I used in this photo) and VSCO Cam allow you to tinker with images in a gentle manner. I edit nearly every Instagram I take using these tools.
Jethro Mullen/cnn
Rain creates a range of appealing subjects: puddle reflections, colorful umbrellas, raindrops on windows. To optimize puddle shots, turn your phone upside down so the lens is closer to the water's surface.
7. Embrace bad weather —
Rain creates a range of appealing subjects: puddle reflections, colorful umbrellas, raindrops on windows. To optimize puddle shots, turn your phone upside down so the lens is closer to the water's surface.
Jethro Mullen/cnn
Think about where to be for the rewarding light conditions at the start and end of the day. Apps like Sun Seeker can tell you the sun's predicted path through the sky.
8. Plan your sunrises and sunsets —
Think about where to be for the rewarding light conditions at the start and end of the day. Apps like Sun Seeker can tell you the sun's predicted path through the sky.
Jethro Mullen/cnn
In surroundings that feel cramped or cluttered, tilt your head back and see what lies above. In cities, clusters of skyscrapers or geometrically arranged facades work well. Forests of tall trees are also eye-catching.
9. Look up —
In surroundings that feel cramped or cluttered, tilt your head back and see what lies above. In cities, clusters of skyscrapers or geometrically arranged facades work well. Forests of tall trees are also eye-catching.
Jethro Mullen/cnn