A Solo Travel Photography Guide: 8 Pro Tips You Don’t Need to Ask Others For

Text & Photos /Hek Chek Travel Kid (HakCek),hak.cek
 

I love traveling solo and taking travel photos with my tripod. I’m not a professional photographer—all my shots are “feeling-first.” My travel photography goal is simple: no generic touristy “I was here” shots. Many friends ask who takes my photos when I travel. I proudly say: I take selfies. Selfies can be addictive—only I know which angle makes me look my best (or slimmest), and now I’m almost reluctant to let others take my photo. I spent several days compiling my experiences from three solo trips and sharing my tips on solo travel selfies, for anyone who might find them useful.

Gear Section
Some say great portraits often depend on the “model first.” That’s true—goddesses will look good in photos without any tips. But I’m just an average-looking woman, and most of us are ordinary people, so you can rest assured this guide is written for everyone.

First, a tripod is always your best partner—and my boyfriend too. A tripod keeps your camera/phone steady and lets you adjust angles freely. Some find tripods bulky and inconvenient, or worry about safety. People who prefer light gear may not enjoy carrying one. But some will carry even heavy equipment just to get that perfect shot. As a girl, I’ve lugged around a 0.8kg tripod everywhere and managed fine. As for safety, assess the local conditions. In India and Sri Lanka, robbery is rare, and there are crowds, so I didn’t worry much. But in South Africa, with higher crime rates and fewer people, I stayed extra cautious.

Cameras and Phones
 
In Sri Lanka, I used a Lumix GF1 + Zuiko digital kit 14-42 F3.5-5.6—the camera was seven years old. In India and South Africa, I used a Sony A7ii + Voigtländer 40.4 and an iPhone 6s. By the way, my Voigtländer lens only has manual focus, and the smallest aperture is F16. But I love its wide aperture and unique bokeh. As for the iPhone 6s, I added an 18mm wide-angle lens to get a wider view.
 
Who Presses the Shutter?
 
For the iPhone and Lumix, I use the timer. For the Sony A7ii, I use Bluetooth remote shutter control. Phone photos may not be top quality—my gear is limited—but it’s enough for what I want to capture. After all, solo travel selfies are still all about the feeling.
 
Solo Travel Selfie Tips
 
You need tips for selfies too? Yep. Remember that super popular video where a Japanese girl taught people how to pick the right angle for selfies? If you’re tired of taking classic tourist photos, put a little thought into composition—just a few extra seconds. You don’t need professional photography knowledge or skills. Look at great works, follow your instincts, and you can create good compositions. If you’ve already trained your “photography eye,” it’s even easier.

1. Choosing the Location

First, when you arrive somewhere, look around for a good spot. The spot could highlight you or make the scenery pop. Whether you stand in the center, left, or right; close-up or far; high or low—you can experiment. I think the easiest selfie trick is having a small subject against a big environment, giving off a cinematic vibe (laughs).
 
* Blending with the environment—by coincidence, my clothes matched the stone wall color, creating harmony. Set the timer, run to the center quickly, snap.

2. Using Tools or Plants Around You

Put the lens into a pile of leaves, using them as foreground, focusing on yourself to create a forest-themed vibe.