I love documenting my travels, but taking photos of myself? That’s another story.
I find it challenging to take good photos of myself on trips that aren’t selfies. While selfies can be fun and quick, there’s something about getting more than just my face and shoulders in a photo to show to my friends and family back home. For me, there’s so much to see and take in when I arrive at a new place, especially seeing sights in real life for the first time, that it’s difficult to articulate the kind of shot I want as I snag a passerby to take a quick photo, especially since I feel self-conscious about taking up their time. They’re probably trying to enjoy the same spot, too.
In all my travels, I don’t have a quick fix for taking better photos. My best photos are when I use my tripod with a timer or am traveling with a friend who has a good eye for framing or unique shots, but those aren’t feasible for every shot on every trip. In recent years, I’ve been following loads of photographers on social media and can maybe remember one tip to use on the trip, but most of the time I forget. And when I look at my photos, I think I look like a frog, or my arm is bent awkwardly, or I’m grimacing more than smiling because the sun is in my eyes. And my goodness, can I get a single photo of me without sunglasses on top of my head?
Instead of deleting or hiding the photos, I’m working on embracing them because that was part of my journey, whether or not it’s worthy of social media. Like this one. A kind stranger offered to take this photo and I was excited because while she took several photos, it seemed like she was getting a good angle, and not including anything below my waist. I thanked her, then laughed when I looked at the pictures after she walked away. Can anyone guess what landmark I’m standing in front of here?
No? Had I not been in the photo, I would have no idea that I was standing at the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. Yes, the cliffs were stunning, windy, and a lot to take in during the short hour I was there. But I think of this photo every time I remember that trip, and it always makes me and whoever I show it to laugh. And I’m starting to realize two things:
- People who take your photo too quickly rarely get good shots: there’s either too much ground, too much sky, or you’re nowhere near the landmark.
- It’s a bit too hopeful to think I’ll get perfect photos at every spot I visit.
Weather changes the lighting, most of my photos feature sunglasses on my head, and if someone’s in the frame with me, my hair’s probably in their face, or mine. I take a lot of photos, so there’s usually one that’s good enough, and that’s okay. If I’m really unhappy, I’ll just find a different spot or review a quick video from one of the photographers I follow, then try again. I don’t want to spend so much time on my trips and adventures trying to get perfect photos everywhere I go. I want to make memories and have some cool pictures to remember it by, and maybe the imperfect photos are the ones that tell the most realistic stories anyway.
I did take another, better photo at the Cliffs of Moher, by the way. May hair looks crazy from the wind, but at least this one proves I was actually there. Progress, not perfection, right?