Chasing Light and Laughter: The Uncapturable Allure of Travel Photography (Even on an iPhone)

Have you ever scrolled through breathtaking travel photos and felt a pang of envy? You're not alone. As an avid traveler myself, I've tried to capture the beauty of people and places, but somehow, the photos rarely, but not always, capture the beauty of that moment. Here's the thing: the camera can be a bit of a fickle friend. I like to travel light, so although for my work in the past, I have lugged around heavy camera equipment, for personal travel I just have my five-year-old iPhone 11 Pro Max. It still takes great photos.

The beauty we encounter, especially human beauty, is a multi-dimensional experience that a photograph can only hint at. Unless you're the kind of National Geographic photographer who spends ages crafting the perfect shot of a Maasai warrior against the African savanna, for the rest of us, our photos capture just a sliver of the essence. Regardless of which type of camera you have, if it's you or me, it's hard to capture his strength, his pride, and the stories etched on his face - those vanish on the flat screen.

The Frustrating Reality: Beyond the Frame

Let's face it, people are dynamic and 3D. Sadly photos are static and 2D. The warmth of a genuine interaction, the sparkle in someone's eyes as they talk about their passions - these are the things that can truly make someone beautiful. And a camera? Well, a camera struggles with that.

There's also the whole "photogenic" factor, which is more science than magic. What I found out in my limited research, is certain bone structures, skin textures, and how light interacts with features all play a role in how someone translates to a two-dimensional image.

Finding Beauty in the Imperfect: Capturing the Essence

Statistics show that over 1.4 billion plus photos are taken every day worldwide, a testament to the universal desire to capture and remember life's fleeting moments. But capturing a memory isn't the same as capturing its essence. Sure, stunning landscapes and bustling cityscapes can be captured on camera. But what about the most elusive beauty? The human spirit, the twinkle in a child's eye, the laughter echoing in an ancient ruin - those slip through the lens. So what's a passionate traveler with an old smartphone to do?

Shifting Focus: Hinting at the Unseen

Maybe the key isn't capturing beauty, but hinting at it. A stolen glance between lovers, a wrinkled smile etched with a lifetime of stories - these glimpses can spark the viewer's imagination and lead them to see the beauty that lies beyond the frame.

The Enduring Power of Travel Photos

Perhaps the greatest beauty lies not in the photos themselves, but in the memories they evoke, the stories they whisper of encounters and experiences. And that, my friends, is a beauty worth chasing, even if it forever remains just out of reach.

As Summer and travel season is upon us here are some simple but practical tips that might be of help to you (or not).

Travel Photography on a SmartPhone: Capturing Your Vision

Photography, at its core, is about telling a story as you see it. Here are some tips to capture the essence of your travels with your iPhone:

• Light is your friend: Look for interesting natural light - sunrises, sunsets (heard of that famous golden hour before sunset?), and windows if positioning the subject properly.
• Composition matters: Use the rule of thirds to create balanced photos, your smartphone can pull up that grid, you just have to find it. (imagine dividing your screen into a tic-tac-toe grid and placing your subject at one of the intersecting points).
• Get close: Smartphone cameras excel at close-ups, plus you can use optical or digital zoom. Capture textures, details, or interesting faces with permission.
• Use a different angle: Most of us take pics standing at eye level. Get on your knees, lie on your back, stand on something sturdy, just give it a different perspective,
• Tell a story: Go beyond the postcard view. Capture a moment in time, an interaction, or an expression.
• Take lots of photos: A photo is an instance, and as human gestures change so quickly it's best to take a series of photos. Then at the first opportunity you get, go through them and delete the ones that are not good. It saves storage and frustration later deciding photo to use/keep.
• Edit minimally: Enhance your photos but avoid heavy editing that removes realism.

Remember, with a Smartphone, you can't control everything. But that's the beauty of it! As Rumi said, "The light which shines in the eye is really the light of the heart." With your Smartphone, you have the power to capture not just sights, but the essence of a place - the energy, the emotions, the connections. So get out there, explore the world, chase that light (and laughter), and let your heart guide your lens. You might be surprised by the beauty you capture. Do you have wonderful travel memory, share it here!