When you go on holiday you want to immerse yourself in a world of new things and new experiences. One of the most enjoyable things to do on your holiday is to take a few snap shots, but this can lead to frustration. When you return home, more often than not your photos do not retain the incredible clarity and definition that the original image had.

Unfortunately the setting and techniques that work in the glum streets of Britain do not translate perfectly to the sun-scorched beaches and hills of Crete. The best way to make sure that your photos are the same quality that you are used to at home is to adapt your camera and your photography style to avoid disappointment. In this blog we have put together six top tips to make sure that your photos are perfect, first though is the all-important kit list.

Items you will need

A camera – Obviously you don’t want to go and forget this, and it is worth noting that you cannot reasonably expect professional quality from a substandard camera.

Spare lenses – In order to be able to capture images up close and at a distance you will need to make sure that you have the appropriate lenses at your disposal.

Light meter – The addition of bright sunshine into the picture can be hard to contend with; a light meter will help you to adjust shutter speeds and other settings accordingly.

Batteries – You’re about to take the perfect shot and all of a sudden your battery dies; it’s a tale told every day and is the bane of every photographers life. Make sure that you have batteries, spares and extra spares to avoid an early end of play.

Tripod – Unfortunately the human hand is not naturally perfectly stable and a tripod can help you to avoid any disturbance in the image.

Remote trigger – A remote way of taking a picture is great, especially if you are trying to catch shy wildlife.

Filters – Filters such as UV can help you to take images with incredible clarity.

Gear bag – you’re going to need a decent sized backpack for all this gear, make sure it is padded and offers proper protection.

Pick your spot carefully!

As all photographers know, the best possible light for photography is just after sunrise and just before sunset. If you are looking to take the perfect snapshot then you should use the middle of the day to scout out the perfect spots to take the perfect twilight images. Once you have found these areas you are free to return and take those perfect shots when the light is just so. If you notice a vantage point that is not accessible to the public then never be afraid to ask the building owner for permission, even if they say no you haven’t lost anything.

Use your tripod!

There is a worrying trait in modern photographers to steer away from using a tripod, but this can result in you not getting the shot that you want. Making sure that your image is stable is crucial and a tripod gives you that stability. Combining a tripod and remote control will allow you to assess the image from several angles and even incorporate yourself into the image.

Let there be light!

As we mentioned in the introduction the light is different in Crete to Britain, and you need to make sure that you manage it correctly. Utilise your light meter and filters to ensure that the light doesn’t overwhelm the image and lessen the quality. If you are struggling to take the perfect shot due to the light then it is always a good idea to return later in the day and complete the shot in a different light.

Get the locals in on the image!

Many photographers shy away from letting people in on their shots, and indeed it can look silly to have a gurning face in the back ground. If the image is natural and the people in the image are meant to be there then they can really add to the image. People help to give your image a context and charm that can be missing from empty landscape shots.

Know your equipment!

When you are in the middle of a busy day shooting, the last thing that you want is for your equipment to stop working. Making sure that you are familiar with basic repairs for your camera and other equipment can save you missing out on that perfect shot. A toolkit is far too heavy to carry around but a simple multi-tool will often serve for those simple on the fly repairs.

Have fun!

Last but not least you will want to make sure to have fun, relax and enjoy it! This will inevitably put you in the right mindset to be as creative as possible. Holidays are all about enjoying yourself and holiday photography should simply be an extension of this.

So if you are planning a summer trip to one of our Crete holiday villas and want to make sure that you go home with a camera filled with incredible shots make sure that you follow the steps above. For booking and availability don’t hesitate to contact us and our friendly staff will be happy to help.