As published on Thomas Cook website: www.thomascook.com
See the world through our in-house Photographer’s eyes…
Today isn’t my birthday, nor is it Christmas yet, but it still calls for a celebration across the globe because today is World Photography Day! Now August 19th has finally arrived, you’re invited to take part in the photo festivities, starting with an inspirational look at some of my worldwide photo-shoots to places such as Mexico and Turkey. Working within photography for over ten years, carefully creating, capturing and editing travel pictures for you is how I celebrate photography every day, all year round for me, (but without the cake and candles) so you can see just how beautiful our holiday resorts really are! As today honours photography of the past, present and future, I’ve chosen the theme of Creative Reflections so have a go, whether you’re travelling to a busy city like New York with sparkling skyscrapers or a more rustic retreat. Here’s some inspirational ideas for your next picture, with a creative look exploring inside as well as outside in the sunshine.
Capture 1: Majestic mirror shot
I know you all love to document your adventures and share photos, especially when you’re on holiday! You can create tranquil photos of reflections of the pool at your hotel if you choose a quieter time when it’s empty and the winds are light. Symmetry will strengthen this shot as the calmer surface of the water will more likely look like a silky blue, shiny sheet; ideal for reflections. For a more dramatic backdrop, capture your picture when there are clouds in the sky reflected in the pool like a mirror, as I have shot here at the Crown Paradise Club hotel in Mexico at sunrise. Cloud combinations usually come alive in the sky the hour after sunrise or the hour before sunset.
Capture 2. Wondrous wildlife shot
A long-distance zoom lens will help you get closer to wildlife, like I’ve used capturing these flamingos posing like fabulous fashionistas! But don’t worry if you haven’t got a fancy camera or expensive lenses, especially here at the Iberostar Quetzal in Mexico, where wildlife is on your doorstep within the hotel grounds, which is set amongst gorgeous tropical scenery. If you patiently wait for a flamingo to take a sleek stalk across the water, you’ll catch the colourful movement of radiant ripples reflected in the water from their feathers, swirling the water in pretty patterns of pink.
Capture 3. Curious, quirky self-portrait shot
Similar to Alfred Hitchcock, the famous Film Director who made cameo appearances in his own films, why not frame yourself in your own picture with a unique self-portrait?! Look out for quirky reflective décor around the interior of the hotel you’re staying at, the shiny plant pots in reception, silver cutlery on the table or the polished champagne ice bucket in the restaurant. You could use the obvious choice of a mirror itself, but challenge your creativity such as in my composition here, where these tiny wall tiles bring a puzzling, jig-saw style curiosity to intrigue the observer. I discovered these along a wall by the restaurant at the Royal Alhambra Palace in Turkey, to hide and appear in my own quirky self-portrait.
Capture 4. Shining, shimmering, splendid surface shot
Photo opportunities are all around if you start to train your eye to notice them – even floating off on your inflatable dingy down the water-slide like you’re on a magical carpet ride! Shiny surfaces, even like this plastic water-slide tunnel at Turkey’s Eftalia Splash, offers a new perspective for your next picture, especially when they have glowing neon lights! Why not try other shiny surfaces such as your sunglasses, glossy wooden floors or a car windshield?
Capture 5. Creative cocktail shot
Before sipping up your summery cocktail, look for the reflection of your drink in the worktop first! The reflective surface such as a glass table or the shiny counters you usually find at the bar, will make your drink seem even more mouth-watering! On a photo-shoot at the Moon Palace in Mexico, one of their bars was made of mesmerising marble, which was polished perfectly for my next picture!
Capture 6. Artistic architecture shot
A cloudy sky can create wonders even if you’re closer to home and travelling on one of our UK city breaks, without stepping on a plane! You don’t need skyscrapers to snap stunning shots – you can still catch the clouds in lower buildings, as I have captured here in Leeds, for Thomas Cook UK City Breaks. If you do find yourself in places like New York, famous for its skyscrapers, these tall buildings are great for sky reflections with their endless glistening glass windows. A good opportunity for you to grab an impressive photo looking upwards that shows off your perspective from street level.
Capture 7: Nonchalant night shot
Glowing lights at night reflected in water can create a warm, cosy, romantic feel to your pictures. You’ll need a high ISO and slow shutter speed to cope with the conditions which will smooth out the water. A tripod will help too, but you can improvise if you have to using a concrete post, bench, wall ledge or anything sturdy. Lead the viewer’s eye into the frame with something in the foreground, such as a lustrous lantern on a bridge, as I shot here in Turkey at WOW Topkapi Palace.
Whether you’d like to re-energise your photographic eye or find a new creative flair, I’m certain these ideas will help you discover stunning pictures to capture! I hope you enjoy seeing the world afresh through a photographer’s eyes – are you ready to click your camera!?
