Choose any subject that appeals to you – people, architecture, animals, flowers, still life – whatever interests you the most. Also, choose one focal length such as 50mm and stick with that setting for all the photos you make for the whole photo session.
Get in close to your subject, take a photo, then take some steps closer to your subject – move closer. Don’t zoom in and out – only move with your camera. By not zooming you have to move your body much more and this way of working engages your mind and imagination actively.
Make another photo where you get in so close that one single detail, such as an eye or a flower stamen, fills most of the frame. Make another photo from further back and then compare all the photos.
Which works best? Why?
Keeping taking photos for the entire session, constantly moving in and out from your subject and comparing the results. Keep all photos until you get back to your computer and compare them all on the big screen.
Bonus Photo Composition Exercise
Use a zoom lens and make lots of photos of your chosen subject. You can choose anything, anything that interests you. Be aware of the four sides of the frame as much as possible. Experiment with the amount of space you leave around your subject. Try somewhere the frame is filled and the edges of your subject touch the edges of the frame.
Then try somewhere there is just the subject plus some space around your subject – you will not fill the frame completely. Avoid the temptation to think that you will crop your photos when you get home in an editing program. The idea is you are doing all the cropping while you are taking the photographs. This helps to train your brain to make good decisions while shooting and not rely on computer software. That’s a good thing.
Compare your images with those you made in the first exercise. Both methods of working are valid but it’s important that you understand the difference and can make an informed choice when you are taking your travel photos.