Photo Composition Tips from four-time Travel Photographer of the Year Bob Holmes

4/17/2016 ISO 1200 Magazine 0 Comments

Who better to get photo composition tips from than a four-time Travel Photographer of the Year award-winner? Marc and his team are at the AYP studio with photographer Bob Holmes for today's Marc Silber Show - Advancing Your Photography!

Marc Silber and Bob Holmes

He shares some techniques you can use to work with composition and take better photos, no matter where your travels may take you.

You’re responsible for what’s in frame - said Bob Holmes

Bob has been all over the world and his travel photos have appeared in National Geographic, Departures, and 46 books as the sole photographer. Working outdoors on most of his trips, Holmes is an expert at using natural lighting in photos.

He loves looking for composition that grabs you and his unique tip is that you need to “get in the zone” and be fully responsible for everything in the frame. And the key to learning composition is to practice -- you can't become a great photographer in a week, but you will get there by shooting as much as you can.

And of course, thank you so much Bob for sitting down with us and sharing all your amazing advice and experience. - said Marc Silber -

NOTE: We are agree with Marc, thanks for this master class.

The National Ballet School in central Havana is housed in one of the fine, old building that dominate the city. I wanted to capture the feeling of the space but also give a hint of its use. I loved the color palette of the grand foyer and waited until a young dancer provided the necessary punctuation through the open door. #Cuba #Havana #ballet #dance #nikon #travel #nikonusa #NikonNoFilter #travelherenext #theglobewanderer #vinales

Una foto publicada por Bob Holmes (@bobholmesphoto) el 26 de Feb de 2016 a la(s) 11:33 PST

Shadows have always played a major role in my photography. I love photographs with an air of mystery, photographs that leave you asking questions. Trinidad, Cuba is full of horses, they are a major form of transport. The shadow of a cowboy elevated this shot from a mere portrait of a horse into a far more interesting composition. #Cuba #theglobewanderer #travelherenext #awesome_globepix #nikon #nikonusa #NikonNoFilter #vinales #horse #shadows

Una foto publicada por Bob Holmes (@bobholmesphoto) el 20 de Feb de 2016 a la(s) 9:26 PST

It can seem that tourists are the most common feature of Trinidad, Cuba but horses are a close second. Get away from the Plaza Mayor and the couple of streets leading to it and you can still find pockets of the old, unspoiled Trinidad. Photographers have to be inquisitive and not afraid to venture into the unknown. I spent hours wandering back streets with barely a tourist in sight. For a colorist this is heaven. #Cuba #Trinidad #colorphotography #nikon #nikonusa #cowboy #horses #travelherenext

Una foto publicada por Bob Holmes (@bobholmesphoto) el 27 de Feb de 2016 a la(s) 9:35 PST

Most of my portraits are environmental but occasionally I come across a face that needs to fill the frame. This tobacco farmers in Finales, Cuba was just that face. The cigar and wiff of smoke added to the natural framing of his hat made the shot. #portrait #vinales #Cuba #tobacco #cigar #smoke #farmer #NikonNoFilter #nikonusa #nikon #travelherenext #theglobewanderer #awesome_globepix

Una foto publicada por Bob Holmes (@bobholmesphoto) el 17 de Feb de 2016 a la(s) 8:02 PST

Always look beyond the big picture when you are shooting. Details such as these ballet shoes on a young dancer at the Cuba National Ballet School in Havana are part of the story that is easy to miss when surrounded by the grandeur of the building. #travelphotography #theglobewanderer #awesome_globepix #travelherenext #ballet #Cuba #havana #nikon #nikonusa #NikonNoFilter

Una foto publicada por Bob Holmes (@bobholmesphoto) el 16 de Feb de 2016 a la(s) 9:52 PST

The Rafael Trejo Boxing Gym in Havana, Cuba trains young boxers to become champions. Over the past 30 years Cubans have won 64 of a total of 152 gold medals issued in the World Amateur Boxing Championships. These are tough guys succeeding in spite of poor equipment.

Una foto publicada por Bob Holmes (@bobholmesphoto) el 8 de Feb de 2016 a la(s) 8:32 PST

Text, images and video via Advancing Your Photography | Website

About Photographer Robert Holmes:

Robert Holmes career as one of the world’s most successful and prolific travel photographers has extended over 35 years. He was the first photographer to be twice honored by the Society of American Travel Writers with their Travel Photographer of the Year Award and he is the only photographer to be given the award 4 times, most recently for 2015.

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