Photographing Your Outdoor Adventures
Published December 2024 • 6 min read
Photos are how we share and remember our adventures. Whether you're using a smartphone or a dedicated camera, these tips will help you capture images that truly represent your outdoor experiences.
📱 Smartphone Photography Tips
- Clean your lens - Pocket lint and fingerprints ruin shots
- Use gridlines - Enable the rule of thirds overlay
- Tap to focus - Don't rely on auto-focus for important shots
- Avoid digital zoom - Move closer instead or crop later
- Use HDR mode - Especially for high-contrast scenes
- Keep your phone charged - GPS tracking uses battery
🌅 Lighting is Everything
- Golden hour - The hour after sunrise and before sunset provides magical light
- Avoid harsh midday sun - Creates harsh shadows and washed-out skies
- Overcast days - Actually great for forest and waterfall shots
- Backlighting - Can create dramatic silhouettes
- Look for interesting shadows - Add depth and interest
🏔️ Composition Techniques
- Rule of thirds - Place subjects off-center for more dynamic images
- Leading lines - Use trails, rivers, or ridgelines to draw the eye
- Foreground interest - Include rocks, flowers, or equipment in the front
- Frame within a frame - Use trees or rock formations as natural frames
- Scale indicators - Include people to show the size of landscapes
- Change your perspective - Get low, get high, look for unique angles
📷 What to Photograph
- The view - Obvious but essential
- Your group - People give context and memories
- Trail markers - Useful for navigation reference
- Details - Flowers, insects, textures, patterns
- Signs and maps - Helpful for logging your route
- Wildlife - From a safe distance!
- Candid moments - Often the best memories
⚠️ Photography Etiquette
- Ask before photographing strangers
- Stay on trails to get your shot
- Don't disturb wildlife for a photo
- Be mindful of group pace—don't make everyone wait
- Respect cultural and sacred sites
🛡️ Protecting Your Gear
- Use a waterproof phone case or dry bag
- Carry a microfiber cloth for cleaning
- Secure cameras with straps
- Protect from extreme temperatures
- Backup photos regularly
📸 Geotag Your Photos
LogsKeptSimple can store photos with your activity logs, geotagged to exact locations on your route. When you view your track map, you'll see exactly where each photo was taken. It's a great way to remember specific spots from your adventures.
The best camera is the one you have with you. Don't let the pursuit of perfect photos distract from enjoying the moment. Capture what moves you, and you'll have images that truly represent your outdoor experiences.