Photography tips for better landmark snaps

There’s nothing like the spring season for a short getaway. Some might be seeking sun and sand abroad (don’t forget about EU roaming) but with the purse strings being stretched, many of us will stick with a minibreak closer to home.

So, expect your socials to suddenly be hit with photos of UK landmarks – Big Ben, Edinburgh Castle, Stonehenge and the usual big hitters. But here’s the thing: because those landmarks are photographed so often, it’s so easy to snap a pic of a famous building or location that’s just a little bit… basic.

Don’t get us wrong, none of us are David Bailey (unless you are – hi, David!). But just a few little tricks can elevate your landmark pics from something bland and unoriginal into something that will have everyone smashing that like button.

Let’s start with the absolute basics:

Use HDR mode: HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode helps balance the light and dark areas in your pics. This is great during varying light conditions.

Steady your phone: Keep your device steady to avoid blur. Use both hands, lean against a surface or use a mini tripod for sharper images, especially in low light.

Adjust exposure and focus: Tap your phone screen to set the focus and exposure. This ensures the landmark is clear and well lit.

Use natural lighting: Where possible, shoot during golden hour (after sunrise or before sunset) for warm, soft light that enhances the landmark’s details.

Avoid busy times: Peak hours make it harder to shoot owing to the sheer amount of people. Bonus tip: quieter times also tend to mean great lighting as well.

Edit afterwards: Use photo editing apps to enhance colours, contrast and clarity if needed. But be subtle to retain the landmark’s natural look.

Remember, if you’re photographing a famous landmark, it’s famous. Everyone and their nan will have photographed it. So, it’s time for you to get creative.

Think about using a natural frame like arches, windows or trees to surround or border the landmark and draw attention to it. Similarly, roads, pathways or fences can guide the viewer’s eye towards a landmark – this technique is known as “leading lines”.

Speaking of lines: enable gridlines on your phone and pay attention to the “rule of thirds” to align the landmark with the grid’s intersections for balanced shots.

If you’re shooting a landmark (say, Brighton Pier), incorporate people, flowers or other elements (like a seagull) in the foreground to add depth and scale. And because it’s spring, try looking for reflections in puddles to create symmetry or unique angles.

If you’re old enough to remember the first phone cameras, then you can recall that you’d get a couple of megapixels, and you’d thank your lucky stars. These days, your phone’s camera is stacked with built-in features, so use them.

Panoramic mode is underused and is available on most phones. Instead of using it for horizontal shots, try using it vertically to capture tall landmarks more interestingly, whether it’s skyscrapers like The Shard or statues like The Angel of the North.

Did you know you can also lock your focus and exposure? Just press and hold the screen on where you want to focus for more consistent results. Also, consider focusing on something other than the landmark to make a more interesting shot. That way, something like St Paul’s Cathedral can become the background rather than the shot itself.

If you’re shooting from distance, be wary of using the digital zoom. Instead, use your phone’s optical zoom for better detail and clarity. On iPhone, that means using the 2x or 3x telephoto lens, while on Android, check for the telephoto option.

It’s tricky to find a unique way of shooting landmarks that have been shot a gazillion times. If you’re outside Big Ben on a day when you can’t move for tourists, it probably seems impossible. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.

Unusual angles are a nice idea. Shooting from a low angle makes the landmark look grander and more imposing. Equally, if you have the option to shoot from a higher vantage point, the shot will be more interesting because of the surroundings that contextualise it. This may seem subtle, but it can make a real difference.

Speaking of angles, do you need to see the whole landmark? Think of it this way: if a building or landscape is recognisable, it doesn’t matter if you leave bits out. Zoom in or move closer to capture intricate architectural patterns, engravings or sculptures. Portrait modes can create a nice background blur when focusing on smaller details, too.

Do you know what would make your shot especially unique? People. Whether that’s centring your partner against a landmark’s symmetrical design or adding the colour of life – someone selling umbrellas outside Edinburgh Castle or a couple strolling through Snowdonia National Park – adding some human activity tells more of a story than a basic shot of a building.

Lighting is also a secret weapon because so many photos of famous landmarks or vistas are normally shot like a picture-perfect postcard. Varying lighting based on the time of day can make your shot into something bolder and more interesting.

We’ve already talked about golden hour (just after sunrise or before sunset), but have you heard of blue hour? That’s just after sunset, where the sky has a moody, cool tone. That can make for a dramatic shot. Equally, don’t be afraid of bad weather – rain and grey skies can add a little extra drama to your pictures.

You should always shoot with the sun behind you to avoid harsh shadows. But, if you’re sensing a theme here, you should also try and experiment with shadows. Use shadows cast by the landmark to create intriguing patterns or contrasts or, for creative effects, position the sun behind the landmark to create a halo effect or silhouette.