You don’t need an empty street for a great shot. Crowded tourist spots can actually produce some of the best travel photos around. You just need a few tricks up your sleeve.
Last year, I spent over five months traveling across Europe with my kids. Fifteen countries. Mostly alone. Almost every famous spot we visited was packed with tourists. But I still came home with hundreds of photos I love. Here’s what worked for me.
Go at the Right Time
Being able to consider timing is a valuable skill. Also, the early mornings and late evenings generally have the smallest crowds. But don’t go too early! The local markets in Morocco don’t open until around 10 AM, so if you’re there at 9 AM, you’ll find shops closed. Try to be there first so you can beat the crowds.
At the Vatican, we arrived right before the barriers opened. This gave us the advantage of getting the first, and what we thought would be the only, clean and calm shots. Ten minutes after our shots, the crowds showed up and were everywhere. Ten minutes is actually a sizable chunk of time.
Zoom In on the Details
Skip the wide shot if the crowd ruins it. Zoom in instead. Look for small things: carved stone, colorful tiles, a neat window. These close-up shots tell their own story. If you don’t have a zoom lens, walk closer.
Change Your Angle
This is the easiest trick out there. Most people shoot from eye level. Try shooting from the ground and point your camera up. The crowd disappears. You get sky, architecture, and a much cleaner background. Up and down change everything.
Switch Your Subject
Don’t force a shot that’s not working. Photograph the ceiling. Shoot the food on your plate. Capture a colorful door or a fun window display. Your travel photos don’t have to include people at all. Some of the best shots are just about the place itself.
Use the Crowd on Purpose
Sometimes the crowd is the shot. A busy market or a packed square tells its own story. Look at the colors, the lines, the movement. Pay attention to how people interact with each other. Those little real-life moments can make your photos feel alive.
Make Your Subject Bigger
Move closer to your main subject. Keep the crowd far behind. The bigger your subject looks compared to the background, the less the crowd pulls the eye away. Simple, but it works every time.
Play With Light
Our eyes go straight to the brightest part of a photo. Put your subject in the light and let the crowd sit in the shadows. High-contrast shots draw attention away from busy backgrounds. The crowd becomes less of a problem when your subject glows.
Blur the Foreground
Set your focus close and let the background go soft. A person standing near your lens can become a blurry, soft layer in front of your shot. It adds depth. It also blocks some of the chaos behind your subject. Pretty neat trick, honestly.
Wait for the Gap
Waiting might seem boring, but this advice is tried and true. Stand still and wait for gaps in the crowds for a few minutes. You might be surprised how many gaps show up in the crowds. Take advantage of the opportunities when they come.
Move to a New Spot
Some of the best spots for photos come from going a little off the beaten path. Explore the side streets. Look for a new view of the landmark. Some of my best shots came from places I stumbled onto by accident. Don’t be scared of taking the less popular route to a great shot.
The crowds shouldn’t ruin your chances of great photos. Use these tips, and you might find that the chaos actually helps.