Making Pictures: Dan Galbraith’s Top 10 Tips on Becoming a Better Photographer

If you’ve been in this industry for any length of time, you’ve most likely seen Dan Galbraith at work. 

For four decades, the professional photographer has focused on travel and sporting events, and he’s a highly familiar figure at industry conferences and events. 

I’ve known Galbraith and admired his work for many years, but this year’s TMP On the River was the first time I’ve seen him share tips with travel advisors on becoming a better photographer. I’ve been snapping editorial photos for four decades myself, but after just an hour listening to Dan, I’m confident my own photos will improve.

For today’s travel advisor, self-marketing and standing out from the crowd is more important than ever. Photography and story-telling are an integral part of success. So for those who weren’t lucky enough to be on the river with AmaWaterways and TMP, here’s a summary of Dan’s presentation focusing on ten ways to improve photo composition.

#1: The Rule of Thirds

A foundational composition guideline in photography and art that, the rule of thirds divides an image into nine equal parts using two horizontal and two vertical lines. Placing key subjects or elements along these lines or at their intersections creates more balanced, engaging, and dynamic photos compared to centred, stagnant shots. 

“Offsetting the main subject can make for a much more compelling photo,” said Galbraith. 

#2. Reflections

“I have a hard time turning away from reflections,” Galbraith said, showing a series of photos where an image is doubled by a reflection in a lake, a shiny floor or even a puddle.

#3. Change Your Perspective

“The best pictures are not taken only at your eye level,” Galbraith said. “Look up, look down. Get on your knees if you have to. You’ll be amazed at how a different perspective can change a photograph.”

#4. Use Colour

Galbraith says colour is a very powerful tool in photography. “It may just be one colour dominating, or a whole rainbow of colours. But colour catches the eye and adds depth and richness.”

#5. Clear Backgrounds

A clear background – often the sky — reduces clutter and adds emphasis to the main image. “Even in a very busy place, you can figure out an angle that hides the clutter and noise and makes it seem to the viewers that they’re the only one witnessing the scene.”

6. Silhouettes

Silhouette photography captures subjects as solid dark shapes against bright backgrounds. Galbraith said that by backlighting the subject and exposing for a bright background, you can create dramatic, high-contrast images.

7. Strong Lines

Strong lines – roads, fences or natural shadows, can be important photography compositional tools. Galbraith said recognizing and taking advantage of strong lines helps direct the viewer’s eye toward a primary subject, evoking an emotional reaction and creating depth.

8. Foreground/Background

By featuring interesting components in both the foreground and background, you can take a good picture and make it really compelling, Galbraith said. “A good photo makes people react by thinking ‘I want to be there,’ and that’s exactly the reaction a travel advisor wants,” he added.

9. Take Your People Photos to the Next Level

Adding people to the environment of a photo, whether posed or candid, can make them more attractive to viewers, who may subsequently picture themselves in the scene. Galbraith said it’s important to ask for permission if a stranger is going to be a subject – and especially important to ask parental permission if a child is in a photo. 

“When you ask someone if you can take their picture, the answer is often yes,” and the result can be a photograph that makes other people want to be there.”

For Galbraith, a frequent photo component is his partner and ‘muse’ Penny Martin, another well-known figure in the Canadian travel industry.

10. Get Up Early!

You often hear reference to “the magic hour,” which in photography parlance refers to the period shortly after sunrise or just before sunset, where lighting is characterized by warm, diffused light and long shadows. But Galbraith says the early hours are often when fewer people are about, making it easier to take a compelling photograph.

Today’s smartphones come equipped with powerful cameras. “You never run out of film and you always have it with you,” said Galbraith. “Challenge yourself to look at things differently and you’ll make better pictures. Don’t be afraid to experiment, and don’t be afraid to break the rules. There’s always more than one right answer.”