If you’re planning a trip to the United States and want to capture great photos and videos, you’re in luck. This country offers diverse landscapes, landmarks, and cities perfect for photography. Whether you’re using a professional camera or your smartphone, some simple tips can help you get incredible shots.
If you're planning to explore the USA, we highly recommend the USA Sightseeing Pass . It gives you access to 30 attractions, with over 300 options to choose from. Pay nothing at the gate, skip the lines, and save time and money while seeing the best of what the USA haas to offer!
1. Pick The Right Equipment
You don’t need fancy equipment to take great pictures. Many smartphones today come with powerful cameras and can capture high-quality images.
Smartphone Tips
If you’re shooting with a smartphone, turn on gridlines to help structure your shots. Most phone cameras have a “Pro” mode which gives you more control; experiment with focus, exposure, and white balance settings to improve your shots.
Most smartphones also have a built-in feature to enhance video stabilization and slow-motion modes that can give your videos a cinematic quality without extra gear.
DSLR & Mirrorless Camera Tips
If you don’t mind carrying extra gear, a DSLR or mirrorless camera will give you excellent control over your photos. With interchangeable lenses, you can shoot wide landscapes or zoom in for details missed by the naked eye.
Wide-angle lenses are perfect for landscapes, while a 50mm prime lens is a great option for street photography. Don’t forget a portable tripod to keep your shots steady during low light situations.
2. Best Times To Shoot
The time of day can make or break your photos. Light is your best friend—knowing how to use it can elevate an average photo to something stunning.
Golden Hour
Shoot during the “golden hour,” the period right after sunrise and just before sunset. The soft, warm light during these moments is perfect for landscapes and portraits.
Use an app like PhotoPills to track the sun and plan your shots ahead of time. Being ready to click at just the right time will pay off with some amazing results.
Blue Hour
Right after sunset or before sunrise, there’s a short period of soft, blue light called “blue hour.” This is ideal for cityscapes, when the city lights start to turn on but there’s still natural light in the sky.
During blue hour, use long-exposure techniques. A steady hand (or better yet, a tripod) will be needed, as you’ll need to keep your camera still for a sharper pic.
3. Best Locations For Photography
The United States offers everything from sprawling deserts and rugged mountains to iconic cityscapes. Here are some must-visit spots for stunning photography and videos.
The National Parks
National parks in the US are a photographer’s dream. If you like landscapes, visit Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, or Yosemite. Each park offers a unique natural scenery—from vast deserts to towering cliffs. Get there early in the day to avoid heavy crowds and catch some epic sunrises.
New York City
For urban photography, New York City is unbeatable. Whether you’re at the top of the Empire State Building or capturing street life, Manhattan’s skyline, Central Park, and the Brooklyn Bridge will inspire beautiful shots.
If you have time, head to a rooftop bar or a high-rise with an observation deck. You’ll get some iconic shots of the Big Apple at sunset.
The Pacific Coast
The Pacific Coast Highway, stretching from California to Washington, offers endless opportunities for photography. Stop by Big Sur for coastal cliffs, or further north in Oregon for rugged shores and lush forests.
This scenic route is best captured in the afternoon when the light is soft and possible fog or haze adds a dreamy touch.
Monument Valley
In the Southwest, Monument Valley is an iconic location for capturing the vast desert landscapes that are often seen in Western movies. The red rock formations are best shot at sunset when the colors pop.
4. Respect Cultural Considerations
While it’s exciting to capture the world through your lens, always be mindful of the people and places you photograph.
People
As with any destination, it’s respectful to ask for permission before photographing people, especially in cultural or religious contexts. Most people are receptive to being photographed if you ask nicely and respect their wishes.
If you’re trying to capture candid shots in public, it’s usually fine—but avoid being intrusive.
Historical Monuments
Many US monuments, like the Lincoln Memorial or Mount Rushmore, are popular for photography. Just be mindful of the rules, and be respectful when photographing areas with historical or cultural significance. Keep an eye out for “No Photography” zones to avoid any problems.
5. Editing Photos For That Extra Touch
Good editing can take an already great photo to the next level. If you’re using a smartphone, apps like Lightroom Mobile, Snapseed, or VSCO will give you powerful but easy-to-use editing tools.
If you’re more advanced and using a DSLR, software like Adobe Lightroom or Capture One will offer more in-depth control over your image adjustments.
Editing Basics
Start by adjusting the exposure and contrast. Then tweak the white balance to make sure the colors look natural. Finally, sharpen your image for clarity and crop to improve the photo’s composition.
Avoid overdoing filters. Less is more. Enhance your pictures without making them look unrealistic. Subtle adjustments usually have a bigger impact than wild effects.
6. Capture More With Video
Video is another great way to capture your trip, but it requires a slightly different approach than photography. Keep your camera steady or use a stabilizer for smoother shots, which makes a big difference whether you’re shooting city streets or mountain trails.
Smartphone Videography
If you’re shooting with a smartphone, turn on video stabilization (if available). Use external microphones to capture your audio with better quality, especially if you’re planning to vlog. Finally, shoot in 4K if possible for sharper images.
Slow Motion & Time-Lapse
Slow-motion and time-lapse features can add a cinematic touch to your footage. Use slow-mo to capture action-packed moments or time-lapse for sunsets, city traffic, or clouds rolling across the sky.
7. Backup Your Photos And Videos Safely
The worst thing that can happen once you’ve taken all those amazing photos is losing them! Always back up your work. Use a cloud service like Google Photos, Dropbox, or an external hard drive to store your images and videos safely.
Another option is setting up an automatic sync with cloud storage. This way, every time you connect to Wi-Fi, your data is automatically backed up—perfect for long trips.
8. Enjoy The Process
It’s easy to become obsessed with capturing the perfect shot, but remember to enjoy your trip. Sometimes the best moments happen when you put the camera down and just take everything in.
Photographing your journey through the United States should be fun. Get creative, try new angles, and experiment with different approaches. Enjoy the adventure, and the photos will follow!
Leave a reply