As someone who loves travel and photography, I take a ton of photos! I prefer landscapes, wildlife, waterfalls, and other nature scenes while trying to avoid manmade structures and people. For busy tourist destinations and particularly stunning spots, this can be extremely difficult. In this guide, I will share 8 tips on how to take amazing travel photos without people in them.
1. Arrive Early
Arrive early to avoid the crowds. Many times, we’ve been one of the first people at a location if we arrived right at opening or within the first hour. If it is an enormously popular destination, you might need to get there up to 30 minutes early to be first in line.
Other benefits of starting early include:
- Better light
- Finding spots in small parking lots
- Enjoying the solitude in nature
- Calmer wildlife due to less noise and movement
On an early November morning, I had three highland ponies to myself for around 30 minutes in Grayson Highlands State Park and it was magical!
2. Avoid Weekends, Holidays, and Major Events
Traveling during the week gives you a better chance of having trails and viewpoints to yourself.
It is also important to research holidays and events in the location during your trip. Holidays and events can turn a quiet weekday into a madhouse of visitors.
3. Go During Shoulder or Off-Seasons
Related to the above point, consider visiting in the off-season or shoulder seasons. In the off-season, areas that rely heavily on tourists may be closed or have limited options. Shoulder seasons are typically the best of both worlds.
Of course, peak season for a locale is usually tied to the best weather, so you may have to deal with heat, rain, clouds, or cold.
I visited several national parks and national monuments in Arizona and New Mexico in January. Saguaro National Park was still warm and the trails were relatively empty.
4. Take Advantage of Imperfect Weather
Sometimes you can take advantage of imperfect weather as most people want to visit on sunny, warm days. If it is not pouring rain or too terribly cold, you can venture out and capture a great moment. Plus, clouds really add interest to the sky, as long as it is not fully overcast.
On my first trip to South Africa, we spent a couple of days in Cape Town. The day we planned to visit Table Mountain, there was unbelievable cloud cover but since it was our last day we decided to go and hope for the best. Once we got to the top, it was still cloudy enough that you couldn’t see the city below or anything farther than a few feet ahead of you. Slowly though, the clouds dissipated, and we had the perfect view.
The day before, when the skies were clear all morning, we heard it was a 2-hour or more wait in line for tickets. Due to the weather when we started, almost no one was there, and we walked right up.
For my second trip to southern Africa, we went during the rainy or “green” season. People often avoid these months due to the high probability of rain. We were lucky and had pleasant weather all three weeks – and very few other tourists.
5. Photograph Alternate Angles, Levels, or Viewpoints
Most people go directly to the main photo op spot which can be an overlook, a position directly in front of the attraction, or a tourist-specific sign or seat. People often visit to get the popular shot they saw on social media and then leave.
Instead, frame photographs from other angles. Views from the sides, above, or behind can be even better than the usual perspective.
I recommend moving as far as possible from this main photo op spot. If there are multiple viewpoints, take the time to see what the site looks like there.
While popular attractions are must-sees, do not miss out on hidden gems in more remote locations. People tend not to wander far from main roads and parking areas.
This applies to hikes as well – many people turn back within a mile. For the Alkali Flat Trail in White Sands National Park, the experience is better the farther you get from the trailhead. Once people can spread out, you no longer see them in your eyeline.
6. Hide Them
When there are only a couple of people in the shot, sometimes it is possible to hide them behind other objects such as trees, foliage, buildings, or even yourself. Take a couple of steps in each direction to see how easily you can cover them up.
In Oklahoma City, there were two fishermen right next to the Lighthouse at East Wharf. A combination of them moving slightly, me moving closer, and shooting from a slight angle allowed me to hide them behind the tower.
You can also experiment with unique levels – raise or lower your camera enough that it crops people out of the shot. Crouch so that your foreground covers people below you. Lift your camera to get above neighboring heads (a selfie stick can come in handy for this).
7. Choose Details Instead
You may benefit from focusing on specific details rather than entire scenes. Look for architectural features, beautiful patterns, unique textures, or animal close-ups. Get closer or zoom in to eliminate everything else.
The Arnold Valley Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway was full when I arrived, so I chose to photograph the boulders on the left. This had the benefit of capturing the Allegheny Mountains in the background with no other people in the shot.
8. Be Patient and Act Fast
If the crowd is steadily moving, having a little patience can lead to your perfect window with no figures in the shot. You must be quick and fully prepared to snap the photo when the opportunity arises – you may only get seconds. Use burst mode to get as many photos as possible in a short period.
Bonus Tip: Visit Sites with Fees
In my experience, sites with admission or parking fees typically have less visitors than free ones. During busy times (as mentioned above), consider paying to visit a less hectic location.
Granted, if the area is popular or beautiful enough, a fee will not stop the crowd. I have also explored free places without another soul around – so take this tip with a grain of salt.
Hopefully, these tips will help you take amazing travel photos without people in them. If all else fails, you can edit the photo. Using software like Photoshop, you can remove people from the background through spot healing, cloning, stacking, and more.
Do you have any advice not mentioned above? I’d love to hear it – drop a comment below!