Congratulations! You managed to get the family to that perfect summer location, no one is arguing, everyone is healthy and happy, and you are ready to take some great holiday pictures with your digital device. Smartphones, tablets and other devices can take fabulous, high resolution pictures these days and this post provides some tips on taking and sharing images in the summer holidays.
Tips for sharing images
- Keep in mind that photos on your family blog are not private and neither are the photos that you share on your Instagram, Facebook or other social media accounts
- Be aware of what personal information is visible in your photographs – something as simple as a licence plate or a house number could make it easy for people to piece together information about you
- Sharing the highlights of your family holidays can be great fun, but make sure everyone is okay with having their image online
- Take a quick moment and talk with your children and young people about asking and giving permission for taking photos and consent in the digital environment – use our education packs from Safer Internet Day 2019 if you need some help
How to take great photos with your digital device
- Dig into your device settings so that you can locate options like grids, slow-motion, video, portrait, panoramic and other features
- Understand your focus settings and play around a little: given that you can delete unwanted photos, try focusing on different subjects: one child, two children, hands playing cards, entire family – the sky is the limit
- Use your favourite search engine and type “how to take great photos with (insert name of your device)
- Then search “photo taking tips and hacks” on (insert name of your device)
Respecting your environment, no matter the location
- Be respectful of the history and the natural environment to avoid causing offense as did influencers in Chernobyl and Instagrammers in Iceland
- Understand your impact as a tourist on all locations – cities and beaches alike
- Make sure that your tourist activity or location is not a sacred location, like this Aboriginal mountain
- When watching other videos or photos, continue that respect by not encouraging others in their disrespect
- Other locations deserving of respect include museums (no selfie-stick policy), weddings (with no mobile policies), and public spaces with lots of children in (hard to gain consent). It seems like a long list, but it boils down to being mindful of where you are, who might be affected by you taking a photo, and what might be included by accident. A little thought and respect can go a long way.
Editing and sharing images you’ve taken
You’ve done it. You received consent, you captured those special moments and you were respectful of your surroundings.
Now to more fun, as you can make those photos even more spectacular with some quick tweaks with photography editing apps - either on your phone or using dedicated editing apps.
Once you're done with your Picasso work, the pictures you’ve taken will definitely be worthy of a collage, photo album, and frame.
- There are lots of apps out there that can help you share your photos privately with family members – do some research and find one you trust and like
- Of course, share on your chosen social media platforms – just make sure everyone has consented to you doing so
- Go traditional and print a few out for your photo albums!
- You can also use these photos to create gifts (printed t-shirts, calendars, mugs, etc.)
Have a wonderful summer break, take some amazing pictures when it’s appropriate to, and share the images once you’ve got everyone’s consent. Photography is a great way to express your creativity and an even better opportunity to use technology for good, enhancing your experience and capturing your happy memories.
