By Colleen Murphy
Have you gone through your abroad pictures of the Duomo and realized that your pictures look exactly the same as your study abroad friend’s? For the most part, they probably are the same. You guys were probably standing in the same spot, looking up in admiration, and, of course, taking a photograph to remember the moment. If you’re interested in making your photographs a little more creative and unique while traveling I’ve come up with some tips on how to change photography habits to create more interesting photographic compositions that anyone can do, regardless if you have DSLR or a iphone
AVOID ARCHITECTURE
If you can Google search that exact shot you’re taking, avoid loosing the space on your memory card and try capturing a unique photograph of the architecture you are admiring. Sometimes it is as simple as focusing on someone in front of the architecture or a new creative angle. If you see a splash of color, like this photograph I snapped in Prague, it makes it a more interesting photograph than if it was the Prague castle alone.
PEOPLE ARE IMPORTANT
You can capture an entire city with a portrait of someone from that city. Get out there and start making friends. Talk to locals, be friendly, experience their culture. At the end of your conversation, ask to take their photograph. You will have a great photograph and a new friend.
IF EVERYONE IS LOOKING ONE WAY, LOOK THE OTHER
Photographers get amazing shots by looking where everyone else isn’t. For example, at Venice Carnivale last year everyone was looking up at the Volo dell’Angel (flight of the angel) which is definitely a spectacle to see, a woman gliding through the air in Piazza San Marco, but I turned around and looked at everybody in the crowd. I managed to get a shot of a few chefs standing in the window watching the spectacle. While everyone was photographing the angel, I was able to capture a 
unique photograph with a story behind it.
PEOPLE ARE IMPORTANT
I guess I can’t stress this enough. People shots are important, especially of your best friends. Never avoid taking photographs of you and your friends together. If you think about it realistically, you’re going to care more about those memories in 30 years than of buildings that you barely remember their names. If you want to be more creative, think about different ways to shoot you and your friends than the occasional selfie iphone shot (which, don’t get me wrong, I love). This is one creative go-to: If you’re on Spring Break going to 5 different cities, take the same shot in all 5 cities. For example, doing a cartwheel in front of the Prague Castle, Brandenburg Gate, Iamsterdam sign, and the Eiffel Tower. Not only will you want these when you’re older (and your kids can laugh at you) but you will have an interesting photographic series.
