Taking pictures has long been a staple of every holiday and even the most photographically disinterested among us has a sudden tendency to turn into David Bailey come holiday time. It’s certainly no different with cruises either, especially when you consider how many different destinations, world-renowned cities and areas of stunning natural beauty it’s possible to visit on a cruise. Of course, were not just talking a few rolls of 35mm developed at the chemists. These days, since the advent of digital cameras and mobile devices, the days of strictly limiting your snaps have long gone and it’s possible to take hundreds of pictures while on your cruising holiday. So, there’s no excuse not to indulge in the pastime of ticking off the list of photographic must-dos while you’re away. Some may make for an artistic masterpiece, others are just plain daft but they’re all good fun, so read on for a list of five must-dos.
Picture with the captain
Whether you’ve brought your camera or not, the cruise ship’s own photographer is never far away, so there’s every opportunity to bag a snap of yourself with the ship’s captain. Though the captain is of course often busy captaining, he’ll usually make it his business to mix a bit with the passengers. This could involve a photo opportunity or two with the photographer present, but it’s always possible to catch up with him at a formal evening or ‘dinner with the captain’ event.
The panoramic view
There’s something about the majority of us travellers which makes us want to head to the highest possible vantage point possible and take a photo. If you’re on a Far East or Baltics cruise, for example this could likely involve climbing to the top of your port of call’s highest building or tower and capturing a view of the city. On a Caribbean or Mediterranean cruise it could well mean a trek to an island’s highest natural point for the ultimate view.
The ‘miniature landmark’
If we’ve not done this, we’ve all certainly seen it and indeed, it’s your chance to be ‘that tourist’. You know the one – stand at the perfect spot where the Eiffel Tower appears like a miniature replica in your hands, or ‘hold up’ the leaning tower of pizza. As far as photographic clichés go, this is probably the grand-daddy, but this doesn’t make it any less fun.
The cruise ship in port
Considering the enormous size of some of today’s cruise ships, it’s often the case that they appear to dwarf some of the landmarks of your particular port of call. This example of scale makes for a cruise holiday picture must for sure, but equally interesting is the ‘peeking cruise ship’. Here, it’s about getting a shot of your visiting behemoth just peeking out from behind the scenery. Another fun one is the ‘cruise ship in the distance’, as in ‘look how far away I am from the ship!’
The Titanic deck scene
Jack and Rose’s bow of the ship scene (you know the one – “I’m flying” when Leonardo de Caprio hold Kate Winslet aloft) has become one of the most iconic and naturally, most copied and lampooned in history. Today of course, you’ll be forbidden from walking onto the ship’s bow, so will have to content yourself with doing this at the railings, if you must.
By Simon Brotherton
Google
photo credit: vl8189 via photopin cc
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