The Maldives is a beautiful destination that offers tourists a variety of photo opportunities. No destination in the world is quite like it. The stunningly clear water and dreamy white sand beaches make for perfect photo ops, while the lush green vegetation and rocky outcrops add interest to shots of the islands.

As one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world, the Maldives is frequently visited by couples, social media influencers, celebrities, and professional photographers every year. Despite the beautiful scenery, not everyone can take great photos that can be shared on social media platforms to wow their viewers. With the proper tools and some tips, I, Irina Bukatik, can help you take great photos during your visit to the Maldives!

Read on to learn how you can take Instagrammable pictures!

Lighting is the Key

In the Maldives, the sun is bright and vibrant on most days, thanks to the cloudless skies. The islands are also surrounded by clear water, meaning the sky is always blue and beautiful for photography.

Taking great pictures requires optimal lighting. A general rule of thumb is to aim to take pictures when the sun is low on the horizon. This will create a nice silhouette of the object that you’re photographing. Taking portrait pictures will require you to take pictures with lighting directly on the subject. If the sun’s position is in front of the object, the sun will reflect on the water showing a nice shade of blue.

Lastly, side lighting creates shadows along the sides of the subject, which adds depth and texture to your image.

Timing for Great Photos

Many people, including photographers, are drawn to the stunning turquoise waters of Maldives. Knowing which time of the day is best to capture the beautiful beaches is the key to taking great photos in the Maldives. Lighting adds a great dramatic effect to the photos. This is why knowing which time during the day is best for pictures is important.

If you want to shoot the beautiful clear turquoise waters of the Maldives, the best time would be midday. It’s when the sun is at its brightest, which reflects on the surface of the water, causing it to sparkle. It is also a great time for underwater shots.

Sunsets and sunrises are perfect for portrait and landscape photography. The warm shade of light complements various skin tones and brings out the warmth in skin color. A well-timed sunset or sunrise shot can lead to some amazing portrait and landscape photos.

The Role of the Background

When taking pictures, it’s equally important to have a good matching background in your photos. After the subject, the background is the first thing people notice when looking at a photo, and a good background can make your subject stand out. To do this, you need to find an interesting background that complements the subject of your photo, and since you’re in the Maldives, it shouldn’t be all that hard to find a beautiful background.

For a romantic picture at the beach, you can opt for a bright-colored background. Look for backgrounds that communicate and go well with the subject. A palm tree, a floating tray of food in the pool, sunset hues, or anything else that says you’re in the Maldives and you’re having the time of your life!

As important as it is to have a nice background that shows the best of the Maldives, you don’t need to capture everything. Don’t aim to bring in the palm tree, the beach, the sand, the blue sky, and the sunset all into one picture. It will take focus away from the subject. Keep it real and authentic.

What Should You Wear?

To look good in every picture, you must also make some effort. There are many things to consider when deciding what to wear for a photo. Naturally, most people wear swimwear or a bikini at the beach, which is great, but you can always experiment with the color and the accessories to see what makes you look better in the photos.

The turquoise water and clear sky will be the dominating color in every picture, which is why you need to know which color combinations go well with turquoise. Avoid wearing colors with distracting patterns, logos, or words. Wear neutral colors that contrast well with the turquoise background. Some colors, such as red, black, or white, are safe as you will never capture a bad photo in them. You can also experiment with accessories and different hairstyles to see what works best for you.

Try Out Different Poses

There are a variety of different poses that you can try when taking portraits in the Maldives. You should try and experiment with different poses until you find something you like the best. Unless you’re a model or someone with natural body awareness, posing for a photo can be a real headache. Most people in the Maldives are standing or lying down in the sun. You can take beautiful photos in the same mainstream poses, but using lighting to your advantage and taking a picture from a unique angle can make things interesting.

The key is to keep things simple without overdoing it and pick a pose you feel the most comfortable in. You can use it repeatedly for different locations. You can also use props to spice things up and take great pictures.

Using Drones

Using drones in the Maldives is a great way of capturing unique and interesting photos from above. However, you will want to fly your drone a safe distance away from other people to avoid any accidents. You will also need approval from the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and Maldives Civil Aviation Authority before flying it and taking pictures. Make sure you also have the consent of the hotel owner where you’re staying so you don’t have to deal with any issues and there is no unnecessary dispute.

You can easily take great photos using a drone while being mindful of the other guests staying at the resorts, as they may be bothered by the drone’s buzzing.

Photos at Sunset

The orange, red, and yellow hues at sunset, combined with clear water and blue sky, are one of the best ways to get the perfect shot of the day. The best time to take photos of the sun is also during sunset hours. Whether you’re taking a portrait or a landscape picture, golden hour is the perfect time for it.

Depending on the time of year, the sunset will vary by just a few minutes each day. You want an unobstructed view of the coastline to get the best shot of it. If you’re taking a portrait picture, you can either go for a silhouette picture or a side image with a beautiful backdrop that includes a beach chair, a tree, or just simple greenery.

Best Cameras

There are a variety of cameras available that you can choose to take with you to the Maldives. Make sure to do your research before you buy a camera and take it with you. We would recommend mirrorless cameras, underwater DSLRs, phone cameras with waterproof casings, and a Polaroid camera for some memorable photos.

Using Props for Photos

Using props is another way of adding some life to your photos. The Maldives is beautiful as is, but too much turquoise in the background can make a photo seem dull or monotonous. To add a little pop of color, you can get creative with your photography and use props. It’s also a great place to take landscape shots of the beaches. Adding props like a beach bag, sunglasses, and other things can add something unique to your picture.

One common prop used by people in the Maldives is swimming pool toys. It’s a great way to add interesting elements to your photos and make a dull pool picture colorful and more memorable.

Big hats, reflective sunglasses, and brightly colored necklaces are the perfect statement pieces that can be used as a prop for your pictures. Big hats are not only trendy props but are also useful to have with you at the beach. You can cover half your face and take artsy beach pictures. Other props that can be used are surfboards, cocktails, and even sand drawings.

Explore More Maldives with Irina Bukatik

Thanks for reading another Irina Bukatik travel blog.

I’m a food and travel blogger who loves sharing her adventures with her readers. My passion is going to different destinations around the world, trying different cuisines, and encouraging people to travel and explore the world with me.

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