Use the local Instagram community
Not only will they show you the best spots to take pictures, instagramers will also tell you about the places that are not worth it and the best kept secrets!
New angles, unique photos
Make your photo exclusive, using new perspectives such as the birds-eye view or the worms-eye view, or even closer to the ground, so as to highlight what youre capturing or give more depth to the image.
Zoom in
Take a close-up or highlight something to make your landscape photos more interesting. For example, are you on a restaurant terrace with a fantastic view? Bring the drink or the plate to the foreground and use the rest as the backdrop.
Mesmerising colours and patterns
Use black and white when you think the photo will benefit from the contrast or when you want to focus attention on the shapes. Otherwise, focus on the colours and patterns you find, especially in the details.
More than taking a photo of a place, tell a story
Take photos of people, capture spontaneous, unexpected and funny moments. People tell stories, show emotions and arouse curiosity. More than that, they give depth to the image, helping in the perception of scale or when there is a flatter landscape, for example.
Be mysterious and stimulate curiosity
Patterns and details are two examples you can use to get this result (see #4). However, there are other tricks, such as symmetry, abstract compositions or the so called frames (for example, taking a photo of a landscape from a window).
Take advantage of the clouds
Taking photos with the sun out can create very interesting results (the silhouette effect, for example), but it can be hard in other situations, such as portraits. So, if you see an overcast sky, take advantage of it because it creates a softer light and, like the light coming in from the window, makes for more pleasant portraits.
The reflections
Speaking of weather, take photos of the rain effect, the water reflections or any other reflective surface, as they result in more enigmatic images and create some drama (see #6).
Dawn and dusk, of course
Theres nothing easier than capturing wonderful moments early in the morning or in the evening, both for the light (which is especially poetic in Lisbon!) and its colours or shapes. There is in fact something magical happening at those times of the day!
Take photos of the place where you are staying
Specifically of decor details, furniture or the view from your room, which will bring you memories of your trip later on.