As a flight attendant and travel photographer, I don’t always have time to set up elaborate gear or shoot with heavy cameras. That’s where my GoPro HERO10 Black shines. I can take amazing travel photos and It’s lightweight, powerful, fits in my crossbody bag, and captures beautiful stills and cinematic video — even when I’m snorkelling, hiking, or enjoying a rooftop cocktail with a view.
This guide is for anyone who wants to take amazing travel photos and get more from their GoPro while travelling solo. You don’t need to be a pro. With the right techniques, you can capture your journey beautifully — whether you’re underwater in Honolulu or snowshoeing through Whistler.
1. Essential GoPro Settings for Solo Travel Photography
Photo Mode (For Landscapes and Static Scenes)
- Mode: Photo
- Lens: Wide
- Output: RAW (for editing flexibility)
- ISO: 100–200
- White Balance: Auto or adjust based on lighting (e.g., 5500K for daylight)
- EV Comp: +0.5 for brighter exposure in backlit scenes
- Sharpness: Low (to preserve a natural look and allow for editing)
Best For: Sunsets, cityscapes, rooftop bars, quiet alleyways.
Video Mode (For Motion or Capturing Moments to Pull Still Images From)
- Resolution: 5.3K at 30fps
- Lens: Linear + Horizon Leveling (for stable footage)
- Protune: ON
- Bitrate: High
- Color: Flat (if you plan to color grade later)
Tip: Use video to film yourself walking through markets, riding a bicycle or snorkelling. Later, you can pull 15.8MP stills using the GoPro Quik app.
2. Using Frame Grabs to Capture Authentic Moments
How to take amazing travel photos when you’re travelling alone? It’s not always possible to ask someone to take your photo. That’s why frame grabs are your best friend.
How to do it:
- Film your moment in 5.3K resolution.
- Use the Quik app to pause and select the exact frame you love.
- Export it as a high-resolution photo.
📍 Example: I filmed myself walking into a rooftop bar at golden hour. I later used a still from that clip as a feature photo — perfectly composed, candid, and high quality.
3. SuperPhoto Mode: For Point-and-Shoot Perfection
If you’re short on time or navigating fast-paced environments like street markets, use SuperPhoto. This mode auto-optimises your settings based on the scene.
- Mode: Photo
- SuperPhoto: ON
- Lens: Wide or Linear (depending on distortion preference)
Great for:
- Street scenes in Little India, Singapore
- Fast-changing light in Haji Lane murals
- Rooftop sunset transitions
4. Night Photography Tips with GoPro
You can absolutely shoot at night! Try these settings:
- Mode: Night Photo
- Shutter: 10–20s
- ISO Min/Max: 100/800
- White Balance: 5500K
- Tripod: Essential (I use a mini tripod)
📍 Example: I once used this setup to capture a quiet city skyline from a rooftop bar in Europe — beautiful light trails and rich night detail.
5. Planning Your Solo Travel Day with GoPro in Mind
Here’s how to take amazing travel photos and think about your travel shoot day:
Morning: Capture Golden Light
- Use Photo or Video mode with Linear lens.
- Focus on capturing local details: cafés, quiet streets, early light on buildings.
- Carry your GoPro on a neck lanyard or mini grip for quick access.
Afternoon: Activity-Based Footage
- Use Video mode (5.3K).
- Surfing? Clip it to a board. Hiking? Mount it to your chest.
- Use the TimeWarp function if walking long streets or markets.
Evening: Sunset & Blue Hour
- Switch to SuperPhoto or RAW photo mode.
- Mini tripod for stability on restaurant tables or ledges.
- Don’t forget to try Night Photo mode once the lights come on.
6. Accessories to Consider
- Mini Tripod: For stable stills and group photos
- Floaty Grip: For snorkelling, diving
- ND/Polariser Filters: To reduce glare (great on rooftop bars or water)
- Chest/Head Mount: For hands-free shooting
I was recently gifted a filter kit and can’t wait to try it both underwater and for rooftop shots with strong sunlight.
Why the HERO10 Still Works (Even With the HERO13 Out Now)
I use the HERO10 Black, and it more than holds its own — but if you’re buying new, the HERO13 has:
- HB-Series Lenses (Ultra-wide, Macro, Anamorphic, and ND Filters)
- New Body Design
- Longer Lasting Battery
- GPS Functionality
- Burst Slo-Mo
- Wi-Fi 6
Both are brilliant — it depends on your budget. I’ve included affiliate links below for the HERO13 model and my recommended accessories.
Final Thoughts
GoPro’s not just for action sports — it’s for every kind of traveller, especially solo explorers like me. With a bit of planning, smart settings, and the right accessories, you can use it to tell your visual story beautifully — all without anyone even noticing your filming.
🛒 Shop GoPro Travel Photography Kit Recommendations
Go Pro HERO13
Mini Tripod for GoPro
Filter Kit
Affiliate links help support my blog at no extra cost to you.
I love how my GoPro can give me a wide shot. Great for landscapes, wide architecture shots and roof top city views.
See my other posts on photography here
