1. I saw this wonderful piece at Better Travel Photos about photographic self-assignments.

2. My old post on 10 ideas for better travel photos suddenly sprouted lots of traffic.

Thanks to that inspiration, I’ve once again started sorting through the 30,092 raw files from my last few trips — and have gleaned five more ideas for getting better travel photos.

1. Get personal

Street photography can capture some wonderful moments. But talking to your subject — and asking for permission to take their photo — sometimes yields an even greater sense of intimacy.

2. Get up

Getting up early on vacation may seem like an oxymoron, but the rewards are well worth any sacrifice: The light is often beautiful, and it’s a rare chance to have famous landmarks almost to yourself. Plus, you can learn a lot about a new city by watching it wake up.

3. Get wet

Electronics and water generally don’t mix well, but rainy days can be infinitely rewarding if you take the proper precautions. Here are three shots from one particularly damp morning in Venice I would have missed if I’d stayed indoors.

4. Get abstract

Creative paint jobs. The ghosts of old doors. A boat launch. Most people will pass these without a glance. But you’re not most people, are you? Challenge yourself to look for hidden beauty in everyday scenes.

5. Get down

Being not-tall puts me closer to the ground — and to images more vertically gifted photographers might miss. Look down every so often. You may be surprised by how beautiful the sidewalks are, and by who’s looking back.