Short of being Steve McCurry (he shot that Afghan girl on the cover of National Geographic), you can make your travel pictures a touch more exciting by keeping your eyes peeled for these five things.

1. Color
Yeah, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that one out but sometimes ALL you need is color. Get up close, block the rest out.

2. Patterns
Motifs are great. If something gets between you and the patterns, she/he/it will really pop out.

3. Sunset/Sunrise
Except you’re not going to take a picture of the sun. You’re going to shoot what is basking in its glorious light. And don’t bother shooting the rest of the day, it’s a waste of time.

4. Water
When a Bollywood or advertising director of photography runs out of inspiration, what does he do? Water. Everything looks better when wet: roads, people, digital cameras.

5. Frames
This is another old trick but it works. Shoot through a doorframe or some foliage to put a frame around your picture. Alternatively, shoot at people already in a frame.