The Taj Mahal is one of the most photographed monuments in the world. With its stunning ivory-white marble domes, minarets and intricate details it is a photographers dream!
Built in the 17th Century to house the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, the favourite wife of Shah Jahan, it stands on the banks of the Yamuna river in Agra, the Taj Mahal is rightly one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
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Sadly the public is not allowed to photograph the tombs themselves, but there is so much in the complex itself to shoot that you will not lack inspiration. Here are a few tips to help make the best of the Taj Mahal.
1 – Early Morning
Ah, the Golden Hour, just after sunrise when there is a rosy, soft glow to everything. The best time to visit the Taj Mahal is before the crowds start to mount up. Also, it makes for ridiculously beautiful shots with a gentle haze just softening the details. The photo below was taken from the Mosque capturing the sun just rising.
2 – Plan your route around the Taj Mahal
If you are looking to take the best shots before the crowds get there, try to plan your route. Work out where the sun will be (and the people). Check out Pinterest and Instagram for ideas of shots that you would like to take.
We started in front and then worked our way to the left and the Mosque, round the back to the Guest Quarters and then back to the front, through the mausoleum itself, then back to the front pools.
3 – Framing
The complex is full of wonderful arches and doorways to take advantage of to frame your shots of the Taj Mahal. Have a look through them at different heights and from closer and further away to get different perspectives.
4 – Reflections
The long ponds in front of the Taj Mahal give an ideal opportunity to capture its reflection, though try to get there early before the crowds obscure the view.
Get down low so the monument is reflected in the water. Also use perspective. The trees at the sides of the long ponds draw your eye towards the Taj Mahal.
You can also get reflections in your sunglasses and if you are lucky (we weren’t) on your eyeball!
5 – Silhouettes and Slo-Mo
From the Guest Quarters, you can get a clear shot of the side of the Taj Mahal and if you set your smartphone to Slo-Mo and place it on the ground you can get a great silhouette with the Taj Mahal in the background.
6 – Unusual Angles
Be creative with your angles. Sometimes you have to get down and dirty to get a cool shot! The shot below was taken from underneath one of the benches! Play around with your heights. Stand, kneel, crouch, sit on the ground, lie on the ground and look up or use a selfie stick to get the height.
7 – Other Views of the Taj Mahal
Don’t forget the view of the Taj Mahal from outside the complex. Look out for rooftop restaurants with clear views and admire it from afar. Take a tuk-tuk to Mehtab Bagh, the beautiful park area across the river from the Taj Mahal. Have a look through the openings in the Agra Fort.
If you want to book a guide before you go, check out these Taj Mahal tours with GetYourGuide. I love being organised before I go, and GetYourGuide allows me to book from home and travel knowing that my tour is all sorted.
Read more of my travel tips for India here.
Agra is just an amazing travel destination, I have been there twice.
I would love to go back again and again. I love the Taj a lot.
Thanks for your amazing travel guide and your photos are mind-blowing.
Thank you Sarah, I can’t wait to go back and see it again. The Taj Mahal and Agra are such beautiful places to visit.
Great tips. I was in India a few years ago presenting at a conference and the conference organisers took me to see the Taj Mahal on our day off but we were only there while it was full of crowds of people. Your photos are fantastic and I definitely want to return to be able to see it in the early morning.
Thank you Lisa, yes it is a great experience, but so much better when there are no crowds!!
click a picture from an unusual angle is quite great tip. thanks for the useful tips. keep it up.
Thank you Tom, always good to get a different angle!