Brits are prioritising the perfect picture over enjoying themselves, their relationships and even their own safety, new research1 has revealed today.

The pursuit of picture perfection means that half (50 per cent) say that having a good time is secondary to taking a good photo and over a fifth (22 per cent) reveal they don’t enjoy a moment as much as they should because of this.

The research, commissioned by the UK’s biggest photographic retailer Wex Photo Video, shows Brits are willing to undergo pain and hardship for that perfect picture with 41 per cent happy to risk life and limb clambering over safety barriers, a third (34 per cent) prepared to suffer sunburn, and one in five (18 per cent) happy to endure insect bites and stings.

Relationships are also suffering, with over half (51 per cent) admitting to arguing with loved ones when trying to take the perfect photo and 22 per cent agreeing that the stress of getting a good picture means they miss out on time with family and friends.

The more picturesque the location, the greater the pressure Brits feel to take the perfect shot with over half (57 per cent) disappointed by their photo and over a quarter (26 per cent) feeling that their efforts to get to the location are wasted.

As a result, Wex Photo Video has opened the UK’s most remote camera store in the picturesque Snowdonia Mountains – a top photography destination in the UK. Coinciding with World Photography Day, the pop-up store will be located on Moel Hebog and will be open to the public on the 19th August 2022 (weather dependent). Wex will provide expert advice and equipment, with a selection of cameras, tripods and lenses available to purchase.

The poll of 2,000 Brits shows that the pressure of getting a good photograph has reduced one in five (20 per cent) Brits to tears. And whilst only one picture will be shared, Brits admit to taking the same photo up to 50 times. Despite spending on average £560 on equipment in the past year, three in five Brits (59 per cent) say their photography skills leave a lot to be desired.

But Brits are keen to improve their content capture skills with Wex Photo Video seeing a +143 per cent spike in ‘How To’ searches across the web2, focusing on photography and video, and research showing 60 per cent of Brits investing in photography equipment over the past year.

Paul Wareham, Marketing Director at Wex Photo Video said:

“Our research and website data show that Brits want to take better pictures – and are going to extreme lengths to do so. While we can’t help with the sunburn, we can provide quality equipment and expertise to help customers capture the pictures they want. With our most remote camera store on Moel Hebog, all customers visiting can make sure their pictures reflect the beauty of this majestic spot.”

For those who can’t make it to the store but still want to benefit from the expert advice, Wex ambassador, expert travel and wildlife photographer Tom Mason has included his tops tips to help to capture the perfect picture;

1. DON’T BE AFRAID TO GET DOWN AND DIRTY

Capturing an image from the right height is very important when it comes to taking an impactful picture. No matter what you’re shooting, aim to be on the same level – get down on the ground, climb a ladder and even crawl across the floor if you have to. Keep your subject at eye level.

2. SNAPPING A LANDSCAPE

It’s all about the set up. Ensure you use the landscape you’re capturing to your advantage. Look for leading lines and interesting shapes to help compose your image and draw your attention to the focal point. For example, trees, buildings, or the edge of a mountain can all be used to guide your eye line. The same goes for rounder shapes. You could use the edge of a duck pond to help draw your eye around the picture.

3. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LIGHTING

Light can have a huge impact on your picture. It can make it dramatic and moody or feel light and airy. In terms of what light is the best light, it really depends on what you want to achieve – overcast days make for great soft portraits, whereas ‘golden hour’, the last hour before sunset and the first hour after sunrise, is perfect for capturing softly lit, warm shots. Stand with the light source behind the camera to make the most of the beautiful light in front of you.

Another top tip on lighting: often people think flash is only for dark situations, but in most cases, flash works great in bright situations to help fill in harsh shadows. Try it!

4. PLAY AROUND WITH THE SETTINGS

Photography is a creative art form – it’s supposed to be fun! Play around with the settings on your camera to change the images you end up with. Try playing around with the ISO – if it’s sunny set it to 200, if it’s cloudy try 400, and dull 1600. If you’re using a phone, you can still play around with the settings. Hold your finger on the image and drag it up or down to change the exposure of your picture – this doesn’t work on all phones.

5. TURN THE CAMERA AROUND

Finally, don’t be afraid to turn the camera on yourself as there’s no better photo than when people are having fun! When taking the photo, ask yourself what do you want to be the focus of the image, is it you or the background behind you? If you’re capturing a holiday snap with a beautiful beach view, it’s likely to be the background so make sure you don’t block anything important and think of the background when composing the image.