The post Top Tips for Better Travel Photography appeared first on Natives International.
]]>This probably sounds more complicated than it is, but it’s a big deal. Instead of blindly snapping pictures, trying to capture every moment, what you must do is think about each photograph individually. It’s really about slowing down, about stopping to sniff the roses. Can you reframe the picture to avoid that dead tree limb? What about shifting your angle just a little so that ugly garbage can isn’t in the shot? Can you wait a moment for that huge group of people to pass by so you can capture the scene and make it seem less crowded? Can you move your thumb out of the picture? Just kidding, but you can see my point!
This goes hand in hand with number one, but it is just as important. If you watch TV, go to the movies, admire famous artworks or the latest photography, one thing is always the same: very seldom is the subject centered in the frame. The horizon is hardly ever in the middle of the picture. Putting stuff in the middle leads to boring, uninteresting photographs.
To help create more interesting photos, photographers use what they call the “Rule of Thirds”. The frame is divided into thirds horizontally and vertically. Some cameras even allow you to add this setup as an overlay on their screen. Then, when taking the photo, place the horizon on either the upper or lower horizontal third line. Place the subject of your photo on the intersection between a horizontal and vertical line. It’s that easy and once you start playing with it and experimenting you will see your photos improve dramatically.
One the main reasons that pictures come out blurry is that the camera person doesn’t stop completely to take the photo. If the camera is shaky, so will be the picture. Stop and take a breath, and then frame your picture and take it. If there is low light, a tripod helps a lot. I have a folding tripod for my cell phone camera that weighs next to nothing and fits right in my pocket. They also make cell phone cases with built-in stands and this can help a lot if there’s a flat surface to prop it on.
Professional photographers drag around thousands of dollars’ worth of heavy and delicate gear everywhere they go. I can’t do that and I don’t want to do that. I like to be mobile and not weighed down by bags and gear. Also, I would feel out of place travelling in the remote places I do with all that gear. I like to blend in and become one of the locals to the greatest extent possible. And finally, from a safety standpoint, I feel like carry around obviously expensive gear makes me a target for theft. I don’t like to flash stuff around like that.
When I first started travelling often, I bought a nice Canon digital SLR instead of just taking pictures with my phone. I found myself leaving that nice Canon SLR in my hotel room or in my rental car and taking pictures with my phone. Why? Because I didn’t want to mess with the huge camera if I wasn’t out really exploring. When I got back home and started going through photos I realized that I had taken just as many photos on my phone as I had on this big expensive SLR. Unless you were printing them for a billboard, I bet you couldn’t tell the difference between the photos from each camera unless I told you.
The moral of this little story is this: even if you own the most expensive gear it doesn’t do you any good if you don’t have it with you when the picture happens. So spend your money on a nicer camera phone or a super compact point-and-shoot camera that fits in your pocket.
Another rookie mistake I made when I was new to travelling was taking all these photos and never really doing anything with them. I would put them on my hard disk drive and basically forget about them. Pretty dumb, huh?
One thing I’ve gotten much better about as I travel more is deleting photos. I just don’t keep everything anymore. I often take multiple shots of the same thing. Once upon a time, I kept them all. I don’t even know why! Now I just keep my favorites.
I now use Adobe Lightroom for this purpose. It’s complicated software, but it allows me to sort and edit my photos all in one place. It also allows me to add keywords and captions, and then later search for photos by those keywords. If I put the keywords in when I upload them, this makes my life easier. I also like that I can share directly from Lightroom to Facebook and the web; the program automatically resizes them for me. I’m sure there are other software packages that can do all this and much more, but Lightroom has really worked out well for me.
So there you have it. Again, I’m not a professional photographer by any means. There are so many online tutorials and websites that can help you become a better travel photographer. This is just my take on the things that have worked for me. Happy shooting!
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]]>The post Top Ten Twitter Accounts International Travelers Need to Follow appeared first on Natives International.
]]>BBC Travel @BBC_Travel “Inspiring you to fall in love with the world”
Be it at home in the UK or far aboard in the far reaches of the globe, the BBC Travel Twitter account shares remarkable pictures and stories from all over!
National Geographic Travel @NatGeoTravel “Your guide to traveling with passion and purpose”
Exploring new places and adventures through beautiful photography.
Lonely Planet @lonelyplanet “In-depth articles, inspiring photography, written by locals”
Lonely Planet guides have been trusted by travelers for years, and the tradition continues with their social media accounts.
Conde Nast Traveler @CNTraveler “At home in the world”
A bit on the high end of travel, granted, but CN Traveler never fails to inspire me with great location ideas and amazing resorts. Sometimes you just need to treat yourself!
Earth Pics @Earth_Pics “Travel the Earth on Twitter”
Wonderful photography. Enough said!
Twitter for Motivation
Another shout out must be given to the folks out there doing it for themselves! These accounts belong to vagabond travelers just like myself. We are always learning something new from one another and enjoying the tales that we tell along the way!
Raphael Alexander Zoren @journeywonders “Travel photographer and adventurer”
This account always makes me want to drop everything and hop on a plane. Globe-trotting Raphael shares mind-blowing tips, advice and stunning photos.
Kate McCulley @adventurouskate “Adventuring across 63 countries. Solo and indie travel for women!”
Down-to-Earth posts about real life on the road!
Travel Hacks @travel_hacks “Travel tips & hacks for travelers, expats, and digital nomads.”
Classy account with great photos, superb advice, and wonderful hacks.
And finally, there are the folks who help us all out all the time with their invaluable advice and tricks that make travel cheaper, easier and more fun!
The Frugal Traveler @frugaltraveler “New York Times’ Frugal Traveler, tips on seeking out high style on a low budget.”
It doesn’t get any more clear than that, isn’t that what we are doing all the time! An amazing account with marvelous tips.
SmarterTravel @SmarterTravel “Daily inspiration. Expert advice.”
Boston, US-based account offering awesome advice and helpful travel tricks for us all.
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]]>The post 10 Wonderful Benefits Of Traveling appeared first on Natives International.
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Studies show that you can improve your overall health and increase your creativity. That’s why, at least once a year, you should take a break from your daily chores, office tasks, busy schedules and daily pressures. Plan a trip to a new city with an open program. If you need more persuasion, here is a list of all the benefits of the trip.
One of the main benefits of travelling, especially in areas where your mother language is not widely used, is that you learn to communicate better with others. By refining your knowledge of the terms or questions most used by tourists, you can communicate with locals and interact with them.
We all have stress and tension in our lives. Travelling forces us to temporarily disconnect us from our routine to appreciate the people and things we have around us. After a famous adage, we never know what we have until we lose it.
It is thought that the mind becomes more creative when someone leaves his or her comfort zone. To develop new neural connections, you must explore new places and break out of your daily routine.
Travel helps you connect with different people from different cultures. So you have the chance to see the problems and challenges of everyday life from a different angle.
When travelling, you are in situations where things do not always go as planned. In such cases, you will learn to cope with the uncertainties of life.
If you are in a place where you do not know anyone, you can gain trust and spiritual presence. You develop the ability to deal with obstacles that will make you a safe person.
Knowing different people from different cultures and societies provides education in a traditional school, university or university. There is no substitute for the real.
When travelling with friends and family, you can also save your life by creating photo albums or sharing photos on social networks.
Whether you are young or old, there is always a moment when the child in you wants to have fun. When you travel, you do not care what you do, and you can get rid of the norm.
When travelling, you can find yourself in situations that you have not encountered in your daily life. This can help you understand yourself in how to prepare for similar future situations.
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]]>The post 3 Tips For Planning Your First International Trip appeared first on Natives International.
]]>Figure Out The Legalities Early
In order for you to be admitted into a foreign country and then readmitted back into your own country, you’re likely going to have to bring along with you some form of legal paperwork. Depending on where you live and where you’re planning to travel to, the paperwork will vary. But according to Melissa Lambarena, a contributor to Nerdwallet.com, everyone traveling internationally should try to figure out this paperwork well in advance of their trip. Getting passports and visas can take some time, so make sure you know what you’ll need and how long it will take to get it before you really get into the reservations for your trip.
Consider How Much Time You Have To Spend
One of the biggest differences between traveling domestically and traveling internationally is the time commitment that’s usually required. If you have a long weekend, traveling within your own country can be pretty easy. But if you’re wanting to go somewhere that’s very far away and will require a lot of travel time and time changes, Davyee Sutton, a contributor to U.S. News and World Report, suggests that you only make the trip if you have six to ten days to spend over the course of your trip. The last thing you want is to be rushing around on your trip, which could cause you to get into some type of car accident or result in you missing flights or simply being too stressed out over the entire experience.
Give Your Bank A Phone Call
Traveling anywhere is going to be an expense for you. Because of this, it’s important that you have the funds available to spend throughout your trip. To ensure that you don’t have any financial issues when you’re traveling abroad, Valerie Stimac, a contributor to GoOverseas.com, recommends that you call your bank in the days leading up to your departure and inform them of where you’re be traveling and for how long. This will ensure that your accounts and cards don’t get frozen due to potential fraud.
If you’re planning your first trip abroad, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you prepare for an amazing time.
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Peace Of Mind
For smaller, less expensive trips, you may not even worry about bothering with travel insurance. But if you’re someone who often worries about things or if you like to have an extra layer of security for yourself while on your trip, you may want to get travel insurance for your own peace of mind. According to Jeff Reeves, a contributor to USA Today, it’s hard to put a price on your own peace of mind. So if you think having travel insurance will help you to feel better about what you’re spending on your trip, about the reservations you’ve made, or about the places you’re planning to visit, travel insurance might be a good idea for you.
You’re Going International
If you’re planning to stay within your own country, travel insurance might not make a lot of sense for you. Oftentimes, you can find ways to get refunds for things, find medical professionals that accept your insurance, or fiddle with your travel plans so that you can work things out when they’re within your own country. But if you’re going to be visiting a different country, especially one that’s particularly far away or expensive for you to get to, Megan Leonhardt, a contributor to CNBC.com, recommends at least considering getting travel insurance. When you’re spending a lot of the money for your trip upfront, you want to be sure that you’re able to actually take that trip or get reimbursed, which is much easier when you’re insured.
There’s A Chance Your Plans Might Change
When you’re making your travel plans, you may come across a great deal that you just can’t pass up, even if you’re not entirely sure about dates or times for the entirety of your trip. In situations such as this, Janna Irons, a contributor to Outside Online, advises that you get travel insurance for your reservations. Additionally, if you think there’s a chance that you might change your mind about your trip or want to make adjustments, it’s smart to give yourself an easy way out by just paying a few more dollars.
If you have travel plans coming up, consider using the information presented above to see if getting travel insurance is the right move for you.
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]]>The post 3 Tips For Taking An Island Vacation With Your Family appeared first on Natives International.
]]>The Importance Of The Right Island
There are tons of islands around the world that you and your family could choose to vacation at. But when you’re wanting to plan a family-friendly trip, you’re going to want to be sure that you’re going to an island that will be fun and safe for everyone. To help you make this decision, Margot Weiss, a contributor to Trip Savvy, recommends choosing an island that has a direct flight from where you’re coming from, which can make your travel so much easier, and that has enough amenities to fulfill whatever needs your family might have. For example, if your kids are picky eaters, you might want to pick an island that you know will have at least a few food options that your kids won’t turn their noses up at.
Pack A First Aid Kit
If you and your family choose to go to a beach in a developing country, it’s important that you’re prepared to handle any minor injuries that might occur while spending time by the water. According to Imogen Hall, a contributor to Lonely Planet, things like sunburn, bug bites, scrapes, rashes, and bruises are very common when your kids are playing hard at the beach. And if you don’t want to have to end up taking your kids to an ER in a different country, it’s best that you’re prepared. In your travel first-aid kit, you should at least pack things like aloe vera, bandages or wraps, OTC pain reliever, and wound cleaning agents.
Try To Stay As Close To The Beach As You Can
When finding the right lodging for your family during your island vacation, Jacqueline Gifford, a contributor to Travel and Leisure, recommends that you try to stay as close to the beach as you can. Bringing a brood of kids and adults to the beach can mean having to cart a ton of stuff with you. The closer you are to the beach, the shorter the distance will be between where all your stuff already is and where you need to bring some of it for the day.
If you’re thinking about taking an island vacation with your family, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you have a safe and enjoyable time.
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]]>The post 3 Things That Will Drastically Improve Your Road Trips appeared first on Natives International.
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Tablet Headrest Mount
One great way to pass the time when on a road trip, especially through the boring parts of your trip, is to watching something on a tablet. However, holding a tablet in your lap or in front of your face can get tiring after a while, not to mention it being difficult to share the screen with your fellow passengers. To make all of these problems disappear, Makula Dunbar, a contributor to TechCrunch, suggests getting a headrest mount for your tablet that has an extendable arm. By doing this, you no longer have to hold your tablet or have it solely on one side of the car. Simply mount the headrest holder, put your tablet into it, and extended the arm to wherever is going to be most comfortable for you and your road trip buddies.
A Smart Cooler
To save even more money a road trip, many people find themselves packing food to take along with them. And because the average human can only survive for so long eating chips and candy, it’s a good idea to bring a cooler along with you so you can keep some more substantial food on you. But while regular coolers get the job done most of the time, Don Melanson, a contributor to Popular Mechanics, shares that you can upgrade to a smart cooler, which can control the temperature of your cooler much more accurately. And, in addition to keeping your food cold, you can also use a smart cooler to keep foods hot, if that’s what you need.
Power Splitters
With all this technology that you’re going to be using to keep everyone entertained along the way, it’s important that you have the means by which to charge everyone’s devices when they start running low on battery life. To help with this, Jeremy Laukkonen, a contributor to LifeWire.com, advises that you get a power splitter that you can plug into your cigarette lighter or other charging stations your car might be equipped with. This will allow you to charge more devices at the same time, keeping everyone happy.
If you want to take your road trips to the next level, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you do just that.
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]]>The post Best November Vacation Ideas In The U.S. appeared first on Natives International.
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If you are one of the thousands of travelers who choose November to go on your journey, the U.S. has a plethora of different places to make memories. Here is a brief breakdown of a few of the most tantalizing vacation ideas for the month of November in the U.S.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
The best way to see Yellowstone look as close as possible to what it may have looked like before roads and people scuffed up the flawless landscape is to visit in the winter. During the winter months of the year, the snowfall makes most roads impassable to regular vehicles.
The perk in all the snow is that there are fewer people, more wild encounters, and plenty of “oversnow” opportunities for a ride. Travel on cross-country skis, a snowmobile tour, or take a snowcoach around the park.
Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
Escape the terribly cold temperatures of the northern region of the United States, and plan your November vacation for the mid-60’s temps of Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. Driving is much safer on the roads in Texas than it is in Wyoming. Visit the great State Fair of Texas to experience one of the country’s largest state fair operations.
November is also a great time for pumpkin peeping. Visit the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens for the state’s annual Pumpkin Village display. You’ll see a compilation of close to 100,000 pumpkins, squash, and gourds.
Key West, Florida Keys
Key West and the Florida Keys have an average temperature in January of 74 degrees Fahrenheit. You will successfully escape the cold by planning your November vacation in Key West (or one of the other popular islands).
Lounge on white sandy beaches, and hang out with a six-toed cat at Ernest Hemingway’s house. Get your fill of fresh seafood, and check out what the nightlife has to offer on Duval Street.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota is a special place for those who adore everything pertaining to the winter months of the year. You’ll have fun in a winter wonderland, and get to know some quirky people at the Great Northern 10-day super festival.
Breckenridge, Colorado
Pack your snowboarding gear, and hit the slopes in Breckenridge, Colorado. Breck offers more than 2,200 different skiing and snowboarding slopes to explore, along with around 150 nature trails. You won’t get bored in Breckenridge.
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]]>The post The Ultimate Checklist for your Next Family Camping Trip appeared first on Natives International.
]]>Whilst individual adult campers have the luxury of heading out to camp with very minimal preparation, it’s different if you are heading off on a trip as a family. Everyone has their own needs to consider, and children need the adult campers to pack for them and make sure they have all the necessities. And we’re not just talking food and clothing – they need constant entertaining!
Before you head off on your camping trip with the family, it’s worth drawing up a checklist of everything you will need. Because although you think you may know everything you’ll need, chances are you will forget a fair few essentials.
To make things a little easier for you, we’ve drawn up the ultimate family camping holiday checklist for you to browse. This list includes the majority of important things you’ll need for a holiday in a tent…
First of all, you need a tent – a very obvious one! The size of the tent that you should get will depend on the number of people that are to be accommodated within it. Along with a tent, consider having all of the following:-
Make sure you come equipped with the right sleeping kit, If you will be spending several nights under the stars!
Tow of the main things to consider for your camping packing is food and power. Without either, you’ll have very moany children no doubt! The items worth considering are listed below…
There is a lot to think about when it comes to packing for an outdoor holiday, including the not-so-fun bits. Like accidents, extreme weather, and even personal hygiene items. We’ve shared the essentials below which are worth adding to your packing list:
In a nutshell, camping is a fun and enjoyable holiday for all the family, but bringing children makes it a little harder when packing. The checklist above covers the essentials, but obviously excludes some of the entertainment for children, like books, games, treats etc – so make sure you tailor these to your children’s individual needs and add those in.
There is nothing worse than bored children when on a camping trip!
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]]>The post 5 Must-See Locations for Any Techie in Abbotsford appeared first on Natives International.
]]>This quaint but growing city may not seem like the ultimate techie playground, but there are a few sites you must see when visiting Abbotsford. Besides these, there are several more attractions nearby that might fit your fancy, and you can find out more by visiting Hello BC.
You’re going to need to start your day somewhere, and Old Hand Coffee is one of the best in North America, let alone Abbotsford. Along with great coffee, they also have fantastic Dutch pastries for breakfast and delicious sandwiches for lunch.
Whether you start your day early or late, want a quick pastry snack in the afternoon, or just need a midday pick me up, Old Hand Coffee will keep you moving throughout the day. This is a favorite spot for locals as well, so take the time to meet some of the natives.
For the hidden curiosity seeker in everyone, there is the EcoDairy. One of the first demonstration farms in Canada, this is a great place for adults and kids alike to find out how a real dairy works, and where all that milk comes from.
While you are there, you can try your hand at milking a cow and watch them brush themselves at the automated rotating brush. If you want to, you can even shovel manure, and turn it into a feat of strength competition.
A true history buff must-see, it is perhaps the only surviving Sikh temple in North America and the only Gurdwara from the pioneer phase of the Sikh immigration to Canada. Built in 1911, architecturally, it is an adaptation of traditional Sikh forms to Canadian conditions which nevertheless embodies the fundamental beliefs of Sikhs and their early experience as immigrants in Canada.
A Canadian National Historic site, this is one place that any visitor to Abbotsford should not miss.
An out of the way attraction, Diana Ponting’s art studio is really a must stop. You are welcome to just pop in or make an appointment when planning your visit. From simple still-life paintings to more complex works, the artist captures beauty in the contrast of the simplest things.
You are sure to experience a visual awakening and develop a new appreciation and understanding of Canadian art. There are always paintings for sale, along with Diana’s book, 99 Paintings on the Wall.
At the end of your travel day, you are going to want to sit down for a few cold ones, and while there are several breweries in Abbotsford, you should start at Field House. With both a tasting room and a tasting lawn, you can sample some really great and unique brews. A favorite is the Whiskey and Oak Imperial Coffee Brown.
Wherever you choose to start your beer hopping in this astounding town, don’t skip Field House, a great place to get some sunshine and get to know the locals along with their beers.
Remember, you should share your travels with your friends. You can do this through travel blogging, and even by taking video as well as photos while you are traveling. While a picture says a thousand words, video and travel go hand in hand, and you should use them together whenever possible to record your journey.
Conclusion
Whatever the reason you are traveling to Abbotsford, whether for business, pleasure, or an extended vacation getaway, don’t miss these five attractions. You won’t regret the time spent at any one of them.
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