Insider Guide to Taking Great Vacation Photos

Photos make great souvenirs; here are our insider tips for how to make your vacation photos the best they can be. First, take lots of photos. Remember that it is often quantity that helps the pros achieve their quality — they might take hundreds of photos in a single session to find that perfect shot. For most of us, the easiest and most cost effective way to do this is with a digital camera. Don’t forget to erase the images with closed eyes and cut-off heads so you’ll have more room in your camera’s memory for the good ones and won’t have to download as often. Learn all about your camera. Yes, we recommend that you read the manual. Sound boring? Maybe, but knowing all your camera’s capabilities will help you choose the settings that are most appropriate to your situation. And you might pick up some extra tips, like dating your photos, that will come in handy.

Time it right. Outdoor lighting is perfect during what professionals call the “magic hours” — right after dawn and just before sunset. For most people, there is more magic in the latter, but if you are traveling through time zones that make early mornings feasible, you might also find that the peace and quiet inherent to this time of day makes framing the perfect shot easier. Noon is the worst time to take photos because the sunlight is too harsh   (and is also likely to make your travel companions squint — and who wants that  in their photos?).

Light it right. The sun or indoor light source should always be behind you (the photographer), illuminating your subjects so they don’t appear in silhouette. Worried that there isn’t enough sun? Remember that on overcast days, the light is softer so there are no harsh shadows on the faces of your subjects.

Set up your shot. Take a moment before you snap each photo to examine exactly what is in the frame. These tips will help you set up shot:

Think of triangles. As you compose your shot, try to include subjects on three different levels. For example, if you are photographing three people, have one person standing, the second sitting, and the third person kneeling down in front. These different heights make the composition more interesting than lining people up in a row. Keep things in proportion. If you are using a wide-angle lens, you may find that whatever is closest to you as you snap the photo appears exaggerated and out of proportion. You can escape this problem by stepping back a few feet and then zooming in.

Fill the frame with your subject instead of leaving lots of empty space around it. If you need to, move closer or zoom in. Experiment with different angles. Try approaching your subject from different directions and holding the camera both vertically and horizontally. Take a second look. Is that a tree branch or lamp post sprouting from someone’s head? Check what you see in the frame one more time, to make sure the shot is set up the way you want  it.

Good moods lead to good pictures. This shouldn’t be hard — you’re on vacation after all! Professional photographers are always thinking about ways to add energy, interaction and movement into their photos and you should, too, remembering that laughter evokes all three of these special qualities.

Look your best. Whether you’re in the photo yourself, or taking photos of the friends and family with whom you are vacationing, following these tips to make sure everyone looks as wonderful as they really are: Minimize a wrinkly or shiny face. Airplane trips can be very dehydrating, so use extra moisturizer to keep skin looking radiant, since the camera can make sallowness and wrinkles appear more pronounced. Of course you don’t want a shiny face either — so use foundation   and translucent powder when necessary. And be sure to extend foundation to the neck and decolletage since differences in skin tone will be more apparent on camera.

Maximize available light. Set up your shot   to get as much light on the face as possible. Indoors, pose your subject close to the window or other light source. And indoors and out, always use the flash — the light will illuminate the skin and conceal imperfections. The exception is for photos taken on a white sand beach or out in the snow — the reflective qualities of the scenery itself will help light up your subject’s face.

Act natural. To keep your subjects from looking too posed and rigid, keep up a natural conversation as you set up the shot, have them sit on or lean against something, and have them hold onto   something — even just their sunglasses or hat — to ensure that their hands aren’t straight down by their sides.

Banish double chins. Avoid the dreaded double chin by ensuring that the camera is at or slightly above the subject’s   eye level. Shorter photographers can achieve this by having their subjects sit   down and look up toward the camera, or by having their subjects bend their knees a little bit. (And now you know why fashion photographers so often use tep ladders!)

Don’t blink. Closed eyes can be a problem   for everyone (we all have to blink from time to time), but it seems to be most pronounced in group photos when just one person with eyes closed requires another shot. So tell everyone to shut their eyes and count to three. On the count of three, say something funny or unexpected so that everyone will open their eyes and laugh, and you’ll snap the perfect picture.

Turn, turn, turn. By directing your subject   to turn his or her head slightly and look over your shoulder rather than directly into the camera lens, you’ll avoid both the “deer-in-the-headlights” look and help your subject look slimmer, since in the resulting photo, the viewer’s eye will be drawn up and down rather than from side to side (if it is a   full-body shot, encourage the subject to turn his or her whole body for the same reason)

Snorkelling Tips For First Timers

Snorkelling is a popular pastime that is indulged by many around the world and Cairns is no exception in this regard. A popular destination for this pastime, this city has a lot to offer through its clear waters. It also has the distinction of providing some of the most easily accessed reefs in the world.

Visitors can cruise just under the surface of the pristine water and relax as they take in the many sites that lie upon this new horizon. Various forms of marine life can be seen swimming to and fro while the spectacular coral reefs found here are also breathtaking.

Snorkelling is popular among many due to the fact that only the ability to swim and good fitness are essential. Beyond that no additional training is required unlike diving and it presents a perfect way to relax in the water. When talking of the water in Cairns, it’s extremely clear, and provides good vision of all the beauty that lies beneath the waves.

Travellers will find that various tours are on offer, each of which provides a different scope of activities. When travelling to Cairns, visitors have the option of booking various water activity related tours. These will vary from just snorkelling to a comprehensive range of activities including deep sea diving. Some of the operators will allow you to jump straight off the boat in to the waters while others start off by simply walking in to the waves from an island or cave. Another interesting offering provided by some operators is the option of snorkelling back and forth between two floaters allowing visitors to snorkel and rest whenever they choose.

Visit snorkelling-report.com to “dive” deeper into learning about this activity.

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Planning a Short Term Stay in Fiji

Fiji is situated in Southern Pacific Ocean with an archipelago of over 300 islands. Though, most of islands are not inhabited but offer perfect place to lead a secluded life. Islands are sparsely populated and making way for non-native people to invest and build dream home. The pristine water bodies with dangling coconut tree on beaches are paradise for serenity. Warm weather, exotic beaches and perfect sceneries making an ideal destination for the holiday of tourists. But, one can easily make this island country home buying a plot of land, island and even buy already built home. With a stable government in the country, it has become a perfect destination to buy real estate property. Non-native can buy property there and lead a happy and peaceful life amidst peace-loving locals in the country. Let us look at the top reasons that make Fiji an ideal destination for peace lover in the Pacific region.

It’s known Fijian people are peace loving and love to welcome foreign people in their traditional way. People going there for holiday always get special welcome and hospital that remain in memory forever. Apart from that, Fijian are considered the world’s happiest people living on earth according to survey. Be a part of this happy club living there building a desired home on the beaches or in desired places. Though, government has placed restriction on selling lands in cities but land is easily available in remote areas. It is a good news for nature lover to buy Fiji property sales from desired places. It is essential for people to buy property from government registered agencies to avoid problems later. Buying a land, villa or resort in island country is easy for the owner now. But, it is essential to get help experts to get desired property quickly.

The real estate industry of Fiji is growing rapidly in recent years. International companies are investing in the country to make luxurious hotels, resorts and even villa’s. Building a home in this island is less expensive than elsewhere. Further, it is a gateway to romance, adventures and even perfect holiday with loved ones. Making a home for spending holiday or rest of life after retirement is an ideal option seeking peace in life. To make the country home, Fiji real estate is the ideal place to look for best deal and offers in property.  It has different types of properties like villa, resort, beachfront houses and even luxurious apartment with modern amenities. Make Fiji home by buying a dream property to add to all the enjoyment in life.

Fijian are one of the lively people on earth with special tradition and cultures. People can enjoy special evening, local vegetable, music, kava (local beer), weather, and many reason. In fact, many points can be added after starting to live there and building a home. Check property sales in Fiji to buy a suitable house or resort at an affordable price. Sea, beaches and natural beauties are abundant in the country. Water adventures are many and worth remembering for a lifetime. Top quality property can be easily bought form here. Contact a local real estate agent to guide you in purchasing property in Fiji.

5 Great Reasons To Visit Tokyo

A contradicting place that holds a majestic charm of its own. Tokyo is a magnificent example of ‘Old habits die hard’ and an incredible example of ‘Technology at its best’. Yes, Tokyo is a place that offers the visitor the perfect blend of vacation goodies with a strong backing of their traditional culture, making your Tokyo tour package a memorable one. On entering the city, you might be taken aback by the number of people hitting the street; however, the silence that prevails is something that amazes many.

  1. Meiji Shrine

A shrine that is dedicated to the 19th century emperor, who introduced Japan to the West. A visit to this shrine will leave your back with a serene and peaceful feel. Drifting away from the loud, jazzy places; Tokyo holds this mesmerizing place as one of its treasured gems.

  1. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Scenic, picturesque and beautiful. A quiet walk into this incredibly striking national park will give you a break from your monotonous city life and unleash another spectrum to your vacation spree. Make sure to ask for a map around the property in English, or else you could miss out on some of the major gardens such as the English Landscape, French Formal, Japanese Traditional and many more.

  1. Tokyo Disneyland

Haven’t been to Disney land before, Tokyo fulfills your childhood desire! While planning your holiday packageto Tokyo make sure to visit this 115 acre theme park. This magical place welcomes you with open arms and a wide grin into the land of myths and fairy tales. Get a chance to experience seven themed ports, namely, Mediterranean Harbor, Mystery Island, Mermaid Lagoon, Arabian Coast, Lost River Delta, Port Discovery and American Waterfront. Visit tokyodisneyresort.jp

  1. Kabukicho

The most popular entertainment area of Tokyo, Kabukicho is referred to as a place that never sleeps. This colorful place plays host to a variety of bars, lounges, shops, restaurants, nightclubs, and many more fun places to visit.

  1. Nakamise

On the last day of your Tokyo holiday package, wouldn’t you like to take back a souvenir? We understand that and hence, you have to make a quick trip to Nakamise, a shopping paradise for vacationers. The marketplace is covered with beautiful and dramatically painted lanterns, giving the place a very urban yet traditional look. You can get all your collectible from here, including souvenirs, such as yukata, key chains, folding fans and many more. Be aware that a number of travel and tour companies provide you with Tokyo travel packages though be street smart enough to have your research in place before signing up with one. In addition, the places listed above are a delight to visit when in Tokyo, so be keen to add each of the mentioned ones in your itinerary without fail.

Tips You Need To Know About Long Distance Travel

Long distance travel requires planning and insight, which is why many travelers hit a stumbling block when they hear or read about an exotic destination in a far away land. Long distance travel can be done by air, land or sea and you must assess all the options for the most enjoyable experience. Here are a few tips to get you thinking.

Budget

The most important factor consider when traveling is money. You have to set aside a considerable some of money for any emergency costs on travels. It is always best to carry cash in the local currency rather than plastic. Most of the services and amenities will require cash payments. The cash usage begins from the airport canteens at the departure lounge, extends to the taxi you intend to take outside the airport and will continue throughout the trip as you shop around the place. Although, most facilities at the airports around the globe accept credit cards, you must be prepared for any emergencies such as out-of-order credit card machines.

Rest before leaving

If you want to have a great time on your travels, make sure you are well rested before setting off. It will keep you relaxed throughout the trip enabling you to take all the usual delays and stuck ups in your stride and reach your destination ready to roll.

Take breaks if possible

If you are traveling by road, you can stop by at a gas station or a shop for supplies. Make sure that you stretch out your limbs and loosen some joints to prevent stiffness. Adjust your seat and change your posture throughout the trip.

Research the destination and develop an itinerary

Read reviews about the destination you are traveling to. Get up to date with the local events and landmarks. Then prepare an itinerary accommodating all the best places, major activities and events so that you can get maximum enjoyment from your trip. It is best to reach the destination a couple of days early in the holiday season so that you can avoid the chaos coming up in the days ahead. Ensure that you take the prescribed drugs and receive the precautionary vaccinations before leaving.