5 Ways To Take Better Sunset Photos When Traveling
October 6, 2011 by Anil P.
Filed under Guest Post
This is a guest post by Darin Rogers, a freelance photographer and writer who specializes in culture, travel, and architecture – with a bit of everything else thrown in for good measure. Darin sent me his latest ebook, Capturing The Journey, a wonderful primer to making your travel photos better using the techniques that are second nature to photographers and shares some sunset specifics with us today. All of the photos in this post were taken by Darin.
Sunsets are one of the most photographed subjects on the planet. And for good reason. They are pretty, often made up of colors not commonly seen otherwise on a daily basis in the natural world. But because they are so photographed, sunsets have become a bit of a photographic cliche. Although every sunset is unique, it can be a real challenge to capture them in a unique way.
It’s difficult to completely escape the cliched aspect of sunset images, but here are 5 things you can do to improve your odds of capturing something interesting.
1. Look Behind You
We tend to go through life moving forward. Biologically, much of this comes from our physical makeup with our feet pointed forward and eyes in front of our heads. We don’t spend a lot of time looking behind us (or above us), unless of course we’re being chased. Sometimes, however, the best things really are behind you. And this can be true of sunsets. The sun may be setting in front of you but maybe it’s those clouds behind you where all the visual action is happening, or, importantly, where there just might be a more interesting composition.
2. Make Use Of Leading Lines
Not familiar with the concept of leading lines? Well, they are elements within your image that are used to compose and draw your viewer into the image. Notice in the first example below how I’ve used the line of the boardwalk, and to an extent the rocks on the left side, to give your eye a ‘path’ to follow into the image. This is a classic way to engage the viewer.
In the second example, see how the lines of the beach ultimately draw you to the fisherman and boat in the distance?
Monkey Mia, Western Australia (Technically this is a sunrise, but the concepts are the same.)
3. Look For The Story
A pretty picture is, well, just a pretty picture. Instead of simply a static image, what kind of story can you tell? Is there something going on around you that you can incorporate into the image to provide some interest for your viewers, make them think or ask questions? This is possibly the most important tip I can give. Again, it’s about engaging your viewers.
Subic Bay, Philippines
4. Look For Silhouettes
Sunsets are great times to look for and make use of silhouettes. Silhouettes often come about naturally when including objects in sunset photos, but if you keep your eye and mind open, you never know what less obvious idea you might come up with. Many things can make great silhouettes, especially if they are recognizable or create interesting patterns. Trees are often good subjects for silhouettes, particularly in winter when all the leaves are gone.
Elliot Bay from Victor Steinbrueck Park, Seattle, USA
Lone mangrove, Puerto Galera, Philippines
5. Place Something In The Foreground
You may be witnessing the most brilliant sunset in the world but if all you’re showing in your photo is the sunset, your image is likely going to feel rather static, like something is missing. Try placing something in the foreground. Foreground elements can add additional interest to a composition. Sunsets are rather distant subjects so placing something in the foreground can help to balance the composition as well.
Grass and sand dunes, Newport, Oregon, USA
In the end, it’s possible to move beyond the cliche and get a good sunset photo. Remember, a good sunset photo isn’t necessarily about the sunset, but rather, how well you engage the people viewing it.
Darin, thank you for the guest post. Darin Rogers is a freelance photographer specializing in culture, travel, and architecture. Originally from the States, he currently bases himself in Australia and the Philippines. He regularly travels the world, searching for awesome shots that will contribute to his becoming world famous. You can see more of his work in a copy of his ebook, Capturing The Journey and read his blog at http://www.darinrogers.net/. Darin can also be found on Facebook and Google+.
How To Save Money On Your Longer Stay In Argentina
March 31, 2011 by Anil P.
Filed under Guest Post
This is a guest post by Marcello Arrambide, who has been working for freedom his entire life. He’s unlocked the secret through day trading and now wanders the world and shares his experience on his website: Wandering Trader’s Travels. He has visited over 30 countries on 4 different continents including the elusive Antarctica.
When I was living in Buenos Aires for over 3 months, I was able to not only get to know Argentinian culture, but actually see everything that it has to offer. Every single weekend I would pick up and go to a new city for a new adventure. There are so many things to see in the country that I even had to come back to Argentina when I moved to Chile. The country of Argentina has everything for any tourist; ranging from the bustling cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires, the animal haven of Puerto Madryn, or even the gateway to Antarctica for the diehard traveler. We all want to save money and time on our travels and there are certainly things you can skip in Argentina. Here are a few things you can avoid to save money in Argentina.
Getting a Hostel or Hotel Room Instead of Renting an Apartment
The cosmopolitan city caters to tourists and many times you can find a great apartment with Internet and air conditioning for as cheap as $200-$300 a week (or $600-$700 a month). You can also find 3G data services with many of the cell phone operators. Why stay at a hotel when you will be able to save on not only accommodation, but food as well? I was able to buy fresh, steroid free prime steaks for $2.50 each. Add the veggies and onions and you have lunch or dinner for $3.
Don’t Give Your Car or Keys To Anyone in Salta, Argentina
There are so many things to see around the city of Salta that will cost you much more when seen via tour. Public transportation available but you’ll be severely limited to only a few places rather than getting full accessibility. Renting a car in Salta is strongly recommended and shortly after, finding a place to park will be your biggest dilemma.
Cars in Salta are broken into at a frantic rate and insurance in Argentina does not cover break-ins. Ask your hostel if they have a trusted garage or find a hotel nearby and ask to park your car there (a nice tip will help your chances). Under no circumstances should you give them your keys!
Enter the Country Through Buenos Aires International Airport
The United States and other countries levy high entrance taxes for tourists; and Argentina reciprocates. It’s not a matter of being able to get into a country as it is paying $100 or more every time you arrive. US citizens entering Argentina via Buenos Aires International Airport have to pay a reciprocity fee of $131 (Canadian $70, Australians $100), yet avoiding this fee is easy by traveling through the land borders. One such border is taking a bus from Santiago, Chile to Mendoza, Argentina. Though there is bad news, Chile exacts a $140 reciprocity fee for US citizens.
Don’t Take the Tours in Puerto Madryn
This is another location where there are many things to see outside the city. Flights are restricted to the Puerto Madryn airport for environmental reasons so most travelers enter through the airport in Trelew. It’s only about an hour away from Puerto Madryn! The famous Punta Tombo Penguin Colony is about 2 hours away from the airport and 3 hours from Puerto Madryn. Tourists go to this area of Patagonia to interact with animals, not to stand 50 feet away from them. If you take tours you won’t be able to stop in the middle of the tracks and walk to the beach to get close to both penguins and elephant seals. This of course, is where the picture (right) was taken.
Don’t Spend More Than 2 days in Either Cordoba or Rosario
These two cities are the second and third largest cities in Argentina, respectively. There aren’t many things to do in either city for more than two days. Cordoba does have very interesting towns about 1-2 hours away but the actual city won’t take you that long to explore. The first, Alta Gracia, is where you can find a great museum in the child hood home of Che Guevera. The second, Villa General Belgrano, is a very interesting German town where the supposed “third largest Oktoberfest” is held.
Things You Shouldn’t Do in Ushuaia
The End of the World train that is heavily marketed is a complete waste of time. Every local and tourist that I have spoken to has said the same, the $70 you spent could have gone towards to a good King Crab dinner (that’s actually what I prefer but you really should try that and the lamb). The track has been shortened so you pay all that money for a very short train ride through the forest.
Lakes country in Ushuaia is also very expensive and not worth the trip. Global warming has caused a lot of weather changes in Tierra del Fuego which causes the weather to change every 15 minutes. You drive into the famous southern tip of the world to see a lake. When traveling to Argentina you can see lakes in Bariloche and Calafate that are more beautiful and much cheaper.
Thank you very much Marcello for your tips from Argentina; a country I have not written enough about myself! You can follow Marcello on his blog Wandering Trader, on Twitter @WanderingTrader, and on his Facebook page.
Discovering The Ciudad Of The Metro Under Mexico City
February 15, 2011 by Anil P.
Filed under Guest Post
This is a guest post by Priyank, who writes his travel stories and photographs from the road on “Final Transit,” his travel blog. Follow him on his newly created Twitter profile @finaltransit and join his Facebook page to read more about his travels in Mexico and beyond.
Tour The Fascinating World On The Other Side Of Those Turnstiles
Mexico City’s underground metro system is cheap, fast and efficient. It is quite comprehensive and can take you to different corners of this gigantic city in a ride that is way more pleasurable than driving on the clogged streets above. Called ‘Metro de la Ciudad de Mexico’ in Spanish, this is the second largest metro in North America and about 1.5 billion commuters take it everyday.
My experience in the subway system was exciting from the moment I entered it. The thing that struck me was how self-sufficient the underground was.
Eat And Drink
The first thing that you see is the large number of food stalls. It had everything – juice bars serving fresh fruit, kitchens serving tacos, tuck shops carrying junk food and even fast food chains like Subway. The metro system had a variety of options for the hungry stomach and if the legally operating stores don’t carry the stuff you want, there is always a lady selling fried stuff from her basket. Most of it is the unhealthy kind, but somehow I can always make room for some more fried potatoes.
Shopping And Entertainment
The stores selling clothing, housewares, stationery, kitchenware and all kinds of stuff for the commuter were less than stellar but the star attraction for me was the a virtual market on wheels that operated on the trains.
In my very first ride from the airport to the city, a guy wearing a backpack walked into the coach after I did. I thought he was also a tourist. But soon I heard loud music blaring through amplifiers that were in his bag. It sounded like some generic street trash (PS: I like that kind of stuff).
The guy was holding a bunch of CD’s and asked if I was interested. Since I wasn’t, he proceeded to sing along with the music and walk through the coach to the door on the other side. Pretty soon I found that you could buy chewing gum (called ‘chicklet’), books, magazines, musical instrument, pirated DVDs, candies, or even get your shoes shined from sellers who enter and leave the coach at every station in what seems to be a well coordinated system. I never saw more than one merchant in the compartment!
Then there are buskers who ‘perform’ acrobatics inside the (often crowded) coach, musicians, or simply blind and handicapped people soliciting money. It was exciting to see so much activity, but often reminded me of the grim reality.
Rush Hour City
New York’s peak hour subways seemed roomy after I traveled in Mexico city’s rush hour. After I couldn’t disembark at my station this one time, I revived the survival skills that commuting in Mumbai had taught me. The trick is to simply to stand near the door before your station arrives. When the train stops, you will automatically find yourself landed on the platform. It’s like magic. I watched my wallet, you never know when there’s too much magic.
Touristic Sights
There are artworks and exhibits in this underground city for people to see. For example, at the Zocalo station, there is an installation showing the ruins of Tenochtitlan before Spanish invasion; and if you are transferring at the La Raza metro station, astronomy enthusiasts will love walking through the simulated ‘night sky’ with various constellations, stars and planets.
The People Of The Underground
During rush hours, the coaches at the front are usually reserved for women and children and policemen will shoo you away if you take a step in that direction. There are large number of young couples making out everywhere in the train, quite oblivious to their surroundings. I’ve also heard of the last coach being popular among young couples and homosexuals but I wasn’t able to tell why. In addition, depending on the time of the day there are homeless people, beggars and disabled persons. Each station has a symbol and stations on each line have a color theme, thus making it very easy for illiterate users (including for travelers who cannot read Spanish!)
Overall, I found the system to be quite collectivist: People stand shoulder to shoulder, push and shove, argue like friends, accommodate each other, give up seats for others and if you have a big bag (which I did), the people sitting will make space for it.
Safety In Mexico City’s Metro Underground
The guidebooks paint a somewhat scary picture of the metro system with pickpockets and random dangers and annoyances. But I didn’t find it any different from what I would do in any other big city. General rules and common sense of travel applies and unless you are acting like a paranoid tourist parading expensive stuff, you should be fine. There are lots of policemen (which actually bothers me because that suggests the prevalence of crime.)
So that concludes the tour of the city under Mexico City. Have you traveled in any metro systems that can get lively like this? I’m all ears!
Thank you very much Priyank for this colorful look at a city beneath a city. You can read more from Priyank on his blog Final Transit, @finaltransit on Twitter, and find Final Transit on Facebook as well.
[Photos not labeled @Priyank.com by: gnzlcrdns (food stall), angeloux (salesman), Chez Cesver (Zocalo model)]
A View Of The Dubai Skyline
January 28, 2011 by Anil P.
Filed under Contests, Guest Post, Pictures and Video
Dave Brett, the winner of my Live The Backpacker Life Contest, chose Dubai as the destination for his free one week backpacking trip. Recently returned, he was kind enough to check in with this photo and his impressions of one of the world’s fastest growing cities.
Dubai is a city moving to the future and it’s great to see the contrast between the old sulk of Bur Dubai to the modern development of Jumeirah. Dubai’s a wonderful city to explore and indulge in mega shopping facilities and its eye for luxury. With many direct connections to Europe and bundles of cheap hotels, they turn Dubai into a long weekend for a taste of this Arab city. To make it an extra special trip, invest in a desert safari topped off with a sunset dinner to escape the city, and bash around the dunes in a 4×4 – which is a must. See the tallest building in the world, ski in the middle of the desert, shop in the biggest mall on Earth and visit the only 7-star hotel anywhere. In Dubai any thing is possible.
Thank you again Dave for sharing, your post spurred a change to my Gulf travels! You can hear and see more from Dubai on Dave’s travel blog, a city I’ll be in 2 weeks from now.
Those of you who missed this contest will have another shot to win some cash this March in my annual favorite; with a Macbook Air coming up later this summer. The best way not to miss another foXnoMad contest is to sign up for my bimonthly newsletter; that group usually has the advantage of finding out first.
[photo courtesy of Dave Brett]
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