Inyaka

When we try to preserve memories of our travels through our photos, not all shots come easy. There are times when we have to deal with the poor lighting, maybe our subjects are moving, we have to shoot thru glass, or have to negotiate thru a thick crowd. Here are some useful photography tips to help you frame a memory:

Motion

Whether you are moving inside a train or bus, or your subject is moving, dealing with this scenario is always a challenge. Composing the picture will not be easy or you have to deal later on with blurry images that you cannot anymore re-take.

One technique you can do is panning. You have to follow your subject as your bus moves away from it or as the subject moves in your field of vision. If you can take multiple shots, make most of the feature and snap quickly. With action photography, timing is very crucial. Add a ton of patience too.

Crowd

When trying to shoot while in the crowd, you have to enjoy the fact that you are in the crowd. Use the heads and shoulders of people as your boundaries to frame the shot. It will also be best to find an elevated position if you think this is needed to give justice to the shot. Look for a stage, a chair, or a balcony which you can use. Try to cut down on the gear that you want to bring to so you can shoot well sans the weight of your extra cameras and lenses.

Thru the glass

If you are shooting thru a glass case or thru a window, try to get as close as possible so you can eliminate any reflection on the glass. Turn off the flash and see how this will effect the image. Try to move a bit and and find the best position to capture the best image.

Macau is the Las Vegas of Asia and is believed to rake in more income the original Sin City in the United States. There is more to Macau though than its mega casinos:

Must see spots

Macau’s Chinese origin and colonization by Portuguese blends well a culture from both sides of the world. You can see the ruins of the once great St. Paul Cathedral constructed by the Jesuits in the 16th century. It was destroyed by fire back in 1835 and all you can enjoy now is its remaining façade and stairway.

The A-ma Temple is another popular destination. This place of worship is in honor of the Chinese goddess of the sea called Tin Hau. This is a world heritage site as declared by the UNESCO.

Visit the Macau Museum inside the walls of the Monte Fort to discover the history and culture of Macau.

If you want to retreat to a green place, go to the Coloane Village. If you want to check out local goodies like jade and incense, browse the streets of Ru dos Ervanaris and he Rua de Nossa Senhora do Amparo.

Where to find great grubs

The most popular bakery in the corner is the Lord Stow’s Café serving their yummy tarts ad pateis de nata.

Head to Lung Wah Tea House if you want some Cantonese cooking. You will not find an English menu so judge by how the food looks like and grab the dim sum from the car that goes around the restaurant.

You can also dine in Michelin starred Robuchan a Galera and try their world famous sea urchin with some fennel mouse and black cod. Head to Antonio if you are craving for some Portuguese genuine dishes like goat cheese with acacia honey and olive oil.

Summer is just a few months away and since anyone who loves the sun is already headed to the beach capital of Hawaii, why not pack your bags and fly to the sun-drenched paradise of Florida?

In the United States, Florida is quite famous for its pristine beaches, natural forests, historical tourist destinations and several sight-seeing spots.

There are so many places to visit in Florida! The Emerald Coast that stretches from Pensacola to Panama City (an excellent location for Panama Real Estate, too!)  is quite famous for its white-sand beaches. Keys Island, the hypnotic and wild culture of the Miami and South Beaches, the world-renowned Daytona racetrack, and several others make Florida an intriguing place to visit anytime of the year.

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After the recent presidential inauguration, President Barack Obama is moving into the White House with his wife and family. Their new home in Washington DC is an attraction amid all other exciting destinations in the area.

There are a lot of things that Washington DC can offer beyond being the seat of the US Government. The great city features a wonderful landscape of greeneries, serves home to free museums, and spotlights a lot of historical landmarks.

Washnigton DC is one of the few cities in the USA that does not have skyscrapers as the highlight of their skyline. The founders of The District decreed that there should be no building constructed that will be taller than the Capitol. The dome of the Capitol remains to be the attraction that captures every tourist’s eyes.

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Bora Bora is without a doubt one of the most famous islands and tourist destinations in the world. Bora Bora island is part of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, and is surrounded by a barrier reef and lagoon. Aside from the island’s fine white sand and crystal waters, a lot of tourists also keep going back to Bora Bora island because of the wide range of actiivities offered in the island.

Unlike other beaches or resorts where you can only basically swim and sunbathe, Bora Bora visitors will never get bored because the island offers watersports such as surfing, scuba diving, jetskiing, wind-surfing, snorkelling, and tons more. If you’re not into watersports, you can opt for more relaxing activities like getting massages while you’re on a sunset cruise and signing up for private lagoon tours.

Those who are up for an aquatic adventure will be able to go hiking, parasailing, climbing, and shark feeding, while older tourists and visitors can go casual walking or bicycle riding in and around the island. Bora Bora island also houses several art galleries, studios, and cafes which showcase the island’s local culture and talents.

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Vegas, the ‘Sin City’ is one of those cities that is almost like you have entered a completely different world and honestly, it is one of the best feelings in the world. Not only are there tons of possibilities and things to do in Vegas, but if you really want to get the feel for the town, you need to rent yourself a sports car. Think about it, speeding down the Las Vegas strip on rented sports car?

Now, you may be wondering exactly why you would need to rent a sports car if you are only staying a few days but to be completely honest, when you are dealing with Las Vegas, you really need to get the feel for the city and experience it for once in your life! No, really, you do and that is exactly what renting a sports car can do for you! After all, how many times in your life can you drive at break-neck speeds in a rental car while you are in Sin City? Not that many times! But if you rent a sports car in Las Vegas, you will definitely be changing your life and gaining a life experience!

If you are planning to have an ultimate beach get away, it will be worth your time and money to go to Mexico and visit Cancun. You will be sharing the satisfaction among 3 million people from all over the globe who rush to the blue green seascape every year.

Aside from its beaches, Cancun gives easy access to old civilizations and other exciting places.

The hot tourist spots began its development during the 1970s when a group of Mexican businessmen foresee the future of the place. The old Cancun is a secluded, quiet spot near the jungle of Yucatan Peninsula. Historians trace proofs of Mayan settlement in Cancun.

Beach parties attract the crowds but a great number of people also go on exploring the ruins of the Mayan civilization. Most Cancun resorts will be more than willing to give information to the tourists so they can schedule a jungle tour. Most of the ruins are excellently preserved and carefully restored.

Cancun vacations boot ones experience of a trip to Mexico. Packages that will provide flight and accommodation and fit the budget of anyone are available.

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We have often wondered why everyone is crazy about Paris. What is it that is so special about this city with blinding lights? While the list is endless, here are some famous tourist destinations in Paris:

The Louvre: One of the most famous museums known around the world for its magnificence. It houses the world’s most diverse collection of pre-20th century art. It also serves as the fortress for the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and many more.

The Norte Dame Cathedral: A trip to Paris is not complete without paying a visit to one of the most beautiful cathedrals in all of Europe. The Nortre Dame Cathedrals stands proud of medieval architecture—spire, stained glass windows and breathtaking towers. Climbing atop the cathedral to see an impressive view of the city will make you realize why it’s one of the top attractions of the city.

Eiffel Tower: Can you imagine Paris without its famous landmark? This iron tower, which represents modern Paris, was built by Gustav Eiffel for the 1889 World Exposition. It was once unbelievably unpopular, but now it serves as the crowning glory of the Paris’ skyline.

Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysées: This 164-foot arch was built during the reign of Emperor Napoléon I to represent military power and victory. The structures impressive sculptures honor the generals and soldiers during Napoléon I’s reign. Visiting the Arc and walking along the majestic avenue of Champs-Elysées is a must for all first time Paris visitors.

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When you look for exciting places to visit in Finland, internet, tourists, and locals will point you to the magnificent castles in the southern part of the country.

The Finland castles are among the top attractions for those who love great architectures and for those who value a great piece of history.

Most of the castles in Finland were built during the rule of the Swedish over the country. They were erected to help the Swedish crown protect their settlements against the invasions of the Russians.

Today, most of the castles in Finland lay in ruins while some of these great structures have been restored to their original grandeur. These castles are worth the attention and time of any tourist since they are some of the oldest buildings in the country. Read the rest of this entry →