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Posts Tagged ‘Holidays’

Brilliantly-hued parols lighting up windows across the night sky. That sweet, slightly burnt scent of butter melting on freshly-made bibingka and pu-to bumbong.  The familiar, lingering Christmas tunes that pound through the speakers of crowded shopping malls.

Pasko na, sinta ko… It is indeed Christmastime again.

Having earned the distinction of celebrating the world’s longest Christmas season, Filipinos look forward to this time of year, all year long. As early as September (the start of the “ber” months), one can already spot Christmas decorations being put up in households across the country and they typically do not come down until the first Sunday in January, known as Three Kings Day, or even after that.
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Gone are the days of blurry, indistinguishable photos taken with that wind-on thing you bought at a souvenir shop for five quid: the future is digital! At this point, I’m actually sure that many camera enthusiasts might disagree with me, but for we amateurs, a digital camera can hardly be surpassed. The rise of the digital camera has made it ever more difficult to find an excuse for taking bad pictures. However, if you’re still struggling to explain why your wife’s eyes constantly come out looking like the Devil’s own in each picture you take, or why your photos always seem to look like they were touched by the halo of a mischievous angel, here are ten simple tips to improve your photography without giving you a headache in the process:

1) Read the manual!

This really should go without saying. Even quite experienced users can always benefit from reading the user manual, as tempting as it is to skip it and get straight to the action. However, if the idea of wading into that quicksand of technical terms and dry, joyless language gives you the chills, at least there the basics – how to turn the flash on and off and onto auto, how to zoom in and out, how to use the shutter button and how to view your pictures. If you’re feeling braver at a later date, you can always go back and learn the technicalities.

2) Set your resolution

While not immediately obvious, it’s important to set your resolution as high as you can afford it. If this involves buying a larger memory card, then do so. The lower your resolution is, the ‘fuzzier’ and worse quality your photos will be when you come to print them out. A low resolution also makes it more difficult to crop photos and digitally alter, which limits your options drastically.

3) Make your camera your new best friend

By which I mean, start taking it everywhere with you. One of my best friends has made it his resolution to take a least one picture every day. He carries his camera around with his everywhere he goes and as a result has come across some stunning shots and improved his technique immensely. There really is truth to the saying ‘practice makes perfect’. Additionally, you will get to know how your camera reacts in different types of light – artificial, natural, cloudy, dusk and so on. Besides, most of us can identify with that incredible frustration of coming across the perfect shot and not having our camera around to take it. I mean, imagine missing this fantastic holiday moment!

4) Think outside the box

Start thinking like a photographer. If you see something you want to photograph, don’t just click away like some shutter-happy tourist: think! From which angle would your subject look best? Would different lighting convey a different mood? Should you shoot from close up or further away? While there are certain ‘rules’ that can help you at the beginning to get the feeling for what a ‘good’ photograph should look like, you should also feel free to experiment. Even if everything goes horribly wrong, you can still learn from your mistakes.

If, however, you’re just starting out, it can helpful to keep the following points in mind:

- Apply the ‘Two Thirds’ rule, by positions your points of interest along the third lines of the photograph. Try not to let the horizon or other lines cut your photo in half.

- Avoid distractions: it may be amusing to realise your photo looks like your mum has a tree growing out of her head, but if you’re aiming for decent photos, try to look at the ‘big picture’ as it were and alter your position to remove distractions.

- Mix things up: take photographs from interesting angles, as demonstrated by this photo, taken from a hotel window . While this can go horribly wrong, often it can result in beautiful, unique photographs without a lot of hard work.

5) Keep still and focus

Pay attention to what you’re doing while taking photographs. If you are prone to taking blurry or shaky pictures, either you haven’t got the hang of focusing, or you may be moving too much while attempting to snap your subject. In any case, learn how to use the auto focus and don’t play with manual focusing unless your auto focus run into trouble. One top tip to steady your shot is to use one hand underneath the lens to steady it (keep your fingers out of the shot though!) and use your other hand to focus and take the picture. If you still have trouble, try experimenting with a tripod, although this will limit your movement. For an example of how blurriness can ruin a shot, look at this holiday snap. Imagine how much prettier it would be if only it were clearer!

6) Don’t get flash happy

Use your flash sparingly. While it can be a god-send in certain circumstances, if you give into temptation too often your only reward will be washed-out subject or strange reflections. Your flash is best limited to the following situations:

- to eliminate ‘panda eyes’ in bright sunlight

- to fill in dark shadows for contrast

Where possible, avoid flash by introducing as much light as possible to the area, for example opening curtains, turning on lights and so on. If you have no choice but to use your flash at nighttime, go ahead, but do be prepared for a rather washed-out or flattened photograph.

7) Go for a crop

Try installing photo-editing software and learn how to use the basics of it. One of the best is Photoshop, but it’s quite expensive. A better option is perhaps to start with Paint.NET, which is free to download online (it’s only Windows-compatible though). Even if you are the most computer-phobic person in the world, you should be able to master some simple skills, which can do the world for your photographs. Probably the most important things to learn are:

- correcting colour balance

- cropping

- adjusting lighting

- removing the dreaded red eye

If you’re more ambitious, there is almost no limit to what you can do.

Stick to automatic

Most cameras have a automatic mode – some have several different automatic modes. Stick to these until you get your bearings, since due to advances in technology, there isn’t a pressing reason to switch to manual. If you appear to be experiencing problems in your automatic mode, such as consistently taking blurry photos, you might want to start experimenting manually, but otherwise don’t mess around with it too much.

9) Gather critics

Invite your pals around to view your pictures and to tell you which they like best and why. They’ll be able to point out to you both positive and negative aspects that you may have missed. One may point out that they love the composition of a certain photo that you had overlooked. Another might comment on your use of lighting or how you might improve your framing. Don’t underestimate the use of looking through other people’s eyes, as it were, to gain new insight. And don’t be put off if everybody doesn’t immediately rave about your newfound artistic talent!

10) Have fun!

And that’s a command! Don’t worry if you first few, or even first few hundred photos come out looking a bit pants – that doesn’t matter. What matters is that you enjoy the process of learning and don’t get put off too easily by mistakes at the beginning. With a bit of practice, photography can be a very fulfilling and creative hobby, so keep at it!

I hope you enjoyed the article and can take something from it. Comments and suggestions for further articles are always welcome. Happy snapping!

Dartmoor National Park is situated in South Devon in South West England covering 368 square miles, which makes it the largest and wildest area of open country in Southern England. It is a stunning place to visit at anytime of the year with its rugged landscape, wooded valleys, beautiful lake-like reservoirs, wind-swept tors and picturesque market towns.

History

Dartmoor was created approximately 280 million years ago from magma rising up through the Earth’s crust at a temperature of 900-1000C, it then cooled and solidified to form the granite which covers 65% of the moor. The moor was also one of Britain’s largest tin mining areas back in the 12th Century and the stone built homes of the miners can be seen dotted along riverbanks and streams. Other historical reminders of Dartmoor’s past include Stone Circles, Cairns and Stone Rows date back to the Bronze Age. Another long-standing piece of history is the prison at Princetown. It was originally built by and for the prisoners of war during the Napoleonic War where its isolated, physical position used to act as a deterrent to any prisoner looking to escape.

Local Towns

Tavistock

The market town of Tavistock is situated on the River Tavy and is full of breathtaking architecture and historical character. It was once a major copper producing area and is mostly famous for being the birthplace of Sir Francis Drake. The town hosts weekly market and farmers’ markets and is also famous for holding the annual ‘Goose Fair’ which dates back from the 12th Century and sees craftsmen and tradesmen from all over the country.

Bovey Tracey

Situated on the River Bovey, Bovey Tracey is one of the main gateways to Dartmoor on the Eastern edge. It is a pretty Dartmoor-granite built town with a mixture of shops and historical buildings. The nearby Becky Falls Woodland Park is worth visiting and was voted Devon’s Top Beauty Spot.

Moretonhampstead

Moretonhampstead began as a small Saxon settlement and has now grown into a bustling market town boasting a range of shops and cafes. It was once the industrial centre for wool, paper, tannery and tallow works and the church dates back to the 15th Century. There are a range of accommodation types in the area from Dartmoor hotels, campsites and holiday cottages.

Activities and Attractions

Dartmoor’s unique landscape and rising tors can be explored by foot, bike or horseback. The Two Moor Way is a superb moorland walking route between Ivybridge and Holne, as is the Old Granite Stone Export Trail from Haytor Quarries to Teignmouth along the Templar Way. There are a variety of historical sites to explore around Dartmoor, including Buckland Abbey in Yelverton, which was once a Cistercian monastery and the home to Sir Francis Drake and Castle Drogo in Drewsteignton which is known as the ‘last castle to be built in England’ and has fabulous views overlooking the moor. A great family attraction is the Miniature Pony Centre based at North Bovey with over 150 animals including miniature Shetlands and donkeys.

Longer being of nights and darker of being days, it’s the sign of Christmas Holidays coming in some days. India’s celebrations get bigger and better every year. If you are lucky enough to be in India this December, have a good time in Christmas staying here in India.

India keeps going in for something every now and then. Eyes turn skyward and its cities turn out for events to come. Christmas is much better known as a festival of Melodious music, Cakes and Santa Claus. Not more authentic than this can be to celebrate this festival. However the real meaning of Christmas is best head to English and English speaking people where the actual birthplace of this festival is.

You get good opportunities to explore traditional Indian villages, its craft centres even in true Christmas spirit. One finds multitude of different places to eat traditional foodies. If you’re to travel with children, this place can give you an interactive break.

It could be the perfect opportunity for travellers or vacationers to indulge in truly Indian pastime. Now there are many cheap holiday packages which will make your holiday memorable and enjoyable. and try to learn the rules of its baffling game. It has been created as a way to help people feel even better amid global economic cues. The city visitors can enjoy Christmas holidays even in this current economic climate as they’ve been celebrating till now.

Akin to other celebrations, Christmas is also celebrated with great pomp and show. There would not be a true national holiday without some sale bargains. This encourages people to part with their cash.

Sales are particularly worthwhile at outlet stores and centres. Some of the biggest outlets hubs are Big Bazaar, Fare Price, and Reliance. Shopaholics in these malls over Christmas can take advantage of some serious bargains. Bargain hunters can make a better fist of this opportunity.

Tickets are available at relatively affordable prices.

Belfast, the capital city of the Northern Ireland can prove to be one of the best vacation spots for a short break holiday. This vibrant city depicts cosmopolitan life with a number of attractions to explore and excellent hotels to stay. There are numerous attractions in the city for visitors of all ages. If you are a young traveller looking for some active nightlife Belfast,  will not  disappoint you, with a wide selection of great pubs and clubs.  

You have to find good Belfast hotels to make your stay comfortable during your trip. In Belfast, you can find hotels with different star ratings. Five star hotels are the most luxurious and most expensive but, if you are not worried about spending some money to experience an exclusive stay, then you can stay in five star hotels such as the newly opened Merchant Hotel in the Cathedral Quarter of the city. Here you are guaranteed the best possible service and celebrity style pampering when you stay in this and similar hotels. However, if you are much more concerned about prices, there are always budget hotels that provide basic accommodation with the essential facilities.  

Several Belfast hotels are located in the heart of the city. You can find budget hotels at hot locations so that you can easily reach the most popular attractions without having to spend too much on your accommodation. From their central location, a few minutes walk will lead you to the Grand Opera house, Odyssey Arena, City Hall and other major tourist sights that are not to be missed when you are in Belfast.  

Apart from budget hotels and five star hotels, of course there are mid range hotels as well in Belfast. These midrange hotels are rated three or four star depending on the facilities available. In these hotels, you can experience luxuries without having to pay a hefty price. These hotels are also close to some of the popular attractions of Belfast such as the Botanic Gardens. These boutique style four star hotels provide a combination of luxury, peace and relaxation guaranteeing a perfect short break.  

Families and group travellers can find suitable Belfast hotels when they book in advance. Festival time in Belfast is during the months of April and September. Flocks of tourists visit Belfast to take part in the numerous festivals and witness live music. You should definitely make your reservation well in advance to find a good room in one of the Belfast hotels. Otherwise, all the spots close to the festival attractions will be booked and you will be forced to stay a few kilometers away from the city. 

In Belfast, you won’t find need to spend much time inside your room as the city provides many exciting tourist activities. With several shopping malls selling designer brands, you will have a number of opportunities to shop during your holidays. You are also spoilt for dining options when you choose to dine out in Belfast as restaurants  cater for a multitude of ethnic and modern tastes. Moreover, nightlife in the city is rated amongst the best in Europe. You can enjoy non stop live music, dance and drinks in Belfast and get acquainted with the locals easily to explore the Northern Ireland culture.