Tips For The Beginning Travel Photographer

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A good photo can conjure so many memories of the sights and sounds of the traveling experience. We often regret not having brought a camera for trips in the past, or for not having enough understanding of the basics of taking awesome travel photos. If you are new to travel photography, whether because you’ve always wanted to include it on your passion-project list or are truly keen on a professional path, here is a list of dos and don’ts to keep in mind.

Firstly, get to know your camera intimately. Whether you’re using a DSLR or a point-and-shoot, you must master the buttons and features. Take time to get familiarized with the menu, so that you can change settings on the fly especially when the timing is crucial, like when you’re trying to capture a sunset.

Next is to have a clear idea of what the Golden and Blue Hours mean in photography. The former refers to the time of the day when the sun is still low, offering a warm glow over the scenery. You have to both wake up early and wait a couple of hours before sunset if you are to capture Golden Hour shots. The Blue Hour is that short period when the sun has already sunk below the horizon, casting a magical blue hue on surroundings. This is an awesome early-evening moment for taking gorgeous panoramic pictures.

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Finally, embrace the value of composition. It often spells the difference between a so-so shot and one that can get you an award. Keep to the rule of thirds; unless you are taking a portrait, always put the subject slightly left or right of center. Imagine dividing the image into nine squares or use the camera feature that shows them, then place the points of interest along the intersecting lines and squares.

My name is Chris Halajian from New York. I used to work on election photography, but now that I’m retired, I follow my grandchildren and great-grandchildren around and take great photos of them. For similar reads, visit this page.

What old-school photographers such as myself learned about Instagram

I don’t mind being called old-school, or old for that matter. It just means I’ve seen more, and I have more experience in the field that I’m passionate about, which is photography. And yes, I’ve seen a lot of things pass by over the years. So many trends have come and gone. But one trend looks to have become a permanent fixture in photography, and that is technology. 

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Today, digital photography has made it possible for us to upload all our photos onto the internet, which is a big deal. Gone are the days when you’d have to pass developed film around different publications just to get yourself noticed as a photographer. 

In this day and age of social media, it’s quite easy to get yourself discovered, as many of us old-school photographers have learned. You can build an online profile and post it on sites. One site, in particular, stands out – Instagram. Instagram has changed the way photographers, amateur and professional alike, have gone about their passion. 

Instagram has several features that let all photographers alter images on the spot, and before the internet came along, that was unheard of. The good part about this is, with a bit of creativity and perseverance, people can come out with quality images. The downside is that many photography techniques have been brushed aside.

Instagram has made it possible for people to produce high-quality images without “taking” them. This is something many of us old-school photographers, who’ve studied and honed our skills, lament.   

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Chris Halajian is a retired photographer from New York who now spends most of his time either with his family or traveling. For more on photography, check out this blog.

Essential gear for travel photographers

Travel photography often requires a bunch of equipment; those professionals we regularly see on nature TV channels lug around huge, state-of-the art gear. But you don’t have to figuratively bring the kitchen sink with you. We’ve listed down the most essential ones for the beginning travel photographer. 

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A DSLR camera with lenses 

Whatever brand you prefer for a DLSR, you’d still need to ensure that you capture those memorable scenes and moments with a good camera. We suggest both a 50mm lens for good depth of field, alongside the stock one. Of course, you’d need to make sure that the you have the kit-provided battery, memory cards, and spare, depending on how long you’d be in the field. Eventually you’d need to invest in a more powerful zoom lens, but that can wait. 

Tripod 

There was a time when these accessories were heavy and a total pain to carry around, but not anymore. Tripods are key to taking sharp, stable pictures and getting the right exposure. These are crucial when taking close ups, pictures of sunsets, and night shots. 

DSLR Remote 

It’s hard to get those pictures of yourself with majestic backdrops when traveling on your own. It’s not fun (and it looks silly) to simply rely on the camera’s timer function and have you run back and forth to the waiting camera until you find that desired pose. A camera remote adds so much convenience (and poise) to these photo ops. 

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Hello there. The name’s Chris Halajian from New York. I’m a retired election photographer. I can say that my career with the camera was fruitful and rewarding, allowing me to buy an estate my family can enjoy for years. Visit this website for more of my writings.

A Voter’s Guide To Reading a Politician’s Body Language

As an election campaign photographer, I've realized over the years that a politician's nonverbal language speaks volumes about his or her authenticity as a leader. This is why many candidates work on their postures and gestures to the point that some of these people become overly conscious about each move they make. If you're a voter, here's how to spot if your candidate can be trusted:

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Open palm gestures There are people who have a habit of pointing fingers without meaning to disrespect anyone. However, our brains are wired to be more accepting of people whose hands are "open". Our minds make us think that these people are unarmed and can be trusted. In many cases, open palm gestures show a person's spontaneity and confidence especially when talking. It also makes them look more welcoming. Showing a clenched fist, on the other hand, gives the impression that a person is too guarded.

Micro-expressions According to experts, these micro-expressions are important in portraying a leader's real thoughts and even state of mind. Perhaps you'll notice this when they are being asked tough questions and they start to smirk or make a small smile. These micro-expressions are their unrehearsed facial expressions that could come up during unguarded moments. When the expression of their eyes somewhat contradict their smiles, it could be a sign that they're doubting their statement.

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Crossed arms and legs Many politicians try their best to change their habit of crossing their arms or legs. It's because voters could misinterpret this pose as being withdrawn or boastful. This is why during conversations and interviews, you won't see a politician doing these. In other cultures, crossing your legs when seated means showing that you of a higher stature than the person you are meeting with. Next time you see a politician, take note of these points to see if they're being true to their promises. It might help your decision to vote.

Hello! I'm Chris Halajian, a retired photographer currently based in New York. These days I spend most of my time hanging out with my family and traveling. For more photography-related posts, visit this page.

The Most User-Friendly Photo Edit Apps For Phones

Ever since the photography industry experienced a paradigm shift with the emergence of digital photography and its introduction to the masses, photo editing has never been the same. Today, even the most casual of photographers can edit photos on the fly thanks to ever-evolving technology.

Here are some of the most useful photo-editing apps on the market today.

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Snapseed

Snapseed is an excellent app if you’re a photographer who loves to tinker with photos and has the time to do it. Used widely by professionals, Snapseed is a bit more complicated than usual beginner apps but is more comprehensive. It takes time to learn the features of this app, but once you do, the possibilities are endless. Snapseed is available for iOS and Android.

Facetune 2

This is a favorite app for portraits. Facetune 2’s main features revolve around retouching portrait phots. This app is a great supplement to iPhone 7 Plus’s portrait mode. Facetune 2 is only for iOS users.

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PicsArt

PicsArt is Snapseed’s more user-friendly cousin. Many photography experts have hailed it as the best photo edit app for photographers of all levels. It makes editing a cakewalk with its easy, yet effective features. PicsArt is for iOS and Android users.

Chris Halajian is a retired photographer from New York. Learn more about him and his many interests by following him on Twitter.

Sharing The Wonders Of Photography With Children

My love for photography started when I was young. When I saw my own father taking up the hobby, I wanted to learn what he was doing. I think this was the same with my children and grandchildren. Whenever they see me with a camera, they want in on the fun. But in case you don't know how to introduce a child to the wonders of photography, here are some of my suggestions:

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Let them use a camera they can borrow

Whether you have an old film or digital camera, it would be nice to lend a camera to a child so that they can shoot their own stuff. For those who are still very young, it might help to start them out with a point and shoot to let them focus on capturing objects and moments.

Go on a photo walk When it comes to location, you don't have to be fancy. You can go to the nearest park or even go for a food trip. To raise your kid's interest, let him or her find interesting scenes or objects. Encourage the child to keep shooting but to also think about the output.

Visit a photo exhibit

Going to an exhibit can help children understand what makes for good and bad photos. The photos displayed might inspire them to try the techniques and to ask more questions about photography.

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If you know some of the photographers featured in the exhibit, it might be better to have them talk to the child about their passion. If you want to share your love for photography with children, encourage them to share how they view the world with the photos they take.

Thanks for reading! My name is Chris Halajian and I'm a retired election photographer. If you want me to share more about my passion, visit this page.

Global photography: Beautiful cities

For many photographers who have traveled around the globe, there is a number of cities that receive universal acclaim for the beauty of their urban landscape. Let’s take a look at some of them.

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Venice
 When one thinks of Italy, usually Rome is the classic choice. But many photographers cite Venice as a more adventurous spot with the marriage of all the canals and old-school Italian architecture. There are very few places in the world that have beautiful waterways replacing busy motor streets. Venice stands on top of that podium.

New York City
As far as urban landscapes go, no other place is as daunting and immense as the Big Apple. Very few other cities in the world can rival the raw majesty of its skyline. There are simply too many picturesque places throughout the five boroughs for a photographer to take in a day. New York City is indeed the king of urban landscapes.

Tokyo
Tokyo is the favorite place of many photographers, and for good reason. Japanese culture is unlike any other, and it is flaunted throughout the busier urban areas of the capital. Shibuya has the busiest crossing in the world, framed by gigantic titantrons showcasing Japanese innovation. Akihabara is an animation and techie fan’s haven. Tokyo Station is a cross between immaculate architecture and history. We could go on and on.

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Chris Halajian is a retired photographer from New York. His specialty was elections. For more about him and photography in general, visit this website.