One of the most dramatic photograph subjects is that of waterfalls. The sheer size, power, force, majesty, and beauty are just perfect for some amazing photographs. But, like most photograph subjects, there are special rules that should be followed to expose the best qualities of that wondrous waterfall.
Waterfalls are visual treats of nature. Their appeal and refreshment exude from each nook and cranny of the rocks.
Slower shutter speeds would blur the water into streaming white ribbons. This is actually the effect that is most appealing for a waterfall photograph. However, a very fast speed can also make for a very dramatic frozen instant moment. Of course, midrange speeds would make for interesting semi-frozen states as well.
In the case of a waterfall, the best shot is usually from a low vantage point which makes the water appear to be bursting out of the frame.
Incidentally, winter photographs of waterfalls and nearby ice creations, are excellent displays of swirling flows and fantastic frozen shapes.
Waterfalls are so amazing, many people's vacations revolve around a sighting of a particular one. First, though, you must book the waterfall vacation at www.kingarthur.myttn.com today!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Travel Photography: Rainforests
Rainforests are quite interesting places to photograph, but they do break many of the rules of photography which I've discussed in previous blog entries. For example, due to the nature of the rainforest, a distant vantage point photograph would result in a glob of green foliage with not much to reference regarding scale or detail.
Instead, opt for closer subjects, such as colourful tropical flowers or a small waterfall.
Lighting in rainforests also pose other problems. It's usually rather dim undearneath all those large trees. You will have to find creative photographic techniques to help eliminate what you can of that terrible dim lighting.
Also, the tropical rainforests are also very humid, so you must make sure to take extra care of your photographic equipment. Plastic bags for everything. Those little silica gel packets to absorb moisture inside them.
Of course, for yourself, you really should also bring rain gear, an umbrella, and rubber hiking boots.
So, now that you know how to handle photographing the rainforests during your vacation, let's get that vacation booked at www.kingarthur.myttn.com today!
Instead, opt for closer subjects, such as colourful tropical flowers or a small waterfall.
Lighting in rainforests also pose other problems. It's usually rather dim undearneath all those large trees. You will have to find creative photographic techniques to help eliminate what you can of that terrible dim lighting.
Also, the tropical rainforests are also very humid, so you must make sure to take extra care of your photographic equipment. Plastic bags for everything. Those little silica gel packets to absorb moisture inside them.
Of course, for yourself, you really should also bring rain gear, an umbrella, and rubber hiking boots.
So, now that you know how to handle photographing the rainforests during your vacation, let's get that vacation booked at www.kingarthur.myttn.com today!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Travel Photography: Deserts and Canyons
Sometimes our travels don't take us to South Pacific beaches or the Cape Cod waterfront. Occasionally we find ourselves in much drier locations, like deserts. Or something a little more liquid-inclusive like canyons. They require many of the same photographic principles as mentioned in previous blogs, but they also require some specific points that must be mentioned and followed to achieve the best photographs of some of nature's most artistic specimens.
In the desert, you may want to focus on the stereotype of the desert, the dryness, the loneliness, the hostility of the arid region. You certainly must take a minimalist position when you are standing in the middle of nothing but sun, sky, and sand. Look for the artistic qualities of the sand which has been driven by desert winds. Cracked patters in long-dry riverbeds can also have some pleasant aesthetic appeal, too.
In the not so arid regions, look for interesting plant formations and patterns. Giant cacti are especially majestic against the harshness of the sunlight, or the coolness of the moonlight. The springtime often erupts the less arid regions into colourful blooms of desert flora. Surely take advantage of that if you find yourself there then.
Because of the harshness of the afternoon desert heat and bright sunlight, try to get your photographing done in the early morning and in the late afternoon.
Canyons are also very artistic-potential locations. The American Southwest is ripe with some of the most exciting canyons imaginable.
Most canyon areas are quite extensive, so plan on spending a number of days in the area so that you can have the most photographing opportunities. In fact, so you know where the best places are to photograph, it's best to take a tour first then return on your own to your specific chosen locations. You might even have to limit some of your photographs to certain formation styles so that you don't end up with more things to see than you have time to see them all!
Also, especially in canyons, you can find some great and interesting pieces of human history. Make sure to photograph those too!
So, when you're ready to explore the vastness of deserts and canyons, make sure to book your vacation first at www.kingarthur.myttn.com!
In the desert, you may want to focus on the stereotype of the desert, the dryness, the loneliness, the hostility of the arid region. You certainly must take a minimalist position when you are standing in the middle of nothing but sun, sky, and sand. Look for the artistic qualities of the sand which has been driven by desert winds. Cracked patters in long-dry riverbeds can also have some pleasant aesthetic appeal, too.
In the not so arid regions, look for interesting plant formations and patterns. Giant cacti are especially majestic against the harshness of the sunlight, or the coolness of the moonlight. The springtime often erupts the less arid regions into colourful blooms of desert flora. Surely take advantage of that if you find yourself there then.
Because of the harshness of the afternoon desert heat and bright sunlight, try to get your photographing done in the early morning and in the late afternoon.
Canyons are also very artistic-potential locations. The American Southwest is ripe with some of the most exciting canyons imaginable.
Most canyon areas are quite extensive, so plan on spending a number of days in the area so that you can have the most photographing opportunities. In fact, so you know where the best places are to photograph, it's best to take a tour first then return on your own to your specific chosen locations. You might even have to limit some of your photographs to certain formation styles so that you don't end up with more things to see than you have time to see them all!
Also, especially in canyons, you can find some great and interesting pieces of human history. Make sure to photograph those too!
So, when you're ready to explore the vastness of deserts and canyons, make sure to book your vacation first at www.kingarthur.myttn.com!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
What Kids Do Onboard on a Port Day
Well, there are so many things for everyone to do onboard a cruise ship that a number of people go back to the same ship to finish doing all that there is onboard! And with all of the exciting activities for the adults, the kids also have a wonderful experience. Most of which comes about when the boat is at sea, of course, but while the boat is docked, what is there for the kids to do?
First of all, all children have the mandatory mustering drill, but most of them have their own special section to go to, away from the adults. In the case of an emergency, the kids will be reunited with their parents of course.
The first night of the cruise, many kids get to watch the welcome aboard show, or a show that is specifically tailored to them. The youngest kids also get a special registered party complete with face painting.
What events to the cruise ships have onboard when the ship is docked?
3-5 year olds
colouring, painting, storytime, bubbles, superheroes, obstacle course, pirates, cars, clowns, relay races, movies, pajama party, "Freeplay" in their special rooms, cartoons, candy art, animal games and crafts, and dinosaurs.
6-8 year olds
colouring, ball games, pirates, board games, airplane building, dunk hunt, king of the court, movies, pajama party, cartoons, freeplay, exercising, puzzles, and crafts.
9-11 year olds
pirates, cannonball, beach-style events, survivor-theme events, international games, science projects, ball games, boys vs. girls, board games, airplane challenge, "pizza ball" (that sounds interesting in the morning!), colouring, duck hunt, pajama party, and movies.
12-14 year olds
coffee talk, drawing, movies, chilling with your friends, dare games, pool party, games against international competitors, card games, video games, capture the flag, scavenger hunt, dancing, board games, trivia games, pool games, movies, and ball games.
15-17 year olds
coffee talk, card games, movies, chilling with your friends, pool party, "Majority Rules", international competitions, capture the flag, ball games, video games, and dancing.
Phew! As if the adults don't have enough to do, the kids have even more! There is never a shortage of activities (or food) onboard. Now, let's get you booked before the lines to the buffet are too long! www.kingarthur.myttn.com
First of all, all children have the mandatory mustering drill, but most of them have their own special section to go to, away from the adults. In the case of an emergency, the kids will be reunited with their parents of course.
The first night of the cruise, many kids get to watch the welcome aboard show, or a show that is specifically tailored to them. The youngest kids also get a special registered party complete with face painting.
What events to the cruise ships have onboard when the ship is docked?
3-5 year olds
colouring, painting, storytime, bubbles, superheroes, obstacle course, pirates, cars, clowns, relay races, movies, pajama party, "Freeplay" in their special rooms, cartoons, candy art, animal games and crafts, and dinosaurs.
6-8 year olds
colouring, ball games, pirates, board games, airplane building, dunk hunt, king of the court, movies, pajama party, cartoons, freeplay, exercising, puzzles, and crafts.
9-11 year olds
pirates, cannonball, beach-style events, survivor-theme events, international games, science projects, ball games, boys vs. girls, board games, airplane challenge, "pizza ball" (that sounds interesting in the morning!), colouring, duck hunt, pajama party, and movies.
12-14 year olds
coffee talk, drawing, movies, chilling with your friends, dare games, pool party, games against international competitors, card games, video games, capture the flag, scavenger hunt, dancing, board games, trivia games, pool games, movies, and ball games.
15-17 year olds
coffee talk, card games, movies, chilling with your friends, pool party, "Majority Rules", international competitions, capture the flag, ball games, video games, and dancing.
Phew! As if the adults don't have enough to do, the kids have even more! There is never a shortage of activities (or food) onboard. Now, let's get you booked before the lines to the buffet are too long! www.kingarthur.myttn.com
Thursday, August 12, 2010
What Kids Do Onboard on a Sea Day
Although cruise ships are usually more geared toward adult passengers, all lines have special events, locations, and staff dedicated to the under 18 crowd. How do the cruise lines keep them so occupied, especially during those long days at sea, with nothing but waves to look at? Well, to keep all the kids from going crazy, the cruise lines strategically separate the kids into age-appropriate groups and activities:
2-5 years old:
great storytelling, relay race, tag, creative crafts, scavenger hunt, castle building, animal fun, camping adventures, memory game, colouring, bubble play, alphabet hunt, hula hoop contest, talent show, obstacle course, kids' dance, parachute games, teddy bear workshop, pirate activities, bowling, and even bingo!
6-8 years old:
name game, science projects, tag, four corners, boys vs. girls, lego challenge, popsicle puzzle pictures, storytime, secret handshake, colours trivia, ship walk and games, ball games, international games, circus activities, talent show, sculptures, tee shirt colouring, teddy bear workshop, hunts, and bingo!
9-11 year olds:
name game, tag, alphabet scavenger hunt, trivia, cannonball, picnic, survivor, limbo, sand castles, boys vs. girls, sports activities, and talent show!
12-14 year olds:
trivia, foosball, twister, karaoke, dodge ball, human bingo, capture the flag, game show, battle of the sexes, dollar challenge, and alphabet hunt!
15-17 year olds:
races, scavenger hunt, dancing, name that tune, twister, trivia, dodgeball, make your own jewelry, game show, pajama party, and human bingo!
So, now that you know only 25% of what happens onboard, lets get you booked so your kids can experience the other 75% of the great activities onboard! Go on over to www.kingarthur.myttn.com today!
2-5 years old:
great storytelling, relay race, tag, creative crafts, scavenger hunt, castle building, animal fun, camping adventures, memory game, colouring, bubble play, alphabet hunt, hula hoop contest, talent show, obstacle course, kids' dance, parachute games, teddy bear workshop, pirate activities, bowling, and even bingo!
6-8 years old:
name game, science projects, tag, four corners, boys vs. girls, lego challenge, popsicle puzzle pictures, storytime, secret handshake, colours trivia, ship walk and games, ball games, international games, circus activities, talent show, sculptures, tee shirt colouring, teddy bear workshop, hunts, and bingo!
9-11 year olds:
name game, tag, alphabet scavenger hunt, trivia, cannonball, picnic, survivor, limbo, sand castles, boys vs. girls, sports activities, and talent show!
12-14 year olds:
trivia, foosball, twister, karaoke, dodge ball, human bingo, capture the flag, game show, battle of the sexes, dollar challenge, and alphabet hunt!
15-17 year olds:
races, scavenger hunt, dancing, name that tune, twister, trivia, dodgeball, make your own jewelry, game show, pajama party, and human bingo!
So, now that you know only 25% of what happens onboard, lets get you booked so your kids can experience the other 75% of the great activities onboard! Go on over to www.kingarthur.myttn.com today!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Onboard on a Port Day
One of the reasons people take a cruise is for the transportation and access to all of manners of amazing tropical islands and exotic ports and countries. Another reason people cruise is because they feel that the cruise ship is a destination in itself, which it really is.
When the ships reach port, and many of the crew members take shore leave breaks, and many of the passengers go on excursions, to beaches, to historical sites, on tours, and so on, there are still a handful of cruise staff and passengers who decide against going on land. But the ship doesn't close up everything just because 97% of the passengers are not onboard. The other 3% really can enjoy themselves with considerably more space! What do they do?
On the very first day of the cruise, before it makes it initial sailing, there is already substantial action happening onboard. Everything from musical performances on the lido deck, the lobby, and a couple of bars, to tours of the ship and the spa facilities, and maybe even some pre-cruise trivia.
Of course, the buffet opens fairly early that day as well, for the early bird arrivals. However, that is also one of the most crowded locations before departure. Opt for the cafe or perhaps you can just skip the food and go to what would likely be a nearly deserted gym for an energizing workout.
While in other ports, however, things are a little bit more exciting. The gym opens very early anyways, so that stays open during the port visit. However, the casino is not allowed to be open while the ship is in most ports. The library, which is rarely busy at sea, is also another place you can go while in port. Again, there are more musical interludes throughout the ship as well as a couple of games and contests, with considerably less people and noise. There might not be much else going on while in port, but you are always welcome to participate with the other ship-lubbers. Perhaps a dip in one of the many pools onboard. Or perhaps now would be a good time to play other things in the privacy of your room on your nearly deserted ship!
Dining room hours probably won't change, but you will have much less crowds and lines to fight with while at port. Actually, some especially frugal people prefer to return to the ship just for their meals, and go back on land for the rest of the day.
Also, the excursion and front desks are open for you convenience while the ship is in port.
Incidentally, if the port visit happens to extend later in the day to include some nighttime hours, the ship will also include movies and the wonderful stage show of comedy, magic, or music!
So, even when the massive ship is in port, and 97% of the passengers disembark, there are still things happening onboard. And while the other future cruisers are busy looking at my last blog about being onboard while at sea, why not sneak ahead of them in line and book at www.kingarthur.myttn.com !
When the ships reach port, and many of the crew members take shore leave breaks, and many of the passengers go on excursions, to beaches, to historical sites, on tours, and so on, there are still a handful of cruise staff and passengers who decide against going on land. But the ship doesn't close up everything just because 97% of the passengers are not onboard. The other 3% really can enjoy themselves with considerably more space! What do they do?
On the very first day of the cruise, before it makes it initial sailing, there is already substantial action happening onboard. Everything from musical performances on the lido deck, the lobby, and a couple of bars, to tours of the ship and the spa facilities, and maybe even some pre-cruise trivia.
Of course, the buffet opens fairly early that day as well, for the early bird arrivals. However, that is also one of the most crowded locations before departure. Opt for the cafe or perhaps you can just skip the food and go to what would likely be a nearly deserted gym for an energizing workout.
While in other ports, however, things are a little bit more exciting. The gym opens very early anyways, so that stays open during the port visit. However, the casino is not allowed to be open while the ship is in most ports. The library, which is rarely busy at sea, is also another place you can go while in port. Again, there are more musical interludes throughout the ship as well as a couple of games and contests, with considerably less people and noise. There might not be much else going on while in port, but you are always welcome to participate with the other ship-lubbers. Perhaps a dip in one of the many pools onboard. Or perhaps now would be a good time to play other things in the privacy of your room on your nearly deserted ship!
Dining room hours probably won't change, but you will have much less crowds and lines to fight with while at port. Actually, some especially frugal people prefer to return to the ship just for their meals, and go back on land for the rest of the day.
Also, the excursion and front desks are open for you convenience while the ship is in port.
Incidentally, if the port visit happens to extend later in the day to include some nighttime hours, the ship will also include movies and the wonderful stage show of comedy, magic, or music!
So, even when the massive ship is in port, and 97% of the passengers disembark, there are still things happening onboard. And while the other future cruisers are busy looking at my last blog about being onboard while at sea, why not sneak ahead of them in line and book at www.kingarthur.myttn.com !
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