Saturday, June 27, 2015

How to Take Better Travel Photographs by a Cruising Couple

How to Take Better Travel Photographs: Composition

Tell a story. Inspire your viewer. Remember why it was you took the photo in the first place. And keep in mind, when it comes to photography, you’re really not ‘taking’ anything. You’re making art.

8 Tips To Composing Better Travel Photographs


1)   Find a subject

When you’re traveling, you are completely immersed in the scene.  Your photographs, however, are a flat image that only show a fraction of the story. As a result, it’s important to focus on what makes a particular situation photogenic. Simplify the scene. Create a focal point. This is your subject.
Take the following example:
Image 1
Subjectless Photo
This was a photo taken from our housesitting abode in Costa Rica. You probably find your eyes scanning the picture for something to look at, but there’s ‘nothing there’. It only shows a fraction of the spectacular view that greeted us from the kitchen, and it’s difficult to tell the grandeur of the landscape from the photo alone.
Your brain likes to have something to focus on and then expand from. Here’s how I slightly changed my strategy on the mountain to add a subject.
Housesitting Costa Rica neighborhood
See what a difference that made? Now we have a subject, and as a result, dimension. To achieve this I decided to step back and add a bit of the road and the houses perched on the mountain to the frame. Not only does my viewer have something to look at, but I have a context to the personal memory of the photo as well. Compared to the initial image it is quite a bit more interesting, don’t you think?
Finding a subject is one of the most important things to keep in mind while photographing. If you don’t have a subject, you’re essentially not taking a photograph of anything (which will be awkward to explain to those eager eyes of friends and family back home). Rather than having to explain all of the things the viewer can’t see in your photographs, let your photos do the talking for you.
Next time you’re taking a picture, I challenge you to ask yourself what you are actually taking a picture of. If you find yourself answering “all of this” and waving your hand around at everything in front of you, then you might want to re-evaluate your shot.

2) Rule of Thirds

Image 1
Center Frame
Image 2
Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds is a great tool to help frame your subjects and make them more appealing to the eye. Imagine that your photo is broken into thirds both vertically and horizontally. The rule of thirds implies that the best place for your subject is at one of the crosshairs of these lines. It makes photos more interesting than just putting your subject smack dab in the middle of the frame. Here I have placed the subject on the line of the right third, giving the surfers room to walk to the left (thus implying motion, adding another element of interest). I have also placed the horizon on the top third line which happens to intersect at the subjects’ heads. When you choose your subject, try to place it along one of these lines for a more interesting photo. Of course, rules are made to be broken, too. We’ll get more into that later.
On many cameras, tablets and smart phones there is an option to show these rule of thirds crosshairs in the viewfinder while you are composing your photo. 

3) Leading Lines

Image 1
No Leading Lines
Image 2
Leading Lines
Another great tool to keep photographs interesting is leading lines. Leading lines give the eye a path to follow. It makes your photo more than just an image, but also a journey for your eyeballs! Leading lines work well when you want the viewer to start in the foreground and work their way back to the image. They can also be used diagonally. This is a great way to give your two dimensional image more depth and perspective. Roads make for pretty great leading lines, but you can use anything from railings on a cruise ship to the line formed from water washing up on the beach.

4) Empty Space

White Space
Make your subjects pop, add simplicity, and invoke a sense of balance by utilizing empty space. By adding a large and open background, you can make your subject stand out. In this photo I decided to pull out and not only show you how beautiful Casey is in the water, but also how remote the location is. By combining the idea of using white space and what we’ll talk about next (natural frames) you can really make a powerful statement with your photographs .

5) Natural Frames

Natural Frame
The name is pretty self explanatory here. Natural frames can be used to fill any could-be white space around your subject. Think trees, railings, windows… anything that surrounds your subject to isolate it and add organization to the photo.

6) Be Creative

Maybe the hardest part of photography – but by far the most rewarding – is discovering new ways to take photos of common images or landmarks. For example, go ahead and Google image search the Eiffel Tower. I’ll wait… Okay, see! The first 100 photos all look the same! If you just walk up to the Eiffel Tower and take a photo like the millions of other tourists around, you’ll only come home disappointed. And your friends and family will be unimpressed because they’ve seen an exact replica of the same photo a thousand times before. Instead, use your creativity to capture a unique element or story that speaks to you.
If you want to make your pictures instantly more interesting, try shooting from the hip. What typically happens when you want to take a picture? You raise your camera to your face and click the shutter. You just captured a picture that looks exactly like every other photo taken by someone who is 5′ 9″. Instead, try something new. Drop down to one knee and then take a picture (hip height). You’ll be amazed at the difference it can make. I challenge you to start taking photos that aren’t at eye level. Lay on the ground if you have to. Stand on a chair. If you’re a foreigner on vacation, nobody would expect anything less anyway.
After you’ve experimented with new angles, you can take that subject and look for a new photo all together. Look for reflections in windows, sunglasses or puddles. Try photographing at night, dawn, dusk. Different lighting and different people can give your photography a completely different look. Try (carefully) taking photos in the rain. Take a picture and then back up. Then back up some more, and then move in really close. The different photographs you can create are only limited by your creativity.
14075-Eiffel-Tower-Reflection
via lovethispic.com

7) Try to Tell a Story

“A picture is worth a thousand words.”
Boat Burning Festival Taiwan Crowd
The best photographs are the ones that tell a story.  Bring your images to life by considering things like emotion, characters, relationships, ideas and messages.  Make the viewer think about what preceded the photo and the possible events that could have followed after it.

8. Break The Rules

Rules are meant to be broken, so don’t be shy about mixing things up a bit to let your creativity shine. Just remember that it’s probably not a good idea to break all the composition rules in the same shot. Be bold, be unique, and be you. After all, photography is an art.
Break The Rules
These steps are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to composing powerful photographs. However, I hope they have served to provide tangible steps towards taking better photos. 

Do you consciously compose your photographs before you take them? What tips would you add to the list? Any travel photography questions you would like answered in the future?


Further Reading

Choosing a Camera: Helpful information and comparison of some of the top cameras on the market today.
The Exposure Triangle: Discusses the 3 parts of the exposure triangle and how they affect your photos.
Natural Light: Explains the different qualities of natural light and how to use them to your advantage.
HDR Photography: Explains what HDR is and how to use it.
Dan R Moore Photo Shop: Discover and purchase photos from around the world.
Meet: Dan Moore
Dan is the photographer, social media strategist and second half of the A Cruising Couple team. He has been living and traveling full-time in various countries since 2011. His award winning photography has been featured on National Geographic, CNN and New York Times Travel.

Friday, June 26, 2015

How To Take Sparkling Firework Photos!


It's almost the fourth of July, next Saturday to be exact! What are your plans to celebrate? We all love to sound off multiple fireworks every year, but the kids favorite has always been spelling out their names, or making shapes with the handheld sparklers. Have you ever wondered how to capture that perfect picture of the sparklers in action? It's actually quite simple, this is how its done!
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
  • Sparklers & lighter or matches
  • DSLR camera or point-and-shoot camera
  • Tripod or a flat, sturdy surface
  • Friends (1 or more)
 HOW TO SHOOT “SPARKLER ART”:

If you are using a point-and-shoot, set your camera to “night-scene.” While on night-scene, you won’t have to make any f-stop or shutter adjustments.



For DSLRs, set the camera to “manual.” Adjust your aperture to 16 and your ISO to 1000. Your shutter speed, for a non-flash photo, should be about 3 seconds to capture the sparkler’s light, as well as illuminate your friends a little bit.


(I like to put my camera on the “Shutter Preferred” mode – on my Nikon it’s the “S” mode. Using the S setting on the camera allows you to tell the camera to set everything else…except the shutter speed.)



Once you get your settings down, put your camera on a tripod or a flat, sturdy surface to insure that you camera stays totally still. Since your shutter will stay open for so long, any movement of the camera will affect the outcome of your picture.

Just a fun design!
Now you’re ready for sparklers! Decide if you want to spell something out or just make a fun design. Once the photographer pushes down the shutter release (the button you press to take the picture) start drawing your desired design in the air with your sparkler. Draw it as many times as you can while the shutter stays open. Drawing slowly creates a thicker sparkler line, while quicker drawing creates a thinner one.

If you are spelling something out, you’ll have to spell it backwards for it to turn out right in the photo (or you can flip it horizontally in your image editing program.)
Try out a few pictures and adjust the shutter speed up (or faster) if the pictures are too bright, and down (slower) if the pictures are too dark. Once you get the exposure set you can go crazy with sparklers!
Have fun taking your photos! And be safe with your fireworks :)
 *If you have a fancy DSLR camera that you have no idea how to use, I recommend this awesome series by The Pioneer Woman.
Brought to you by: One Good Thing by Jillee

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Congratulations to all Honoree's of the 12th Annual Latinas in Business Awards!

Happening tonight, the 12th annual National Latina Business Women Association- Los Angeles (NLBWA-LA) business awards! We are excited to join this joyous event, to network with all our fellow entrepreneurs whom work hard all year long to receive the recognition we all deserve!  This is our first time at the event, and we have been looking forward to it! Congratulations with a big bravo to all the honoree's accepting awards tonight! 


National Latina Business Women Association-Los Angeles (NLBWA-LA) meets the needs of the rapid growth and ranks of Latina entrepreneurs, executives and corporate professionals from the Greater Los Angeles area. Their mission is to encourage Latinas to develop their business and professional skills and to meet their career goals through education, business referrals and networking by building relationships. 




"This has been an inspiring association to be a part of, it has helped us grow. Attending business management workshops, seminars and guiding us with the tools needed, has helped us take our business to the next level!"
 -Steve & Jayme (Owners of Strike a Pose)



Membership Benefits

Networking, Networking, Networking
In today's business world, it's not just about who you know, but who knows of you. Meeting decision-makers is critical and our events are designed to attract the owners, presidents and CEOs behind the business. 
Two of our best annual networking opportunities includes our "Honoring Latinas in Business Awards,"  and our "Emerging Latinas" which is a strategic planning program designed to strengthen a business.

Business and Professional Development
Presentation on current events and professional development, referrals and career prospects, as well as public speaking opportunities.

Member Profiles
Increase your visibility! As a member of NLBWA-LA we will promote your business, including contact information, description of your product or service, and a link to your own website.

Discounts
Members receive discounted pricing for NLBWA events, including Signature Programs: Business Management Academy (BMA), Emerging Latinas Program (ELP), Health & Wellness and also our Annual Latina Awards event.

Member Message Board
Open your doors to all NLBWA! Post your request on our Message Board, which our members, partners and vendors use to find suppliers of products and services -- like yours. Only when we're unable to find what we're looking for within the membership will we solicit from a nonmember.

Executive Strategies
Our goal is to empower the women in our network. As such, we create alliances with key organizations that add value and improve our members' leadership skills and knowledge base.

Members receive discounted pricing to NLBWA events, including mixers, annual Awards Award, and partnership events!*
* Excludes; Emerging Latinas Program & Business Management Academy.


Why join? Because the NLBWA-LA gives you access to the largest network of Latina business women in the nation, in the largest metros in the country, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Atlanta, Seattle, Phoenix, Miami, Houston, Chicago, and New York.

Data shows that Latina-owned businesses increased 206 percent from 1995 to 2005; but observers said the numbers are still increasing rapidly. Latinas are starting business two times faster than all of their female counterparts, combined.
Corporate Sponsorship please contact Rose Elena Sauceda, President at rose.e.sauceda@nlbwa.org or directly (626) 688-5780.

Friday, June 19, 2015

The History of Downtown Covina!

Downtown Covina in 1950


Downtown Covina in 2009



Intimate and neighborly, the Covina Downtown still retains the atmosphere that it enjoyed during its days as the center of a small city whose motto was once “A Mile Square and All There”.

The three-block section comprised by historic Citrus Avenue and its adjacent cross streets bounded by Badillo Street on the south and San Bernardino Road on the north, is home to a remarkable variety of enterprises, including more than 100 businesses and community organizations.

The merchandise purveyed by Downtown retailers is as traditional as antique furniture and country crafts, and as contemporary as snowboards and compact discs.

Covina Downtown also included a full array of service-oriented businesses, such as printers and office equipment, ticket service and sports card memorabilia, hair stylists, a pharmacy and an optical shop.

The Covina Downtown hosts an increasing eclectic cultural mix including restaurants that feature Mexican, northern Italian nouvelle cuisine and other  specialties. Take in a popular revival at the Covina Center for the Performing Arts, or an acoustic concert by a world-class musician. Browse the Downtown’s two retail bookstores and reading room, or become a regular at one of its coffee bars.


Brought to you by

Being able to have Strike a Pose Photography Studio on the strip of Downtown Covina, is like being a part of history. Below are some links, providing you with some insight of the historical background of this wonderful town of Covina.


Museums
Covina has two museums, both operated by the Covina Valley Historical Society.

Built in 1911, the firehouse-jail was the first civic building in the City of Covina. It now houses the Covina Firehouse/Jail Museum, located adjacent to City Hall at 125 East College Street. It is open every Sunday, except holidays, from 1 to 3 pm and by appointment. It is staffed by volunteers with the Covina Valley Historical Society, who guide tours and answer questions.

The Historic Heritage House, located on the west side of Covina Park at Fourth and Badillo Streets, is open the fourth Sunday of each month, except holidays, from 1 to 3 pm.

For further information on either of the museums, please contact the Covina Valley Historical Society at (626) 966-9871.

Also, if you're interested in Covina history, don't miss seeing "Vintage Years", a a photographic exhibit Covina before 1950, located at Covina City Hall. You can journey into Covina's past by viewing 130 rare photographs that depict the history of Covina from 1846 to 1950.

The exhibit is open to the public for self-guided tours during City Hall regular business hours.
Special tours led by docents, may be scheduled for school and community groups, by calling the Parks and Recreation Department at (626) 384-5340

The Covina Valley Historical Society is a volunteer group that works to promote and encourage the study of Covina area history. For more information, call their message line at (626) 966-9871. Click here to go to their website.



If your a Covina local or regular visitor then you know every Friday the town gets together for the Farmers Market! For all ages, with multiple booths serving fresh fruits and vegetables, popcorn, and much much more! With live music, and plenty of store fronts to window shop, don't forget to stop by to Strike a Pose to say hi! We always have different specials and promotions going on for you and your Family to benefit from! With Summer nearing, its time to book your sessions, in studio or on locations, its up to you!

Here at, 







121 N. Citrus Ave. | Covina, 91723
(626) 339-3332


We Hope You All,


Tuesday, June 16, 2015

32 Photos That Will Make Your Stomach Drop!

Photographers will do anything to capture that perfect shot. As the innovative photographers as we are here at Strike a Pose, we never fail to be inspired by these breath taking, and jaw dropping shots! Photographers don't only capture timeless events and everlasting memories, we are artists that have a creative knack of doing whatever it takes to create that amazing picture! Check out these edgy pictures below, provided by courtesy of Peggy Wang, on Buzzfeed!



1. Cliff camping
Gordon Wiltsie/National Geographic / Getty Images

2. Skywalking in the Alps.
3. Portaledge camping at Yosemite.
Corey Rich / Getty Images

4. Climbing Redwoods.

MICHAEL NICHOLS/National Geographic Stock

5. Sitting on the Trolltunga rock in Norway.

6. Jumping on the Trolltunga rock in Norway.
7. British climber John Roberts in South Africa.

Solent News / Rex / Rex USA

8. Ice climbing a frozen waterfall.
Keith Ladzinski/Barcroft Media /Landov

9. Extreme picnicking.

10. On the Kjeragbolten boulder in Norway.


Photos via Nilsenbilder and Simon Taylor
11. Extreme skiing at Grand Targhee, Wyoming.


12. Skywalking on Mount Nimbus in Canada.


13. Tree camping in Germany.


14. Vintage climbing photo taken from Gaston Rébuffat’s book.


15. Extreme kayaking at Victoria Falls.

Desre Tate/Barcroft Media /Landov

16. Blake Aldridge dives 29 meters from the rock monolith during the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in Portugal.

Handout / Getty Images

17. Climbing Mt. Wellington.

Photo by S. Karpiniec/Creative Commons.
18. On the Edgewalk in Toronto. (Courtesy of CN Tower.)


19. A death-defying act by Eskil Rønningsbakken in Norway.

SINDRE LUNDVOLD / BARCROFT MEDIA

20. How mountain climbers sleep.


21. Alex Honnold at Yosemite.


Shot taken from a documentary entitled Alone on the Wall about Honnold’s adventures.
22. Now imagine if you dropped your phone down there.

Photo by Copaintok74/Creative Commons.
23. Base jumping in Yosemite.

JIMMY CHIN AND LYNSEY DYER / NAT GEO STOCK / CATERS

24. Glacierboarding.

JEFF CURTES / CATERS NEWS

25. Trapeze paragliding.

SHAMS /BARCROFT MEDIA/Barcroft Media /Landov

26. Hanging out at the Sky Walk in Macau.

Photo by toon_ee
27. Do you have good balance?

Jared Alden / Getty Images
28. A ride at the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas.

29. In Ft. Tryon park.

By Jordan Matters, from the book Dancers Among Us.
30. Dinner in the sky in Brussels.


31. Bike trail on the Cliffs of Moher, via Hans Rey.


32. Driving down a sand dune in Lucky Bay, Australia.
2001 LimeWave - Anki Knutsson & Lars Andersson