World Travel Blog

World Travel Infomation :Through The Eyes Of A Dreamer – Graham’s Photobook.

admin — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 12:32:52 +0000

Through The Eyes Of A Dreamer by Graham Ettridge | Make Your Own BookFor so many reasons it is just so difficult to blog regularly. It is a real shame, because I still have so much to share. So, in future I will try a different approach of a little less but a little more often.

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Through The Eyes Of A Dreamer by Graham Ettridge | Make Your Own BookFor so many reasons it is just so difficult to blog regularly. It is a real shame, because I still have so much to share. So, in future I will try a different approach of a little less but a little more often. I still have to post the submissions to the photography challenge that I kicked off last year, and promise to do that very soon.To kick off this new start, I would like to announce something that I am very proud of! I have finally managed to complete and publish a photobook!! At last!!! I have been trying to complete it over the past few years, and have had help from a few of my friends in selecting which photos to include.For anybody who is interested in having a peek at the book, or would like to purchase a copy, you can click on the link at the top of this article (for a full size version of the book) or bottom of this article (for a smaller size version of the book).If you are interested in a signed copy of the book, please feel free to contact me directly on grahamettridge@aol.comI hope you enjoy looking through the book.Best Wishes,Graham!!Through The Eyes Of A Dreamer by Graham Ettridge | Make Your Own Book

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World Travel Tips :The Art Of Urban/Street Photography – 20 useful tips

admin — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 12:32:52 +0000

I have made a conscious decision to try and improve my urban/street photography. I have a great passion for life in villages, towns and cities, and want to learn how to capture the true emotions of the people. the locations and the buildings. I would dearly like

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I have made a conscious decision to try and improve my urban/street photography. I have a great passion for life in villages, towns and cities, and want to learn how to capture the true emotions of the people. the locations and the buildings. I would dearly like to be able to take photographs that do not end up as “pretty” pictures but instead provide an image that tells a story. I am now embarking on a journey to discover the techniques and approaches that will lead me to improve my work.My first step is to undertake some research and find out what general information is available. As a taster, these are the top 20 tips that I have so far able to find regarding street/urban photography. If you have any words of advice, please be more than welcome to leave a comment at the end of this article.The photographs used in this article were all taken by myself, Graham Ettridge (apart from the first one, of course). Once I have completed my research and self development within this field of photography, I will write another article to show how/if my photographic technique has changed.I hope you find the following tips of use.ThanksGraham Ettridge.1. Less is More – don’t take too much equipment and travel light. It’ll make you less obtrusive and you will be able to move around for the best shot quickly.2. Off the Beaten Track – don’t just go to all the touristy shots – try to get ‘behind the scenes’ and ‘real life’ scenes.3. Stolen Moments – anticipate moments between people before they happen.4. True Colours – black and white is often where it’s at with street photography but at times colourful situations arise and can really make a shot – be on the look out for these.5. In the Background – what’s going on behind your subject can actually ‘make’ the shot. Billboards, signs, graffiti and other visual elements can really make a statement in a shot.6. Dare to Go Diagonal – don’t just hold your camera horizontally – experiment with angles. Street photography is a less formal medium – make the most of it.7. Opposites Attract – shots which challenge the ‘norm’ in terms of composition and story/subject matter can be powerful. Look out for ‘surprising’ subject matter and composition.8. What a Performance – street performers, parades and other street entertainment can be great subject matter on the street.9. Off the Streets – other places where people gather in number can lead to great shots in this genre – zoos, fairs, shows, parks, sporting events etc all can be worth trying.10.New Angle – find ways to get up high or down low – these new perspectives on subjects that are familiar can lead to eye catching shots.11.Practise makes Perfect – over time and with practise your photography will improve. You’ll not only get better at technique but also spotting the things to focus upon on the street.12.Fortune Favours the Brave – sometimes the best thing you can do is to get close to your subject – this can be a little confronting but will produce powerful images13.Fun in the Sun – often we try to avoid shooting into the sun and the shadows that direct sunlight can produce – in street photography breaking these ‘rules’ can lead to great shots.14.Ready to Pounce – have your camera out and ready to shoot at all times. Things can move quickly on the street so if you’re not ready you’ll miss lots of opportunities.15. Revise the Revisit – street photography is not all about spontaneity – if you see a scene with potential don’t be afraid to keep coming back to it until you get the shot.16.Frozen Motion – the street is a place of movement – to capture it and still get sharp shots make sure your shutter speed is fast enough. 1/125 or more with an ISO of 400 is what this article recommended as a base. I also think it can be fun to experiment with slower shutter speeds on the street – capture the movement as blur.17.Street Wallpaper – blend in with the scene – shoot unobtrusively and unnoticed.18.Life Through a Lens – ‘exaggerating perspective will help set your subject in context and provide a more forgiving depth of field’ – use a wide angle lens (or even a fisheye).19.Expect the Expected – people can be suspicious of street photographers so shoot in places where people expect to see people doing photography. Smile, be polite and be willing to delete images if people protest.20.Location, Location, Location – really this is what it is all about. Choose places where people interact with one another and times when they are present.

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World Travel Guide :Exhaustion Kicks in Big Time

admin — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 12:32:42 +0000

Yesterday, I finally started dragon boat. We started paddling at 5:30 a.m. and finished at 7:30 a.m. After that, I went straight to the yoga studio. My practice today was good but I just couldn’t hold anything that well with my right arm cause that’s what I used to paddle.

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Yesterday, I finally started dragon boat. We started paddling at 5:30 a.m. and finished at 7:30 a.m. After that, I went straight to the yoga studio. My practice today was good but I just couldn’t hold anything that well with my right arm cause that’s what I used to paddle. I was extremely exhausted already after yoga but then Al, one of the yoga instructors, asked me if I can join him to shop for a couple of dehumidifiers that we can place at his office. At first I pleaded with him if I can just stay at home but he bribed me to dine in an Italian restaurant. With pesto pasta, how on earth can I say no?

After lunch and shopping, went home to finally rest. I was extremely exhausted but I was happy with my accomplishments today considering that I haven’t been out in two weeks. But just as I was turning the lamp off, I heard some noises and footsteps coming over my bed. Then suddenly someone was waking me up. It was my sister, Anne. I apparently forgot that she has extra keys to my apartment. Then she said, “I want wine and you can’t say no”. There goes my beauty rest.

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World Travel Tips :Timeless Furniture

admin — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 12:32:42 +0000

When I was about to redecorate our house, I realized how much fondness I had for logs and log furniture. My bed, vanity drawer and my computer desk are all log furniture! My bed is starting to feel like it’s about to give up on me though, it’s been on our family since my mom [...]

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When I was about to redecorate our house, I realized how much fondness I had for logs and log furniture. My bed, vanity drawer and my computer desk are all log furniture! My bed is starting to feel like it’s about to give up on me though, it’s been on our family since my mom got married, and that would be about more than 30 years from now.

I think it’s about time I started shopping and looking around for log beds. Do you guys have any specific place to recommend for me to look? I promise I’ll take pictures and post when I’m done redecorating!

I don’t exactly know why I’m so fond of log furniture. I guess it’s because for me, they’re timeless, and they would never get old or out of style. I like sticking with the classics, you know.

Take pictures of your room and post them here! I’d love to see how all of your rooms look like.

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World Travel Infomation :The Best Apps

admin — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 12:32:42 +0000

One of the best things about getting a smart phone is the wide range of applications that they offer. Since this has been developed, phones no longer serve only as a means of communication but also as an organizer and a simple means of entertainment. You can read books, play games,

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One of the best things about getting a smart phone is the wide range of applications that they offer. Since this has been developed, phones no longer serve only as a means of communication but also as an organizer and a simple means of entertainment.

You can read books, play games, and compete with your friends using your iPhone if it has Game Center.

I believe my favourite app would be the youtube downloader. I love watching videos there, especially those of cats or of Kingsley’s rants. I could easily waste four hours without even realizing it when I watch videos there. Haha!

What kind of apps do you guys download? Take screenshots of your app lists and let’s all come up with good recommendations! Maybe we could even come up with top 10 apps of each category. Leave links of your screenshots in the comments section of this post.

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World Travel :High quality or cheap price

admin — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 12:32:42 +0000

I got into a situation earlier when I had to choose from two different brands of coffee makers. We all love brewed coffee at home so I decided to get one so that we could brew our own. However the choice is a High quality brand commercial bunn coffee maker and a lower quality but [...]

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I got into a situation earlier when I had to choose from two different brands of coffee makers. We all love brewed coffee at home so I decided to get one so that we could brew our own. However the choice is a High quality brand commercial bunn coffee maker and a lower quality but at a way cheaper price. When I say quality, I just meant design and brand. I cannot really argue about the built because what would I know about that.

So I decided to weigh the pros and cons. If I bought the high quality one, wouldn’t it be an overkill? It is almost five times the price of the cheaper one however because it is for commercial use, it will definitely last a lifetime at home. The cheaper brand on the other hand will definitely not put a hole in my wallet. Plus I can throw it away whenever it looks old already.

However, I remembered one of Randy Gage’s teachings… To get the most value for value exchange. I asked myself, is this cheap brand worth the price? Is this branded coffee maker really worth this much?

After much deliberation I bought the branded coffeemaker. The idea is to get the best. Honestly, it felt good. Even if it left a dent on my bank account.

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World Travel :Loving my new sound system

admin — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 12:32:41 +0000

If you’re looking for the best speaker system at an affordable price, get yourself a set of Energy speakers. I’m sure you’ll love it! Sorry for the sales pitch. I was just so satisfied with the new speaker system I got. My brother recommended this to me and honestly,

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If you’re looking for the best speaker system at an affordable price, get yourself a set of Energy speakers. I’m sure you’ll love it!

Sorry for the sales pitch. I was just so satisfied with the new speaker system I got. My brother recommended this to me and honestly, I was skeptical at first. I only know the common brands like Sony or JVC so I had no idea that there is an affordable competition. For a compact surround-sound system, the Energy speakers offers outstanding sound quality. Plus it is beautifully crafted and elegantly designed. It was a great addition for my living room (Unlike the other speaker systems that look like the Decepticons).

I did some research on the net to know more about these speakers. It turns out that not only I like the speaker system, it became a CNET editor’s choice last 2009. Since then a lot of satisfied customers have been giving great reviews for this product. I will be giving my review as well. Never have I been this satisfied with a speaker system before.

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World Travel :Taking my GPS to the test

admin — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 12:32:41 +0000

In just four days, my garmin rino 650 canada GPS will be put to the test. I will be going on vacation to Hongkong on Tuesday and I have no idea about the places there. All I know is that my friend is picking me up at one of the train stations. Why not pick [...]

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In just four days, my garmin rino 650 canada GPS will be put to the test. I will be going on vacation to Hongkong on Tuesday and I have no idea about the places there. All I know is that my friend is picking me up at one of the train stations.

Why not pick my up at the airport instead? well I was actually onto the adventure. The idea is to be able to find him with just my GPS. I do not worry too much becuse most people there speak american. Although I read in a lot of sites that theft is rampant there. Oh well that is part of the adventure.

Anyhow, technology is really great now. At least location devices are already made available to the commercial market now unlike before. However, come to think of it, what if I lost my GPS? What then?

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World Travel Tips :Silly Assumptions

admin — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 12:32:41 +0000

You know back then I thought that stainless steel piano hinges had something to do with the piano itself, like, it was some sort of term for the keys or some other major specific part of the instrument. I was wrong. Piano hinges are the hinges used to connect doors, panels, or boxes.

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You know back then I thought that stainless steel piano hinges had something to do with the piano itself, like, it was some sort of term for the keys or some other major specific part of the instrument.

I was wrong.

Piano hinges are the hinges used to connect doors, panels, or boxes.

Imagine how silly I felt when I realized what this was. I ended up staring at our doors and looking at the hinge going, “Oh.”. My mom found it silly that I actually stared at it with intense fascination for about five minutes.

I don’t know, really. I just have this weird fascination for things that we learn everyday. It’s like there are opportunities for us to discover things and widen our field of knowledge, you know? Am I even making sense? It’s like everyday is a privilege to learn something new, and a door to endless possibilities.

(: It makes me feel all gooey inside just thinking about it.

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World Travel Tips :Just came home from HK

admin — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 12:32:40 +0000

I just came from a four day vacation in Hong Kong. I would say Hong Kong is a very interesting place not because of the place alone but because of its society. Take this for instance, when I rode the train, I noticed that there were only two phones used there: iPhone 4s and Samsung [...]

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I just came from a four day vacation in Hong Kong. I would say Hong Kong is a very interesting place not because of the place alone but because of its society. Take this for instance, when I rode the train, I noticed that there were only two phones used there: iPhone 4s and Samsung Galaxy Note. Yes. People there use only top of the line, recently released phones only. Weird thing is, their the ones selling the cheap imitations right?

Also people there are very into branded things. For instance, Prada, Hermes and Chanel stores there all had lines of customers outside. Yes folks, people line up for those brands there. What else, hmm.. oh women, wear scrubs pant at home and wear high quality trench coats when they go out. It is like, how fashionable could they be right?

However in my stay there, only shopping for fashionable stuff made my trip worthwhile. All things they say about Hong Kong like it has great food or it has the cheapest stuff just ain’t true. Wait until you hear about my food experiences there.

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