This isn’t going to be a “step-by-step” guide to editing your photos for Instagram, because that greatly depends on your vision. Rather, this is something that I hope will push you to get outside your comfort zone and explore what it means to post-process your work with a comprehensive artistic vision in mind. When we think about post-processing, there’s an infinite amount of styles and techniques that can be found online nowadays. Most of this is broken down into little tips and tricks you can use to get quick results without spending too much time in any given application. And thanks to modern app development, there isn’t a lot of technical knowledge needed to dive into Adobe Camera Raw or Lightroom and come up with a decent-looking edit. Now add in presets and there’s no end to how easy it gets, which there really isn’t anything wrong with, depending on what kind of photographer you want to be. I know tons of photographers who prefer to not push past what they capture in-camera, but I, on the other hand, approach it from more of a fine art standpoint. As a photographer and graphic designer who’s been using various tools since before Lightroom existed, my approach to editing is more methodical and nuanced; some may even say excessive. Yet my goal as an artist has always been to carry out my own personal vision. I never set out to have a “style.” Of course, I digested a lot of the aforementioned “tips and tricks,” but rather than doing it for a quick end result, I did it to gain an understanding of the tools in order to pave my own way and discover which processes work best for me. That said, my post-processing begins before I even click the shutter button. I’m a cloud junkie, and most of my work is centralized around finding unique light or weather conditions in hopes of elevating the mundane imagery of the Midwest into something worthy of sharing with the world. I take everything into account, such as the dynamic range of the scene, how fast the clouds are moving, whether or not to bracket my exposures, or if I want to add ND filters to capture cloud movement. I’ve also been working in Photoshop long enough to have a color palette I gravitate toward so there’s consistency in my work. Again, some people may find this excessive, but there is little that I don’t tweak in post to get the look I want. A lot of my style is derived from years of trial and error—a lot of terrible edits and over-edits. After a while, you start to understand that the more subdued and subtle you are, the better it gets. I try to inject as much of my vision as possible into my shots, making them completely unique to me without overdoing it. Believe me, I still overdue it at times, but the important thing is to be continually learning and evolving. Photoshop has a lovely opacity slider that I utilize frequently to dial back something after-the-fact. I also try to sit on my edits for a few days so I have time to digest them and make any final changes. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve rushed to post something I was really excited about, only to look back at some glaring error later on. Maybe it’s my mindset, or how I run my Instagram feed, but I hate posting anything that’s similar over and over again—I aim for a consistency that also has an ebb and flow to it. When it comes to processing in Adobe Camera Raw, I like to keep my images as natural as possible when it comes to exposure, but with an atmospheric twist. I don’t like to “HDR” my stuff so that every detail is bright and crisp. Instead, I play with shadow and hide things. Just because our cameras have the ability to portray massive amounts of dynamic range that doesn’t mean we should. In my work, I like to push the limits of my highlights and shadows while still retaining a bit of detail in them. The easiest way to try this is to pull back on the contrast slider and use the blacks slider to really dial in the darkness while simultaneously pushing the shadows a bit. I love heavy contrast in my images and this is a great way to achieve it. As for color, between playing with curves, the HSL sliders, and the RGB Primary sliders, my colors are about as custom as custom can be. These tools can be daunting to learn, but properly learning what they can do really allows you to dial in your own flavor. In fact, the only way to learn them is to experiment and see what you can come up with. As a Fujifilm X-shooter, I also have the Fujifilm film simulations at my disposal, and I use them frequently. To be honest, using these simulations is one of the things that really pushed me into developing my own style. The colors you can achieve with them are far above and beyond anything I ever got when I was shooting with Canon, which is what sent me down the path of experimenting with color in the first place. With Instagram in mind, I always finish off my edits on my phone; sometimes the color space can seem totally different from one device to another. And although you’ll never have the luxury of controlling the look of the finished product like you would with prints in a gallery, it’s important to fine-tune your work for display on mobile. I use apps like VSCO, Darkroom and Afterlight to finalize my shots before posting, and also add a hefty dose of sharpening. If you come from the world of printing, it’s going to seem like you’re over sharpening everything, but attaining the same level of sharpness on a screen is a different monster. Above all, my goal is to portray my vision as an artist. If we were in this to make the same images as someone else, what would be the point? So get out there with your camera and find out who you are. Then use your editing to lock that down and Instagram to showcase it to the world. See more of Bryan’s work on his website. __________ This story was originally published in “The Fitness Issue” of Resource Magazine. Visit the Resource Shop to pick up a copy. via RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230553 http://ift.tt/2w6QwvA
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You move to a new city, knowing no one. You’ve left all your friends and family behind in that small town you call home to try “making” it in the big city. You can FaceTime, Snapchat, and text your sorrows away talking to friends, but nothing beats the real deal—live and in-person. Photographer Peter Garritano uncovers the solitude of modern life in ‘‘Seeking‘, his ongoing portrait series of people who post in Craigslist’s “Strictly Platonic” section. In the series, Garritano seeks to portray the scope of loneliness people experience that brings them to an ambiguous platform such as Craigslist. “It’s not just a few people reaching out, it’s hundreds of posts per day,” Garritano said. One day, Garritano took a chance and decided to seek out these users in the “Strictly Platonic” section to take their photo and learn more about their story. Craigslist has been stigmatized as a black-market like platform with people ridden with misconstrued intentions—personality types Garritano veers away from. Garritano hopes the wide range of subjects lets outsiders see that the Craigslist community is diverse and not everyone fits the stereotype. “I mostly go for things that seem genuinely platonic,”Garritano said. “There’s a lot in there that’s heavily laden with ulterior motive, which I try to steer away from.” Although selecting his subjects is not the hardest part of the project for Garritano, rendering a response can be challenging. Keeping genuine to his intentions, Garritano approaches the users as a photographer looking to take their photograph and hear more of their story. As expected, many users are not too keen on participating in ‘Seeking’ since Garritano is not necessarily who they’re expecting to hear from through Craigslist. However, from the 250-plus responses Garritano currently has floating in his inbox, he has taken 75 portraits so far. “I always like to travel to their apartments when possible to add a bit of environmental context to their portrait but unfortunately that’s not usually their preference,” Garritano said, adding that he also invites them to his studio to shoot and chat about their Craigslist motivations and findings. “In the end, I hope to understand more about loneliness and its trappings. Especially in the context of a large city like New York, and in an age where our digital social connections are so pronounced,” Garritano said. Visit Garritano’s website for more shots from the series. via RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230553 http://ift.tt/2vVz0df For years I wondered how to make Instagram look and feel more like me. I love the ability to create personal touches to captions and Instagram stories, but I didn’t know how to do it. Until today. And just a few minutes, this video will walk you through my process…and here’s a helpful breakdown of the Questions+Answers portion of this chat!
Oh, and if we’re not friends yet on Instagram, let’s connect and chat…you can find me >>HERE<< @JasmineStar via RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230553 http://ift.tt/2uTkTQR Backups are an important aspect of file management and while we’ve already discussed catalogue backups in another article, there is still the question of what should be done with regard to the actual master photos. Remember that the catalogue backup only saves the work you’ve done to your photos and not... The post Simple Lightroom Backup Tips and File System Troubleshooting appeared first on Expert Photography. via RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230553 http://ift.tt/2vM336W Founder of Quest Nutrition Tom Bilyeu knows a lot about what it means to optimize your mind and body for maximum creativity. After overcoming obesity, he started his mission-based food company to help people be healthier, which grew by 57,000 percent in its three years, landing the number spot on the 2014 Inc. 500 list. Today, he’s recently launched a new venture, Impact Theory, an online talk show of sorts that ignites human potential through original interviews with some of the world’s greatest, most inspiring content creators, creatives and entrepreneurs. We asked Bilyeu to let us in on some of the tools and techniques he uses to achieve a healthy, fulfilling career as a creative. Here’s what he had to say. Strengthen your body I hate working out, but I’m absolutely obsessed with optimizing my brain. Several studies have come out showing the reciprocal link between the body and the brain. If you truly want to supercharge your mind, you’re going to have to supercharge your body first. Also, the gym helps you earn credibility with yourself by being disciplined and pushing through pain to reach a goal you’ve set. Additionally, it’s the easiest way to prove to yourself that the body will develop and grow in response to hard work and a powerful reminder that we all have latent potential within us. Amplify your mind Ideas In = Ideas Out. Fitness is as much about the mind as it is the body. They say that genius is a young person’s game, but I think the truth is anyone can have a brilliant idea, but you have to work to keep your perspective fresh. Reading is the best way to do that, and when it comes to money, Audible is the best way to read. Reinvent your identity Identity and values drive behavior. As such, your success at implementing new habits and routines in your life will be entirely dependent on your ability to change your identity. If you’re really going to follow through with your goals, you’re going to have to make changes to you who you are. via Tom Bilyeu Don’t be alarmed With only the rarest of exceptions, I haven’t woken up to an alarm in roughly 14 years. The name of the game is cognitive optimization, and that requires sleep. Get it. Go to bed as early as you have to. Drop things from your schedule, but try never to cut sleep. Maintain healthy eating habits I’m a big believer in cycling your eating habits. I switch between a high protein diet and a high fat diet every week, spending four days on high protein and three days on a full-blown ketogenic diet (high fat, moderate protein, virtually no carbs). On top of that I routinely do 16 hour fasts, and roughly once a year I do a full three day fast. The benefit of intermittent fasting and a ketogenic diet in general is that it profoundly changes your relationship to hunger. The most impactful benefit for me has been that when in a ketogenic state, I don’t experience fatigue after lunch time nor any cognitive decline between meals—even when I’m really busy and starving. Consume more whole foods Thought I was going to say eat more Quest products? Truth is, you should eat whole food whenever possible. Only eat Quest Bars, Chips and Powders when you need something that tastes like dessert, but is super clean and healthy. I say that partly because I’m one of the co-founders, but also because I believe in the products and eat them daily, truly seven days a week. It’s how I avoid cheating on my diet. Live by “Bright lines” Bright lines are my secret weapon for discipline. The concept is simple: implement very strict rules in your life. The easiest ones for me are around diet and exercise. My first meal of the day is never before 7 a.m. My second is never before 11:30, so on and so forth. Also, my meals for the day are predetermined. No matter how hungry I get I never eat before the allotted time or eat more than I’ve planned. Those hard and fast rules are my bright lines. I do that because it’s easy to live in a yes or no world. It’s hard to deal in maybes, especially when you’re hungry and tired. via Tom Bilyeu I hope these tools serve you as well as they have me. If you want to ask me any questions about the above, hit me up on any social platform at @TomBilyeu. Until then, be legendary, my friends. __________ This story was originally published in “The Fitness Issue” of Resource Magazine. Visit the Resource Shop to pick up a copy. via RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230553 http://ift.tt/2wOGvzn It’s not difficult to organise photos in Lightroom since it allows you to search and sort your photos by a number of different methods other than by folder. Because of this, it’s not mandatory to have a highly organised file structure. In theory, you could import all your photos into... The post How to Organise Photos in Lightroom Simply and Easily appeared first on Expert Photography. via RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230553 http://ift.tt/2uK0TAf The market for stock video footage has grown tremendously, as video is quickly becoming the premiere media format throughout advertising, social media and publishing. This means the demand for quality content is increasing rapidly, creating more work for videographers and filmmakers. However, with so much diverse content out there, from aerial footage to virtual reality, it can sometimes be difficult to meet the needs of the client while working within your budget. That’s where stock footage comes in, and it’s changing the game for video creators. Although a number of stock media platforms have surfaced in recent years, VideoBlocks caters specifically to videographers and filmmakers, offering one of the fastest growing video libraries that hosts over 3 million videos, After Effects templates, motion backgrounds and more. It’s also affordable, offering a subscription-based model that gives users unlimited access to premium footage. In addition, for content creators interested in selling their media, VideoBlocks gives 100 percent of the commission back to their contributors—the only stock company to do so. VideoBlocks even offers a seven-day free trial for trying and exploring their video library. Here are some ways you can use stock footage to elevate your video game. Get Footage From Locations Around the World Sometimes, a project or client may call for footage that you’re unable to shoot in a timely or cost-efficient manner—suppose you’re based in NYC and in need of drone shots above a winding, rural road or underwater footage that shows a herd of sharks. Of course, with enough time and budget, nearly any filmmaker would jump at the opportunity to shoot this themselves. But more often than not, traveling around the world to shoot B-roll is an improbable endeavor. So instead of removing it from the shot list—or worse, telling the client “no”—utilizing stock footage is the perfect compromise for quality footage that won’t blow your deadline or budget. Earn Supplemental Income Not every videographer is consistently working, especially freelancers. However, nearly every videographer has archives upon archives of unused footage, content and clips. With VideoBlocks Marketplace and Contributor Portal, creators can bring new life to their footage by selling their videos and earning 100 percent commission on every sale. VideoBlocks is also home to an audience of over 180K active customers who’ve collectively made more than 100 million downloads, a solid alternative to letting your content sit on your drives. Effectively, this could create a significant passive revenue stream for your business, whether you’re hoping to invest in new gear or finally shoot the personal project you’ve been dreaming about. Obtain Content That You Don’t Have the Gear to Produce Aside from traditional video content, the need for 360°/VR, timelapse, and aerial footage is greater than ever. However, obtaining the optimal gear to produce this can be costly, especially for one-off or occasional projects. Not to mention that there’s surely a learning curve for creating this kind of content. Fortunately, VideoBlocks offers dedicated sections for such content, allowing users to efficiently add a creative twist to their work. Optimize Your Post-Production Workflow The world of post-production is extremely dense. Today, the effects that can be created through video editing is seemingly limitless, alongside the methods employed to do so. But if you’re working fast and on a deadline, you may not always have the luxury to build advanced content from scratch, which is where VideoBlocks’ After Effects templates comes into play. With sections for typography, titles, logo reveals and more, you can same time and stress on post-production while still delivering a polished, cinematic final product. Click the image below to start downloading and get started today! via RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230553 http://ift.tt/2wLu33h For those who make fitness their lives, there’s never been a better or more lucrative time to be alive. Over the past decade, social media has significantly boosted the business of getting in shape. Not only has this innovation aided fitness experts in making a profitable living, but it’s given fitness enthusiasts unprecedented access to workout options, routines and lifestyles in just a few simple taps or swipes. The all-encompassing explosion of social media has in one way or another affected every area of our lives. But specifically for fitness experts, platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and even LinkedIn allow these mavens to create content in a way that increasingly blurs the lines between follower and client. Now they’re able to monetize their personal brands, and so it seems, may not even need to teach in-person classes to sustain a business. Let’s be honest—many of us are turned away by the idea of following a strict workout regimen that requires more than an hour a day of our time. In our fast-paced society, people are more receptive to brief, concise information that’s broken down in a few easy steps. For some, the thought of implementing a fitness plan into their lives is inconceivable, but the burgeoning relationship between fitness and social media is making it more sustainable than ever.
Idalis Velazquez (@ivfitness), 33, who from a young age has been an athlete and fitness enthusiast, launched her fitness business, I.V. Fitness, in 2008. Before this venture, she never considered a career in fitness, which changed when her business exploded. “Honestly, I never thought I’d be working in this field,” Velazquez said. “It wasn’t something I considered a job. Then, after my second pregnancy, I went through some really serious medical complications and started offering my community free bootcamp classes. I don’t just do these classes for competition or being an athlete; I just like doing it for wellness, to stay active and energized, and to help other moms and women.” Velazquez specializes in resistance training, strength training, and metabolic workouts. The reason she leans more toward encouraging these workouts is due to their effectiveness in showing quick results. When done correctly, they’re also a safer option for getting in shape, whether you want to lose weight, build muscle, or just feel stronger, unlike crash-course workouts or diets, which can be harmful to one’s health.
Photo provided by Idalis Velazquez Most of her in-person training sessions are one-on-one, but now platforms like Instagram have taken her ability to advertise her fitness programs to a whole new level. For her, social media is a huge part of what contributes to her success as a fitness entrepreneur. Instagram is by far her favorite form of social networking because of its accessibility to a very large, diverse audience. Currently, her feed reaches 56.5K followers and is growing every day. “Instagram kind of opened that door for posting more about fitness, especially they started allowing video clips,” Velazquez said. “It was a great opportunity to reach more people around the world.” Velazquez says most of her followers and clients are looking for 30 to 40 minute workouts, so she tries to adhere to those requests. She knows how busy and stressed people can be, especially the modern-day woman, which is why her goal is to create simple and effective workouts for them. “I feel like years ago we used to settle for less and now we want it all,” Velazquez said. “You want the career, you want to be a mom—you have all these things.” Being able to access a fitness workout on a social media network, such as Instagram, has not only made the lifetyle more accessible, but acts as a form of motivation and inspiration for those looking to get toned up. When her clients post their “before” and “after” photos, for example, the results create an incentive for others to try the workout. Velazquez says she hopes to inspire others to live quality lives, which is why she posts about nutrition and maintaining a healthy lifestyle in addition to workouts.
“I hope they get really strong and create a lot of muscle, especially moms after having kids. A lot of people today have become less mobile, like, they’re staying home or a lot of the time they’re seated because of a desk job. We’ve become—I’m not going to say lazy—but we’re always driving or sitting, and I feel like everyone is suffering from back pains. I just want people to feel good in their own bodies, to feel strong, and to move better.” Velazquez, who is based in the Fort Lauderdale area with her family, realizes how crucial keeping up with social media is for her career in fitness, but also knows when to disconnect to maintain her own sanity, in order to practice what she preaches. About two years ago, when she first started using social media, it consumed too much of her time and she started to feel it negatively impact her life. It’s all about finding the right balance, she says. “I do love connecting with people, but for some reason it really affects me. It’s one of my biggest stressors. I’m trying to have more control. I have two girls and a family. I remember two years ago I was always on the phone, and I remember my husband saying, ‘Oh my God, you’re consumed with social media.’ Now I just have hours that I set so I can post and check whatever I need to in that time. It works for me.” Velazquez’s advice for those just starting out in the competitive entrepreneurial fitness world is to stay true to your personal brand and create consistent content for your audience. Clients can tell when a fitness instructor is genuine about the workouts they offer, and when a variety of workouts is posted regularly, this keeps them engaged and keeps them coming back. Photo provided by Michael Morelli Fitness trainer Michael Morelli (@morellifit), who has 1.3 million followers on Instagram, started promoting his fitness brand, MorelliFit, on the platform in 2012. He specializes in TUT (Time Under Tension) methods and carb-cycling. Aside from physical training and nutrition, Morelli also enjoys teaching his clients about awareness and mindset. “Whether it be a fitness or nutrition program, we teach a lifestyle,” Morelli said. “We don’t have schemes, or gimmicks, we sell real results. I wake up with one intention, and that’s to get as many people as possible to the next level. It doesn’t have to be nutrition or training, it could be any number of things.” In the beginning, when Morelli started his social media venture, there were times he’d wake up in the middle of the night to post so his followers in other time zones had consistent content to consume. Fortunately, he now has a team that helps him operate his social media accounts so he’s not constantly plugged in. Still, he uses social media for business about four to six hours a day, mostly to interact with his followers. Morelli says he prefers advertising with social media compared to any other form of promotion because it’s more intimate and his fans can reach him directly, giving him immediate feedback by posting comments. The photos and videos he says receive the most “likes” are generally unique exercises he shares or content containing shocking or controversial captions. “Be real, transparent, honest, and different,” Morelli said. “Value is a must. Get really clear on your niche/target market and stay in your lane. Too many people want to watch and imitate what others are doing. Stand out, don’t be afraid to be controversial, and stand for something.” Photo provided by Agyei Foster Agyei Foster (@doviesworkout), also known as Dovies, runs his fitness business called Dovies Workout from Accra, the capital of Ghana in West Africa. He initially got the idea to get serious about teaching fitness and sharing it on social media in 2012. While he’s always been passionate about staying fit, he eventually believed enough in himself to pursue it as a career. A typical workday for the 30-year-old fitness coach consists of training individuals on a one-on-one basis with the occasional couple. After his morning sessions, he goes to the gym for an hour. Once he’s done training, he heads home and posts two to three online fitness videos to social media. The rest of his day is filled with answering messages from his fans online, and giving them helpful tips for their workouts. “I like teaching people how to get the best body possible,” Foster said. “I do help with weight loss and weight gains as well, and how to keep the right form for a workout. I always hope they get the results they’re looking for and that all my programs work for them the way they imagine.” Foster’s favorite social media platforms to post content are Instagram and Facebook. Currently, he has over 800K followers on Instagram and is gaining new followers every day. Since most of his fitness clients are online, being able to deliver instant workout programs and advice benefits him in reaching more people from various parts of the world. In total, Foster says he spends an excessive amount of time online between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. “Reaching people can be hard, but you have to know what your followers are interested in, especially when it comes to workout videos,” he said. “I post videos and pictures that people show more interest in, and also post stuff they are not used to like workout videos or posts from my country.” Foster’s best piece of advice for up-and-coming fitness influencers is to “stay original.” He says if you try to copy other successful fitness hosts on social media, users will see through it and write you off. Instead, he says to be true to yourself and share what you’re most interested in when it comes to fitness and staying healthy. What these three fitness influencers have in common is their drive and passion for what they do. They don’t let anyone influence them; they influence others with their genuine love for fitness and making the world a healthier and happier place. This story was originally published in “The Fitness Issue” of Resource Magazine. Visit the Resource Shop to pick up a copy. via RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230553 http://ift.tt/2wLbtZa Shooting a wedding is unlike shooting any other genre of photography. That’s because it’s like every genre of photography rolled in to one. Fashion, portraiture, architecture, landscape, lifestyle, product, family. If you’re very lucky, travel too. These all play a part in building the story of your clients’ day As... The post 7 Wedding Photography Lenses A Pro Never Leaves Home Without appeared first on Expert Photography. via RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230553 http://ift.tt/2vRjtLE The sharks approach slowly, almost methodically, as you exhale what seems like a thousand bubbles from your scuba tank. These predators are comfortable in their underwater habitat. They hardly notice your presence, aside from the sound of your racing heartbeat. This is the tropical island of Tahiti, a place as enchanting below sea level as it is on dry land. Written by Michael Bonocore – Photography by Michael Bonocore and Luke Hosty of Ocean Culture Life.Model – Urche FernandezTravelLocated in the South Pacific Ocean, Tahiti is the largest and most populous island in French Polynesia. Faa’a International Airport in Papeete, the nation’s capital, is the only international airport in the country, making the authentic and bustling city a favored base camp for travelers before visiting other islands and atolls. Even with its remote location and small airport, getting to Tahiti is rather simple, as Air Tahiti Nui offers daily flights from Los Angeles for about $1,700 round trip. And with one of the nicest entertainment systems in the airline industry, the flights are indeed comfortable and enjoyable. Getting AroundThe most viable option for transportation on the main island is renting a car. Having a vehicle, however, will give you the flexibility to fully explore during day excursions, even if staying in Papeete. The length of the island can be driven in only a few hours, which is crucial to experience all of what it has to offer. Economy class cars can be rented at the airport and cost about $50 to $60 a day. When to VisitAs you may have guessed, Tahiti is home to a tropical climate, so don’t bother bringing a parka. Similarly to most tropics, there are two seasons: wet and dry. The tourism high season runs from May 1 to Oct. 31, carrying the coolest temperatures of the year with 82 degrees Fahrenheit as the average high. The summer season runs from Nov.1 to April 31 with a slightly higher average of 85 degrees. But this is also the most humid season, and with that, comes the rain; an average of 12 inches a month is not uncommon during the summer. Yet this makes it easier to book accommodations and considerably decreases pricing. HOT SPOTSPapeeteWith just over 130,000 residents, the capital of French Polynesia is small enough to entrench yourself in the local scene without feeling overwhelmed, while urban lifestyles mix fluidly with the ocean culture. One minute, you’re in the downtown district enjoying a succulent fish lunch, and the next, you’re 15 meters deep scuba diving with tiger sharks. If you fear the deep ocean, you can opt to hop on a boat to watch whales and dolphins breach the surface. It is likely you will be met with jets flying closely overhead, as they take off from the shore and head to the airport. There are also countless places to rent a jet ski for some late afternoon exploring, or you can try your hand at “va’a,” a famous type of Polynesian canoe that will help you burn some calories as you work on your tan. Or if your idea of a relaxing trip is simply sitting by the pool and enjoying a cocktail, the resorts along the coast outside the city have got you covered. Just don’t forget your camera, as the coastline faces west toward Mo’orea, Tahiti’s imposing and photogenic sister island that makes for an awesome scene as the tropical sun sets on the horizon. Where to Stay: Intercontinental Tahiti Teahupo?oTeahupo’o is home to one of the most coveted surf breaks. Every August, the world’s best surfers descend on this small village to compete in the Billabong Pro Tahiti, a multi-day tournament and a part of the World Championship Tour. Our team was lucky enough to witness surf legend Kelly Slater bag three perfect 10s on the final day, winning the 2016 event. Since the break is offshore, you need to be on a boat to capture the famous barrel as surfers plow through it. With Tahiti Tourisme, we were onboard the boat of local pro surfer Tikanui Smith, but if you show up early, it’s easy to charter a water taxi from the marina. While the event window is almost two weeks long, the break rarely sleeps, so if you happen to be in Papeete, the hour drive is well worth it anytime of the year.
FakaravaDespite the beauty of Papeete and the surrounding countryside, we decided to take a short getaway to one of Tahiti’s best diving locations: the remote atoll of Fakarava. With only 800 inhabitants, it is surely a secluded slice of paradise. A deep lagoon that’s 37 miles long by 13 miles wide sits in the middle of the atoll. The diving is concentrated at two passes, Passe Garuae in the northwest and Tetamanu in the south, which is where we set up camp after a 90-minute ride from the airport. The village consists of several waterfront bungalows for visitors and interior housing for the locals. Each day, the local dive master coordinates two dives, leaving guests plenty of time to experience all of the relaxation Tetamanu has to offer. A short boat ride filled with the village dogs will bring you to the Pink Sands Beach, which is backed by hundreds of palm trees. We recommend packing a cooler and leisurely basking in the sun while watching a local kite surfer named Adrien Cartier Millon weave through the anchored offshore catamarans. If you’re feeling up to it, you can ask the boat captain take you to see him, or get his contact information from the flyer by dining tables.He will outfit you with some of his gear on a tiny deserted island before teaching you how to get up and ride on your own. Before lunch is served, grab your underwater housing and wade into the shallow waters off the dock nearest the kitchen. This is the perfect spot to get some up close and personal shots of the black tip sharks that continuously swim around the pier. If your schedule is flexible, plan your trip to this magnificent location during a full moon for some truly surreal images. Coupled with the fresh and delicious home-cooked meals of Phineas, the island’s in-house chef, Tetamanu is one of those places that will have you dreaming of your return the moment you depart. Where to Stay: Tetamanu Pension Additional Activities Kiteboarding: Adrien Cartier Millon How to Live the Tahitian LifestyleSlow DownIf you’ve ever experienced the true meaning of “island time,” you know the term is clichéd for a reason. And since French Polynesia is home to 118 islands and atolls, it isn’t just a saying; it’s a way of life. But don’t confuse it with laziness, as it’s more of an unworried lifestyle molded around the happiness of the locals. They understand that they live in a paradise setting, and slowing down is the best way to share in their appreciation for their world. Get CertifiedTahiti has something for everyone, from romantic beaches and overwater bungalows to sunshine and watersports. But to maximize your enjoyment, you should consider partaking in what Tahiti is know for above all else: some of the best diving in the world. To do so, you will need a PADI certification, which you can get through your local dive shop. You won’t regret putting in the time and effort to learn how to safely enjoy life below the surface. Protect Your Photo and Video ContentFrom close encounters with sharks to moonlit palm trees, Tahiti and Fakarava are truly some of the most visually stunning places on the planet. Photographers and filmmakers love capturing the vibrant blues and greens, but all of that excitement will disappear if you lose everything to a catastrophic equipment failure. For this trip, we trusted the rugged G-Technology ev ATC with Thunderbolt and ev RaW SSD for quick importing to our media folders, before backing everything up on the G-SPEED shuttle XL with Thunderbolt. The watertight drive compartment on the lightweight ev ATC gave us peace of mind in the event of an accidental drop in the shallow lagoon. Working fast in such a wet and sandy environment also means mistakes can be made, but it should never result in the loss of your work. So arrive with a plan that ensures your files are safe and secure no matter what happens. House Your EquipmentThere’s a good chance that much of the photos and video you shoot in French Polynesia will be underwater, even if you decide not to go diving, so it is important to get a solid and trusted underwater housing for your camera. Make sure you know how to set it up and provide routine maintenance during the course of your trip. Test the housing on a daily basis without your camera inside before jumping in with expensive hardware. There’s little room for error when it comes to underwater photography, so it’s necessary to be 100 percent comfortable with your housing before putting it to use. Research Your LocationFrench Polynesia is made up of 118 islands and atolls, providing more locations to visit and things to do than you can imagine. Before your trip, determine what’s most important to you and use the extensive online database on Tahiti Tourism to aid in your decision. It will help you make your trip unforgettable, although when it comes to this paradise, it’s near impossible to forget no matter the circumstance. Shoot All Hours of the DayWhile most photographers will opt to avoid harsh mid-day light, Tahiti and Fakarava will force you to rethink your “only shoot in golden hour” rule. The crystal clear water is at its most stunning and vibrant in midday when the sun shines straight down, making the water an almost blinding bright shade of turquoise. Add in some tranquil sunrises, golden sunsets, and moonlit scenes flanked by thousands of stars, and you will never want to put down your camera. But Also Put Down Your CameraEven though I just explained why it’s difficult to put down your camera, force yourself to do it for at least one prolonged period each day. After all, you are among one of the cleanest, brightest and most beautiful paradises in the world. While you may return home with thousands of gorgeous photos, don’t forget to make some memories and bask in the bewilderment of how places like Tahiti and Fakarava still exist in this day and age. Tell the Locals’ StoriesWhen we arrived in Tahiti, we envisioned telling the stories of the local people we met along the way. But what we didn’t know is how easy this would be. Tahiti is filled with energetic people who live a relaxed life and have beautiful stories to complement it. They’re truly a culture of passion, whether it’s surfing, spear fishing or fire dancing. Yet we found that one thing stood higher than all the rest. By far, the people of Tahiti are most stirred by their homeland and culture. So stop and ask everyone you meet why they’re proud to be Tahitian. Just be prepared to open your ears and listen for a little while. Created in Partnership withvia RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230553 http://ift.tt/2wJeVDy |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
October 2021
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