Tag Archives: follow friday

Friday Five for 3.25.11

Friday, March 25, 2011

If you are on twitter and you somehow missed that there is a movement going on called Blog4NZ then I’m glad I am publishing this post. If you’re not on twitter and you don’t know about the blogger movement supporting bringing tourism back to New Zealand, I’m equally glad I am doing this post. If you are completely aware of Blog4NZ you can move on … or, enjoy my five favorite posts from the project that took place this week. There were quite a number of posts to wade through and I perhaps didn’t get to see them all. However, I think these are five terrific blog posts about New Zealand full of photographs and video that may make you want to hop on a plane bound for New Zealand now. I know that’s how I feel!


1) My 5 Favorite Views in New Zealand – Some truly great photographs are in this image heavy post celebrating New Zealand. It’s a treasure trove and definitely a good way to convince me to grab a flight over the ocean!

2) Off the beaten track: New Zealand’s South Island – There is nothing I am more in support of while traveling than getting “off the beaten track” and seeing the real heart and soul of a place. This post, does just that. For New Zealand’s South Island.

3) Paragliding Over Queenstown New Zealand – My mother went paragliding in Hawaii and ever since she did it’s something that’s always been on my “bucket list”. While I was finally able to zipline this year, I still haven’t followed in my mum’s footsteps. Maybe that’s why I enjoyed this post so much. Another chance to live vicariously!

4) Foodie’s Guide to New Zealand – Food is usually the gateway to truly getting to know any place one travels to. Oh, it’s not for you? Totally speaking for myself then!! I’m a bit of a foodie. This post definitely made my mouth water for a visit to New Zealand. Major bonus points for leading with ice cream … only my favorite food!!

5) Beautiful, Breathtaking New Zealand | Land of the Long White Cloud – And in a possible case of “saving the best for last” I present my friend Ken’s post on the Land of the Long White Cloud. Ken is the first photographer to ever help me appreciate HDR. Before his work, I was not a fan. I imagine these photos can help convince you, like his work did me, of the merits of this technique. Certainly, they will make you want to visit New Zealand! The grapevines at the end alone …

This week’s header image was taken on the California coast at Pebble Beach. I, sadly, have not been to NZ otherwise I would have proudly featured an image from the country!

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Friday Five for 3.11.11

Friday, March 11, 2011

Not a week goes by these days where I don’t get asked for photography advice. It’s an honor to be asked and I enjoy the chance to pay it forward. However, it’s also unusual in the sense that I still consider myself a student of photography. Even after a lifetime of holding a camera in my hands and a decade of being in the business. Words like “master” and “expert”, even “pro” are ones I hesitate to throw around with regards to any living photographer and most especially myself. This is why I’ve never taught a workshop or written a how-to post. It’s why I most likely won’t unless the circumstances are extraordinary. I still consider myself to be learning every day. These posts and these photographers have each taught me, I hope they can help you too! Learn along with me and hone your skills – photography is certainly a wonderful thing to have any talent for. It’s sort of like happiness bottled up 365 days a year!

1) Ryan Brenizer – I can’t speak highly enough of this NYC-based photographer. If I try, I’m just going to sound like a silly fan girl fawning over Justin Bieber. It wouldn’t be pretty. Suffice to say, there’s no one I’ve met personally in the photography world who has taught me more than Ryan. I’m not alone. Ryan is generous with his knowledge and kind to all who approach him seeking advice. I’ve linked to one of my favorite tutorials on his site, but do yourself a favor and really take some time to check out his site, his twitter and his Facebook fan page. I think your time will be well rewarded.

2) Photojojo! – Get on this mailing list now if you enjoy photography at all. Beware of the store though, where you will find all manner of gadgets and equipment related to photography – enough to bankrupt you for sure if you have poor self control! I’ve been a Photojojo fan almost since day one of their existence and no organization has more of my thanks for reminding me that photography can and should be fun!

3) Choosing Your Lenses – In the business world of photography, lenses are often referred to as “glass” and I love that term so much it’s my default way of describing those things that go on the front of my camera enabling me to actually take photographs. Perhaps the most important thing you can invest in, is good glass. Yet that doesn’t always have to mean a lot of money. This article lays out the basics in a user friendly way and I trust no matter your skill level, the information will be helpful if you have a dSLR or SLR. Spoiler alert: they hail the merits of one of my favorite lenses and the cheapest you can buy – if you’re a Canon photographer like me: the 50mm f/1.8

4) 10 Photography Books You’ll Never Get Tired Of – From Matador Network, it’s no surprise this is a great article. While you can’t learn everything from a book, certainly even less so when pertaining to photography, I still think it’s important to be inspired as part of your learning experience and photography books really can fit that bill. Here are 10 “you’ll never get tired of” according to Matador and I can’t disagree with them!

5) Strobist – Whatever level you are at, if you care about lighting at all, this is the site for you. It started small and is now revered in the industry as one of the best resources for tips and tutorials regarding lighting and photography. First and foremost, Strobist is the best place to learn how to take your flash off your camera so you can get creative and really light images instead of simply pointing a flash at a subject! Enjoy!

This week’s header image was taken in Brooklyn, that’s the Manhattan skyline from Dumbo.

For the most current updates, become a fan on Facebook, check out my Highlights on AFAR or follow me on Instagram. I am able to update both networks more frequently than this blog. And if you enjoyed this post, please show the love by sharing it!
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Friday Five for 3.4.11

Friday, March 4, 2011

Bonjour from Paris! While here, my only real aim is to wander the city and photograph all the sights. I am sure I’ll do many other things like eat my way through town … but it is photography that is my ultimate “to do”. What do you enjoy doing when you’re traveling to a new place? My activities depend greatly on the destination but there are a few things I really love to do in certain towns. This week, here are a few of my favorites and a few I’d like to do when I am able to visit the destinations I’ve not yet conquered.

1) In Savannah, Georgia – Take an architectural walking tour with Jonathan Stalcup. Architecture is such a part of what makes Savannah a unique and beautiful place and no person I have met in Savannah is as knowledgeable and as passionate about the history and significance of architecture in Savannah. His tour goes beyond facts to make the city come alive in a fascinating way. You could also take a Hauntings Tour with Robert Edgerly. Another unique aspect of Savannah is their ghost and hauntings legends. Robert knows them all and tells the tales in such an entertaining way! My tour with Robert was one of the most fun evenings I’ve had in Savannah. Just remember, take advantage of the ToGo cup policy and arm yourself with a stiff drink to calm your nerves along the walk.

2) In northern California – I’ve been to Napa Valley and Sonoma, while there I enjoyed wine tastings and unique culinary offerings. None disappointed! What I did fail to do while there was take in the views. Should I get to chance to return, I plan on taking the Wine Train. Sit back, soak in the scenery and be ferried from one end of the California wine region to the other? Yes, please! Bonus: following in the footsteps of Top Chef Season 6 finalists but not having to slave through a quickfire challenge!

3) In New York City – Continuing the ghostly theme, don’t pass up the chance to take a tour of lower Manhattan with Dead Apple Tours! Drew will drive you around town in a classic hearse sharing tales of New York City’s residents who are no longer with us and the visitors that expired in the Big Apple during their stays. Beware if you mind being stared at however, it’s amusing the looks you receive being carted around in a hearse during the middle of the day in a place like New York City.

4) In Ireland – What could be better than a pub crawl, isn’t this the place they were invented? If not, it probably should have been. See if you can hit all 13 of these pubs and still make your flight home. Certainly, it’s what I intend to do should I find myself on the Emerald Isle with nothing else on my agenda but time!

5) In Michigan – Detroit may have a bad rap, but beyond the surface you’ll find a wealth of culture and history in Michigan that’s worth examining. Should you find yourself in the SE portion of the Great Lakes State I recommend heading to Dearborn and entrenching yourself at The Henry Ford. During the winter months, this indoor playground boats a IMAX theater as well as the largest and most interesting collection of historical artifacts I’ve ever come across in America outside the Smithsonian. In the summer months, Greenfield Village is a playground of a different sort for kids and adults alike. As if those weren’t enough, step inside the auto industry and take a Ford Rouge Factory Tour – it’s a peek into the auto industry that will open your eyes and definitely entertain if you have any interest in cars or automotive history!

This week’s header image is of Luchador Masks for sale in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.

For the most current updates, become a fan on Facebook, check out my Highlights on AFAR or follow me on Instagram. I am able to update both networks more frequently than this blog. And if you enjoyed this post, please show the love by sharing it!
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Friday Five for 2.25.11

Friday, February 25, 2011

After almost a month hiatus, the Friday Five is back to bring you tidbits of France-related internet goodness. I depart on Tuesday for two weeks in Paris and to say that I have “Paris on the brain” would be quite the understatement. So join along with me and enjoy some of my favorite haunts online that deal in French food, fashion and fun. If you’ve traveled to Paris yourself, please leave a comment with a tip or favorite tidbit from your travels. I’m eager to get to know Paris for myself but never mind traveling in the footsteps of others!

1) Eat Cook Love Provence – Imagine a foodie getaway in Provence? I can by just closing my eyes, yet the real deal would far outweigh the glories of my imagination. Luckily, that’s available. To me, and to you with the Hotel Crillon le Brave’s culinary and wine packages. Detailed on Traveling Greener I think if you consider yourself a foodie or a Francophile you might find these hard to resist!

2) Lost in Cheeseland – One of my favorite new “Paris blogs” this site is written by an American expat and features great photography and stories on Paris. The post that described French Toast with ice cream made me so hungry I had to take a mid-work break to satisfy my craving. While the food photography is divine it is the more personal posts which I usually gleam the most from. I have always thought I would live in France one day for a spell and reading the frankness of life in The City of Lights is always a comfort to me.

3) HIP Paris Blog – From the team behind Haven in Paris apartment rentals this is a Francophile heaven! Again, the photographs are simply outstanding and the stories are entertaining enough to keep me on the site far longer than I ever intend. I really enjoyed the post on Bistrot du Peintre in the Right Bank and hope I can make it there while I am in Paris. It sounds like exactly the kind of place I’d adore.

4) Le Rude Awakening – One of the most humorous tales I’ve ever read on a French-themed blog this is a true delight. Though, I almost feel guilty for laughing. Perhaps it isn’t funny. It’s no less typical of a situation I’ve heard repeated many times over in France.

5) My Little Paris – A Francophile’s dream, this is a site available in both French (so you can practice the language if you are learning) and English. It’s beautifully designed and has tips on food, fashion, culture, lodging, shopping and more. The illustrations are simply divine and you can even send an e-card if you’re truly French obsessed.

This week’s header image was taken in the NYC subway.

For the most current updates, become a fan on Facebook, check out my Highlights on AFAR or follow me on Instagram. I am able to update both networks more frequently than this blog. And if you enjoyed this post, please show the love by sharing it!
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Friday Five for 1.28.11

Friday, January 28, 2011

It is almost the end of January and 2010 feels like it left us yesterday. Truly it is accurate that time flies faster the older you get. Which by this time next week will be 30. I won’t pretend I haven’t started to freak out just a little bit. My life certainly has not followed the trajectory that I intended it to by the time I reached my 4th decade. Yet, for me 2011 is all about embracing the “it’s never too late” philosophy and with that in mind I embark on my first press trip of 2011 and first of many international jaunts for the year this coming Wednesday. It will be the beginning of a year packed with travel. I’ll be writing Friday Five posts from every major continent at one time or another this year (with the exception of Antarctica). With my international travels at the forefront of my mind, this week, posts from all around the globe….

1) For Greece, Twenty Four Hour View of the Sky – Literally, one image composed of many taken over a period of 30 hours by Chris Kotsiopoulos. This is his article showcasing the image and talking about the process. I stand in awe of Chris and the beauty of 30 hours in Greece that he has captured.

2) For Chile, Sesion Fotografica Vina Emiliana – A photo session by the uber talented Kyle Hepp, for Dalila y Thales at the Emiliana Vineyards. If you’re single, this might make you want to fall in love just to have photographs like this taken. If you’re already married, I venture this might make you want to do it all over – just so you can hire Kyle to take photographs such as this of you. But what do I know.

3) For France, Golden Brown – This photo essay from the talented team at Little Brown Pen just screams Paris to me. I love color, live for color, never feel more inspired than when I am surrounded by colors so bright my eyes hurt. However, I adore a perfect black and white image too and believe sometimes the earthier, more subtle tones like brown can speak just as loudly. Truly that is captured in this post. This is PARIS, in shades of brown – yes, but full of life and intensity still! Merci, Little Brown Pen, Merci for inspiring me and tiding me over until my March 1 departure to the City of Lights!!

4) For Vietnam, Halong Bay: Photo Essay – Asia is one of the few areas in the world that naturally seems to fall to the bottom every time I make a list of places I need to visit. It’s not that I am uninterested in seeing countries like Vietnam, however I feel it has been done and when I say that I mean if I read another post on drinking buckets on a beach in Koh Lanta I might lose my lunch. It’s just become uninteresting to me for lack of depth. However, I say that realizing it’s a judgmental attitude that might discount all the wonder Asia probably does have to offer. So, thank goodness for posts like this photo essay on Vietnam which renew my desire to travel to Asia!

5) For Ireland, A Spectacular Service – I won’t ruin a single bit of this delightful story by trying to preface it but suffice to say it just makes me that much more eager for my October visit to The Emerald Isle!

For the most current updates, become a fan on Facebook, check out my Highlights on AFAR or follow me on Instagram. I am able to update both networks more frequently than this blog. And if you enjoyed this post, please show the love by sharing it!
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