Category: Travel Page 53 of 56
2015 really was a big year for me. About this time last year I decided to make photography a big focus for 2015 and I did. I started this blog, which has been a big motivator for me to work on my photography. To look at the stats and see that my photos are being viewed all around the world has been very enjoyable for me. I dedicated my summer break to improving my photography and I managed a photo a day project. This year, I realized that portrait photography is actually fun and something I’m not too bad at. I had my first three portrait shoots this year. I’m trying to keep this blog on the topic of nature and travel photography, but if you are interested in my portrait photography please visit MowersPhotography.com.
This year, I also had an amazing cruise vacation! I fell in love with Norwegian Cruise Line and ever since I got home I’ve been dreaming about getting back to sea! Sailing out of New York was truly an amazing sight and it may have been my favorite part of the whole cruise! I have been telling everyone that will listen to me that if you haven’t been on a cruise before, you have to try it! In my opinion, it is the absolute best way to travel!
Thank you for stopping by and being a part of my blog journey this year! It has been a lot of fun for me and I can’t wait to see what 2016 will bring! Maybe I’ll start sharing my portraits here, we’ll just have to wait and see! As always, if you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr!
Its that time of year that the weather is getting cold and all the leaves have fallen off the trees here in Michigan. Its that time of year where the urge to Go, See, and Do really starts to get me again! I’m not planning anything major in the near future (we’re saving for a Mediterranean cruise in 2017), just a little weekend trip somewhere not far from home. I was thinking, I need an app that will let me input my location and how far I’m willing to drive and it will tell me all the places I could go. And guess what? I Googled it and it exists! Check it out: How Far Can I Travel
This shot was taken at the cruise pier on Key West. I think I’ve mentioned here that my first visit to Key West was on a cruise ship. That day, we were the only ship in port. I was shocked when I made it back to the keys and there were three cruise ships docked in Key West! I think it is safe to say that when the ships left that day, the island had half the people it had midday!
Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr!
The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was voted “Most Beautiful Place in America” by Good Morning America. When I look at my pictures of Sleeping Bear, it is unbelievable to think that I took them in my home state! How many people can say they have such gorgeous vistas in their backyard?
This shot is an oldie, but a goodie. I took this with my first ever (like 6 megapixel) point and shoot digital camera. While, I could never blow it up above 8×10 or so, don’t stress out about your gear! A good photographer in a beautiful location will produce beautiful images. Yes, expensive gear doesn’t hurt, don’t let your budget keep you from going out and doing what you love!
Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr! To plan your visit to this gorgeous Michigan seashore, visit sleepingbeardunes.com
The first time I visited Key West it was the first port on a Caribbean cruise and honestly, I fell in love and just could not wait to go back! So, a year and a half later I took another trip to the Keys with the intent to see more of the islands. One of the things I did on that trip was climb to the top of the Key West Lighthouse. As a Michigander, I’ve climbed to the top of several Great Lakes Lighthouses and the view from the KWL was totally different! It gave you a bird’s eye view of the island and really highlighted the colorful architecture that makes up the Southernmost Isle.
I highly encourage photographers (and travelers too) to look for a different vantage point, especially in highly photographed areas. Climb lighthouses, stairs, mountains, you never know what you’ll see when you reach the top.
Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr!
A few years ago I took a long weekend trip to St. Louis, Missouri. One of my favorite things about that trip was our visit to the St. Louis zoo. What stands out to me, years later, is the penguin house. This building houses penguins and puffins and the only barrier between you and the birds is a chest-high plexiglass wall. This makes for an excellent photo opportunity because there is no dirty, cloudy glass interfering with penguin pictures! And to sweeten the deal even more, admission to the zoo is free (some additional attractions do come with a fee). What could be better than that?
This is not one of my artistic photos, but how often to do get a shot of penguins without that gross glass getting in the way? And you don’t have to go to Antarctica to get it!
Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr! To plan your trip visit stlzoo.org.
Stony Creek Metropark is a 4,000+ acre nature park in the middle of the Detroit suburbs. Fishing, biking, boating, and hiking abound in this urban oasis. Its so strange to think when you are hiking along wooded paths and fishing in the 500 acre lake, that people are sitting in traffic, honking their horns just outside the park gates.
Stony Creek has been on my list of places to visit all summer. I have seen some absolutely fabulous photos of this place from other photographers. Of course, the day I finally decide to go, it is completely overcast and dreary. That means field and lake landscapes are definitely out of the question. But, overcast days provide the best lighting for detail shots. This visit really helped me expand my photographic repertoire and look outside the box for inspiration.
Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr! To plan your Stony Creek outing, check out Metroparks.org
A photographer I follow on Facebook recently posted about an Alaskan cruise he took. He said it was a fun family vacation but it wasn’t great for photography. This got me thinking about why I love cruising:
- Value – For one price you get luxury accommodations, transportation, great food, and world-class entertainment
- Multiple Destinations – Go island hopping or visit several European cities and only unpack once
- Relaxation – Days at sea with no set plans? Count me in
Cruising does not allow you to get as deep into a location or give the flexibility to catch sunrises or sunsets in port. I have to say, there is something about a catching one from the ship! And I love how cruising gives you a taste of a location without having to commit; if you don’t like a port, you can get back onto the ship. If you fall in love with a location, you know where to plan your next trip!
Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr! If I’ve convinced you, there are many sites to browse cruises, but I recommend Priceline Cruises.