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Tours Enjoyed By Kingston and Frank

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Kingston Canoes The Wanganui River

Photo from Kingston river trip

I don’t have my motorcycle licence so I left that for Frank. I briefly thought about taking flying lessons in Taupo, I do want to learn to fly – but it’ll have to wait. But look what i discovered; can you imagine how beautiful it is to drift along through one of New Zealand’s national parks surrounded by amazing native trees, plants and flowers? Well, let me tell you that my trip with Yeti Tours in Ohakune was a highlight of my time in New Zealand! I chose the guided tour where they look after everything for you. We did pass another group that just hired canoes from Yeti but I feel my choice was better – you can’t beat local knowledge eh! Also having all your meals cooked for you just makes it feel more like a holiday – to me anyway. I would highly recommend this type of tour, you do not need to be very fit either, most of the time the current keeps you moving. There are a few spots where you need to put in a burst though so you can’t expect an armchair ride haha.

Franklin Does A Motorbike Tour

As I mentioned above I don’t have my licence, however, Frank doesn’t like writing so I’ll give you a second-hand view of his trip. He chose as his weapon of choice a motorbike and left the garden city Christchurch (Hagley park was full of spring flowers) well equipped with a GPS to explore SOME (Its huge) of the open space in the lower part of the South Island. One thing Frank mentioned is the open smooth roads are almost mesmerizing and he had to keep reminding himself that there are risks in riding a bike :-). Queenstown was a highlight as was Te Anau – he likes lakes haha. Additionally you can take an atv on this adventure but be sure to have one equiped with mud tires, you can check some atv mud tire reviews at Caetla.

Anyway once I convince my mate to actually write something; we may get a few more details. Thanks for reading.

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Classical Flower Arrangement

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The Mozart Collection

When it comes to arranging flowers; modern is not always best! Sometimes a classical approach to the art is more appropriate. This what a classical person like Mozart would like to see in a flower arrangement? He certainly would not approve of the modern glitzy foil covered coloured boxes that are often used today. I love this image, it symbolizes exactly what I am talking about. A single flower variety used in a mass colourful arrangement often gives a more opulent and pleasing impression. AFD offers a range of online flowers for Australia delivery in both modern and classical style

FloristNZ is a New Zealand Online Flower Delivery website with a beautiful range of classical and modern style arrangements to suit any occasion. To state the obvious there are many reasons to send someone flowers. But did you know that it has been proven to actually help when someone is down or feeling sick?  In a study looking at the responses to receiving gifts ( full source here ScienceBlogs.com )

  • 147 women were found via supermarket ads.
  • Study about “normal moods during the day.”
  • Given 1 of ten gifts – not told which though.
  • They were phoned to assess their life satisfaction or mood.
  • Ten days later, 2 peopled delivered the gift.
  • Flowers to One third.
  • Fruit Gift Basket to One third.
  • A candle to One third
  1. A group of impartial volunteers chose the gifts to be of equal value and appeal.
  2. The fear some have of weight gain kept chocolate out of the gift choices.
  3. One tester gave the gift, and the other noted their reaction.
  4. The tester had no idea which of the items a person was going to receive.

Although everyone did smile with most of the gifts, there were much higher real smiles from the flower bouquets than any other category…….

In a subsequent test

  • A person stood inside an elevator and handed a flower, pen, or no gift to people as they entered.
  • When they were given nothing;  only 50% of the time the tester was holding a wicker flower gift basket.
  • They also initiated a conversation.
  • 60 men and 62 ladies entered the lift.
  • A 2nd tester noted 4 different things, did they:
  1. Smile.
  2. Stand close
  3. Speak
  4. look

at the tester. These 4 observations were collated into a score from 0 to 9.
Both sexes scored much higher in social behaviour if they received flowers compared not receiving a gift or being given a pen.
Noteworthy is that the lowest scores were received when flowers were seen but not given – So being given flowers affects social behaviour and mood, not just the sight of them.

Flowers make you happier

Flowers make you happy

A final study, a group of women in rest homes received one, two or three flower bouquets over 2 weeks. They were then interviewed before and after the experiment

women who received the flowers had much better moods after the 2 weeks. The level of happiness or lack of depression directly correlated to the number of bouquets they were given – the more the happier!

Tips To Help You Take Pictures Like A Pro!

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Are you tired of producing lackluster photographs and dull images? If you read on, you will find many tips that will help you become better at photography.

Get quick with your shutter finger. If you take too long, your subject could move, run away or something could change that could ruin your photo. Photography is about capturing a moment, so be fast, and don’t let the moment slip away.

Good photographs are those that are kept simple. Often the best pictures are the ones that you take naturally, without worrying about all the extras.

Digital photography can be altered and manipulated in software to make them resemble traditional art forms. While there are a variety of software products available for purchase, Adobe Photoshop is listed as one of the best. With Photoshop, photos can be instantly converted to works of art by simply selecting the effect you desire.

Many photographers ignore the foreground in their shots focusing on the background, but the viewer sees the foreground. Consider a natural frame in the foreground of the photo so that a perception of depth is achieved.

Truly unique pictures are often the result of trying new ideas and experimenting. An excellent picture needs to have its own personal style to it. Show this point of view to the rest of the world. Avoid the same pictures that have been done over a thousand times. Try out a creative style with your skills, and try unique angles.

Pack all of your equipment with care when you are getting ready for a trip. Take extra batteries, cleaning accessories and different lenses. Don’t take more with you than you absolutely need.

Try pre-focusing your camera and then moving so that your subject is not right in the middle of the lens. A centered picture is usually not as interesting. Try to place your subject to one side to be more interesting.

Photography should be something that you enjoy doing. Taking photographs should give you a sense of accomplishment, and reviewing them later should give you a sense of warm nostalgia. Have fun when actually taking the pictures and will will soon fall in love with photography.

When you finally have a great shot in the viewfinder and are about to push that shutter, be still and hold your breath. Even a little bit of movement on your part can cause a ruined photo. Get in the habit of holding your breath and being conscious of your movements before you press the shutter button.

Natural lighting is a key component. Early morning light or late afternoon glows are best for taking photos outdoors. When the sun goes high in the sky, there can be undesirable shadows cast and the subject may squint because of the harsh light. Use strong sunlight best by positioning your subject so that the sun falls on them from the side.

Find someone to take pictures with you or join a club. While other photographers can provide you with valuable information and advice, be careful not to begin imitating their personal styles in your own photography. Take some pictures together of the same object, then compare how your styles differ.

It is important that you take the time to read your camera manual, and become familiar with your camera before you begin using it. The reason is because manuals are very thick and inconvenient to carry around. Most people throw manuals away without giving them a second look. Actually spend some time reading your manual instead of tossing it. You can take better photographs because of the mistakes you’ll avoid by reading your manual.

Snap the picture quickly. To capture good action shots, you need to have your shutter speed feature set to high. Don’t miss a golden opportunity before it leaves once more. You can easily lose the attention of your subjects if you delay the shot, and the perfect moment is then lost forever. If you spend too much time worrying about your camera settings, you may find that your shot opportunity is long gone.

There is no special formula that automatically produces a skilled photographer. Practice your shooting to gain experience, and hone your skills. One of the great benefits of digital photography is that it is very easy to sort through images you want to keep, and discard the rest. Your eye for what constitutes a good image will improve over time.

Red Eye

Red eye may seem like a small flaw, but it can deem a photo un-frame worthy. Red eye is the result of using flash, so turn off the flash feature if you don’t need it. If the use of flash is required, try to have your subjects avoid looking directly into the camera lens. Some cameras also have a red eye feature.

Prior to shooting a large event, warm up your skills by catching glimpses of small details. A makeup bag or bouquet of flowers often make a dramatic, romantic statement, and make for an accessible subject to start with. You may also capture some gems in the process.

While having a good photographic eye is important to taking excellent pictures, learning the craft of photography is important too. The advice in this article is a great way for any aspiring photographer to get a start.

Photography Are Easy To Follow When You Have Special Tips Like These

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Although most people think that taking a picture is just as simple as pointing and shooting, there really is an art form to it. Typically, your photos never look quite as good as you imagined they would. However, once you learn the proper techniques, it really is simple to take great pictures.

Take your pictures quickly. The longer it takes to shoot the picture, the greater the chance of something going amiss. Your subject could move, go away or something else such as lighting can affect the shot you wanted to take. The faster the camera can take pictures, the better chance you have to get a good picture.

Don’t dawdle when taking photographs. If you wait even a moment to take the perfect shot, that moment can change the whole dynamics of your subject or lighting. The faster you can get your pictures taken, the better.

Be simple with your camera settings. Do not attempt to take on too many customizable settings at once. Choose to master a new setting monthly, from shutter speed to aperture. This will allow you to focus on capturing the picture, instead of spending all your time fiddling with the camera while your subject simply walks away.

Field depth is a critical feature when shooting landscapes. Add scale into your photos by including an object or person in the picture foreground. To gain sharper images, adjust your aperture to a smaller setting; try f/16 for full-frame single lens reflex cameras and f/8 for the more standard digital ones.

If you wish to join the ranks of very accomplished photographers, move up to a dSLR camera. The acronym DSLR stands for digital single lens reflex. This type of camera is the best choice because it allows you to see your image immediately after you have taken the picture. Full frame DSLR cameras will provide the largest image sensor, enabling you to capture extremely detailed photographs.

Memory Card

One of the best ways to take excellent shots is to take a lot of them; purchase a memory card which can store a great deal of pictures. By increasing the size of the memory card that you use in your camera, you are increasing the number of photos that you can take before changing cards. If your memory card is large, you will be able to shoot using RAW format. This gives you a great deal of post-production flexibility.

While many photographers prefer to emphasize landscapes from a distance, viewers often focus on the foreground instead. Consider a natural frame in the foreground of the photo so that a perception of depth is achieved.

Take photos of your travel souvenirs when you’re on a trip. Having the back-story on these things, such as where they were purchased or obtained, brings new depth to the items photographed. You will always remember where the souvenirs you bought came from and you will have great stories to tell when showing them.

A lot of times in photography, people will stare right into the camera. A great and unique picture is to have the person you are photographing look off in the distance at something. You could have them look at something in the frame, such as a person or flower too.

Just like a military sniper, once you have your picture ready and in focus, you should pause to hold in a breath and steady yourself before taking the shot. Slight movements can decrease the quality of a shot. Take a spare second, right before hitting the shutter button, to hold your breath and get a straight shot.

Most cameras only allow you to focus on either highlights or shadows in one picture. However, you can still take the photos in different conditions and then use a program such as Photoshop to combine them into a great picture.

Explore the various makes, models, and brands of equipment to find which works the best for you. Most photographers go with the Big Two: Nikon and Canon. However, there are other reputable equipment manufacturers out there.

Feel free to try them out, without being too worried about them being perfect, so you do not miss out on a great shot. On the other hand, you do not want a preset, which allows your camera to choose all the settings. Experiment with your camera’s features to see how different settings affect your photos.

A tripod is a good piece of equipment for a photographer to invest in. Even the smallest movement is noticeable with a low-speed shot. Even an inexpensive tripod can work wonders in preventing blurred photographs. A quality tripod will make your pictures much more professional looking.

If you are taking photos in a natural setting, do so with great care. Be appreciative of the beauty of nature and do not litter, smoke or otherwise sully it. If you find a great photographing location, maintain it in its original state for others to use.

Take a picture of a silhouette. A lot of photographer wait until the sunset to take pictures of a natural silhouette, but you can do it differently. Whenever the background is much brighter than the object, the object will have a silhouette. You can make a silhouette by creating a flash from outside of the frame or also by directing the subject to stand before a brightly lit window. Realize, however, that outlining someone’s body or face and make deformities more apparent.

Remember that a camera is only a tool. Utilizing a shallow field of depth can help you make the background fuzzy and highlight the focus of your picture.

Landscape photos are sometimes hampered by insufficient, or even overly abundant, lighting. It may seem that there is really no good natural light anywhere you’d like to photograph, and this can be discouraging. How do you solve this dilemma? You may want to utilize gradient filters in photographic programs, such as Photoshop, in order to correct lighting imbalances.

While red-eye seems like a minor flaw, it can make all the difference when it comes to frame-worthy photos. Avoid your flash to prevent this, though if you must use the flash, do not have the subject look directly at the camera. Many cameras have a special red eye feature.

The quality of cellphone cameras has come a long way from the comically low-resolution ones that first appeared on phones, but you need to be very careful about lighting it you want to take great photos with your phone. Cell phone cameras generally lack a flash. Therefore, you’ll need to compose your shot to take advantage of the available lighting. If you use the zoom feature and go in close to your subject, you will block some of the shadows and sunspots, which will increase the quality of your photo.

You’ve probably been disappointed by your picture taking efforts at some point. However, by using our tips that will not be a problem any longer. With these new tools, you can now create stunning new photographs that you will be happy to show off.

You need to include an object that is interesting for the foreground of the photos, which adds more appeal. Even a simple item like a rock could add another dimension to the picture. It can not only draw attention to the subject but to the entire frame.

Never Fear Photography With The Following Advice

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Photography can be a very intimidating hobby to take up if you start with absolutely no knowledge on the topic. You can easily become overwhelmed with all of the information available. The following tips will help you sort out the avalanche of photography information out there, and get on with the business of shooting better photographs.

You should strive to take new and original photographs. An original point of view or an original take on an old subject will give you a personal style that attracts attention. Try to refrain from taking classic pictures, which can be very mundane and unoriginal. Use unique angles that show off your creative side.

Keep your technique simple to get the best pictures. You don’t need to mess with a bunch of different color and motion settings to produce a beautiful photograph.

Hold your camera tight, keep your arms close to your sides and put your hands on both sides and the bottom of your camera. This will minimize shaking and produce clearer shots. Putting your hands beneath the lens and camera, instead of having them on top, prevents you from dropping your camera accidentally.

When you are snapping pictures of people, you can blur the background a bit to get the best effect. A sharply focused background pulls attention from your subject, and that is not ideal. You want your viewer’s eye to fall on the intended subject. This is most easily accomplished by moving your subject further away from the backdrop.

Originality is the name of the game when you are trying to become a seasoned photographer. When you take photographs, you should be working to develop your own personal style. You want to show the photographed item through your point of view. Do not take pictures that people have seen over and over again. Try new, unique angles, and be creative.

Use people as subjects for your photos. Always ask for their permission. When traveling, looking at these pictures will remind you of particular memories, even if the people you photographed do not look like they would stand out from a crowd at the moment when you take your picture. When selecting people to photograph, always look for those dressed casually and sporting candid expressions.

Get as close to your subject as possible. It is very upsetting when you believe you have the perfect shot only to find that you can’t see the subject very well. Make it easy for your viewers and you to see the subject vividly and clearly.

You should always be on the lookout for photographers who inspire you. Seeing their work can remind you of all the various ways to take photos of many moments.

When you desire to go into photography, it is important that you learn about proper composition. Don’t forget that photography is a type of art. If you ignore composition rules, your photo won’t seem like it is put together properly. Composition requires you to find lines and patterns in your images. Learning about it will truly improve the quality of your photos.

Take your photos as quickly. You never know when that “perfect” moment can disappear, so be prepared to get it at any moment. You can easily miss a special moment in time when animals get antsy, and smiles wear thin on your subjects. While camera settings are important, you should never lose a shot trying to get a camera set just so.

Another handy photography tip involves the camera’s shutter. Learn about the shutter speeds. The shutter speed settings you will find on your camera are: P,M,A & S. The letter “P” indicates program mode. This “P” setting automatically controls shutter and aperture when you shoot. If you are less than professional, this is often the best setting.

Change your focus settings on your camera to achieve different effects in your photographs. Choosing a lower f-stop number will sharpen the focus on your central subject, and blur the rest. This is great for taking portraits, or any photograph where the subject of the shot is near the camera. A higher f-stop number brings the whole view into focus. This can improve the scope and definition in landscape shots.

Be careful to not miss a great shot because you are trying to get your settings correct. However, you should not always use presets because this enables the camera to make all adjustments for you. Experiment with your camera’s features to see how different settings affect your photos.

If you want to be able to take great photos, take lots of them. You’ll need a memory card large enough to hold them all. If you have a good-sized memory card, you won’t need to worry in regards to the amount of room you have. You will be able to store plenty of pictures. If you use a big memory card, you will be able to shoot using the RAW format. Using the RAW format will give you more flexibility when you are editing your photos.

These tips should give you the best information in order to get your thoughts together. If you can remember these tips when you are shooting images, you will be on the right path to becoming an excellent photographer.

What you need to know about Germany travel

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Germany has been a center of attraction on the planet for many years. It’s as stunning as the fantasies of artists or poets. It is rich in history and it shows through the architecture & monuments of archaic beauty, as well the culture & friendly attitudes of the locals. You will find majestic castles, handcrafted houses and magnificent castles that transport you to the country’s glorious past. Germany is home to many beautiful cities, such as Berlin, Munich Hamburg, Hamburg and Frankfurt. The German cities of Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt will treat you with a sense of ecstatic unity in all its diversity.

The summer is the best time of year to visit Germany. Germany is the ideal destination for mild weather and sunny days when the sun shines over your head between April and September. Once you arrive in Germany, it’s a delight to take a train tour. These trains transport you from one place to another and offer you the chance not only to explore the city’s interior, but also its enchanting outskirts.

A Little Information about the Cities
Berlin, Germany’s capital, is full of passion and life. Berlin is known for its vibrant nightlife and other attractions. Remarkable sights to see include the Brandenburg Gate and Berlin’s Berlin Wall. These are two of the most famous landmarks. Checkpoint Charlie Museum in Berlin provides additional information on the history of Berlin Wall. They also have a collection of relics relating to unbeaten escape attempts within its borders. A traditional Picture Gallery, the Germaldegaleire and the traditional Germaldegaleire with an impressive collection of art from 13-18 centuries is also worth a visit.

Berlin offers many excellent hotels to make your stay more comfortable. Berlin’s renowned hotel is the Adlon Hotel. You can either ask your agent to make reservations or look on the internet for the best deals.

Hamburg is also known to be the ‘gateway into the world’. It lies between Lake Alster and River Elbe. You will find a variety of museums and historic buildings along with an exciting nightlife and mouth-watering cuisine. Kempinski Hotel Atlantic Hamburg can be booked as a place to stay, right next to Lake Alster.
Frankfurt is the best place to look at old timber homes and skyscrapers. There are plenty of attractions such as Palmengarten (1869), where you can see thousands of plants, the Nokia Night of the Proms, the Frankfurt Zoo, and many other great events.

Munich is bustling, full of students, musicians, artists, and others. The city is famous for its nightlife and passion for fashion. Munich’s best season is June-October when you can truly enjoy and experience the fun & flora. Englischer Garden has a Chineese Pagoda as well as beautiful landscape parks. Residenz palace, Klostergasthof Andechs are also popular for their chilly beers.
Konigshof Plaza and Stachus Plaza make great places to stay.

Cologne is a famous city for its German architecture, long-winding roads, and restaurants. Cologne also has the Chocolate Museum. Saarburg is a city located in the Saar valley hills. Stuttgart is a city well-known for giving birth to many auto companies.

Germany is a great place for your vacations.

Tips To Help Beginning Photographers Take Great Pictures!

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Beginning photographers can easily be intimidated by the scope of their new hobby. Many new photographers can be overwhelmed by all the resources out there. The following article will help you better understand some of the basics of photography. Overcast skies aren’t great for pictures. Having too much gray sky can make your shots appear washed-out and muted. If you cannot exclude the overcast sky from your shots, you may want to consider taking black and white photos. If the sky is blue, you should put it in your photo, but be careful of the light. Take your pictures quickly. If you take too long while setting up a shot, you may very well miss out on the opportunity to take the perfect picture. The faster you can snap a photo, the better. Don’t be afraid to try new techniques, even if it means taking a risk. Good photography takes unique style, and you want to show the world a new view through your lens. There are many classic photographs that depict their subject in the same way. Don’t let yourself fall into that category. An unusual angle can be just the thing to express your creativity and create a memorable photograph. Serious photographers have dSRL cameras. The acronym DSLR stands for digital single lens reflex. This type of camera is the best choice because it allows you to see your image immediately after you have taken the picture. The largest image sensors are available in the full frame DSLR, which gives you the highest level of detail to your exposures. When you feel as though you are ready for a high end camera, look for a good quality digital single lens reflex camera. The digital single-lens reflex is the best kind of camera for viewing your subjects as the photos are taken. Preferably, you want a full-frame DSLR, which will provide the biggest image sensor and the most detailed photos. Make sure you support the camera from below and on the sides, while keeping your arms tucked tightly into the sides of your body. Much clearer photos will result, as the hand shaking will be minimized. Placing your hands under your lens and camera will prevent your camera from being accidentally dropped. Try to get as close as you can to your photo subject. When you are too far away, it is harder to see the details in the resulting photograph, which can prove quite disappointing. Your photo will be more compelling when the subject is at the proper distance to be seen clearly. Spend some time playing with the features on you camera, especially the manual balance white. Shooting indoors can give your pictures a yellowish tint due to the light bulbs. Rather than changing your room’s lighting, you can change the white balance of your camera. By following these instructions, your photos will appear more professional. You need to find a healthy mix of shutter speed, ISO and aperture. Together, these features interact to determine the photograph’s exposure levels. Unless you are trying to achieve a certain off-kilter look, an over- or underexposed picture is considered undesirable. Experiment with these features to find out how they interact with each other and what kind of combination you like to use. Consider becoming a member of a photography club. You could also meet up with another photographer and take photos with them. Listen to any technical tips they have, but be sure to keep your own style. Taking time to compare the photographs that you took will help you to see how different people can interpret images differently. Instead of waiting until your destination to start recording your trip with photographs, start snapping those photos as soon as your trip starts. You will have tons of photo opportunities while on vacation, but don’t forget about your travel time as a source of good trip pictures as well. An airport has a lot of interesting things to take photos of, so add these to your trip diary of photos. There are no big secrets to becoming a great photographer. Keep taking pictures and gain experience. With digital technology, you can fire away and not feel pressured to retain images that you do not like. Editing, browsing, and critiquing your photographs after you’ve taken them will eventually lead you to taking better pictures. Once you decide to take a photo, hurry up and do it. The ultimate shot may last a short period of time, so make sure you are always ready for it. Life will not wait for you to take a photograph, animals run off, children grow bored, and candid moments never repeat themselves. Adjust your settings as quickly as possible, and do your best to snap your picture while the scene still looks natural. Having people in your pictures can add authenticity, perspective and interest. You must always seek permission first. When traveling, seeing these photographs will cause you to remember particular memories, even though the individuals you took a picture of don’t stand out when you take their picture. Always try to get candid photos of your subjects for a natural feeling. When composing a shot, think about framing. You can utilize the environment around your subject to frame your snapshot in a unique and mood-evoking manner. You can create frames that are natural looking for your photography subjects by closely scrutinizing the surrounding area. This is a wonderful way to practice composing photographs. Hopefully this article helped you learn valuable information about photography. If you remember these tips, for they will help you to be a master photographer. Figure out the best blend of aperture, ISO and shutter speed. These are how you determine your picture’s exposure. Except if you want to create a specific impression, overexposed or underexposed pictures do not look good. Fiddle with the features on your camera to learn how they work.