In order to make your photos look great, you need to use the right techniques and tips. Here are a few suggestions: Composition, Shutter speed, and Blue Hour. All of these will help you create images that show the beauty of your location. You can use these techniques to take amazing photos that will amaze your friends and family.

Composition

In addition to focusing on the subject of the shot, you should also pay attention to the foreground and background elements of the photo. Foreground elements draw the viewers’ attention to the image, and they also add perspective and energy. In travel photography, foreground elements can be flowers, streets, buildings, or even ripples in the sand. The foreground elements should be in the bottom third of the photo.

Composition is an important part of any photograph, and it can make or break the overall look. The right amount of light and dark can greatly enhance the quality of your travel pictures. Whether the light is natural or artificial, the balance between light and dark is essential. Trial and error can help you achieve the best balance.

Colors

While traveling, look for colorful destinations and items to photograph. Photos with strong colors are sure to capture the mood of a destination and evoke memories of the experience. Use colorful buildings, cars, bikes, scooters, and more to create unique and interesting images. You can also find colorful clothing in local markets to make your vacation photos stand out. Bright colors are a great way to add life to pictures taken on a gloomy day.

When taking pictures, you can also take advantage of the Rule of Thirds, which is a simple compositional principle that divides an image into nine equal squares. Breaking the image up into these equal parts will give you a more balanced composition. Try to position your subject along these lines, not in the center of the image.

Shutter speed

When it comes to travel photography, shutter speed is an important aspect to consider. Generally, you should try to shoot at a shutter speed of 1/60 second or higher. This will allow you to let more light into the scene. If you shoot at a slower shutter speed, you may notice blurry images.

Shutter speed is one of the easiest settings to change on your camera. Generally speaking, a slower shutter speed is only recommended for subjects that do not move very quickly. In addition, modern cameras are able to determine the white balance of the image, but most people prefer to fix it in post-processing.

Blue Hour

In order to capture the perfect Blue Hour photos, it’s vital to know where to find the best light conditions. Blue hour only happens a few hours a day, and light conditions can change quickly. This means you have to plan your shots carefully and be willing to experiment with different camera settings.

The sky turns a deep blue during this time of day, allowing the lights of harbourside restaurants to gleam against the backdrop of a darkening sky. This atmospheric time of day makes for great photos. Here are some tips to make the most of this magical time.

Observe the scene

In travel photography, it is important to observe the scene as it is unfolding. Travel photography requires that the photographer is quick and decisive to capture the scene as it unfolds. The photographer must not use the auto-focus or the maximum fps on his camera, but should use artistic and technical skills to read the scene, analyze the lighting, and assess the camera settings.

Observing the scene helps the photographer get a better perspective and creates more compelling images. To achieve this, the photographer should walk around the scene while taking the picture. In addition, he or she should also consider the focal length of the lens.

Get your subject ready

Before you start shooting a photo, make sure the background is in focus. This is especially important when you are taking travel photos. Many photographers tend to focus on the subject in their photos and forget about the background. Often, they will ignore or block off famous photography locations. Others may ignore signs that say the area is closed off to the public, or they will even yell at people who appear in their shots.

The best travel photographers use various tools to help them form a shot list. They also make use of social media and Google Maps to get ideas for a particular shot. In addition, they know how to compose their shots, which can make all the difference. Using the proper composition can save you from cropping out details that don’t belong in the frame.

Follow this photography blog to learn more tips!

 

One major challenge avid videographers and photographers face when going out to take great aerial shots has to pack so many pieces of equipment in a bags. Often they have to pack several lenses, mounts, batteries, multiple cameras, trips and clutter of so many other accessories.

So you have to carry oversize bags to the field or leave some of the equipment at home. Older drone avec caméra embarquée pose the same challenge because some of them are big.

But leaving such equipment behind means, you miss the opportunity to take excellent overhead shots.

DJI Mavic Air is just compact enough to eliminate the portability problem. With this device, you will no longer have to compromise when going out to capture nature. The vast array of impressive onboard features will complete major aerial photography tasks as flawlessly as its high-end counterparts at a rather low price.

Features of the DJI Mavic Air

• A 360-degree image capture angle with a complete sphere panorama mode
• Smart picture is capturing controls allowing for ultra-responsive and active hand gestures. This lets you control the drone from a maximum of 33 feet away
• 1/2.3 inch CMOS sensor with high sensitivity signature
• 12.0MP High Definition effective pixels camera
• HDR mode to support still photos
• 30 fps and 720p live view feed using remote control or app
• Flight time duration of a maximum of 21 minutes
• Folds to about 6″ long, 3″ wide, and 2″ high
• Speeds to maximum of 42.5 mph
• 3-axis gimbal gyroscope
• 4K UHD video support at 30 fps
• Obstacle bypassing capabilities

Mavic Air the Pros

With a price tag of $799, this drone has a lot in common with the family member DJI Mavic Pro and its somewhat distant relative DJI Spark. Like those equally impressive models, Mavic Air comes with the following advantages to the benefit of the user.

1. It offers a wide array of overhead shooting modes allowing the user to diversify his shots
2. The device is compact enough to fit in a small bag and easy to carry around
3. It is handy for the aerial photography enthusiasts, beginners, and hobbyists
4. The new obstacle bypass technology makes the drone easier to use because it can steer itself from harms path
5. It is probably the most portable from DJI’s lineup of drones with a small battery and other accessories that make it much easier to transport
6. The design of the device shows smart design tweaks compared to the previous version. Sincerely most drones come out ugly and look like creepy flying bugs, but Mavic Air is a little cute to look at.

The Cons

Sadly, this drone’s limited creative options make it less appealing to avid photography professionals. It just doesn’t live up to the more demanding stuff of drone photographers.

The idea of incorporating two different USB connection options doesn’t make sense. It uses USB Type-C port when transferring footages but uses the Micro USB to charge. It is odd.

Bottom Line

It is a drone I can easily recommend to anyone who wants to take superior aerial images and filming modes without possessing extensive drone skills. Although the drone is a little overpriced ($799!!), it is still the most robust device ever to come from DJI. If you are looking for a mini drone pas cher, watch this video!

The debate over hybrid working continues to polarize businesses globally. While some companies, like Amazon, are mandating a return to the office, the travel industry seems to be embracing a more flexible approach.

Hybrid and remote working have become central to attracting talent, improving productivity, and addressing new employee expectations. This article examines how businesses are navigating the complexities of hybrid work and its implications for the travel industry.

Flexibility vs. Structure: The Office Debate

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy recently reignited the return-to-office debate by requiring employees to work in-person five days a week, citing improved collaboration and cultural alignment. However, not everyone agrees.

At the GBTA Europe conference in Copenhagen, over half of the surveyed professionals (55%) admitted that the manager-employee dynamic is more effective in-person. Additionally, 82% agreed that early-career employees benefit significantly from an office environment, where hands-on mentoring and real-time feedback are more accessible.

Despite this, a large majority of organizations in the travel industry have embraced hybrid or remote models. According to the same GBTA survey, 74% of attendees reported their workforce operates in a hybrid setup, with only 9% fully onsite. This shift is reflective of broader workforce trends valuing flexibility over traditional office mandates.

The Talent Challenge: Remote Work as a Recruitment Tool

Hybrid and remote work models are not just perks; they’re powerful recruitment tools. Many employees, particularly those in the travel industry, have moved further from urban centers post-pandemic, making daily commutes impractical.

Recruitment experts like Emma Gregory from Urbanberry Recruitment note that travel consultants are often reluctant to return to office-based roles.

Companies offering remote positions benefit from a larger talent pool. Barbara Kolosinska of C&M Travel Recruitment points out that remote roles attract more applicants, even when salaries are slightly lower due to savings on commuting costs. For businesses in competitive industries, offering flexibility can be the difference between filling roles and leaving them vacant.

Cultural Nuances in Workplace Flexibility

The adoption of hybrid and remote work varies significantly across regions. According to Daniel Tallos, founder of Find Your Best recruitment agency, cultural norms influence workplace expectations.

For instance, Northern European countries like the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway have high adoption rates of remote work. In contrast, Southern and Central European nations, such as Italy and Spain, are more likely to emphasize traditional office settings due to cultural preferences for hierarchical structures.

Governments also play a pivotal role in shaping work models. In the Netherlands, legislation encouraging remote work to reduce CO2 emissions has prompted many companies to formalize hybrid and remote policies. These initiatives highlight how environmental goals and workforce flexibility can go hand in hand.

Work From Anywhere: A Step Beyond Hybrid

Some companies are pushing the boundaries of workplace flexibility by adopting “work from anywhere” (WFA) policies. BCD Travel, for example, allows employees to work from any location for up to 60 days per year. This policy has proven particularly popular among younger employees who prioritize work-life balance and mental health.

WFA policies are not just about attracting talent; they also cater to the growing demand for workplace mobility. Suzanne Miechels, BCD Travel’s director of talent acquisition, notes that Gen Z employees are particularly drawn to roles offering flexibility. By accommodating these expectations, companies can appeal to a generation that values autonomy and purpose in their work.

Adapting Recruitment Strategies to the New Normal

To attract top talent in a competitive market, businesses must rethink their recruitment strategies. Giovanni Bernardi of Bizaway highlights the importance of creating roles that emphasize impact and growth rather than superficial perks like free snacks. His company’s phantom stock plan, which gives employees a financial stake in the business, is an example of how companies can align their recruitment strategies with employee values.

Additionally, many organizations are working to make their hiring practices more inclusive. BCD Travel has developed strategies to recruit refugee and neurodiverse talent, while others are partnering with universities to engage the next generation of professionals. By investing in training and mentorship programs, companies are building pipelines of future talent while addressing current skill gaps.

The Role of Technology in Supporting Hybrid Work

Technology is a critical enabler of hybrid and remote work. Tools like video conferencing platforms, cloud-based project management software, and digital communication channels allow teams to collaborate seamlessly, regardless of location. Businesses that invest in robust digital infrastructure are better positioned to navigate the challenges of a distributed workforce.

Additionally, companies are leveraging data to measure performance and engagement. For example, instead of tracking hours worked, many organizations are focusing on outcomes and goals. This shift to results-oriented management ensures that flexibility doesn’t come at the cost of productivity.

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

While hybrid working offers numerous benefits, it’s not without challenges. Maintaining team cohesion, ensuring consistent communication, and addressing employee burnout are ongoing concerns. Employers must also navigate the complexities of tax and legal compliance when implementing WFA policies, particularly for cross-border employees.

On the flip side, hybrid and remote work models offer opportunities to reduce operational costs, improve employee satisfaction, and align with sustainability goals. By prioritizing flexibility and investing in supportive policies, companies can create resilient workforces equipped for the future.

Conclusion

The shift toward hybrid and remote working is more than a temporary trend—it represents a fundamental transformation in how businesses operate.

While some companies are doubling down on in-office policies, the travel industry and many others have embraced flexibility as a way to attract talent, improve productivity, and adapt to a changing world.

By focusing on employee needs, leveraging technology, and fostering a culture of trust and autonomy, businesses can thrive in this new era of work.

Airports Council International (ACI) World has released its highly anticipated 2024 Global Traveller Survey (GTS), shedding light on the evolving expectations of passengers as the aviation industry stabilizes post-pandemic.

Drawing data from over 4,000 travelers across 30 countries, the survey captures critical insights into passenger priorities, including increased demand for convenience, personalization, and sustainability.

Travel Demand Remains Resilient

Despite ongoing economic uncertainties, travel demand remains robust. According to the GTS, 67% of travelers plan to fly as much or more frequently in 2024, reflecting a return to pre-pandemic confidence.

Additionally, long-term travel planning has seen a resurgence, underscoring the aviation sector’s steady recovery.

This strong appetite for air travel highlights opportunities for airlines and airports to reimagine their services to meet rising expectations.

Wellbeing as a Central Concern

Passenger wellbeing has emerged as a key focus in the survey. A growing number of travelers (one-third of respondents) expressed a desire for wellness-oriented spaces and services at airports to alleviate the stress of flying. From quiet zones and meditation rooms to spa services, airports are beginning to explore these offerings as a way to enhance the overall passenger experience.

Pre-boarding remains the most stressful phase of the travel journey. This presents airports with an opportunity to refine dining, shopping, and seating options, transforming waiting areas into spaces where passengers can relax and recharge.

Automation and Seamless Journeys

Travelers are increasingly valuing efficiency and automation. 78% of respondents showed interest in “ready-to-fly” options, including remote check-in, pre-clearance, and streamlined security processes. These tech-driven solutions not only enhance the convenience of air travel but also improve passenger wellbeing by reducing time spent in queues.

However, this shift toward automation brings new challenges for the industry. Airports and airlines must strike a balance between technological efficiency and the human touch, ensuring that passengers feel both cared for and in control of their journey.

The Role of Data and Privacy in Personalization

The move toward personalization depends heavily on travelers’ willingness to share data. While many passengers are open to sharing personal information, there is a growing expectation of transparency and choice. Passengers want control over what data they share, with whom, and for what purposes.

Airports that can build trust through clear privacy policies and secure systems will have a competitive advantage. Data-driven insights are crucial for tailoring services, from targeted retail recommendations to custom lounge experiences, but trust remains the cornerstone of these efforts.

The Growth of Premium Services

Passengers are increasingly seeking premium and personalized experiences. Faster check-ins, access to luxurious lounges, and tailored retail options are in high demand. The survey highlights that engaging and entertaining environments have become a significant factor in how passengers evaluate airport quality.

These premium offerings are particularly appealing to frequent flyers and business travelers who value time and comfort. Airports that invest in these services can differentiate themselves and boost passenger satisfaction.

Sustainability and Conscious Consumerism

Sustainability is no longer an afterthought for travelers. The survey reveals a growing interest in ethical and eco-friendly practices, especially among younger passengers. Travelers are paying closer attention to the environmental impact of their choices, including the brands they engage with while at the airport.

Airports that integrate sustainable initiatives—such as reducing single-use plastics, offering eco-friendly products in retail outlets, and implementing energy-efficient systems—stand to attract conscious consumers. By aligning their operations with passenger values, airports can foster loyalty and enhance their reputation.

Enhancing the Airport Retail Experience

Airport retail continues to be a significant touchpoint for passenger satisfaction. However, travelers increasingly expect value for money, ethical sourcing, and engaging retail environments. Younger passengers, in particular, favor interactive and innovative shopping experiences over traditional transactional ones.

Airports that offer curated retail spaces with sustainable and unique products can create memorable moments for travelers. These experiences go beyond the basics, turning the airport into more than just a transit hub.

The Future of Air Travel: Opportunities and Challenges

The findings from the 2024 Global Traveller Survey underline both the opportunities and challenges facing the aviation industry. As air travel rebounds, passenger expectations are evolving, requiring airports and airlines to adapt.

Key areas for improvement include:

• Streamlining pre-boarding processes: From security to boarding, enhancing efficiency is a priority.
• Focusing on passenger wellbeing: Wellness-focused amenities and spaces can transform the travel experience.
• Investing in premium services: High-value offerings attract frequent and business travelers.
• Prioritizing sustainability: Eco-conscious initiatives resonate strongly with modern travelers.

By addressing these priorities, the aviation industry can ensure it not only meets but exceeds the expectations of today’s passengers.

Conclusion

The 2024 Global Traveller Survey reveals a transformed landscape where convenience, personalization, and sustainability are at the forefront of passenger priorities. As the aviation industry continues to recover and evolve, adapting to these shifts is essential. Airports and airlines that embrace innovation, listen to their customers, and focus on creating seamless and enriching travel experiences will lead the way in shaping the future of air travel.

Here’s a mini-guide selecting the most reputable Coffee Shops in Amsterdam to smoke in peace.

Visit Amsterdam, its canals, bridges, bicycles… and coffee shops! It has been 41 years – since 1976 – since the Netherlands, the first country in the world to decriminalize the use of cannabis. We have selected for our readers a list of the most reputable coffee-shops if you go to Amsterdam.

Things to know about Amsterdam’s Coffeeshops

In recent years, the public authorities have been trying to limit the number of coffee shops and thus reduce locals and tourists’ possibility to smoke freely in Amsterdam.

As such, the sales conditions for coffee shops are drastic:

No double cannabis/alcohol license: you can only sell one or the other,
Prohibition to sell hard drugs (cocaine, heroin, LSD, etc…),
All advertising is prohibited,
Prohibition to sell to minors,
Individuals must not possess more than 5 grams (sale for personal consumption only).

Even if you are not a heavy smoker, try it at least once if you go to Amsterdam, but ask the budtenders (the people who are allowed to sell cannabis) for advice; they will be happy to give you information pass it on. Their knowledge! Using vaporizers like the famous Crafty vaporizer (tested here) can help if you are not a tobacco person.

These are the places where you can smoke cannabis discreetly, inside a coffee-shop:

-The Dolphins
Address: Kerkstraat 39, 1017 GB Amsterdam, The Netherlands

A trip to Atlantis? No. It is a coffee-shop decorated in the way “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.” A few hundred steps from the Leidseplein, we dive into the world of dolphins. This coffee-shop counts between €10 and €15 per gram to taste a small Dolphin Diesel, a Haze, a Kandy Kush, or a Northern Lights. You can also choose between four types of Moroccan hashish and one from Afghanistan.

-The Coffee-shop Club Media
Address: Gerard Doustraat 85, 1072 VN Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Here is a peaceful coffee-shop in the Pijp district where the emphasis is placed on hospitality, public welcome, and the quality of the products on offer. You will choose about fourteen varieties of hashish from 5 € to 60 € per gram and 19 types of weed. You will find the famous Super Skunk, the Kandy Kush, or the Blueberry for the Indica. As far as Sativas are concerned, the customer has the choice: Amnesia Haze, Super Silver Haze, Mango Haze… The place is a guarantee of a calm “fauna” with a good atmosphere.

-Amnesia
Address: Herengracht 133I, 1015 BG Amsterdam, The Netherlands

It will be easy to find it on the edge of the pretty Prinsengracht canal and a stone’s throw from the Grey Area: use your sense of smell. The closer you get to it, the more pungent the smell of weed in the surrounding streets. You can have a bite to eat – smoking cannabis often makes you hungry – but here, too, the menu has more weed and hashish than ready-made meals. The amnesia doesn’t cure customers’ disinhibition on a tight budget, but when you love, you don’t count!

-Barney’s Coffee-shop
Address: Haarlemmerstraat 102, 1013 EW Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Here is a very famous den for locals and onlookers. Despite four people’s inflated service, the wait at the counter is often long, and the room is crowded. You have to be patient, but it’s worth it: at Barneys’, they serve Utopia Haze and G13 Haze. Their herbs are known to be very powerful: less regular consumers, beware of the euphoric effects! The establishment is open every day from 9 am to 1 am.

Other reputable coffee-shops

To smoke in Amsterdam, you would need a complete guide to reference all the coffee shops. Nevertheless, here are a few to continue your smoking marathon:

The Siberia at 11, Brouwersgracht
The Green House Namaste at 345 Waterlooplein
The original Dampkring at 29, Handboogstraat (a symbolic place in Amsterdam since it was chosen to shoot a scene from the movie Ocean’s Twelve)
The Bulldog (The First) at 90, Oudezijds Voorburgwal
The Kadinsky at 9, Rosmarijnsteeg
The Abraxas at 12-14, Jonge Roelensteeg
The Baba at 130, Barentszstraat