Soar to Shore

Whether it's a day at the beach or a week lost in Paris, there's a basic decision to be made: go it alone or bring a travel-mate. There are positives and negatives to both, enriching or absolutely destructive. Some are very tangible....while others, well, even a year meditating in Tibet may not bring easy enlightenment. Here's a quick break-down of some positives and negatives of both choices - solo or team. Going the Distance Alone Positives You have the chance to enjoy quiet reflection. You are independent to make your own decisions, choose when and where to go (within legal constraints - let's be good travelers now). You are empowered in your independence. You are more flexible to sudden changes in the environment or travel plans, since only one person's situation is changing. You'll sound cool when you come home and tell your story - that you were able to go it alone. You have the opportunity to focus on the exact themes of your trip you enjoy (if you want

When you go on a vacation, whether it's to Auntie Mildred's deviled egg cook-off up the road, or tacking back and forth across the Turkish coast sipping Pino, you want to create some memories. The challenge, when you return, is expressing to your friends, family, and that guy over in HR with the Dwight bobblehead why those memories mean so much to you. So you take pictures. The problem is, and sadly it always will be, that the pictures will never truly justify the exhilaration of looking out over the forested valley, the feel of salty wind in your hair or the taste of that first pierogie you found on the Spring-laced cobblestone alley. BUT, it's a start, it's something you can launch a story from. You do not need to be Reza to shoot a great image that captures a wonderful time. Here are a few simple tips for the amateur photographer to capture your adventures beyond the soles of your shoes. 3 Types I like to break the types of photos I shoot into three balanced categori