Welcome to Northern Norway and the Arctic Circle!

Tromsø

I spent the majority of my trip in and around Tromsø, as this is the commercial and tourist centre of the Norwegian Arctic. It’s a great base for winter lovers because outdoor adventures are easily accessible, not just physically but also logistically; over 50 tour operators have offices here.

It’s a fun, quirky city with a selection of both active and cultural activities. Truly an underrated gem!

Northern Lights in Norway

This is the big ticket item. Anyone who goes to the Arctic Circle in the dead of February secretly – or not so, in my case – hopes to see the fickle and notoriously unpredictable light show. Out of the three Northern Lights expeditions we went on, we only caught them once – but what a show it was!

My photos suck because I was vastly under-equipped for this kind of photography (seriously, photographing the Northern Lights is so hard, you guys!) and because at some point I just decided to sit back, let the tears flow freely, and just enjoy the goddamn show Mother Nature put on for me.

Dog sledding in Norway

I have no shame in admitting that a whopping portion of my Norway photos is from dogs – in fact, I have so many that I am preparing a separate post about that very topic.

These husky are so affectionate and playful, you’d be hard-pressed to resist their charm and photogenic looks.

I made so many new fluffy friends on this visit

Getting to know reindeers in Lapland

Outdoor adventures in Northern Norway

Now, I’m well aware that it’s a stretch to call snowmobiling and snowshoeing “outdoor adventures” but hey, considering this is as extreme as I get my sense of adventure is quite narrow.

Alta

I spent the first three days of my Northern Norway trip in Alta, just a 30-minute flight north of Tromso. It’s a much, much smaller town with a limited infrastructure but it doesn’t have Tromso’s hordes of tourists.

Most expeditions are with small groups, making it easy to connect with the locals. It was also quicker to get to attractions outside the main centre, too.

Driving around Northern Norway

The post Photo essay: 6 days in in Northern Norway appeared first on To Europe And Beyond.

That was over 15 years ago, and I vividly remember the goosebumps on my forearms and my rapidly beating heart as I leafed through the fifth novel of the Hatty Potter series (one that I would read many more times in the following years). The sun had long made its appearance when I finally put the heavy hardback down the next morning, not in the least bit tired of not having slept, but instead exhilarated and already excited about the next book.

Naturally, I beelined for the Harry Potter Studios when I last visited London and I didn’t care how much of a nerd that made me. You can tell by watching the movies how much thought was put into details and how precise J.K. Rowling’s storylines are; you can also tell that they used advanced technology to bring dragons and talking dogs and basilisks to life. I was intrigued by all of that.

Exactly how do you do justice to such a brilliant, intricate saga that would go on and entertain generations to come? See for yourself.

Inside the Harry Potter Studios in London

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, there’s no doubt that you’ve dreamed of visiting the Harry Potter Studios in London. The studios are a great way to experience the magic of the books and films. You can get up close and personal with the sets, costumes and props from the movies at The Making of Harry Potter studio tour.

Being able to see how everything looks in real life and get an up-close look at your favorite characters’ costumes is something most fans will love.

When I visited the studio where they filmed all eight movies, it was like a dream come true. I felt like I was entering another world! The studio has been designed to look exactly like Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from the movie series. You can see classic Harry Potter sets like:

• Dumbledore’s office
• Hagrid’s hut
• Gryffondor’s dormitory
• The Weasley’s Burrow
• Diagon Alley
• Godric’s Hollow

There are also props from each film including wands for sale at Ollivanders Wand Shop. If you want to get an even closer look at how filming actually works on set then buy yourself some tickets for behind-the-scenes tours.

There is also a café called the Leaky Cauldron which serves traditional British food and drink. They even have Butterbeer ice cream!

Harry Potter Studios in London – know before you go

Although you are free to explore the main studios for as long as you like, you don’t have that much free time in the Great Hall before the staff ushers you into the next room (which is unfortunate, because it’s one of the best parts!). So if you’re adamant on getting good photos of that now legendary room, you’ll have to be quick!

Tickets cost between £37 (about $47 USD) and £45 (about $56 USD) depending on when you go. You need to book online in advance in order to pick a time and date. Don’t be late!The Harry Potter studio tour tickets are available online, and you can find them on the official website. The only exception is if you have an annual pass, which is available only at the studios themselves.

I visited the Harry Potter studios as part of a tour group, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The transfer from central London isn’t an absolute necessity; Watford Junction station really isn’t that far from the studio and there’s a regular shuttle from there that costs just £2.50 return. Moreover, going there with a group means you have to stick to a strict 4-hour visit, which, in hindsight, was much too short. I had to speed through the last hour to make sure I didn’t miss anything! The studio visit is expensive enough as it is, don’t burden yourself with a superfluous shuttle on top of that if you’re on a budget.

More Harry Potter things to do in England and Scotland

• Harry Potter Tour of Warner Bros. Studio in London
• Private Transfer: Central London to Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio in Leavesden
• A Muggle’s Guide to Harry Potter Walking Tour in London
• Harry Potter Walking Tour of Oxford Including Bodleian Library
• JK Rowling’s Edinburgh & the Writing of Harry Potter
• Alnwick Castle as Featured in Harry Potter and Scottish Borders Day Trip from Edinburgh
• GHD Clan tour of Harry Potter in the Highlands

The post Why + how to visit the Harry Potter studios in London appeared first on To Europe And Beyond.

As far as the view from the London Eye is concerned, I would say it is entirely worth it. Case in point below.

The view from the London Eye

This is the Royal Horseguard 5* hotel, a listed Victorian building presiding over the River Thames and once home to the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6); it was also taken over by the Ministry of Defence during both world wars. The building as such is referred to as Whitehall Court and was built in the mid-1880s.

Pictured here are Embankment station and the Golden Jubilee pedestrian bridges, which span the Thames between Charing Cross and the Southbank and were inaugurated in 2002 in honour of the fiftieth anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne. Commuters on this bridge get a magnificent view of the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament, just a few hundred metres west.

River Thames in all its glory. Did you know that there is a 7-metre difference between low and high tide at London Bridge? There are also 119 species of fish recorded living in the Thames. Oh, and two-thirds of London’s drinking water comes from the Thames.

Looking further east as majestic St. Pauls Cathedral enters the picture. It occupies a significant place in the British identity, as this is where Lady Diana and Prince Charles got married in 1981 and also where services were held for the funerals of the funerals of Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, Sir Winston Churchill, and Margaret Thatcher.

The Cathedral was designed by famed Sir Christopher Wren who is one of the most highly acclaimed English architects in history; as such, he is also responsible for numerous London landmarks including the Royal Observatory, Kensington Palace and Hampton Court Palace. St Paul Cathedral, however, is regarded as his ultimate masterpiece.

Looking down at County Hall building, which now houses the London Aquarium and London Dungeon, as well as the London Eye 4D cinema and visitor centre.

A view of the eastern portion of London including iconic buildings like the Cheesegrater (122 Leadenhall Street) and the Walkie-Talkie (20 Fenchurch Street. Remember the building that melted cars as it was being built? That’s the one).

London Eye – did you know?

• The London Eye 135 meters tall, which allows its passengers to admire the city about 40 kilometres away. It is even said that Windsor Castle is visible in the distance on clear, sunny days.
• The wheel has a total of 32 sealed ovoidal passenger capsules —one for each of London’s 32  boroughs— and takes around 30 minutes to complete a full rotation, travelling at a relaxed pace of 26 centimetres per second. The wheel doesn’t stop for passengers to step in and out. Oddly enough, the pods are numbered 1 – 33; for superstitious reasons, number 13 has been left out.
• The London Eye is not technically a Ferris wheel because unlike them, it is only supported on one side. As such, it should be called a cantilevered observation wheel.
• Tickets for the London Eye are a bit costly, and queue time can be fairly long. I recommend getting the VIP tickets and fully enjoying the experience!

The post Is the view from the London Eye worth the hype? appeared first on To Europe And Beyond.

My back could no longer stand the bulk and weight of carrying my reflex camera and lenses around all day. Most importantly, it was an entry-level dSLR and did not perform as well as I would have liked it to; truth be told, I had neither the patience nor the budget to improve my skills and my gear. I wanted something light, powerful, simple to use, with changeable lenses and within my price range; in other words, I wanted the unicorn of travel photography.

After weeks of research, I finally committed to a camera that fulfilled all of my criteria and took the plunge: I bought the Olympus  OM-D E-M5 Mark III.

Is this the best travel camera there is? What I like about the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III 

The weight

I’m so glad that I don’t have to choose between performance and portability anymore. At just 0.87 lb/396 g with battery (add a few more grams for the lens), it just doesn’t get better than this. My bag is light, my neck and back don’t hurt anymore and I don’t have to think twice about airlines’ pesky weight limits.

The changeable lenses

I wanted a lighter camera but I wasn’t willing to sacrifice performance; I do appreciate macro shots but sometimes I also need the bigger picture. This camera has changeable lenses, which I’ve taken advantage of. I’ve purchased three lenses:

• 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II R: The basic lens for the Olympus O-MD E-M10. The 3X electronic zoom is very handy and has near silent focusing.
• 25mm f1.8 lens: Ideal for portraits and close-up shots. It has a nice natural brightness to it, requires very little post-editing work. It’s a fixed lens, so no zoom there, which means you have to be a bit more creative with your location and placement (a bit further away than you would with a zoom lens) but the depth of field and crispness is absolutely worth the work.
• 12-200mm F3.5-6.3 lens: This one boasts the longest zoom range of any mirrorless camera, going from telephoto to wide angle seamlessly. It’s also dustproof and splashproof.
• 9-18mm f/4.0-5.6: This is a wide angle lens that is both versatile and easy to use. There are better and more performant wide angle lenses out there, but they are also much more expensive. This is a great option for entry-level travel photographers.

Wi-Fi connection

If I want to share photos straight to my social media channels or if I need wireless control, this camera makes it super easy, making it ideal for travel photography.

LCD touchscreen

This is perhaps my favourite feature of this travel camera: I can pick all the settings and even force focus (the camera has an automatic focus feature, but sometimes I get creative) with a touch of the finger thanks to a fabulous 3″ tilting LCD touchscreen.

See what it can do

Should you switch to a mirrorless camera for travel, too?

A lot of photos have good enough pixel quality to be printed as wallpapers, but who the hell wants a wall-sized crooked photo of a famous landmark in their living room? I’ve seen countless travellers take horrible photos with 3000$+ cameras because they have, for starters, no imagination, and also, no technique whatsoever. Equipment and talent are equally important in terms of travel photography.

That being said, I think that mirrorless cameras are the best option for amateur travel photography. This camera will do the trick without requiring any compromise on your part; the photos are good enough for you to print them and display them in your home proudly. I know I do! Because bulk and performance were my two biggest concerns, I am extremely happy with my decision to ditch my dSLR. I now exclusively shoot with my Olympus O-MD E-M10 and I’ve fallen in love with the touchscreen.

I paid roughly $2200 for the entire kit. It might seem expensive for what a lot of people consider a “small camera” but let me assure you that this is in no way a downgrade from a dSLR. Its somewhat steep price can be explained partly by the relatively recent arrival of mirrorless cameras on the market, and also by the Olympus’ extremely powerful yet lightweight features. Performance has a price, one that I was willing to pay for fuss-free, high-quality travel photography.

Travel photography accessories and gear

• Professional Lexar SD Card
• Extra battery
• Mirrorless camera sensor cleaning kit
• A stylish, inconspicuous camera bag
• Lens cap keeper
• A durable, comfortable strap

The post I bought the most portable, best travel camera on the market appeared first on To Europe And Beyond.

Give Reykjavik the credit it deserves!

The view from Hallgrimskirkja

Straight ahead: Greenland

Hallgrimskirkja’s characterful steeple is visible throughout the city, making it a veritable landmark for many tourists that have yet to familiarise themselves with Reykjavik’s layout. The quite peculiarly-shaped facade was actually inspired by the geometrical shapes created when lava cools into basalt rock, a sight often compatible with Iceland’s rugged coastline. Right in front of the church, firmly looking at the sea ahead, is a statue of Leifur Eiriksson, the actual first European to discover America… a solid 500 years before Christopher Columbus saw the distant shores of the New World. And because Iceland has rather modest structures — a clever way to guarantee nature is the perpetual star of the show, and not vulgar man-made constructions — this is also technically the tallest building in Iceland, at 73 metres.

There’s an observation deck atop the steeple and the 360-degree views of the capital region including the shore and the mountains, making it well worth the modest ISK 900 (~ $7.95 at the time of writing) entry fee. And yes, just in case your calves were starting to get anxious: there is a lift.

The Reykjavik waterfront

The unique Harpa concert hall

Chasing light inside Harpa

Reykjavik’s second-most famous building is another landmark that draws inspiration from Iceland’s stunning natural beauty. Similar to the Hallgrimskirkja, but with its own unique style, the Harpa’s geometric glass facades resemble the basalt rocks found throughout the Nordic island. It’s not just a pretty face, though. It’s got concert halls, too. Check out their calendar to see what’s playing. They’ve got shows by the Icelandic Opera and Symphony Orchestra, as well as comedy shows. There are also great design boutiques and restaurants.

Here’s a tip: take the elevator to the top floor of the eastern side of the building to enjoy this amazing view.

The Sun Voyager

Located just a few minutes walk from Harpa along the Reykjavik harbour, the Sun Voyager sculpture is not, contrary to popular belief, a Viking ship, but instead an ode to the elusive sun crafted by Icelandic artist Jón Gunnar Árnason to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the city of Reykjavík.

The beautiful back streets

Reykjavik’s got a ton of cute, narrow streets lined with traditional Icelandic houses that make for perfect shots. It’s one of the things I can’t miss when I’m in the capital. I can’t get enough of watching the locals go about their daily business and fantasize about what my life would be like if I owned one of those rainbow-colored properties. I bet they’re pricey, even by Icelandic standards.

Until I can afford one, though, I’ll keep strolling around Reykjavik and falling even deeper in love with this quirky city.

Fischersund

Mjóstræti

Fischersund

The area east of Ingólfstorg square in central Reykjavik is perhaps the best part of the city. Very high chances of cat sighting, too. I repeat: HIGH CHANCES OF CATS.

For some reason, I hardly ever see tourists here so there’s a slight chance locals will despise me for sending nosy camera-totting visitors in their tranquil neighbourhood but I can live with that.

Grettisgata

Skólavörðustígur

Klapparstígur

Another popular area is the road leading up to iconic Hallgrimskirkja. The main road is dotted with charming shops and cafés but what I like most about it is the network of perpendicular streets around it, which is also full of those Icelandic houses bearing strong resemblance to Scandinavian metal sheet houses. Definitely a good spot for quintessential, redolent photos of Reykjavik.

Skólavörðustígur

Skólavörðustígur

Ingólfstorg

The view from Perlan

Right outside the city centre — a swift 25-minute walk thanks to the capital’s compact size — is perhaps where you need to go to get the best views of Reykjavik. Perlan is a multi-function centre with large exhibit spaces, several shops, a revolving restaurant on the top floor and some of the most unobstructed panoramas in the area from the free-to-visit, 360-degree outdoor viewing deck. The proximity to Reykjavik’s domestic airport also makes Perlan a must-visit location for plane spotters!

The post Do not skip Reykjavik, Iceland’s photogenic capital city appeared first on To Europe And Beyond.

And, as you can probably tell, I kind of fell for it. I was just there again earlier this year, and I can’t wait for my next visit. You see, the sooner you realise that Amsterdam is SO, SO much more than the dodgy Red Light District, the sooner you’ll fall for it too.

Case in point below.

Photos of Amsterdam

Posing along Lauriergracht, one of the prettiest canals in the city, in my opinion

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Amsterdam may be a busy capital, but the minute you leave bewildering De Wallen/Centrum and set foot in neighbourhoods like Jordaan and De Pijp, you realise this is the Amsterdam people talk about. The one with an incredibly laid-back vibe, where freelance graphic designers drink their morning latte with stay-at-home mums and would-be-incognito tourists like me. Not the one with overflowing coffee shops (yes, those coffee shops) and hordes of sightseers. This is the Amsterdam I have come to love and fantasise living in.

I could certainly see myself sitting on a different terrace every day and photographing these gorgeously crooked facades. Challenge accepted.

Lot Sixty One Coffee: where the beans are roasted on-site and where the people are impossibly hip

Leafy Vondelpark

[left][/left][right][/right][left]The cutest flower shop that my Instagram couldn’t get enough of, Mooi Anders Bloemen[/left][right]Koffie Academie: great lattes![/right]

Bits and pieces of Amsterdam trivia: did you know that Amsterdam’s canal ring—over 165 canals in total, spreading over 100 kilometres, flanked by 2,500 houseboats and barges, and comprising 1,281 bridges— is the inner city’s only registered UNESCO World Heritage Site? Rumour even has it that 8,000 bicycles fall in the unforgiving canals (you certainly can’t jump it and retrieve it, can you?) each year and that the administration has to set aside a special budget to pull them out on a regular basis.

Speaking of bicycles, there supposedly are 881,0000 two-wheelers within the Amsterdam city limits, and, oddly enough, just 810,00 inhabitants—of which 58% cycle to work on a daily basis.

If you’re already familiar with this blog, you might remember my biking adventures in and around the city last year, which is not nearly as terrifying as it sounds. It was rather enjoyable, actually!

Cycling among yellow flowers in Amstelveen

[left][/left][right][/right][left]De Riekermolen windmill[/left][right]Rembrandt Hoeve cheese factory[/right]

One of Amsterdam’s most famous museums: the newly-renovated Rikjsmuseum

Scenes from a canal cruise

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One of the best and most touching museums I’ve ever visited: Anne Frank Huis

Photogenic lattes at Scandinavian Embassy

Equally photogenic decor

Cafe Flinck in De Pijp

[left][/left][right][/right][left]Yummy lunch at D&A hummus bistro[/left][right]Compulsory Amsterdam bites: FEBO![/right]

The grandiose train station, Amsterdam Centraal

Westerkerk, seen from Reestraat

One of my absolute favourite photos of Amsterdam; the city is delightful in springtime

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The post My 19 Favourite Photos of Amsterdam appeared first on To Europe And Beyond.

It’s a popularity contest others neighbourhoods will always lose, for Plateau Mont-Royal has everything, and in spades. Character, architecture, colours, and angles. What more could a photographer want?

I lived in the area for almost ten years (I only left because it got too expensive, not because I had outgrown it, I assure you); therefore, I have a LOT of pictures of Plateau Mont-Royal. If you ever visit this area – which I strongly recommend you do – and you see a blonde girl frantically snapping away facades and staircases, come say hi, it’s probably me!

Plateau Mont-Royal – In Photos

The three photos below were taken on many different streets in the Mile End area of Plateau Mont-Royal, mostly on Hutchison and Durocher. This was an impromptu photo trip while I was waiting to meet with a friend at nearby Croissanterie Figaro. That’s Montreal for you – brunch with a side of colourful facades.

Not to be outdone, the eastern part of Plateau Mont-Royal along Avenue Laurier is just as picturesque and has the benefit of having a more local atmosphere to it. Few tourists venture out in the area, preferring to stick to busy Avenue du Mont-Royal and the hipper western part. All the more room for me

The street I used to live on, Avenue des Érables

Avenue Christophe-Colomb

Rue Saint-André

Rue Duluth

Rue Prince-Arthur Est

Avenue des Érables

Boulevard Saint-Laurent

If I had to pick only one photogenic area, and there are way too many for this to ever happen, I would probably choose the stretch of Avenue Laval between Square St-Louis and Avenue du Mont-Royal. Why? See for yourself.

Plateau Mont-Royal: favourite locations for photography

• Rue Drolet and Avenue Laval between Avenue du Mont-Royal and Square Saint-Louis
• Rue Rivard, Rue Garnier, and Rue de Lanaudière between Avenue Laurier and Rue Rachel
• Streets surrounding Square St-Louis
• The leafy alleys of Parc Lafontaine and Parc Laurier
• Église Saint-Enfant-Jésus du Mile End flanked by Parc Lahaie

The post Photos of artsy & beautiful Plateau Mont-Royal appeared first on To Europe And Beyond.

Admittedly, I have seen very little of Italy. Venice, Rome, and Bologna, to be exact – which is not much at all. But I take great pride in saying that I have been to Modena, a city that represents Italy in many aspects, from the foodie culture to the car industry, and to the wonderful terracotta-coloured architecture.

Not familiar with Modena? You will be after this post. This idyllic town located on the flat plains of the sluggish Po River is home to some of Italy’s most precious culinary traditions as well as an infinitely authentic, deeply magnetizing atmosphere that I have rarely seen in my travels.

PS I will not be held responsible for any spontaneous plane ticket purchase made after reading this post. Continue at your own risk!

Modena Travel – In Photos

Piazza Grande and Duomo di Modena

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The view from atop the campanile

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[left]Photogenic alleyways behind the Duomo[/left]

[right]The impressive walk to the top![/right]

It makes sense to start at the beginning, right? This is why I headed to Piazza Grande and the Modena Cathedral first thing in the morning; I knew the view from atop the soaring Ghirlandina tower would not only make for good photos (and it certainly delivered on that aspect!), but would also help me get the lay of the land.

Duomo di Modena was first built a whopping millennium ago and has since been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its exceptional architecture, a “masterpiece of human creative genius” that remains, to this day, one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Europe.

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Ducal Palace of Modena

Now home to the Italian Military Academy headquarters, the Palazzo ducale di Modena served as the residence of the Este Dukes of Modena (one of the most prominent European families) for over 500 years. The building’s striking Baroque features are enhanced by the vast and virtually bare piazza in front of it.

Hosteria Giusti, one of the oldest restaurants in Modena

Via Luigi Carlo Farini

Parrocchia Di Santa Maria Assunta Nella Metropolitana

Of course, one of Modena’s most popular and well-known features are the long and elegant arcades. I tried to find out where exactly this classic Emilia-Romagna feature might be from; after all, you don’t go through all the trouble of building countless ornate archways just for the sake of it, right? Was it because of weather issues, or simply because of Modena’s wealth as a major trading point between Northern and Southern Europe?

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One of the best meals of my life was at Da Danilo in Modena. Tortellini is a local speciality, and each restaurant has its secret, mouthwatering filling that made me want to order second servings every time. Pictured here is a ricotta-spinach tortellini glazed in sweet balsamic vinegar. With a glass of local lambrusco, of course.

Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pomposa

Modena Travel: Know Before You Go

• I stayed at Hotel Libertà just off Piazza Mazzini Giuseppe.
• If indeed you wish to stay overnight and discover what Modena’s tummy is made of, get a ticket for the Discover Ferrari & Pavarotti land shuttle bus that will take you to wineries, Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar factories, Luciano Pavarotti house museum, Ferrari museum/factory and many more iconic Modena attractions.
• Personally, though, considering I got my driver’s licence at the ripe age of 28 years old I wouldn’t say cars are a passion of mine! But Modena is, nonetheless, a famous car town. Ferrari, Maserati, Bugatti and many more are headquartered there – so if you’re a car enthusiast, this is definitely the place to be.

The post 22 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Modena appeared first on To Europe And Beyond.

So yeah, Team Olympus here. *waves*

But that being said, a good camera does not a good photographer make. You need talent and curiosity, of course, but also and perhaps most importantly, you need the right gear. Having the world’s best camera won’t matter if you don’t know how to use it to its full potential.

And since I’m all for smart, no-nonsense equipment that won’t break your back nor your bank, these are small items that don’t cost a fortune but that pack a punch.

1.   25mm f1.8 lens

This lens has a nice natural brightness and depth of field to it; therefore, it requires very little post-editing, which is something I can definitely get behind. Prime lenses do one thing, and one thing only, but they do it flawlessly. I’d say I shoot 75% of the time with this lens because it consistently gives me the results I want. Sure, not having a zoom gets a little bit of getting used to but considering the amazing results I get (especially with portraits, food, and urban photography) I’m willing to work a little harder to get the perfect angle.

2.   Professional Lexar SD Card

Never underestimate how much space you need on an SD card! Lexar cards are best for travel as they capture high-quality images and extended lengths of 1080p full-HD. I can go several days without filling it up, which, considering I usually take upwards to 400 photos a day, is not bad at all. The cards also feature high-speed file transfer from card to computer for easy breezy backups.

Also, keep in mind that the higher the quality of your card, the faster they’ll record the images. Getting a Lexar means you won’t have to worry so much about pixelated or blurry shots.

3.   Extra battery

Although I rarely fill up my SD card, I do frequently use up my battery. Rookie mistake, I know! How many times have I rushed back to the hotel for an emergency charging session? Lesson learned: I now carry an extra battery everywhere I go, just in case.

Side note: I don’t recommend getting the cheaper versions of this battery (or any other charger, for that matter), or packs that come with extra gizmos. These are well-documented sub-par quality and can easily catch fire while charging. You’ll end up having much bigger problems on your hand than a $15 difference!

4.   Filters

Filters are a very personal affair from what I’ve gathered while reading about travel photography accessories. Some people only swear by polarizers, others think that each situation calls for its own filter. I am unfortunately not a billionaire (donations welcome, though) so I had to stick to the basics: I picked a regular, basic filter that would not only give me better colours and light, but also protect my expensive lenses.

I’m a very lazy photographer and I can’t be bothered to put the cover back on every time I take a picture. These lenses are life-savers!

• Filter for 25mm lens
• Filter for 9-18mm lens

5.   9-18mm f/4.0-5.6 lens

This is a wide angle lens that is both versatile and easy to use. I like how it helps me give a sense of place to my pictures by including so many details in a single frame. Contrary to most inexpensive wide angle lenses, this one doesn’t add intense vignettes and doesn’t have that annoying fish-eye effect. Sure, there are better and more performant wide angle lenses out there, but they are also much more expensive. This is a great option for entry-level travel photographers.

6.   OLYMPUS OM-D E-M10

I wanted a light and powerful camera that was simple to use on my travels, with changeable lenses and within my price range; in other words, I wanted the unicorn of travel photography – I found it with this Olympus. My favourite things? The weight (compared to a DSLR camera), the LCD touchscreen, the manual mode, and the Wi-Fi connection.

I think that mirrorless cameras are the best option for amateur travel photography. This camera will do the trick without requiring any compromise on your part; the photos are good enough for you to print them and display them in your home proudly. I know I do! Because bulk and performance were my two biggest concerns, I am extremely happy with my decision to ditch my dSLR. I now exclusively shoot with my Olympus O-MD E-M10 and I’ve fallen in love with the touchscreen.

7.   GorillaPod (compatible with mirrorless cameras)

I dislike heavy camera equipment, but I am not willing to sacrifice performance or quality; cue this light-weight tripod and its flexible, wrappable joints.This is what I use for night-time travel photography. Although the Olympus OMD-EM-10 performs very well in low light, especially when paired with the powerful 25mm f1.8 lens, you’ll want to have a tripod if you want to do special effects like light trails or tap into advanced techniques.

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And when you’re admiring the view from the waterfront or walking on some of America’s oldest streets, it’s hard to argue. The city knows how to please without even trying. If Quebec City was a girl, she’d be the kind of #flawless girl who wakes up in the morning without a hint of a zit and a breath that doesn’t smell and hair that feels like the fur of a newborn golden retriever. If Quebec City was a girl, I’d hate her instantly, out of sheer jealousy.

To prove my point, here are the 27 best photos of Quebec City out of the 1000+ I’ve taken over the years. I could’ve been more selective, but I presumed you wouldn’t really mind the overload ;-) There are worst things in life than too many photos of this gorgeous town.

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