Tag Archives: photography

We Began It All in Montreal


Montreal

Montreal

We were back in the U.S following our transpacific cruise (subject of a later series) for a grand total of some three weeks before we were boarding yet another flight headed out of the country.  This time we were traveling to Montreal where, after two nights, we would board Holland America’s MS Maasdam for a cruise down the St. Lawrence River; around Canada’s Maritime Provinces; and a turn south for Bar Harbor, Maine; with a final destination of Boston, Massachusetts.

Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places

Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places

I’m rather glad that Ursula insisted we arrive in Montreal early, for there is much to see and do.  Even with a full day at our disposal, all we managed was Old Montreal, China Town, and Notre-Dame Basilica.  As it was we just happened to hit Montreal for the annual Tour la Nuit (which you’ll see on Fun Photo Friday).

I’ll have a lot more on most of these Montreal topics, including several blogs on the Notre-Dame Basilica, over the next several weeks.  After that we’ll hit the cruise ship and begin our journey in earnest.  Until then here’s a little to tide you over.  As always, click on any image below to bring up today’s slide show.

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Filed under Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel

Fun Photo Friday — Picture Perfect Fireworks


It’s that time of year again.  Fireworks.  The day we as a nation celebrate the anniversary of my wedding to Ursula.

Oh, and, yeah . . . there’s that Independence Day celebration thingy going on today as well.

So, want to learn how to take photographs of fireworks?  Something along the lines of this?

Or, perhaps, these?

It’s really quite easy with a tripod and a little planning.  Some of these shots were taken with a Canon G1 X.  Others with a Canon EOS 5D.  For tips on taking shots such as this with a DSLR, a tripod, and a remote shutter release read the following tips I gave way back in 2011:

4th of July Fireworks Part II (and How I Did Them)

On the other hand, if you don’t have all that fancy equipment  (the subject may be different, but the techniques still apply to long-exposure fireworks) then improvise using some of the tips I gave in:

Available Light Photography without a Tripod

Then go out and take some shots such as these:

 

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Tea Time at the Jade Buddha Temple


Tea Time at the Jade Buddha Temple

Tea Time at the Jade Buddha Temple

As I mentioned on Monday, one of the treats our China Spree guide Jim Mao had in store for some of us was a visit to the restaurant inside the Jade Buddha Temple for a sampling of various Chinese teas.

Different Teas for Different Ailments or Benefits

Different Teas for Different Ailments or Benefits

Amazingly, serving tea in China is a lot more complicated than just pulling out a bag from a box of Sir Thomas Lipton’s finest and plopping it into some hot water.  On this occasion we were confronted with a dizzying array of choices that promised everything from liver health to relief from hypertension and aiding in weight loss.

Tea Time at the Jade Buddha Temple

Tea Time at the Jade Buddha Temple

Fortunately we were not limited to only one or two selections.  Here you can see our reference guides for selecting various samples, as well as our individual tea cups:

Lone Tea Cup

Lone Tea Cup

Preparation was also a visual art form.  No teabags at this establishment!  Each sample was painstakingly blended, carefully steeped, gently jostled, and delicately strained before serving.

Tea Time at the Jade Buddha Temple

Tea Time at the Jade Buddha Temple

Tea Time at the Jade Buddha Temple

Tea Time at the Jade Buddha Temple

Tea Time at the Jade Buddha Temple

Tea Time at the Jade Buddha Temple

Tea Time at the Jade Buddha Temple

Tea Time at the Jade Buddha Temple

The results were very tasty indeed.  Here’s our table enjoying a sampling:

Some of our Tour Group

Some of our Tour Group

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Filed under Photography, travel, Wine & Food