Strange things happen...

'You know, this is Paradise? It's paradise. There is nothing better - anywhere.' 

This is what I hear when the man, speedwalking down Legian beach in his white jocks and singlet, stops and chats early one morning. I dare not say otherwise, even if I believe it not to be true. He makes his point, bids me a good day, and continues his power walk.

Bali is a wonderful country, and an easy place for a holiday for Aussies. I love to holiday there and have explored many different areas. But paradise? I haven't seen that yet. Not in Bali. It takes quite a bit to make 'paradise' on my list. 

The dirty beaches and waters, the ultra persistent street hawkers, and the built up concrete cities shadow the friendly people, the scenic mountains and rice paddies and the beaches of surf. 

My idea of paradise would include squeaky white sand beaches, rolling surf every day. Lots of rainforests to discover. Casual and friendly town vibe with cafes and little shops. Getting around on mopeds and jeeps. Latin music and dancing in the streets, and a temperature that is just a few degrees cooler than Bali coastal areas so I can still get out and do stuff in the sun during the day. 

What is your idea of paradise? I know we are all different. I'd love to hear.

Why is travel so addictive?

I had my first overseas holiday in 2012 - with my mum, cousin and Aunty. We went to Bali and stayed in Legian. A very different Bali to the country Aussies visit now. 

I then lived in Brazil for a year. Then went on an around the world six-week trip. Then lived in various parts of Europe for over a year. I've also had lots of holidays to exotic destinations over the years. Yes, I've spent lots of money on travel. But what cost can you put on the experience, cultural learning and fun? 

Travel is something that will last a lifetime, unlike the newest iPhone or TV. I'm happy to go without some 'luxuries' to save my money for travel. I'll even trade presents for a trip. Any day (or year). 

What do you give up to travel?

When tranquility turns to high pitched squeals - and it's not the monkeys.

On our recent trip to Bali we decided to venture north, to The Menjangan. This beautiful, tranquil resort is set in national park on the north coast of Bali. Roofless people movers bump up and down over the dirt tracks, quietly transporting guests from lodge, to reception, to restaurant, to beachfront. We are surrounded by forest, monkeys and birds. Trees arch over the dirt tracks as if reaching out for us, as we putt and bump along on the roof seating.

At the beachfront, couples laze back in canopied beach huts, sipping on cocktails at happy hour. Monitor lizards rustle in the mangroves. Staff hush quietly behind the bar and in the activities hut.

We are in the restaurant the morning after we arrive. Monkeys play in the trees just over the railing. We are sitting on a deck high up in the treetops, overlooking a valley of greenery. Again, the staff silently look after us. All we can hear are birds, and the monkeys swinging about. Sometimes they break out into a sqwauk, probably when one takes the branch of another. They are cheeky. 

Suddenly, another squeal echoes through the forest. Followed by another. Then a thump. Ashton has had enough of his sister harrassing him. He doesn't want to have breakfast here, he would prefer to be at the beach. He wants to play somewhere else. He wants his breakfast. He wants to go to the pool. He doesn't like Belle. He wants to go back to the room. He wants to sit where Belle is sitting. He wants to sit on mummy.

Serenity and silence has gone - far away. What do we do? Guests are surely going to start staring at us with raised eyebrows. Staff are definitely going to ask us to leave. Ashton goes on. Oh my. I can feel my face going red (or even more red in this heat). There is nothing we can do to calm him down.

And then, as suddenly as he started, he stops. Ashton finds the sling shot to scare the monkeys away from the deck, and he's all quiet again. Hmm. Random. The joys and surprises of travelling with a three year old. 

We depart quickly after breakfast, and hibernate the morning away in our room, and the pool just outside. We wait for a knock at the door, but it never comes. We also go to dinner early - trying to avoid as many people as we can. And before Ashton cracks it again. We survive. No one tells us to leave, no one raises eyebrows at us - or at least, not while we are looking.

I'm sorry for any guests there that had to bear witness to this. I hope you understand, or one day will. 

Another Kangaroo Island fling.

I'm a volunteer photographer with the AIPP Reflections project. We are photographing as many World War II Veterans as we can, around Australia. www.aippveterans.com

This week I set off with Nadia Marlow to photograph the veterans of Kangaroo Island. Nadia had never been to KI before, so we squeezed in some sightseeing in between shoots.

On our way to Ken's house, who lives on the last soldier settlement farm in KI, we veered off to Little Sahara. The light was golden, and we raced up to the top. It's great road tripping with another photographer; you can have fun with cameras with no complaints. We ran down the sides of the sand dunes, and we man crawled up again, and then Nadia pulled elaborate poses for 'photo poses 101'. 

We found an awesome little cabin at Waves and Wildlife at Stokes Bay for the night. Arriving in the dark, we bump our way along the track. We know we are close to the ocean, we can hear it roar - and we've seen pics - but can't see anything in the blackness. The next morning, we wake up to a scene of grey, with our little shrub trees near the cabin bending nearly parallel to the ground. We think we aren't going to get any photos, or a chance to adventure, but within 30 minutes, the rain has gone, the wind has settled, and the sun comes out. We race about, up the hill, and down the hill, checking out the beach and views. It is a special place - just a handful of cabins set on a grassy (and rocky) patch of land right at cliffs edge. Kangaroos and wallabies lounge about, watching us wander. In summer, this place would be even better.  

Of course, with all the driving - KI is quite big - we have to burn some energy. Prospect Hill is good for that. Gets the heart pumping, and the views from the top are worth it. I would say, 'they take your breath away', but the breath has already gone from climbing.

I decide to count the number of steps on the way down. I know I miss a few, but decide it's around 374 plus the last few that I forgot to count near the carpark. Well, I was a bit wrong. Sealink's guide says 512 steps. They are quite easy though, and it only takes about 10 minutes to climb.

We head to Emu Bay to visit the Lavender Farm, which was shut, so end up walking along the beach. A stretch of white beach that goes on and on, I want to come back here in summer. We spy beach shacks on the hills behind trees, and dream of the holiday that could be had. 

After our two days, I thought about what I like most about KI. It's the peace and nature-based experience, but I can have some unique experiences like Little Sahara and Seal Bay too. 

Do what you love. Why not?

Remember when we were kids? We used to do what we want, and not care too much for what others thought. Imagine if adults could be more like kids? Wouldn't it be fun. I'm not sure what I world would look like - but it would be different. 

Once a day, at least, do something fun. It could be singing in the shower, it could be saying hello to a stranger, it could be jumping on the bed… heck, you could even put on wellies and jump in muddy puddles. 

The importance of having goals, but being flexible.

Have goals. Live your dreams. But don't forget that sometimes, the path can take turns, have pitstops or end slightly off course. The goal you were once striving for may have changed colour, shape and form. Or, another goal may be in it's place. Accept that goals and dreams change, but don't forget to set them.

SATIC 2015 conference at Crowne Plaza Adelaide

On Wednesday this week, a few hundred of SA's tourism industry crowded into the conference rooms at Crowne Plaza Adelaide for the annual conference. A day of facts, figures, inspiration, tips and networking. It's the third year I have photographed it, and love it. I guess it's a perk of my job - having to go to events, meet people, learn new things and get paid for it.

I love the Crowne Plaza. I have stayed with them, I have been a conference attendee, and of course - I have photographed their lovely spaces. One bonus attendees get out of attending a conference here is the views. Morning and afternoon tea, lunch, and networking drinks with a 15th floor outlook over Adelaide CBD. Perhaps not so good for the faint hearted dealing with heights, but for everyone else - wow. Floor to ceiling glass windows and an outdoor balcony look over Hindmarsh Square to the south of the city. 

No shortage of hotels in the area...

Dean Evans from Leading Minds Australia had some interesting info to share about leadership, getting out of your comfort zone and fantastic customer service. I want to continue to lean into my fear more, and one of his slides I NEED to pin up on my wall, behind my computer screens. Where my magic life sits is just beyond my comfort zone...

Social media is part of our lives, and a big part of our marketing now. I've got on to Instagram (and love it) finally, and love some treasures that Rebecca White from Tourism eSchool shared. 1888 Hotel in Sydney really encourage all of their guests to get on social media, and even have a neighbourhood map showing different points of interest, with #hashtag and Instagram points. Get your clients raving about you!

Conferences are a great way to learn up to date information, network with peers and be inspired. My next AIPP The Event is going to be in Perth - can't wait. I'll hashtag and Instagram my way through it. :)

Not every hotel in the area has balconies...

www.satic.com.au

www.crowneplazaadelaide.com.au

Photo tip: blurry pics

We normally concentrate on getting photos that are crisp, clear and in focus. But sometimes, blur and 'fuzz' can work for us. The water lapping up on the beach looks better when it is blurred (softer). You can see how fast something is going when there is some blur. And sometimes, blur just makes the photo more interesting. Just because. It adds emotion and context. 

I do remember being told that some Asian countries don't like it though - believe it's something to do with spirits. When I'm on a paid shoot now, I always ask the client first. I must find out more about that belief...

Anyway - how to get purposefully blurry photos.

In Manual mode

Lower the shutter as slow as you can hand hold. For me, this is normally about 1/60 or 1/30 depending on what lens I'm using. A tripod comes in very handy, especially if you are photographing slow-moving objects. After all, you do want some elements of the image to be sharp - the non-moving walls, houses, cliffs and so on.

A beach shot I took recently involved keeping the shutter open for 5 seconds. A remote shutter release or even self-timer is helpful in stopping camera movement here. 

The pics shown here were both handheld, probably at 1/60 or something like that. People moving close to the camera, and across the frame, are going to have more blur than people further away or walking to/from the camera.

Tip: When you ask people to walk quickly, make sure they don't look like they are running or walking like a robot. Many times I have asked people to walk quickly, and they raise their arms like in a power walk. Looks weird. As can feet. Take lots of pics to get exactly the right moment when legs and feet look right. May sound weird, but try it - you will see how weird feet and legs can look.

In Auto mode 

Night Scenery or Night Portrait are options that hold the shutter open for longer. 

However, if you have it, use Shutter Priority. Shutter Priority means you set the shutter speed, and the camera works out the rest. Trial and error here. Work out what setting suits you, and remember to keep steady. 

Look at your pics on the back of your camera, and try out different shutter speeds. If you are using an iPhone, get the 'Manual' app and have some fun with this.

Tips to keep steady while using a slow shutter speed

brace your arms into your stomach

lean against something

breathe out and take the pic

Whyalla - oh what a surprise.

When people asked where I was going next, I'd say 'Whyalla' and then wait for their response. Most times, it would be a look of confusion, followed by a 'why?' I have never thought of Whyalla as a destination in itself, or that I'd be catching an airplane to go there. I had a pre-conceived idea that it was a dusty, dirty, boring town in the middle of nowhere. A town I'd use as a pit stop or stopover on the way somewhere.

Yes, it is dusty. Red dust sits on the road, the curbs, the galvanised fences. Yes, it is nearly in the middle of nowhere. Like an oasis in the middle of the desert, there are some surprises in Whyalla that make me rub my eyes and say 'is that here'. The foreshore gets my attention. I see it while up on Hummock's Hill. To my right is the steel works plant lit up like a Christmas tree, smoke puffing out of chimneys. 'It's actually really photographic', I comment. Now, that doesn't mean it's pretty, but it would be interesting to photograph. Very interesting. Lots of graphic lines and colour. 

And to my left I can see the foreshore, with a marina at the end closest to us, at the foot of Hummock's Hill. Our local tells us that dolphins follow the boats in, so we wander down to the floating jetty to see if we can spot any. We luck out. I turn my attention to the foreshore precinct. Lawns, a huge playground for kids, permanent shades on the beach (which, unfortunately, was covered in seaweed), surf club, cafe and a long boardwalk lit up along the length. It is beautiful. We organise to come down the next morning, meet the locals that are out getting fit, and grab some sunrise pics. 

Discovering surprises like this is why I like to explore the towns and areas we travel through. I never know what I'm going to find. Sometimes there are treasures waiting - not always, but when there are, it's worth it. Journeys and detours can be as fun and interesting as the destination itself.

Photo Tip: Leading lines

Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

There are many 'rules' to taking a beautiful and interesting photograph. One of these is the use of leading lines. Leading lines draw the eye into the photograph and are especially good if you have something of interest and want to focus on, at the end. Draw the eye through your photograph with something graphic. Pull the viewers eye through where you want it to go.

Farm driveway near Strathalbyn, South Australia

Some leading line objects could be...

fences

roads

rows of objects (ie trees/houses/bottles)

the break of water on a beach

power lines

objects dotted in a line (ie kids toys leading to a messy child looking guilty)

stalls/shops at an event

getting in close to a window or sign and photogrpahing along it, with the 'scene' at the end or 'up the back' of the picture