1st Timers booked Silverseas

[Wellseasoned]

TLC Terry, I also really enjoy your fine photos. I wish that mine from some of the same places were nearly as good! My question is, what is the best and simplest way to post photos on a site such as Cruise Critic? What if you would like to post some from a cruise while onboard? Hope you have advice for a fellow Ohioan. Thanks.

[TLCOhio]

TLC Terry, I also really enjoy your fine photos. I wish that mine from some of the same places were nearly as good! My question is, what is the best and simplest way to post photos on a site such as Cruise Critic? What if you would like to post some from a cruise while onboard? Hope you have advice for a fellow Ohioan. Thanks.

 

THANKS for your kind comments and question! Where are you from in super cold Ohio? Below are some general photo tips.

 

On posting to these CC boards, you can do the basic "thumbnail" picture, but that is kind of small and does not really provide the detail. To do the larger version involves posting your pictures to an outside photo site such as Photobucket. I don't know your type of computer or photo program you have. Tell me more! I have a MacBook Pro and use iPhoto to store and organize my pictures. You need to "EXPORT" a picture to your desktop as a file of say 1000 pixels by 600-700 or so. Then you go to the Photobucket or another website and "UPLOAD" that picture. After that picture is uploaded, you will get an imbedded web address for that picture. You copy and save that address. Then when you are writing on these boards, you copy and paste within your message on CC that imbedded address and then your picture will show up as seen below in these two examples from southern England before our cruise departed from Dover. Does this help?

 

You can do this as you cruise, but it does take a little time to upload the pictures to this photofile website. Clearly, it is easier to do your pictures when you are at a faster Internet connection.

 

Photo secrets? It's a little more than just the "camera". Mine is a Nikon D50 SLR. Good, but not at the super pro level. Lots of people have cameras at and near that quality or comparable. These days, the digital technology has improved so much that nearly everyone can take good to great pictures. Here are some of my tips, secrets and suggestions to share. I found taking cruise and travel pictures is fun, plus cheaper than shopping for souvenirs.

 

1. ZOOM/FRAMING: Fill the frame and make it interesting. Use your feet. Move closer. Zoom in or out. Make it tighter in the picture frame, etc. People don't want to be bored with a key subject or highlight being only in the middle 15% of the picture frame.

 

2. LENS: Many of the nice pictures in certain famed palaces and churches in Russia, etc., were taken with a new 10-20 mm lens that gives a wider angle view than average. That really helped create some picture "drama" without being too wide and distorted as can happen with a fish-eye lens. There are cases where that longer lens (have a 70-300 mm zoom) can really help. In many cases, my basic 18-55 mm zoom covers the basic middle range. It's nice to have one lens that covers all needs, but then you lose some in the desired picture quality.

 

3. LOTS OF PICTURES: With digital, it is much easier and cheaper to take lots of pictures, see what you have, take more pictures, try different angles, etc. In the old 35 mm film days, you could not take as many different pictures and you were always guessing and hoping on exposure, what you really captured, etc. Then you need to be checking as you go on what you just shot, blow off the duds, etc. It's great instant feed-back on what's working and what's not. As you are riding on a bus, waiting in line, that picture checking is a good way to both pass the time and monitor your picture progress/success (or failure).

 

4. STEADY HOLD: I mostly use the eyepiece viewer, not the back of camera viewing screen. That keeps the camera closer to my body and makes it more stable. Use your elbows against your body to brace the camera. I'll lean against walls or doorframes when taking certain inside pictures in low light situations to improve . . . stability! You don't want blurred and shaky pictures. Set the camera on walls, chairs, etc. Stability! Some think that if they push the button faster to take the picture, then it will be better. WRONG! Gently S-Q-U-E-E-Z-E that shutter button, slowly! It makes a major difference in picture quality.

 

5. PEOPLE: Having people as a part of the picture gives it context, interest, etc. Lots of "just the place" pictures are nice, but I have found that the ones with some human involvement and/or connection look and work better.

 

It's easier today to improve your photo skills and results. Hope this helps. Reactions and comments? Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

 

Pre-cruise southern England highlights, castle, home, etc.:

 

 

 

 

 

[ging466]

Magnificent pics TLCOhio!

 

Cheers

ging466

[TLCOhio]

Magnificent pics TLCOhio! Cheers ging466

 

THANKS for the kind comments! Glad that "down under" these pictures came through "right side up". We've done lots in Europe, but look forward to enjoying your country and New Zealand in the future. Just need more time and money. Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[Wellseasoned]

Terry, a belated hearty thanks for the information on posting photos! Perhaps I will be able to try it on the upcoming Spirit crossing, assuming the internet service is functional. My part of Ohio is the cold northeast, where we are temporarily basking in the warm glow of the Browns rare victory over the Steelers.

 

Dieter

[TLCOhio]

Terry, a belated hearty thanks for the information on posting photos! Perhaps I will be able to try it on the upcoming Spirit crossing, assuming the internet service is functional. My part of Ohio is the cold northeast, where we are temporarily basking in the warm glow of the Browns rare victory over the Steelers. Dieter

 

YES, that Browns win was a "biggie". I am Browns fan going back to watching on TV when I was a kid as Jim Brown ran those great sweeps. I was torn, however, as I like the Steelers, especially their Ohio quarterback and OSU's Santonio Holmes.

 

On the picture posting process, I would suggest doing some "tests" to make sure you've got the process down correctly BEFORE doing your cruise. That will make it easier and more efficient when you are doing it for real in the middle of the Atlantic. WOW! You'll have an interesting cruise going from New York City in late April and hitting Boston, Halifax, St. John's/Newfoundland, Cork, Cardiff and then landing on May 7 in Southampton, U.K.

 

What town in NE Ohio? I know that area pretty well.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[Wellseasoned]

Terry, we are on the Jan 3 crossing from Lisbon to Ft. Lauderdale, the maiden crossing of the Spirit, then continuing to Barbados. Not much time left, but I'll try to test the photo process. Happy that you're a Browns fan. We're from Chagrin Falls.

Dieter

[TLCOhio]

Terry, we are on the Jan 3 crossing from Lisbon to Ft. Lauderdale, the maiden crossing of the Spirit, then continuing to Barbados. Not much time left, but I'll try to test the photo process. Happy that you're a Browns fan. We're from Chagrin Falls.

Dieter

 

YES, Chagrin Falls is a super nice community with its charming downtown, river running through it, etc.

 

Departing January 3, your window to get ready is short. You can do a set-up on your photo storing place, testing posting to CC, hit preview to see if it is going to work OK. You don't need to do a final posting. Just set-up, practice, etc.

 

You have some nice options on your cruise from Lisbon, to Funchal (Madeira), Las Palmas, Tenerife, St. John's, St. Barts, St. Maarten and then finishing January 19 in Fort Lauderdale. Look forward to your reports and updates.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[DebbieH103]

Thanks for the beautiful pics and photo tips. I have recently started trying to set my camera on stuff, as I am a blurrer.

[TLCOhio]

Thanks for the beautiful pics and photo tips. I have recently started trying to set my camera on stuff, as I am a blurrer.

 

YES, setting on your camera on stuff, leaning against doorways, etc., makes a big, helpful, positive difference to stabilize and get sharper pictures. This is especially true for indoors and lower light situations.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[Maracamama]

THANKS for the nice comments! You actually don't want to "THINK TOO HARD" on each shot. That's the great advantage of digital and being able to see right then what you have. As Nike says "JUST DO IT" is important to remember. You need to "think", but not too much. Also as ging466 also notes, "grey and misty" is serious challenging. If you're lucky to have nice, sunny weather, it does help. Another secret? Only show people your good pictures! The more you shoot, the better your odds of excellent pictures, if you work at it. Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

"Only show people your good pictures" I love it! Thanks for my new mantra.

[Wellseasoned]

Sorry about continuing what has morphed into a photo thread, but I must again thank Terry in Ohio. I have followed your instructions on photo posting, and they work! Now, if only there is enough bandwidth on the Spirit! Thanks, and go Browns!

 

Dieter

[TLCOhio]

Sorry about continuing what has morphed into a photo thread, but I must again thank Terry in Ohio. I have followed your instructions on photo posting, and they work! Now, if only there is enough bandwidth on the Spirit! Thanks, and go Browns! Dieter

 

THANKS to Dieter and Maracamama for the nice comments. Good luck on the Spirit with your uploading. It should work. It just takes a little luck and patience. YES, it does make a difference in only showing your good or better pictures. Many people forget to edit or narrow down their photos. Nothing bores people more than eight pictures of pretty much the same thing. It takes a little time to do that reviewing and editing, but it pays off in better enjoyment.

 

Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[jerblu]

My wife Nancy and I have booked the April 7 cruise Istanbul to Venice. We are staying at the Hotel Armada for a couple of days beforehand. We'll look forward to seeing you onboard.

 

Jerry

[breckpatty]

My wife Nancy and I have booked the April 7 cruise Istanbul to Venice. We are staying at the Hotel Armada for a couple of days beforehand. We'll look forward to seeing you onboard.

 

Jerry

 

:)Great Jerry,

We better start a new thread on Roll Calls, this one is getting too long.

So far we have 4 couples, all staying a couple nights in Istanbul.

Let's plan a pre sailing get together in Istanbul.

Patty & Robin

[jerblu]

We will be there only a couple of days, but we'd be happy to join you for dinner or whatever plans you are making. Let us know. Or if you want, I'll send you my list of restaurants; I dont think I'll be able to get to all thirty of them in two days, although I might try. :)

 

Email me at jerblum4@comcast.net

[NJ Cruiserman]

Here are a couple of suggestions:

 

1. ADDED ISTANBUL TIME: I hope you have not yet bought or booked your air tickets and can adjust your schedule to have a couple of extra days before starting the cruise to enjoy fully the great history and charm of Istanbul. Below are some picture/visual examples of what makes Istanbul so wonderful. Happy to share more if it helps you "get ready". Don't miss Istanbul! You might also consider a private guide there as it is a large, complex city. You can do some of the stops on your own, but if you want to maximize the experience, a guide can significantly improve your time-efficiencies and aid your understandings for what you are seeing and doing.

/quote]

Loved your pictures. We will be on the Silver Wind (first time cruisers) docking in Istanbul on June 12 staying overnight on the ship and disembarking on June 13. Istanbul looks too big to see on our own. We have booked a hotel for the 13 and 14. Do you have any suggestions for a private guide in Istanbul? there are some suggested Istanbul specialists listed in Conde Nast Traveler.