#tips travel

[bysumex]

Hong Kong in Focus: A Photographer’s Guide to Capturing the City’s Vibrant Details 👉 https://bysumex.com/hong-kong-in-focus-a-photographers-guide-to-capturing-the-citys-vibrant-details/

Hong Kong is a dream location for photographers, combining stunning natural landscapes with a dense urban sprawl that captures the essence of a megacity. From its neon-lit nights to the iconic skyline, Hong Kong provides endless visual inspiration for capturing modern and traditional culture side by side. Here’s a deep dive into what makes this city a unique subject for photography, including the colors, shapes, textures, and places that make Hong Kong unforgettable.

1. The Skyline and Architecture

Victoria Harbour Views: Framed by mountains, the city skyline across Victoria Harbour is simply iconic. Capturing the skyline during golden hour or at dusk highlights the colors of glass and steel, while the hazy mountains add a soft backdrop.

Glass & Steel Skyscrapers: Buildings like the Bank of China Tower and the IFC Mall tower above the city with sleek, modern lines and reflective facades, casting ever-changing reflections. The symmetrical lines are ideal for architecture photography.

Colorful Housing Estates: Residential buildings like Choi Hung Estate provide a stark contrast with their pastel-colored facades. Each block is painted in vibrant hues of blue, green, and pink, creating a nostalgic and surreal vibe that photographers love.

2. Neon Nights and Street Photography

Neon Signs: The streets of Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui come alive at night with neon signs in every color, a blend of pink, red, green, and blue illuminating the busy sidewalks. These signs add an old-school cinematic feel to night photography.

Bustling Markets: Temple Street Night Market and Ladies' Market are perfect for street photography, capturing the blend of old and new Hong Kong. Stalls selling street food, trinkets, and antiques create a lively scene with lots of movement and textures.

Trams and Buses: The double-decker trams and buses are icons of the city, painted in bold colors like red, green, and blue, contrasting against the modern skyscrapers. Capturing these in motion adds a dynamic layer to urban shots.

3. Traditional Temples and Culture

Man Mo Temple: This Taoist temple is filled with the smell of incense and warm light, creating a sacred, mystical atmosphere. The red and gold interior, along with intricate wooden carvings and coils of incense, create a captivating scene for cultural photography.

Chi Lin Nunnery: A peaceful contrast to the city’s intensity, the nunnery’s traditional Tang Dynasty architecture, lotus ponds, and bonsai trees provide a serene, balanced composition for the photographer’s eye.

4. Natural Landscapes and Scenic Views

Victoria Peak: A must-visit for any photographer, the Peak offers a panoramic view of Hong Kong’s skyline, harbor, and the dense greenery that surrounds the city. This is an ideal location for night shots of the cityscape with lights reflecting off the water.

Dragon’s Back Trail: For nature and landscape photography, this trail provides breathtaking views of the coastline, ocean, and outlying islands. The mix of green hills against a blue ocean adds depth and color to scenic shots.

Lantau Island: Known for the Tian Tan Buddha statue and Po Lin Monastery, Lantau offers serene landscapes with mountains and cultural landmarks, great for wide-angle shots to capture the sense of peace and space.

5. Textures, Colors, and Local Details

Wet Markets: Markets like the one on Graham Street are vibrant and filled with fruits, vegetables, and seafood, each with unique colors and textures. Capturing the interaction between locals here offers authentic, candid moments.

Staircases & Alleys: The steep staircases and narrow alleys in Central provide fascinating depth for photographers, with layered facades, graffiti, and older architecture contrasting against the modern high-rises in the background.

Colors and Contrasts: Hong Kong’s buildings often mix bright colors with concrete, glass, and steel, making each shot feel alive and filled with contrasts. The fusion of traditional elements like red doors and modern signage is a visual feast.

Photography Tips for Hong Kong

Best Time to Shoot: Early mornings are best for tranquil temple shots, while late afternoons provide golden light on the skyline. Neon-lit streets come alive after dark for vibrant night photography.

Gear Suggestions: Wide-angle lenses for cityscapes, a zoom lens for street portraits, and a tripod for nighttime captures.

Weather & Atmosphere: Humidity often creates a natural haze, which can soften the skyline shots. During cooler months, the visibility is clearer, making it ideal for long-distance shots of the city.

Whether it’s the structured geometry of the high-rises, the warm glow of temple lights, or the organic beauty of Hong Kong’s natural landscapes, the city offers endless compositions for photographers to explore. It’s a place where tradition meets modernity, giving every shot a unique story.

[shroomerr]

Finally, my design for Mysterion!! this boy gave me so much heartache in the process of making this but its ok its all worth it for him <3

I also couldn't choose between the version with hair or without hair, so here's the one without under the cut (+ my initial drafts for his design):

[parallaxaview]

[ghostboidanny]

I've seen a few times in Dp x DC fics when Danny is first introduced to the Justice League and meets Captain Marvel, that they both know the other is actually a kid and not an immortal being, but pretends to be old friends so as to not be outed and tricks the JL together.

Now I bring you, neither of them know the other is a kid and both Actually think the other is immortal but still somehow ends up pretending to be besties. How? Time travel.

This is their actual first meeting, but in the future, Danny will time travel back to the past and meet past Champions of Magic. Billy, as the current Champion of Magic, has inherited the knowledge of these meetings, but thinks they happened chronologically = Phantom is immortal. So he use that knowledge to bullshit his way into pretending he's been all those old Champions and greets Danny as an old friend to sell his Old as Shit act before the JL.

Danny in turn doesn't know about those past meetings but he Does know about time travel. So when Captain Marvel greets him like an old friend and start recounting their different meetings throughout history, Danny assumes he's gonna time travel and do all those things one day (accurately). But he's pretending to be immortal, not a time traveling teen, and so has to pretend that he Totally Remembers That One Time In Greece, Yup!

[writingwithfolklore]

Getting Characters from A to B

Oftentimes a plot requires the characters to get from point A to B. They need to cross the wilderness to get to the next town, or climb to the top of the mountain, or take a boat to the other continent. But long paragraphs of just walking or moving is obviously not that interesting to read, so here are some elements to add to your travelling sections that accomplish the A to B and more.

1. It’s about the characters

If you’ve ever travelled with someone, you know that everything about your dynamic is amplified after spending like 72 straight hours with them. Use this with your characters—every little hidden grudge or flame or annoyance comes out when things get boring or stressful. This is a great time to really delve into character conflicts or even romance subplots, or any other way you’d like to develop the group dynamic. Also, there’s no better place to get the truth out of someone than being trapped in a car or on the road with them for days on end!

On another note, the slower parts of travel also allow for more quiet moments where your character can process what's happened so far. Especially in fast paced stories with lots of conflict, you may opt for a uneventful section of travel where they have time to grieve or plan or otherwise unpack things.

2. Switch up group roles

Travelling tends to carve out the same roles. Usually there is the leader who is driving the group forward and making decisions, the navigator who knows which way to go, the snack/food provider—who may be rationing or even hunting depending on the survival situation--and the one who has a hidden motive that is making them be difficult or drag their heels and provide conflict. These roles are a great way to force a change in dynamic between characters, and can inspire conflict between them.

3. Increase the stakes

A trip isn’t really a trip until something goes wrong. Whether the navigator was reading the map wrong, a bag of rations falls over the cliff side, someone gets injured, or there seems to be some creature stalking them, an increase of stakes raises the tension and creates opportunities for the group to work together or fall apart. For more tips on how to increase stakes, check out my post here:

4. Don’t be afraid to skip past the boring stuff

Once you’ve done what you wanted to do with the trip—broken a friendship, or a leg,, or both—don’t be afraid to skip in time for when they reach their destination. In fact, you’ll likely skip time for several parts of the trip in between interesting scenes between characters or moments where they’re facing against some conflict. We as the readers will assume that they continued on with their travels and just that nothing of note had happened in between.

I hope that helps!

[herigo]

[femmefatalevibe]

Femme Fatale Guide: Office Essentials Every Woman Should Own

A sturdy, sleek tote that fits your laptop but isn't too bulky (with at least one closable interior pocket)

Laptop, AirPods/earbuds, portable charging system for phone/laptop

Laptop stand (changes the game, tbh)

Protective laptop case/sleeve

A planner and a black pen/another color pen for marking up your notes

Another notebook/pad for random notes or a running to-do list

A pen cup holder

A ziplock of hair-ties

Disposable toothbrush, Listerine strips, and travel-sized container of floss picks

A discreet feminine hygiene pouch or two with at least 2 products in it (you can use the additional pouch for extra underwear to be safe, honestly)

A simple, easy to zip and clean makeup bag

Lip balm

Hand cream

Vaseline/Aquaphor/Homeoplasmine

Mini stick antiperspirant or deodorant wipes

Travel-sized tweezers

Lint roller

Hand sanitizers

Disposable Shout wipes/stain remover stick

Travel-sized container of antibacterial and baby wipes

Band-aids

A pair of nail scissors

A mini nail file

Small sunscreen that doesn't leave a white cast

Travel-sized hair brush

A pigmented lip color (or two)

Compact powder

Portable stick cream blush/brusher

Eyeliner/mini mascara

Eyebrow pencil

A snack pack or two of a protein-rich, plant-based snack (roasted edamame, roasted chickpeas, lupini beans, almonds, or Feel Protein bars are great options because they're portable and keep you full in a pinch without forcing you to reach for something unhealthy/not filling when you need to eat – you can also carry some freeze-dried fruit to pair alongside it if desired)

Pouch for keys, wallet, IDs, etc.

Blue-light glasses (for long days in front of a screen)

[thatsbelievable]

[nightlystudying]

Oh Vienna how pretty you are

[bysumex]

As the sun dipped below the towering peaks of the Andes Mountains, casting a golden glow across the picturesque valley of Peru, I found myself on an adventure of a lifetime. My camera hung comfortably around my neck, ready to capture the secrets hidden amidst the majestic mountains.

Peru had always held a special place in my heart, with its rich culture and breathtaking landscapes. This time, however, I had a unique opportunity to witness something truly extraordinary. I had heard whispers of a group of wise elders who resided high in the Andes, deep within a remote village. These elders were said to possess ancient wisdom about living in harmony with nature, a wisdom that had been passed down through generations. I was determined to find them and document their teachings.

My journey led me to a small village nestled between rolling hills and the towering peaks of the Andes. The villagers greeted me with warmth and curiosity, sensing my eagerness to learn from their wise elders. They pointed me in the direction of a narrow mountain path that would take me to the elders' secluded retreat.

The hike was challenging, but the breathtaking scenery made it all worthwhile. Every step brought me closer to the heart of the Andes, where the air was crisp and the scent of wildflowers hung in the breeze. After hours of climbing, I finally reached the elders' village, a collection of rustic stone huts perched on a plateau that seemed to touch the sky.

As I entered the village, I was greeted by the elders, their faces weathered by time and experience. They welcomed me with open arms, sensing my sincere desire to learn. Their attire, a reflection of their deep connection to nature, was adorned with vibrant colors and intricate patterns that told stories of their people's history.

Through an interpreter, I began to learn from these wise elders. They shared their knowledge of the land, the plants, and the animals that called the Andes home. They spoke of the importance of balance and harmony with nature, how every action had a consequence, and how the land provided for those who respected it.

One of the elders, an elderly woman with eyes that sparkled with ancient wisdom, led me to a hidden grove deep within the mountains. There, she taught me the art of meditation and mindfulness, emphasizing the importance of being in tune with the rhythms of the natural world. We sat in silence, surrounded by the majestic beauty of the Andes, and I felt a profound connection to the earth beneath me.

As the days turned into weeks, I continued to learn from these wise elders. They shared their knowledge of traditional healing herbs and remedies, showing me the intricate process of making medicines from the plants that grew abundantly in the Andes. They emphasized the importance of sustainability, teaching me how they only took what they needed from the land, ensuring its continued health and vitality.

Through my camera lens, I captured the beauty of the Andes and the wisdom of its people. The elders' teachings transcended words, and my photographs told the story of a profound connection between humans and nature, a connection that had endured for generations.

My time with the wise elders of Peru was a transformative experience, one that changed the way I viewed the world and my place in it. As I left the remote village and descended from the majestic mountains, I carried with me not only the stunning images I had captured but also a newfound appreciation for the delicate balance between humanity and the natural world. The wise elders had shared their secrets of harmony with nature, and I was determined to carry their wisdom forward, sharing their message of respect and sustainability with the world through my photography.

Read more: https://bysumex.com/perus-wise-elders-share-secrets-of-harmony-with-nature-amidst-majestic-mountains/

Jesus Gomez - bysumex

[stuffaboutminneapolis]

[aeb-art]

note: the following is three (almost four) years post-game

okay fine i'll just draw comics for my au since writing is so dang hard smh

anyways welcome to two coins! where loop shows up again but siffrin only got the one hat ending

edit: part two

[mybeautifulpoland]

Warsaw, Poland by Norbert Lepsik

[semiotomatics]

*note: im only talking abt delivery people, AKA ppl who had nothing to do with making/collecting whatever you ordered. their only job is getting it to your door.