2013 Travel Series: How To Pack Stage 2: Packing

Organise everything that you want to pack in your bag or suitcase into designated piles. Start by packing towels, trousers, and tops in the bottom. Put the stuff that you will need to access easily on the top (jackets, shoes, etc.), as well as anything that might get damaged, creased or squashed.

Where possible compartmentalize your stuff into bags and containers to reduce damage from spillage or dirt. One tip I learnt last year is to roll your underwear and pack it into separate compartments in your suitcase/bag (see top left).

You can do this with the Eagle Creek Pack-It system: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eagle-Creek-Pack-It-Tube-Pacific/dp/B002YIP89E/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=6QT9LQJEIZT2&coliid=IVJUSMH5E4G6B&psc=1

Love this jewellery organiser/roll: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Umbra-Little-Jewellery-Travel-Organiser/dp/B00A9SPC0G/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=6QT9LQJEIZT2&coliid=I9U688G67A3FK

Carpe Diem xx

How To Improve Your Photography: Get The Most From Your Camera

1) Framing - Look at framing your image in different ways by using your surroundings and environment. A well-framed photo is much more aesthetically pleasing!

2) Angles - Take a series of photos of the same thing from different angles. Angles create interest in photography and diagonals can make or break a photo. Build a diagonal into your photo and work on the 'rule of thirds', with the central focus of your image in the bottom right hand corner third.

3) Lighting - Natural light creates the optimum conditions for taking a photo while the light in dark rooms or on sunny days can be either took dark, bright or synthetic. Try taking your camera outside on a sunny spring day for ultimate photography. Try it and you will perfect the Facebook profile pic!

4) Close ups - some of the most innovative and interesting photos are ones which focus on the mundane, small details of life that otherwise go unnoticed. Use a close up setting on your camera to take photos of small patterns, the texture of animal skin, etc.

5) Back ups - to get the most from your camera make sure that you print copies, back up on your computer with Google Dropbox (the Cloud), or save onto a USB drive so that you never lose your best shots. In the age of the digital camera it is all too easy to lose a photo forever.

6) Handbag - keeping a small camera in your bag or handbag is a great way of making sure you're always ready to capture a special moment or inspirational scenery. I have a Sony Cybershot for on the go and a Fujifilm Finepix for 'professional' shots.
7) Intention - Finally and most importantly, before picking up a camera think about what you want to photograph. Not the landmark or person but what you want to convey and why you want to take it (as a memory, for sentimental reasons, etc.).

Carpe Diem xx