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Clear Dark Sky – Not Just for Astronomers, for Photographers Too

Editor — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 14:21:16 +0000

There is probably nothing more rewarding for a photographer than to shoot pictures outdoors in the natural light. Whether you are into landscape, portrait or astrophotography, there is nothing quite like the satisfaction of nailing that perfect golden hour shot, capturing that moment when the sun’s soft light comes through the layers of clouds, or capturing the beautiful glow of the Milky Way on a clear night sky. The weather is not always that predictable though. A clear sky can suddenly bring clouds and rains just when you’re up and ready for a fun day of outdoor photography. You can only wish you could predict the weather!

But, guess what? You can. Introducing, Clear Dark Sky, a weather service mainly created for astronomers but happens to be equally useful for photographers.

This forecaster is not your normal forecast. It provides a 48-hour window into the future weather, providing you a comprehensive breakdown of temperature, cloud cover, darkness, humidity, wind, transparency, and more. It is perfect for natural light portrait photographers. It can save you a lot of time before heading out to the location your shoot by enabling you to confirm cloud cover the day or several hours before the shoot.

Night landscape photographer and astrophotographers will enjoy this app too. The information on humidity, transparency and darkness that it provides will allow you to select the best locations and the best times for getting the clearest views of the night sky. Clear Dark Sky has a feature called “seeing” which measures the stillness of the air and indicates when fine planetary details will be visible through a telescope.

The data Clear Dark Sky provides is gathered from specific observation sites in the Bahamas, Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., which means that it is limited to user locations. California for example has 444 sites listed, while Oregon only has 98. The app by the way is downloadable from Google PlayStore and iTunes.

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Photo | Look at Apples, Pears and Paint

Editor — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 17:16:13 +0000

Art is as old as mankind especially because it was a means of expression for many years and still continued to be used but in more advanced ways. Before the invention of the camera, artists could draw images that could help remember the times and major events that took place. Although modern technology has brought forth a lot of changes, it is worth pointing out that still life painting is still a major a major form of fine art that stands out.

What is entailed in the documentary?

The story of “Apples, Pears and Paint: How to make a still life painting” by BBC has captured the attention of many on social as well as main stream media because it strives to explain the origin of still life painting and how it has evolved over the years to what it is today. For many years, still life painting has undergone several changes. Among the fist changes witnessed is in the choice of raw materials used in the painting process.

As proof that still life painting has been trending on local news channels, the recent BBC production on the subject has caught the attention of many if the interest in the documentary is anything to go by. Following the recent exposure and education on the role of still life painting during the historic times and its transformation to the current trends, it is easy to note that still life painting is still as relevant as it was many years back. The only difference is the setting and the significance it has in society. As the rest of society changes to conform to the current trends, Professor Neil Cox of the Edinberg College of art explains how still life painting developed as well as the journey it has taken to evolve to what it is today. In this recent BBC production and documentary by Professor Neil Cox, many modern artists have come to realize the role they can play and how certain things relate to many others that most people do not even take notice of.

What is the role of still life painting in modern society?

Photography and camera works have come about long after still life paintings were the most reliable means of keeping community history because many people kept different items that were used to mark certain times or seasons. Art has many functions in society even today in spite of all the developments and changes that are taking place in the sector. Even though there are many ways of keeping cultural heritage today, an artistic expression in the form of a still life painting still excites many people and this explains the high interest in such matters.

From the numerous changes taking place in the art sector, many art galleries have been established and some of them even have an online presence. This has brought about great changes with many people now able to sell their artifacts globally with the help of the internet and modern websites that can help one exploit their talent better.

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Photos | Enjoy your flight stopover in one of London’s luxury hotels

Editor — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 11:10:08 +0000

Argh, you think to yourself at the news that your flight from London has been delayed for the night and you’ve made no plans for a stopover. There you are at the exit of Stansted airport, feverishly clutching your luggage, wanting nothing more than to relax. So, what’s your best bet?

Well, the chances are that with all of the majesty of London at your feet, you’ll want to stay in the finest hotel you can find – and, in England’s capital you’ll be spoilt for choice, with this beautiful city brimming with luxury hotels.

Because, although Stansted Airport is replete with a number of generous facilities – Stansted meet and greet, coffee shops and restaurants, to name but a few – sometimes you simply want to relax if you’re staying overnight awaiting a flight.

But, where’s the best place to rest your head? Where can you find somewhere to freshen up, be treated well and have a pleasant send-off upon your departure in the morning?

Well, with this list you’ll be able to choose from some of the most opulent hotels across the capital and know that you can put your feet up and de-stress during your stop over.

41 Hotel – A Royal Carnation Hotel

Situated extremely close to Buckingham Palace, the 41 Hotel is about as stately as they come, with a restaurant that looks like a well-furnished library, and rooms that give a modernised take on art deco design.

41 Hotel

All in all, the 41 Hotel almost keeps up with the Jones’s over the fence in Buckingham Palace. Well, maybe not quite, but it does offer a sumptuous and supremely satisfying place to stay during your stopover.

The Capital

Located in Knightsbridge and just a short walk from luxury department store Harrods (an extremely short walk; it’s almost next door), The Capital is a luxury boutique hotel that wears the classic British design of its rooms proudly.

The capital

It’s a hotel that’s also home to a reputable restaurant, Outlaws, that can guarantee your taste buds a satisfying evening and leave your stomach with nothing to complain about.

Claridge’s

With some of the biggest suites in London, Claridge’s is simply a beautiful hotel to relax in. Each room is infused with a relaxing design and state of the art technology that will leave you mucking around with the flat-screen telly just as much as you’ll be appreciating the room.

Claridge

Claridge’s is a name that’s become synonymous with real comfort over the years, and is still worth every penny if you want a luxurious stay in London.

The Savoy

A legendary hotel, some of the rooms of The Savoy have been slept in by the likes of Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra, Claude Monet and Katharine Hepburn. Of course, they’ve also been slept in by people of less reputable stature, but they’re not quite as cool to make a list from.

The Savoy

And, The Savoy lives up to its reputation, with a fantastic view of London over the Thames, and its in-house restaurant, Kaspar’s Seafood Bar and Grill, maintaining a classical luscious atmosphere and offering great food.

You will inevitably be given that old-school luxury feeling you crave when you enter a place like The Savoy, and it’ll make your stopover seem entirely worthwhile.

Photos: 1, 2 , 3 , 4

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Shots of the Caribbean five star Ladera Resort in St. Lucia

Editor — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 22:50:46 +0000

The beauty of the Caribbean lived in the luxury of a five star resort. The Ladera Resort in St. Lucia can be described with that simple sentence. The resort is located in the mountains open to the splendor of the Caribbean Sea overlooking some of the island’s natural beauty such as Sulphur Springs, Soufriere Volcano and Petit Piton World Heritage Sites. From an old cocoa plantation, Ladera Resort has become one of the most sought after accommodation with the ability to integrate the lush nature with modern conveniences to create rooms and suites where you can forget the stress and everyday life. The Caribbean remains one of the most popular tropical paradises. What helps in that are the sun, sea, breathtaking landscapes, vivid colors, new scents, creole and mestizo cultures that links to Europe and America.

Lush Greenery

The 32 suites at the resort have been made in the same style. Local tropical woods, stones and tiles made by artists of the island with the French colonial style inspiration of the 19th century. Each room features local artwork and overlooks the most beautiful views of the island as the Pitons. Services from five star accommodation for all who reach the top in the Suite at Paradise Ridge overlooking the sea which is also open on the two volcanoes World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. The suite has a private pool from which you can enjoy the colors of the Caribbean Sea with outdoor patio where you can lunch and dine in privacy.

Ladera Resort St. Lucia

The food and wine offered is also appropriate to the highest standards. The restaurant’s kitchen headed by chef experts leverages the wealth of the region and the island creating menus to satisfy even the most demanding. Traditional Creole dishes with ingredients brought fresh daily from local producers or the ability to order a private dinner for two are part of the luxuries available. The resort also offers courses and cooking classes for guests who want to discover the secrets of Caribbean cuisine.

Pool in the room

For the body and the mind the spa is inspired by the volcanic nature of the island and the tropical forest rich in scents and perfumes, plants, flowers and fruits which invite you to unwind from the stress. Massages, beauty treatments, relaxation in the hands of the staff of the resort and more await you. The Ladera Resort is a little gem nestling in the Caribbean in which you live according to a different rhythm immersed in music, in nature, in the colors and scents of the small, beautiful island of St. Lucia. If you are looking for an excuse to escape to this tropical paradise think of it as forgetting about everything and everyone and think only of yourself.

Ladera Resort photos: ann7106, resorttothebest, OffbeatTraveler.

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