photography in goa, Don t forget your equipment, make it unique

Whether you've been taking pictures for years or just bought your first camera, photography is an art enjoyed by people around the globe. And while people have captured the beauty around them for generations, today it's easier than ever to share those photos with friends and family, or even strangers, anywhere in the world.
These days, there are even opportunities to see the photos you take on a worldwide stage. For example, photographers who want some extra exposure can use the new Bing Homepage photo app on Facebook, to submit their own photos for consideration for the Bing homepage image. With a potential audience of millions of people, it's more important than ever to make sure your photos are beautiful.
Korske Ara, founder of World Photography Day, knows what it takes to make photographs truly memorable. Make sure your photos are ready for family, friends, and the world by following these easy steps.
*Lighting is the secret sauce of a great picture. Whether you're using natural or artificial light, the appropriate lighting makes the difference between a good picture and a great one. Next time you're taking pictures outdoors, wait for a cloud to move across the sun to make a potentially flat image look vibrant instead. If you're taking pictures indoors, Ara recommends moving lamps or adding candles to change the atmosphere and mood of a photo.
*Make your photograph unique with a perspective that's all your own. Don't know where to start? Check out the Bing homepage for inspiration, as it features unique images from around the world each day, often from unique vantage points. Ara also says, "When you see something worth photographing, chances are most people have seen it from the same perspective that you're initially seeing." Instead, ask yourself, how can I bring this to life in a new way? You'll be surprised at the results you get just by re-thinking where you stand, kneel or lay as you take your photos.
*Don't forget your equipment. Tripods are often disregarded because of their size but they are fantastic tools for photographers. Especially when taking shots of landscapes or wildlife the tripod makes a big difference in the quality of photographs, as it helps stabilize your camera, resulting in a clearer and sharper photograph, particularly in lower light situations. Most cameras these days have a tripod mount, including many point and shoots, and for those on the go, compact tripods are easier than ever to find.
*Grab your camera and get out there. Ara tells new photographers not to be afraid to put their skills to the test and start taking a camera with you everywhere you go. With the introduction of digital photography, there is incredible freedom to capture memories like never before. Practice, experiment, and keep trying. Learning to capture beautiful photographs is a life-long journey and there's always something new to learn, see and capture. A beautiful photograph isn't captured by theory, it's captured by emotion.

six mobile apps a travelers need of today Goa

This fall, you have a choice of great travel apps that can help make your getaways a breeze, from booking a flight or renting a car while on the road to finding a bathroom during a busy day of sightseeing. For readers in the throes of booking their fall adventures, we've rounded up six of the most useful go-to apps for savvy travelers. Bonus: They all just so happen to be free.
* WhatsApp (iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone) - Now there's almost no excuse not to stay in touch with mom during your travels. WhatsApp uses your smartphone's data plan or a Wi-Fi connection to let you message with family and friends around the world for free. On your next vacation, use the app to organize group chats, or send audio, photo or video messages. It's now one of the most downloaded apps in the world. Moms, you're welcome.
* Orbitz Flights, Hotels, Cars (iOS, Android, Kindle Fire) - There's no shortage of booking apps out there, but leading travel site Orbitz.com's revamped version is so speedy and user friendly that it's just one of 48 apps to earn a spot in the Apple App Store's coveted Hall of Fame. This app lets you accomplish everything you would expect - book flights, hotels, cars and packages - but a big bonus is that it also treats users to mobile-exclusive deals on hotels. Other selling points include access to your Orbitz.com account preferences, and up-to-date flight and gate info. Just think of this hall of famer as the Willie Mays of travel apps.
* TripWhat (iOS) - Once you've got your flight and hotel details sorted, you can focus on the fun side of travel - figuring out which sights to see, where to dine and what sort of entertainment's happening nearby. TripWhat helps you sort through and map out the options with detailed listings uploaded from other sites such as WikiVoyage, SeatGeek, Google Maps, Yelp and Last.fm, among others. You'll never have to ask, "So, what do we do now?"
* SitOrSquat (iOS, Android) - In certain cities - we're looking at you New York - finding a clean public bathroom in the middle of a long day of sightseeing can put you in a real pinch. The SitOrSquat app, sponsored by Charmin, not only helps you find a local public potty, but also includes user reviews that inform you of their condition, as indicated by "Sit" or "Squat" icons. This app's an especially great pick for families with small kids whose bathroom emergencies tend to spring up at the most inopportune times.
* Field trip (iOS, Android) - What's the fastest way to really get to know a city while traveling? Have a well-informed local show you. Consider Google's FieldTrip your friend in town, guiding you to the best off-the-beaten-path sights, shops, restaurants and hidden histories. Just stroll around the city you're exploring and watch as the hyper-local, customizable geo-publishing tool populates your screen - no clicking required - with interesting tidbits such as a recommended dish at a nearby restaurant or a free concert happening nearby.

* RoadAhead Highway Exit Finder (iOS)-- Don't play rest-stop roulette when it comes to stopping for food, gas or bathrooms while on the road. On your next trip, plan your stops smarter with RoadAhead, an app that helps you find the best highway exit for all your travel needs - gas prices, dining options, lodging, distance from exit and other useful info included. You'll never again have to white-knuckle your way along an unknown number of miles to the next station.

Nature will strike so better insure - facts

Hurricanes and tornadoes, blizzards and heat waves, floods and wildfires ... Mother Nature has become the lead story in nearly every news cycle. Can meteor showers be far behind?
Whether it's climate change or simply cyclical, one fact can't be debated: According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, natural disasters in the U.S. have increased 700 percent since 1950. And all sides would agree that these calamities are deeply affecting people and businesses across North America.
One of the industries inexorably tied to this decades-long trend is insurance, which is entrusted with financially protecting consumers from the after-effects of wicked weather and natural catastrophes. While disasters can't be prevented, people and businesses can certainly be prepared in terms of their insurance coverage, according to Doug Menges, chief claims officer for Mercury Insurance Group, which provides homeowners and/or auto insurance in regularly ravaged states, such as California, Florida, Arizona, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Texas.
"All of the weather-related chaos over the last few years has caused many policyholders to re-evaluate their insurance coverage and purchase lower deductibles. They're willing to pay more to protect their belongings," says Menges. "In lieu of being price sensitive, many consumers are becoming more and more coverage sensitive.
"No matter the level of coverage, though, it's incumbent upon everybody to be prepared ... before disaster strikes. There are some simple precautions everyone should be aware of that could help you weather the storm."
Menges offers these "before and after" insurance tips:
* Know what is covered and not covered. Review home and auto policies with an insurance agent who's familiar with local severe weather conditions before tragedy strikes.
* Catalog property. Document belongings by taking photos or video of your home and possessions, store them in a secure place (like a password-protected portable hard drive or online storage site) and place backup copies in an off-site location. "This will expedite your claims process," says Menges.
* Develop an evacuation plan. This should be part of a more comprehensive family emergency strategy that incorporates out-of-town contacts, emergency phone numbers, Social Security numbers, community evacuation meeting sites, doctor/pharmacist contacts, and homeowners/rental insurance policy numbers and phone numbers that can be printed on wallet-sized cards or stored in a smartphone.
* Contact your insurer immediately to report an auto or home loss. Do not remove any debris or damaged property that may be related to your claim. Menges says smart policyholders should be ready to provide all pertinent information, including a policy number, as well as date and time of the loss.
* Prepare a detailed inventory of destroyed or damaged property. Provide photos or videos of your home and possessions to your claims adjuster. Keep records and receipts for additional living expenses that were incurred if you were forced to leave your home and provide copies to your adjuster.
"Nature has pummeled the U.S. in the last several years, ranging from Hurricane Sandy blasting the Eastern Seaboard to 'Tornado Alley' erupting from Texas into the northern states, and now we're in the midst of fire and hurricane season," says Menges. "Mercury Insurance paid more than $39 million in claims to help people rebuild their homes and repair their cars that were destroyed by natural disasters in 2012, which set a record for a company that's been around since 1962.

"It's incumbent upon consumers, no matter whom their insurance carrier may be, to prepare their insurance facts and figures long before extreme weather comes knocking at their door."