By Uniti Med

August 2, 2023

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Tips for Capturing Stunning Travel Photos

Uniti Med provided this article.

As a travel healthcare professional, you have the unique opportunity to explore various regions of the country and document your adventures through photography. While you may not be a professional photographer, there are simple techniques to ensure your travel photos are breathtaking and cherished keepsakes. Here are some tips for capturing the best travel photos during your assignments.

travel photos

Choose the Right Camera for Your Budget:

You don’t need an expensive camera to take captivating photos. Modern cell phones come equipped with impressive lenses that rival professional cameras. If you’re due for a new phone, research models with excellent camera capabilities. However, if you’re keen on improving your photography skills, consider investing in a dedicated camera from reputable brands like Canon, Nikon, Sony, or Fuji. There are pros and cons to each, but the important thing is to learn how to use them. Do some research on different lenses, shutter speed, ISO, aperture, and white balance. Don’t shoot in auto mode forever!

Focus on Exposure and Sharpness:

Exposure is the overall brightness or darkness of a photo. An overexposed photo will lose all the details of the shot, while an underexposed one will appear grainy and flat when brightened. An out-of-focus photo can ruin an otherwise beautiful shot. Take a moment to set the exposure and focus before capturing your subject.

Frame Your Subject Wisely:

Framing is a fundamental aspect of photography that directs the viewer’s attention to the subject. Whether it’s people, landscapes, or wildlife, frame your subject thoughtfully, ensuring they are the focal point of the image. Avoid cropping out important elements, such as hands and feet, when photographing people. Framing a photo is half of the job, so take your time framing your subject to get that perfect shot.

Lighting Is Your Friend:

travel photos

You may think that a photographer’s tool is their camera, but this isn’t entirely true. A photographer’s best tool is light. Bad or harsh lighting can ruin an otherwise beautiful photo. To capture stunning outdoor images, consider shooting during the “blue hour” (the hour after sunrise) or the “golden hour” (the hour before sunset). These times provide soft, warm lighting that enhances the beauty of your subjects. Although not always feasible, planning your shoots around these hours can yield some truly stunning photos.

Get Creative, Have Fun, and Keep Taking Pictures:

While there are some universal “rules” to good photography, art is subjective. If your photo is in focus and the lighting is right, then you can take a great photo! Have fun with it, and get creative. Try different angles to get a truly unique shot. Play around with your camera settings and try new techniques. Practice, practice, practice! The more you shoot, the better you’ll get.

Safeguard Your Photos with Backups:

Once you’ve taken your photos, you’ll want to make sure they are safely stored for the long term. For digital photos, you can invest in an external hard drive, or you can purchase digital storage. If you choose to print your photos, buy high-quality photo albums for storage and keep them in a cool, dry area so they don’t fade over time. Whatever you do, regularly back up your photos to avoid losing precious memories.

Conclusion:

By following these tips, your pictures will not only look better, but you’ll have beautiful keepsakes of your adventures forever. Remember, it’s not about having the most expensive gear but knowing how to make the most of the equipment you have. Frame your subjects carefully, pay attention to lighting, and never stop exploring your creativity through photography. Happy travels!

We hope you found these tips for capturing stunning travel photos helpful. Do you have any tips for fellow travel nurses who want to capture their travel adventures? Comment them below.

The Gypsy Nurse job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

As a travel nurse, you go on many adventures and capturing stunning travel photos can be important. Here are tips to help you get those shots!

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Gifted Healthcare

June 12, 2018

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Hidden Gems Across America

Gifted Healthcare provided this article.

Why not try a travel nurse contract in one of these travel nurse hidden gem locations across America? Summer is the best time to be a travel nurse. With a sense of adventure in the air, visiting new places is a top priority. You’ve heard all about opportunities in major big cities, but if you want a unique experience, check out these hidden gems across America.

Travel Nurse ‘Hidden Gem’ Locations

Gulf Shores, Alabama

travel nurse hidden gem locations alabamaIf you’re looking for white sands and sea turtles, Gulf Shores has what you need. This beach community boasts the most beautiful, picturesque sights for your Alabama travel assignment. Opportunities to see bottlenose dolphins are closer than ever with wildlife kayak tours setting out daily or hop on board a boat tour to get the full sun and surf experience.

On land, there are hundreds of restaurant options that let you keep your toes in the sand. From specialty seafood to gluten-free options, beachside cafes will keep you satisfied. For the adventurous palate, try some oysters fresh from the Gulf of Mexico.

For the most unconventional beach fun, take a class at Sand Castle University, where you can learn to make extraordinary sand sculptures. If you’re starting a new assignment and want to bond with your co-workers, this can be your first group trip you’re sure to remember.

Taos, New Mexico

For travel nurses who don’t leave home without their animal companion, Taos, New Mexico, is regarded as one of the most pet-friendly cities in America. This city has a comprehensive guide of trails, restaurants, and hotels where dogs are welcomed as guests.

travel nurse hidden gem locationsWhether you walk on two feet or four, Taos has a stunning variety of outdoor experiences for you to discover. You can float down the Rio Chama ending the day at the Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort and Spa. This would be a great spot to visit if you’re traveling with your spouse. If you’re looking for more excitement, on your next day off, check out a white-water rafting trip down the Taos Box in the Rio Grande Gorge.

If the spirit of travel nursing inspires you, check out the native American nomadic culture of the southwest. Nomads bring a sense of community wherever they roam, much like travel nurses provide their patients in any new setting. For a more modern take on culture, head down to the Taos Plaza. Here you’ll find coffee shops, boutiques, and a farmer’s market complete with flowers, pastries, organic produce, herbs, and music. This is a perfect spot to recharge and find a souvenir from your assignment.

Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City is full of hidden gems. If you want to bring out your wild west travel nurse side, check out the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Nurses traveling with younger kids will love the rodeo artifacts and Children’s Cowboy Corral. For more family fun, visit the OKC Zoo and go “behind the scenes” to get up close and personal with the wildlife (as if nursing wasn’t wild enough!).

If you’re traveling with your spouse, Oklahoma City has a whole host of couple’s night-out activities. If you are on the day shift, spend your evening in The Paseo, OKC’s arts district, full of dozens of galleries for you to explore. On the first Saturday of the month, you can check out the free gallery walk events featuring art receptions, discounts at restaurants and shops, and a fun street scene.

Manteca, CA

Manteca is the crossroads of California, located just over an hour east of San Francisco and Sacramento. Discover endless attractions, events, and entertainment – from golf courses to street fairs. Travel nurses with a creative side can enjoy a walking tour of beautiful city murals. If you’re missing your hometown team while on assignment, play like the pros at Big League Dreams.

Climb aboard historic railroads. Take a day trip that winds through the scenic valley and coast, through vineyards, mountains, lakes, and rivers. If you want to explore more out of town, drive to San Francisco. See the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in person. Snap a quick photo to post in the Gypsy Nurse Facebook group, and you’ll be the envy of all our travel friends with the click of a button.

No matter where your summer travels take you, there is always something unique to see/do. Additionally, if you’re looking for someone to explore with, join our Gypsy Nurse Network and schedule a group event!

Where are you heading this summer? Do you have tips for a specific location? We’re always seeking content contributors. Just get in touch!


Find your Next Great Travel Nurse

Adventure


By The Gypsy Nurse

November 29, 2013

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Themed Street Art at Home and Abroad

One of the interesting things that I found early on in my travels is that there are many places throughout the US that have Themed Street art around the town.

Norfolk VA

In Norfolk Virginia, I was seeking cheap/free things to entertain my then 13 y/o daughter during her summer visit and I found Mermaids! Norfolk is full of mermaids!! Well, not real mermaids…did you think I’d lost my mind? They are actually artistic statues of mermaids. They are all over town! I don’t know how many in total but they are all themed and named and have some cute stories behind them. Pretty cute, I think! My daughter and I ended up going on a mermaid hunt and had a great time trying to find all of the mermaid statues scattered around the city.

(Unfortunately, I do not have photo’s from my personal Mermaid Hunt so I’m sharing the ‘borrowed’ photo’s below. Please stop by these sites and explore more of this fun and unique city.)

Louisville KY

While visiting Louisville KY on a Photo Safari with my daughter, we found Horses!  Statues of fancifully painted horses can be seen around Louisville. The horse statues were a part of the Gallopalooza art exhibition, and the horses honor past winners of the Kentucky Derby.

San Miguel, El Salvador

A recent trip nearly 5,000 miles away from Louisville, I discovered that themed art does not stop at the US border.  In San Miguel El Salvador, one of the local Colleges (Universidad Andreas Bello) has sponsored some great street art.  Art Deco Styled paintings abound on random poles down one lonely street near the College.  Each of these themed pieces of art explore a bit of the beauty, culture and activities of the local area. Also in El Salvador via the “Ruta de las Flores” there are several small towns with roadside murals depicting local events, festivals and daily life. 

Have you visited a city with Themed Street Art?  If so, please share it in the comments…I’m always interested in unique (and free) sights to explore in a new city.