Whether you’re spending the summer in Europe or embracing a South Island ski season, capturing photographs is the ultimate way to create memories and share your travels with loved ones.

Thanks to the ever-improving quality of smartphone cameras, you don’t have to spend thousands on a DSLR camera to take stunningly detailed photos and high-definition videos.

However, there are a few tips and tricks to know if you want your travel snaps to stand out. Herald Travel asks talented photographer and content creator Scott Howes to share his five biggest tips for nailing ‘the shot’ on a smartphone camera.

1. Use grids and guides

I would always recommend people turn on the grids and guides and level on their camera phone, it’s game-changing.

Most phones have the option to add a grid, which basically puts two lines down the middle and two lines across your screen. This helps you follow a popular rule in photography called the ‘rule of thirds’.

I use the grids feature every day on my phone and on my actual cameras and it means you can line up the subject or the frame that you’re trying to shoot, and place them in one of the ‘thirds’, which makes it more aesthetically pleasing.

Most smartphones also have a level in them, to save you from taking wonky photos and videos.

2. Take time and take it right

Travel can be crazy and super fast-paced and it’s easy to get excited and just snap away. It’s only when you get home to edit or review the photos you may realise you’re not happy with them.

So, despite having taken photos professionally for years, I still often take a step back and pause before taking the shot, because if you get it right ‘in camera’ it saves you so much work editing later on.

3. Think differently

I think one of the keys of photography is not to just point and shoot. Maybe research your destination beforehand and find unique places to photograph or a way to capture a popular spot differently. For instance, everyone who goes to Roys Peak takes that same standard shot looking down the viewpoint but there are endless possibilities for different photos; it just takes some time to find them.

4. Don’t forget the light

The time of day is key because the lighting is what makes a photo. For me personally, sunrise and sunset are the best times of day to shoot. The sun isn’t as high in the sky so you don’t get harsh light, it’s softer and creates nicer shadows too.

I’ll admit, getting up at 4am for a sunrise shot isn’t for everybody, some people go on holiday just to chill. Either way, lighting is worth thinking about when you take a photo and going a little earlier or later in the day can help you miss crowds at popular attractions.

5. Try shooting in Raw

Usually, you can let the smartphone choose the camera settings for you. But if you want to take your photos a step further, you can shoot in RAW if your phone camera has a ‘pro mode’. This is how we shoot on a DSLR camera and the image is minimally processed, which gives you more freedom when editing your photos in an app like Lightroom.

Belgium is a beautiful country characterised by its historic town centres, abundance of sumptuous castles, and fantastic foodie scene. Though often overlooked in favour of more popular destinations on a European sojourn, Belgium is well worth a visit during your next European getaway. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best Belgium travel tips you should note down and remember before your next trip to the tiny country!

Belgium is historically divided into two regions, each of which have their own culture and language. Wallonia lies to the South of the country where the local language spoken is French.

This part of the country is known for its medieval towns and Trappist beers. The capital city of Wallonia is Namur, which has been capital of the Walloon region since 1986.

The Northern part of Belgium, and that which borders with the Netherlands speaks Flemish, which is a dialect of Dutch (a language which is also spoken in the Netherlands).

The Flemish region of Belgium is known as Flanders, and this area is famous for its diamond trade (namely via the city of Antwerp) and for being home to the canal cities of Bruges and Ghent.

#1 There’s more to Belgium than Brussels

Brussels is the capital city of Belgium and is considered to be its own region, separate from both Flanders and Wallonia.

Though predominantly French speaking, you’ll find plenty of Flemish speakers too. If you have time to spare, be sure to explore the country outside of Brussels.

#2 Ghent is a great alternative to Bruges

While many flock to the UNESCO world heritage canals of Bruges due to their sheer beauty, there’s another city which is also home to beautiful canals, brick houses, and historic pubs.

Ghent is the hidden gem of Wallonia and boasts the likes of historical brick canal houses, plenty of beer bars, and many a hidden gem you won’t want to miss out on during your Europe trip.

#3 Be sure to try some beer

If there’s one thing that Belgium is known for, it’s the beer. In fact, there are over 3000 varieties of Belgian beer and the country boasts over 200 breweries. Some of the more unique and historical varieties of beer to originate from Belgium are those of Trappist beers, which are brewed in a traditional method which was created by monks many centuries ago.

When sampling the beers, be wary of the alcohol content. Belgian beers tend to be quite heavy and are often as high as 9 or 10% in alcohol percentage, which is quite different from beers in other regions of Europe which tend to be between 4 and 6% in alcohol percentage.

#4 Pack a rain jacket

No matter what time of the year you visit, rain is always a distinct possibility. Though it’s much less likely to rain during the summer months, light showers are always a possibility and so be sure to pack a light rain jacket like this one to help keep you dry!

#5 When is the best time to visit Belgium?

If you’ve stumbled on this post thanks to wondering « what is the best time to visit Belgium? », then you’ve come to the right place. Like many destinations in Europe, the high season for travel is during the summer months (particularly during school holidays) while the low season for travel is in the winter.

Though this means that, with the exception of Christmas market season and the period leading up to New Year’s Eve, hotels and other travel costs are generally cheapest during the winter months, the weather is also at its worst.

As a result, I suggest that the best time to visit Belgium is in the shoulder seasons, i.e. during the spring and autumn when the weather is okay but the crowds are fewer.

#6 Belgium is very bike friendly

Much like lots of countries in Europe (including the neighbouring country of the Netherlands), Belgium is incredibly bike friendly, and this is particularly true of the Flemish part of the country.

Getting around by bike is a fast and efficient way to see more of the city and sights in one go and bike rentals can easily be found in most major cities and towns.

#7 It’s incredibly easy to get around Belgium

As a tiny country, travel around Belgium couldn’t be easier. Indeed, from pretty much anywhere you decide to stay in Belgium you can expect to be able to easily take day trips to other towns and cities in the country.

Of all the Belgium travel tips I could give you, it would be as to just how reliable the public transport in Belgium is. Buses, trains, and trams operate across the country and are incredibly affordable, and so if you want to visit the main attractions that the country has to offer, a car won’t be necessary.

#8 English should be okay to get around

Even though it’s always polite to learn a few words of the local language Flemish, a dialect of Dutch) in Flanders and French in Wallonia, you’ll likely get by with English, particularly in the more touristed areas of the country.

#9 There are different types of waffle

Asides from fries, chocolate, and beer, one of the most famous foods which is often associated with Belgium is that of waffles. With this being said, you should note that there are different types of waffles.

Whereas the Liege style is created from a thick dough containing sugar chunks, the Brussels waffle is the more uniform rectangular one which you’ll find more commonly outside of Belgium.

#10 Tap water is often not free in restaurants and eateries

Unlike in the neighbouring country of France, it’s worth noting that the possibility of ordering tap water to accompany your meal is often not available. Instead, if you’re thirsty, you’ll be expected to fork out some extra cash for a drink.

Don’t be surprised if you’re expected to purchase a bottle of water if you want still water. During my time in Belgium, I only found a handful of restaurants who gave out glasses of tap water for free to accompany the meal I had ordered.

#11 Don’t confuse the train stations in Brussels

One Belgium mistake that you should be sure to avoid is getting the train stations confused, which is surprisingly easy to do. Brussels has three main train stations; Bruxelles-Nord (Brussel-Noord), Bruxelles-Central (Brussel-Centraal), and Brussels-Midi.

In a rather confusing turn of events, Brussels Central is the central station in the city, whereas Bruxelles-Midi (Brussel-Zuid) is actually the southernmost station in Brussels.

Bruxelles-Midi is the station you are most likely to use if you’re travelling internationally as this is where Eurostar departures and Thalys train departures take place.

#12 Cash is (often king)

If there’s one thing you should know before travelling through both Germany and Belgium, it’s that you should have cash on you. Smaller transactions (under €5 or €10) almost always cannot be paid by card, especially if you’re at a smaller independent place rather than frequenting a well known chain.

During a recent trip to Belgium in 2021, I even discovered that there were a number of bars where you couldn’t pay by card at all and any amount spent at the bar would have had to have been paid in cash. ATMs can be found in all of the major cities in Belgium and so be sure to have a little cash on you at all times.

#13 Don’t rent a car in Brussels

If you’re planning a trip to Brussels, then be sure to not rent a car (unless it’s to take day trips from the city). Public transport in Brussels is generally safe (be mindful of pickpockets), convenient, efficient, and very affordable.

Lots of Brussels (and in particular the touristic parts) can easily be explored on foot, and to get to further away parts of the city you can get a bus, tram, or the underground. Renting a car will only incur costs, be expensive to park, and is generally not a good idea for getting around the city.
#14 Brussels is home to one of the best Christmas Markets in Europe

While Germany and the Alsace region of France may be world-famous for their annual Christmas markets, several other places in Europe host markets not to be missed, including several towns and cities in Belgium.

One of the best markets in the Christmas Markets in Brussels, which boasts over 250 stalls, a number of festive events (including a giant ferris wheel and ice skating), and is an all-round veritable winter wonderland thanks to its numerous illuminations and light shows.

With Spring just around the corner, water fun will be back in full swing for many adventurers.

When enjoying some refreshing water fun with your family, safety should always be a priority. This is especially the case with children as they are most at risk of drowning and benefit from extra precautionary measures.
Here are a few safety tips worth considering:

Firstly, swimming lessons

Swimming lessons are very beneficial, especially for young ones. They reduce the risk of drowning and also enrich knowledge around water safety.
However, this does not take away from the importance of ensuring that your child never swims alone and that they are always supervised.

Never leave your young one unsupervised

One of the most important golden rules for family water fun is to never leave your child unattended. Always designate someone who is a strong swimmer to be within arms’ reach of them at all times.
Being alert and keeping an eye on children is essential. It is also important to refrain from consuming alcohol when supervising your child in or around water.

Don’t rely on floatation devices

Although inflatable rings and other floatation devices are good to have, they do not guarantee total safety or immunity from danger. As such, floatation devices should never serve as a replacement for adult supervision. Always ensure that there is a designated adult who is aware and a good swimmer.

Be considerate of the water conditions

When in a body of water where the conditions can suddenly change, extra caution and consideration are necessary. Avoid bringing your young ones into bodies of water where there may be strong currents.

Learn CPR and other basic rescue skills

As a parent or caregiver, it is important to ensure that you are knowledgeable when it comes to basic rescue skills. Knowing first aid, as well as how to perform CPR, is very helpful and will come in handy should an emergency arise.
Rescue skills can help you to restore breathing and circulation timeously, thus saving your child’s life.

Where to sit, what to eat, and common mistakes to avoid.

For some, a flight is nothing more than being confined to one seat for an extended period of time. For others, that nightmare is only exemplified by the fact that they’re bound to feel nauseous and — if the motion sickness gets the best of them — may even actually throw up when the turbulence gets bad enough.

Air sickness is a common plague for many travelers, but luckily there are some things you can do to better equip yourself against this annoying side effect.

The first thing in battling air sickness is knowing what it is. This issue occurs when your inner ear detects movement that your eyes aren’t registering. This works in reverse, as well — if your eyes catch movement that your body doesn’t detect, say when you’re watching a particularly bumpy movie scene, you can become motion sick without even moving.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this imbalance can cause a number of symptoms: cold sweats, pale skin, headaches, dizziness, nausea, increased salivation, fatigue, and vomiting. A 2015 study pulling data from genetics group 23andme in the Oxford Academic on Human Molecular Genetics shared that roughly one in three people suffer from car sickness, the causes of which are incredibly similar to air sickness.

It’s also been found that motion sickness is aggravated by anxiety and stress, meaning it doesn’t necessarily go away after your flight. But there are a few easy ways to avoid these side effects, or at least help kick them to the curb after they’ve already started.

Skip the Reading Session

While doctors recommend zoning in on a stable scene or horizon line when you’re experiencing motion sickness, reading isn’t going to improve your situation at all. What you’re doing is adding even more movement that could further mess with your inner equilibrium.

Pick Your Airplane Seat Carefully

The seats closer to the front of the airplane and directly on the plane wings are a little more stable than others, cutting down on the movement of your body during the flights. Just like on a bus, the further back you go, the bumpier it is.

Watch What You Eat Before Your Flight

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association recommends eating a light meal the night before and day of flying. Avoid taking in a lot of calories, and skip salty foods. Salty foods only aggravate dehydration, which also happens on flights where the air is drier (pro tip: drink lots of water). Also skip any greasy foods that would regularly upset your stomach.

Use the Air Vents to Your Advantage

Direct airflow can make a world of difference when you’re experiencing motion sickness symptoms in a confined space, such as an airplane seat. Look to the air vent above your seat to provide a bit of relief in times of nausea and distress.

Acupressure

Way back in 1995, there was a study published in the Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine journal sharing that performing acupressure on yourself can lessen your motion sickness. So, what is acupressure? The act of stimulating various pressure points on your body to better circulate the flow of energy throughout the body.

For motion sickness, try using your thumb to push into your wrist about two inches down from the crease of your wrist. Hold it down for a few minutes with varying pressures to find out what works best for you.

Give ‘Verbal Placebos’ a Try

A study in the Journal of Applied Psychology shared the effects of telling naval cadets in the Israel Defense Forces that they were unlikely to have seasickness and that if they did, it was unlikely to affect their work performance at all. At the end of the five-day experiment, there was less reported seasickness.

What you can do: Have someone close to you reassure you that you won’t suffer from motion sickness and start training yourself to worry less about it. Pick a mantra, something like “I can control my motion sickness,” to recite during particularly trying moments mid-flight.

Opt for Ginger Ale

Ginger is great for your digestive system. Once that beverage cart hits the cabin, ask for a can of ginger ale to sip. Avoid taking large gulps — you don’t want any air bubbles to add to your stomach discomfort. Hard ginger candies can also do wonders for an upset stomach.

Pack Some Dramamine

If all else fails, they do make medication to help curb motion sickness. Be careful, though: Some of these medications can cause severe drowsiness. But hey, sleeping through your flight is a great alternative to spending it in the cramped airplane bathroom.