travel blog

Take Better Photos: Smartphone Photography Tips

On our trips we always encourage runners to carry a camera with them, as the photo opportunities are endless and so unique - we encounter so much when exploring on foot! Of course, everyone wants great #travelpics, but no one is running with a big DSLR and a bag of lenses on their back - everyone is running with a smartphone. We reached out to Jeff Genova, a pro photographer who shot our spring Morocco trips last year (yes, he really did go running with a DSLR and a bag of lenses on his back) and asked him for tips on taking great photos using only the devices that we carry in our pockets.

So you want to take better pictures with your smartphone? Easy. There are a few things I tell my students when they ask how I get such good photos with my phone, starting with these rules:

1. The best camera in the world is the one you have with you, so make the best of it.

2. Never pass up a shot. Don't say that you'll come back and take it later; the lighting,
people, timing and mood will never be the same. It only takes a couple of seconds,
minutes at the most, to snap that shot. Even if you do come back, things will have changed. Take it now.

3. Make your picture tell a story. We read a photo just like a book - top left to bottom right. So, keep that in mind when you set up your shot.

4. Give your picture a subject, something for the viewer to focus on.

5. Use the rule of thirds. Don't center your subject, offset it.

6. Take a picture that evokes emotion, tells a story without words and that makes people stop when they see it.

With all of that being said, rules are meant to be broken. The most important thing is to take the picture. If you have time and the perfect setup, great! But remember - you'll have nothing if you never take the shot. Learn to look at the world differently, through the lens of your camera - and yes, this includes your smartphone.

Now that you have some guidelines on what to look for and how to compose your shot, here are some tips to help you take sharper pictures:

1. Brace your camera or phone against something like a bench or tree for stabilization.

2. Use your volume buttons as a shutter release so that you don't jar it so much by tapping on the screen. With an iPhone you can also use the volume buttons on your headphones as a shutter release.

3. Shoot a quick burst of three or four photos. The first will be blurry because the pressure of pushing the buttons moves the camera ever so slightly, but the second or third will be sharper.

Got it? Now that you have a sharp, well-composed image, let's talk about how to make it even better with post processing. I use two apps to enhance the images I take: Snapseed, and Photoshop Express. Both are free and available through the App Store and Google play, and both have lots of tools and filters to help enhance and personalize your images. You can pull shadows out, darken highlights, remove elements, soften skin and more! I primarily use these apps to bring out the natural colors that tend to be muted when you take a photograph.

Here is an example of a "before" shot:

And here is the "after":

For this image I used Snapseed and started with the Drama tool - a little goes a long way with this one! Next, I used the Details tool to add structure and sharpen, then I used Image Tune, which allows you to adjust contrast, highlights, shadows, warmth, exposure and more. Finally, I used the Glamor Glow tool to warm and soften the image:

Once you've perfected your photo, save a copy and then you are done. Remember that this image is yours: You took it. You kept it. You edited it. You love it!

Now, go out and take some pictures. Try both apps. Use all the different tools. Figure out which ones work best for you. The more you play, the better you will get and the better your photos will become.

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Check out Jeff's photography website here, and make sure to check out the photos that he took for our Gorges & Sahara trip and Endurance Adventure Morocco!

Meet a Rogue Expeditions Runner: Albert (Moose) Marino

What type of people go on Rogue Expeditions running trips? It seems that everyone worries that they'll either be too slow, or too fast. That the mileage will be too difficult, or not challenging enough. That they'll be too old, or too young. That the other people will be super serious running geeks who talk about nothing but training, or that the other people will all be there to take it reeeeeeally easy. That they'll be the only person who doesn't know anyone else.

In truth, there is no "type." The trips attract all sorts of backgrounds, all sorts of ability levels and all sorts of motivations for being there, and the beautiful thing is that it works for just about everyone! To prove it, we are highlighting a number of our runners using their own words. Read on to find out about the running background, pre-trip hesitations, favorite trip memories and most surprising realization of a Rogue Expeditions runner.

Our trips draw a mix of the less-traveled and the very-traveled, and our style is flexible enough to work for all of them. Today we're talking with Albert Marino (better known as Moose in some circles) who had been just about everywhere prior to joining us last spring - in fact, he landed in Marrakech right off the back of several months spent cycling through India, wandering through Vietnam and visiting family in his native Romania. Despite admittedly little running during that time, he knocked out his first-ever 100 mile week in Morocco!

Morning run in the Todra Gorge.

Morning run in the Todra Gorge.

Which trip did you do and when?
Morocco: Gorges & Sahara, April 2016

Describe your running background.
Marathon group training for last two years, running about 60 miles a week. Before that I was running 30-40 miles per week of easy running.

How did you end up on that trip? What led you to the decision?
I've wanted to go from the moment I heard about it. I was already in the neighborhood (Romania, a $100 flight away) and was on an extended trip so it didn't interfere with work. 

Any hesitations or uncertainties going into it?
Zero, zilch, nada, rien, niet.

Did you know anyone else in the group beforehand? How was it traveling with a group of strangers?
I knew a few people somewhat but no one really closely. It was exciting to get to know them better and meet some awesome strangers. 

What was your favorite run and why?
The Todra gorge. It was actually a poopy run in the sense of I was low energy trying to get through 20 miles, but aside from that, it was so beautiful, hard to believe really.

Food is a huge part of any travel experience. What was your favorite thing that you ate?
The tajine was fun although it did get old by the end. It was nice to know we were eating authentic, not western tailored fluff.

Both travel and running have their ups and downs. What was your most challenging moment or issue during the trip? How did you overcome it?
This is true usually, but I really didn't have any downs. I thought about it, searched for it, but it didn't happen. This trip was perfect from beginning to end.

What surprised you the most about the experience?
How close we got with our local guides. Unlike some trips were the relationship can be awkward and almost 'servant' like, Hamid and his family became our friends and companions, and that made for a very comfortable experience as a visitor in a country where the culture is very different, 

"Runcation" vs a race: what do you think are some of the key similarities and differences? Or are they even comparable?
Racing is serious. It's fun but there are nerves, there are things you can and cannot do. I enjoy racing, but it's a process. A runcation is strictly fun. It is what you want it to be. Some people drank a lot of wine, some people spent a lot of time taking photos or playing cards, some people caught up on their reading. It's beautiful to be able to do what you want, spend your time how you prefer. That's what a vacation should be. You just happen to be surrounded by awesome people who also enjoy running, and you happen to be in one of the more majestic places on earth. 

Sum up your Rogue Expeditions experience in one sentence:
If running is a part of your life, no matter how large or small, an RE trip will be one of the best weeks of your life (for goddamn sure).

Meet a Rogue Expeditions Runner: Troy Carter

What type of people go on Rogue Expeditions running trips? It seems that everyone worries that they'll either be too slow, or too fast. That the mileage will be too difficult, or not challenging enough. That they'll be too old, or too young. That the other people will be super serious running geeks who talk about nothing but training, or that the other people will all be there to take it reeeeeeally easy. That they'll be the only person who doesn't know anyone else.

In truth, there is no "type." The trips attract all sorts of backgrounds, all sorts of ability levels and all sorts of motivations for being there, and the beautiful thing is that it works for just about everyone! To prove it, we are highlighting a number of our runners using their own words. Read on to find out about the running background, pre-trip hesitations, favorite trip memories and most surprising realization of a Rogue Expeditions runner.

In honor of opening our 2018 trips this week, today we're featuring Troy who embarked on his first-ever international trip with us at age 58, and who just last month became the first person to hit the SIX trip mark. This guy has proved over and over and over again that it's NEVER too late.

paine grande.jpg

 

Which trips did you do and when?

Describe your running background:
I started running age 55 with Rogue Running in 2009 to get in shape for backpacking trips, and was lucky enough to have Allison as one of my coaches.

How did you end up on that first trip? What led you to the decision?
When Allison described the Morocco trip she and Gabe were planning, I decided, "What the hell, always wanted to see the Sahara." I trusted Allison, knew about half the people going, and she did all the planning. All I needed was a plane ticket, what could go wrong?

Did you know anyone else in the group beforehand? How was it traveling with a group of strangers?
For the Endurance Adventure Morocco trip I knew none of the other runners, but that changed pretty quickly. It was a very diverse group, a lot of fun and pushed me beyond what I thought were my limits.

What was your favorite run of each trip?

  • Morocco 2013: the10k run in Sahara with Gabe, Stacy, and Stephanie {if I remember correctly}
  • Patagonia 2015: I ran very little on this trip, mostly hiked. The 11 mile hike with the wind howling, and no one around for miles was my favorite. So raw, so immense, on a scale I'd never experienced before. This day was the best day of all my adventures and if I ever top it, surely the Rapture will be upon us.
  • Tahoe 2015: Flume Trail run
  • Bend 2016: I tweaked my knee at the end of the 2nd day, but was still able to hike, explore, and enjoy the diverse landscapes while the others ran. With the help of a knee brace I recovered enough to complete a 6 day, 57 mile hike around the 3 Sisters Wilderness near Bend after the trip!
  • Morocco 2017: Just being with Hamid again was the best.
  • Endurance Adventure Morocco 2017: The last part of the last run I shared with Sean, on some of the sketchiest, almost nonexistent trails I'd ever seen or tried to see. Sheer bliss, superb scenery, perfect ending. The summit of Toubakl was the scariest, most rewarding part of that trip.

Food is a huge part of any travel experience. What was your favorite thing that you ate?
Besides Katie's cookies, the best food is the kefta tagine in Morocco by far. Pisco Sour in Patagonia is the best drink.

Both travel and running have their ups and downs. What was your most challenging moment or issue during the trip? How did you overcome it?
My most challenging experience was the first Morocco trip. This was the first international trip of my life and I went 2 days early only to find my airline on strike, airport information desks empty, and myself unable to speak the language {I was in Madrid}. I arrived 3 hours late to Marrakech, couldn't find my checked bag {later found on the floor, nowhere close to where it was supposed to be}, and then saw Hamid with my name on a piece of white paper as I walked out. One of the happiest moments of my life. 

What surprised you the most about the experience?
Morocco was a cultural experience for me, love the people, the food, and the country. But, Patagonia is Mother Nature on display, she can play nice, or she can be a trouble maker. Sometimes all in the same day or few hours, that place was heaven to me. On the hike days, I would just stop, sit, and breath it all in, not needing to worry about being the last one to camp, or slowing the group down. I will be going again, Inshallah.

Runcation vs a race: what do you think are some of the key similarities and differences? Or are they even comparable?
These trips are what YOU want them to be. Have an open mind, be flexible, and enjoy where you are. 

Sum up your Rogue Expeditions experience in one sentence:
Being only 62, I plan on traveling with Rogue Expeditions many more times. Its' a great big world out there :)

As Rogue Expeditions grows, I know fewer {or none} of the runners who sign up for the journey. So many new friends with experiences, ideas and personalities that I'd have never met, but for these people. Rogue Expeditions opened the world to me at age 58. It's never too late.

I do suggest you arrive a day{or two} early, if possible, for the international trips to recover, explore, and for the unexpected.

Meet a Rogue Expeditions Runner: Nadia Bettac

What type of people go on Rogue Expeditions running trips? It seems that everyone worries that they'll either be too slow, or too fast. That the mileage will be too difficult, or not challenging enough. That they'll be too old, or too young. That the other people will be super serious running geeks who talk about nothing but training, or that the other people will all be there to take it reeeeeeally easy. That they'll be the only person who doesn't know anyone else.

In truth, there is no "type." The trips attract all sorts of backgrounds, all sorts of ability levels and all sorts of motivations for being there, and the beautiful thing is that it works for just about everyone! To prove it, we are highlighting a number of our runners using their own words. Read on to find out about the running background, pre-trip hesitations, favorite trip memories and most surprising realization of a Rogue Expeditions runner.

In honor of Mother's Day, today we are featuring Nadia, who lives in Austin and received some BIG news just days before her Patagonia trip began...

glacier.jpg

Which trip did you do and when?
Run Patagonia 2017

Describe your running background:
I have previously run three half marathons. I started running back in 2014 when I met my husband. Prior to that I never enjoyed running much. Most of my running was in preparation for the half marathons.

How did you end up on that trip? What led you to the decision?
My pain in the ass husband wanted to go. He had been on the Kenya trip with Rogue and enjoyed it so much. He thought Patagonia would be a once in a lifetime experience. This time, he was right.

Any hesitations or uncertainties going into it?
A lot! Finding out that I was pregnant the week before I was supposed to go on the trip was quite unexpected. Also, I knew I would be going with a group of people who were experienced way beyond me and enjoyed running more than I did.

Did you know anyone else in the group beforehand? How was it traveling with a group of strangers?
I would like to think that I know my husband. Haha! I had met one of the group's members from a happy hour that my husband went to for the Kenya trip. However, by the end of the trip, it's like you knew everyone before you started. That's how tight-knit the trip is.

What was your favorite run and why?
Patagonia is much more than running, which makes the trip unique. Actually, there wasn't a favorite run, more like a favorite hike for me. That hike was in Torres del Paine to see the towers. Being pregnant made the trip a little more difficult for me, but Allison, Gabe, and Pedro were so accommodating. I got to go horseback riding for part of the hike and then pushed my limits through ever changing scenery to the base of the towers. We then had lunch with a red fox! How many people can say they had that experience?

Food is a huge part of any travel experience. What was your favorite thing that you ate? Merken. Just go to Patagonia and put Merken on everything. You won't regret it.

Both travel and running have their ups and downs. What was your most challenging moment or issue during the trip? How did you overcome it?
The day we did the ice trekking was very challenging for me. We hiked into the park the day before. The night before we had camped in a tent. It was my first time ever sleeping in a tent and while I am appreciative of that experience, it didn't make for the best night's sleep. We hiked that morning before getting to the ice. Then we hiked on the ice. It was very physical because you had to stab your crampons into the ice, but the ice was so beautiful. Who knew water would have so many shades of blue! We were supposed to take a boat out of the park that day after ice trekking, but due to wind conditions the boat was not going to come. So we were told that we would have to hike out of the park.  I was already spent after the ice. There were moments on the hike out that I wanted to just lay down and camp out and say "see you later." My husband was very encouraging. I am glad I had him as part of my buddy system to tell me to keep going, or else I might have just become a Chilean living in the park. I also had to refocus my mental thinking. I had previously been told that if you take life ten seconds at a time, you can calm your breathing and ease your stress. So, I started counting my steps, ten at time. Some three and half hours later, I miraculously made it out. 

What surprised you the most about the experience?
I learned a lot about my physical ability. When you run a half marathon you do your 13.1 and that's it. You nap and grab a beer. But this experience requires you to be able to wake up with the mindset that everyday is an adventure. For the week you need wake up like it's Sunday race day. I probably did some things that my OBGYN would have discouraged, but you know what, I took a risk and I am fine and better for it. I don't think you know how physically capable you are until you actually push yourself to do it. If you think you can't, or you face that crazy ever changing Patagonia weather, just start counting one, two...

Runcation vs a race: what do you think are some of the key similarities and differences? Or are they even comparable?
Both a runcation and a race require you to be physical. If you get hurt or aren't in top shape, that's okay too, as Allison and Gabe will accommodate you. Mentally I think a runaction offers different things. You are not only doing the physical aspect, but you are getting to experience culture, landscape, and people that a race doesn't offer, or even a regular vacation.

Sum up your Rogue Expeditions experience in one sentence:
Never again.
Just kidding!
It is an experience like no other which requires you to push yourself, believe in yourself, and have fun.