by edin chavez | Jul 23, 2014 | educational, How To, Informational, Miami
15 Rules of Flying Etiquette.
If you fly as often as I do then you will know exactly what I am talking about. This is all out of personal experience and happens to me in just about every flight. In fact I’m typing this in a plane do to some inspiring people in here. This is all common sense but some people lack that and they lack that in numbers.
I will start form the beginning of the flight and end at the baggage claim. Safe travels everyone. Read on.
1.When you enter the plane and have a massive back pack on, (for some reason you need your entire bedroom for a weekend trip in your back pack) do not turn on the aisle, every time you do that you hit someone in the face (someone sitting in an aisle seat) with your 60 pound bag, if you need to put your other 100 pond carry on on top take, your back pack off first, place it on your seat then continue to put your 2nd home on the compartment above your seat.
2. That brings me to #2. I know you are the only person in the planet that matters, but unfortunately for you we all paid to be in this plane and we all have the right to store our bags, so place the carry on bags wheels first on the overhead compartment to make more room for everyone else’s bag, don’t be an asshole and take a whole compartment by your self then close it. WTF is that? Douchebag
3. If you are that jerk off that puts your knees on the seat in front of you, be happy you haven’t done this to me, I will get up and embarrass you in front of the entire plane. I mean come on, every time you move the guy in front of you can feel it, yes even if you are extra careful, how old are you 6 that you cant keep your body parts to your self? This goes for the the ones that use my arm rests as foot rests, don’t put your feet near me.
4. If you are one of this people that takes your shoes off, remember this, nobody wants to smell your stinky feet, I know I know its a long flight and you want to be comfortable, guess what asshole, buy a private jet. Besides do you know how filthy this plane carpets are? Do you know what happens in a guys bathroom in front of a urinal? Yes its full of piss and guys step on it and guess what its all over that carpet. Keep your shoes on!
5. Ahh the food trey, remember that the food trey is attached to the seat in front of you, that being said, be courteous when you open it and close it. Don’t be a jerk and slam it open or close, the guy in front can feel it and its not pleasant.
6. This brings me to #6 if you have to go to the bathroom and often, there is nothing wrong with that (Im one of this guys) but please don’t grab my seat to get up and jerk it back , unless you are a 70 plus year old man or woman, you are full capable of getting up without disrupting everyone around you.
7. The aisle asshole. Yes I said it, if you like to walk back and forth in the aisle there is no reason for you to touch anyones seat, just walk, and don’t bother people by graving their seats using them as hand rails, some people are sleeping and some are working the last thing they need is a thump on their head just because some asshole cant sit still. There is no reason for you to touch anyones seat while standing unless there is horrible turbulence, in wish case you should not be walking around to begin with.
8. The pig, I know I know you only get a drink and a napkin, why can you get more? I have news for you, you can in first class, that being said it shouldn’t be hard for you to keep track of your napkin right? So why does it always end up on the floor? Is this how you are at home? You just throw shit on the floor? The flight attendants often walk up and down the aisle with trash bags, put your trash in there. Don’t leave it on the floor or stuff it on the back of the seat. Have some manners, if you want to be a pig buy a private jet and destroy that.
9. Hey asshole I have news for you, nobody cares what you are listening to, watching, playing or looking at on your cellphone, iPad or laptop, so mute it or put some headphones on. Douchebag.
10.You might not like this one but it has to be said, if you are massive and over weight, thats ok, nobody is judging you but you need to buy 2 seats, why should I get squished and be uncomfortable just because you don’t fit in a normal seat? Its not fair to me and its not fair to you. You take up a seat an a half and unfortunately I get screwed with half a seat, and I paid full price??? Shouldn’t you pay for half my seat??? Think about it.
11. The parents, most parents are really good and kids are kids I get that but I did have a terrible experience once and I have to mention it. Do not change your kids dippers next to me, its extremely rude not only to me but everyone else. You think we like to smell baby shit? If you haven’t noticed the bathrooms are equipped with some incredible tables you can put down and clean your kid on. USE THEM!
12. The seat swapper, are you this guy? guess what if you ask me to swap seats Im gonna tell you to f-off, its a 2 hr flight and you can handle it. Unless you are offering a better seat I’m not giving up mine so you can sit next to your wife (or husband) for 2 hrs and I can sit in the middle of a 2 massive people, besides you need a break from her (or him) wasn’t this vacation long enough? Plan better next time.
13. The cougher, cover your mouth!!!
14. When the plane lands and the seatbelt light goes off, stay put, it exits by rows, you will eventually leave. Don’t be the asshole that tries to run down the aisle to get off first. A. you look like a complete asshole and B. You will only get 2 people ahead. If you want to get off first, buy a first class ticket or a private jet. Jerk!
15. You made it, well almost, if you need to get your bag at the carousel, don’t push people out of the way, or don’t pull carts up to the carrousel, we all want our bags and we are all going to get them, be polite about it. If someone needs to get front of you because their bags are coming, let them in.
Sometimes I wonder wtf is wrong with people, this is nothing but common sense and common curtesy, I’m convinced that if we all had a little bit more common courtesy this world would be a better place. Be kind and respectful to each other, traveling is hard enough as it is don’t make it harder on yourself and other people. We are all adults.
Did I miss any? Leave me a comment below as I would love to hear your thoughts.
by edin chavez | Jul 10, 2014 | Black & White, educational, People, Street, Street photography, Tips and Tricks
5 tips to shoot Street Photography.
I have put together 5 tips on how to approach street photography. I love graving my camera and going out to get some street shots. This is a totally different animal. Street photography is all about being incognito, and getting the shot. Shooting people up close can be a bit scary and intimidating, you never know the reaction you are going to get from people. You have to be on their face and just not care, basically you have to have some balls.
It took me a while to get comfortable with doing this, you never know if your going to get punched on the face or get a good reaction. I must say I have been pretty lucky and only had one bad incident. You will get asked to stop and delete the photos from time to time but I usually ignore them and get lost in the crowd. For the most part people are super cool, even gansters. I try not to make eye contact, go up to someone snap and disappear. You will find that 90% of people out there like their photo taken. Its their 15 minutes of fame. Click here to check out my New York Street Photos.
Click Here to download my Lightroom Street Photography Presets.
Here is 5 ez tips that will help you over come your fear of strangers.
1. Go shoot with a friend, it’s always easier if you go with somebody else.
2. Start from a distance until you get comfortable. Try to work up your courage slowly.
3. Be invisible, try not to be seen, don’t make eye contact and be quick. Blend in, be a chameleon.
3. If you do get caught smile and don’t be intimidating, if you get asked what you are doing tell them you are an artist, its a project for school or tell them you were shooting the person next to them.
5. Have fun out there, thats why we do this to begin with because its fun.
I hope this helps and if you have any tips to share with me I would love to hear them, please post them below.
Click Here to download my Lightroom Street Photography Presets.
by edin chavez | Jun 12, 2014 | educational, Gear, How To, Informational
How to pack light for short trips. Click here to check out the full updated list of my camera gear.
I’m out my door to Brazil and I was going through my emails and someone asked me how I pack when I travel for a couple weeks. Here it goes.
If there is anything I have learned in all my travels is to pack light. I know, I know, you have all these lenses, filters, tripods, cameras, and extra gear you want to bring along, but why??? I mean are you really going to use it? I learned this the hard way, but I learned.
Think about the stuff you use most often around your neighborhood, I mean do you carry all that and some when going for a photo walk with your friends? Probably not, in fact, I doubt you use any of the extra shit you have laying around your house you purchased out of impulse. Leave everything behind except what you are going to use for sure. Like a camera and a lens, that’s really all you need.
Back in the day, I used to carry this massive case full of gear only to realize that I never used any of it, a complete waste of time and effort.
Now, this is what I bring with me on short term trips. (unless I get hired by someone and need all kinds of gear there is no need to carry all this extra weight).
The most important to me is my most used setup. My Nikon D800e and my 14-24mm lens. One extra body and one extra lens. (just incase something happens, but this usually stays back in the hotel in a safe place)
A couple batteries, a tripod, a mini tripod (this one never leaves my bag), memory cards, a card reader, battery charger, a remote for long exposures, a 10 stop ND filter, and that’s really it. My laptop for keeping in touch with you guys and a HD to back up and save all my photos.
Traveling light is important for 2 reasons, one you don’t have to carry a bunch of stuff, and 2 you don’t have to worry about a damaging or loosing any of your gear. I promise you if you bring what you truly use, you won’t ever think about any of the other gear you have laying around.
I hope this short read was helpful, I am now in Rio and it’s amazing here. One day down lots more to go. Click on the pic to see all of my gear. The photo below shows you the gear I actually brought to Brazil.
by edin chavez | Jun 8, 2014 | Architectural, educational, Informational, Miami, Miami Beach, Tips and Tricks, Top 10
Must see places in Miami Beach.
Here is a list I have put together the most photogenic places in Miami Beach. This are the must see places when visiting. This are my personal favorite and when I am home, you can often find me at this spots catching a nice sunset or snapping some pics. This list is for photographers and tourists alike.
Number one. This is probably the most popular, The Colony Hotel on Ocean Dr. between 7th and 8th Street. This place is always packed and you can find photographers and tourists lined up to get a shot of the Colony Hotel. Lots of movies have been filmed here and continue to be filmed here. Large crowds of people gather around this place like a pile of ants do when they find a little snack.
Number 2. The beach. I know I know its obvious right? Well not for a lot of people, if your here you have to go to the beach and catch a sunrise, they come in all shapes colors and sizes, sure to please the soul.
Number 3. Española Way, this is street you would find in Europe, though is a short walk you are sure to enjoy it this is best experienced at night.
Number 4. South Pointe Park. This is my favorite spot in all of Miami Beach. What is cool about this park is that it wraps around the most Southern tip of the Island, from the beach (starting at the Jetty lifeguard tower) to the West, where you can catch a sunset you only see in magazines over the Miami Skyline. This is best experienced on a bicycle, walking or with a loved one. (see next photo below of an aerial view)
Here is an aerial view of South Pointe Park. This is great any time of the day or night.
Number 5. Maurice Gibb Memorial Park, here you can catch a sunset, go paddle boarding, have a picnic or simply relax. Lots of people come here to do Yoga during the sunset. I often come to watch the sunset with my doggies.
Number 6. Watson Island Park, this place is located behind the Children’s Museum. Very easy to find. Here you can see an incredible view of the Miami Skyline, great for a sunset shoot or a really cool night shot. Lots of people come here to fish and hang out. You are guaranteed to run into a photographer (or many) here any day or night of the week. Lots of cloud formations often changing, you are always guaranteed an insane shot and a feel good kind of evening.
There you have it guys, my top spots to visit and photograph while you are visiting Miami Beach. There is a couple more but this are the ones you shouldn’t miss. If you have one to add to the list, please drop me a line below.
by edin chavez | Apr 8, 2014 | educational, India Series, Photo Series
People of Kerala India part one in no particular order.
As promised here is part one of my People of Kerala India series. What can I say without sounding like a broken record? I truly fell in love with this place, everyone is so happy, a sincere happy, all the smiles are sincere you can feel it, and I love every bit of it.
I had it in my head to create a series about the people before I got there, but I was going to make it black and white. The truth is I did not see Kerala in B&W, I saw it colorful and full of life, nothing gray about it. I quickly realized this and started taking lots of photos with a big fat grin on my face, I couldn’t help it, no matter where I pointed the camera there was always a smile on the other side of the lens.
I will have a small series in B&W, but I saw India in full vibrant color, and I think its a fair representation of all the people that make this such a great place. I can’t wait to go back. All this photos were edited with the preset I made and gave all my readers you can find it Here for free.
Please drop me a line and let me know your thoughts.
by edin chavez | Apr 1, 2014 | educational, Informational
Here is a quick review of the Rode Video Mic Go. I was looking for a compact ez to use and ez to carry microphone and I found this incredible little mic. It does not require batteries and it is a serious mic. You can pick one up here for less then 100 bux. Here is the link: Purchase here
