Photography – CollegeFashionista

Tips for Capturing the Perfect Summer Moments

September is right around the corner, but it’s not too late to let the summer sun shine on your next photography project. Don’t let the good times slip away without getting some seriously repost-worthy pictures in. Here are some easy tips to try out next time you pick up the camera on your next adventure.

The Golden Hour

It’s no secret that famed photographers have sworn by the magic lighting that comes from a “golden hour.” While not everyone can have the mastery of Herb Ritts, everyone can definitely benefit from the gorgeous lighting from a nearly-setting sun. Find a location outside with plenty of space for natural light to come through. Next, experiment with the sunlight’s varying tones throughout the day. Everyone’s style is different, but with so many hours of daylight, you’re bound to find your very own perfect hour of lighting.

The Right Place at the Right Time

A good photographer will make anything and everything look incredible behind the lens. Sometimes an unforgettable picture is made up by capturing that perfect subject at just the right moment. While this may be a bit more of a challenge, don’t be discouraged from keeping an open mind and a ready camera lens. Maybe it’s a butterfly flawlessly landing for a split second, or the timely gust of the wind that just turned your bestie into a runway model. Whatever that fleeting moment is, you’ll be ready to catch it with just a hint of patience luck and patience.

The Color Catch

It goes without saying that capturing the spectacular spectrum of colors we see is one of the quickest ways to get a great picture. However, using color as a centerpiece in your photographs calls for a special balance between intensity and content. Start with finding a color that catches your eye, or maybe a group of different colored items that feels satisfying to your artistic palette. Play around with different angles and lighting, and soon you’ll find that perfect splash of color in your portfolio.

The Honest Take

While many of us are more than willing to make our significant others take countless pictures of our outfit, some of our best pictures are when we aren’t even paying attention. Candid pictures can reveal some of our goofiest and unflattering pictures alike, but they are by far the most memorable parts of any photo shoot. So, next time you’re trying to get that perfect take for your bestie’s Instagram, keep the camera rolling and click away at all of the laughs and priceless moments you share.

Know any other Vogue-worthy photography tips? Let us know in the comments below!

The Most Instagram-Worthy Spots in Singapore

Whether you are a tourist visiting Singapore for two days or staying for four months as an exchange student, there are tons of places you can go to for that “perfect” Instagram picture. I am currently on an exchange program at the University of Singapore and already explored each corner of the country. There are many interesting places you can go to where you will discover the local food, architecture, religion, culture, scenery, and way of life. Of course, I haven’t found all of the hidden gems around the country; however, here are a few of my recommendations if you want a beautiful photograph for Instagram.

Marina Bay Sands

This is probably one of the most famous buildings in Singapore. The hotel opened in 2010 and contains a mall, museum, theaters, restaurants, a skating rink, and a casino. It is also known for its rooftop infinity pool, sky bar, and a rooftop restaurant that overlooks a 360-degree panorama of the city. For your pictures, take one from below for the architecture, one up top in the pool for a hipster luxury look, and one from the Marina Bay itself to catch the essence of the city.

Gardens by the Bay

Again, this is one of the most well-known places in Singapore. The gardens cover an area of 100 hectares in the heart of the city. The gardens have relaxing promenades near the Marina and two conservatories. The Flower Dome and Cloud Forest house beautiful and intricate structures covered in plants, trees, and flowers. One of the best spots in the gardens is actually the Supertree Grove, which contains tree-like structures that harness solar energy through photovoltaic cells.

Little India

This spot is a little ethnic area that promotes one of Singapore’s brightest communities. Expect to find endless colorful streets and some intricate architectural designs.

Haji Lane and Its Surroundings

This little colorful street has many local artisan shops, cool cafes, and bustling bars. You are literally in hipster paradise! A little further is Masjid Sultan, a historical mosque not to be missed!

So, take your camera and start taking pictures! What do you think about these Instagram-worthy spots? If you know Singapore, what are your recommendations?

Road Trip Essentials for Any Destination

When you hit the road, you want to make sure you have everything you may need because there is no turning back, but what exactly is everything? Here is some insight on the pack and do-not-pack items you have always wanted to know.

1—Clothing. This is probably the most important thing because when you are snapping all those pictures for Instagram, you want to look good. I always try to fit my style to the places I go to, for instance: if I’m going to New York, I’ll try and dress very clean and polished by packing some comfy, chic shoes and pairing it with a sundress or solid shirt and patterned pants. If I’m going westward, I’ll probably pack some jeans and add some flannel over a classic graphic T-shirt. Wherever you are going, try and pack light because you will buy souvenirs and you will run out of room in your suitcase. I’ll normally pack two pairs of pants that match all the shirts in my suitcase and a couple dresses for variety. The shoes you choose depend on what you plan on doing. If you are hiking and doing outdoorsy things, stick with a pair of Vans or boots. If you are strutting the streets of a city, wear some comfy flats or a pair of mules.

2—Electronics. Cameras are your best friends on road trips. Pack every single one and get a camera bag from a thrift store if need be! This is a must because when you are long gone from the places you visited, you will want to look back on the moments you cherished throughout your trip. In addition, I pack my laptop on every trip because it comes in handy for storing pictures and editing them. Of course, don’t forget your phone. How else will you make all your friends jealous on social media while you’re on an adventure of a lifetime?

3—The little things. I always try and pack little things besides electronics to keep me busy on the road in a small backpack. A deck of cards is always a good choice to keep yourself and some friends and family members entertained. Pack some snacks like goldfish or popcorn to munch on when you’re hungry. The little things don’t necessarily have to entertain you in the car; they can also entertain you when you get to your destination! You could pack a travel-sized hammock to set up and lay amongst the mountains or a longboard so you can cruise on the coast. The little things vary and depend on your likes but be sure not to forget them because the little things matter!

These are the main three categories I think of when packing and I hope this helps with whatever trip you are going on. Adventure on, my friends!

Going on a road trip? Tell us what’s in your suitcase in the comments below!

A Weekend in London

As soon as I stepped onto the platform of Euston station for the first time, I was instantly captivated. I’ve fallen in love with the city of London more with every visit, which led me to make the decision to study fashion marketing there starting this fall.

From the street style to the architecture and, of course, the food, you simply can’t go wrong while spending time in London. Therefore, I devised a list of some of my favorite Instagram worthy things about London, as well as my London bucket list items of what to do and see while spending a long weekend in the city.

All you need to help your weekend run smoothly is a good pair of walking shoes, a raincoat, of course, and a cool pair of sunglasses to give you some London street cred.

The first sightseeing stop has some of London’s best-known sights, that happen to be all in the same proximity—Big Ben, the London Eye, and the Parliament buildings. By simply opening Instagram and searching London into “places,” you should be able to see how significant these three sights are to the city’s tourists.

Next on my list is Covent Garden, which includes all of the cafes, shopping, and the effortless Instagram-worthy shots.

You can’t discuss the architecture of London without mentioning the colorful and picturesque houses of Nottinghill and Marylebone. From the abundance of flowers and wrought-iron fencing to the quaint coffee shops and boutiques, these two places should be near the top of your London bucket list.

Last but not least, the London sights that are on top of my bucket list for once I’m living in the city.

1— Sketch. Where you can enjoy afternoon tea in an all pink parlor or take a trip to their wonderland fantasy restrooms with each stall being in the shape of a giant egg (you’ll have to look them up on Instagram at @sketchlondon to believe it.)

2— Rooftop Film Club. The coolest movie theatre I’ve ever seen, where you can experience your favorite classics and recent films while eating popcorn on a rooftop.

3— Farm Girl. A healthy, Instagram worthy Australian cafe in the heart of London. You’ll be sure to get a lot of likes once you post a picture of your French Bulldog latte art or pink hibiscus matcha latte.

4— Christmas in London. I would have to say at the top of my London bucket list is Christmas time, due to the twinkling lights over Oxford Street and the window displays at Harrods.

Make sure to tag us at @Cfashionista on Instagram to let us know what’s at the top of your London bucket list.

Why You Need to Visit Boston’s Harbor Islands

One of the best things about Boston is its Harbor Islands. Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park is a must for anyone visiting Boston, or for anyone living near the area. You all need to visit these islands at least once in your life.

It’s important that you visit the Harbor Islands when you visit Boston because it’s a great chance to get away from the nonsense. Yes, people come to Boston to visit all of the buildings, skyscrapers, monuments, and museums, but if you need a little break from the city life, why not visit one of the Harbor Islands? You’re secluded from everyone and you have a nice quiet area to relax. Who wants to be crowded by tons of people? At the Harbor Islands, you can get away from people, the traffic, and the nonstop car honking.

You can do numerous things here on the islands. On each island, you can go kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, hiking, tanning, or a have a picnic. Each island supplies the kayaks and equipment you need to have the most adventurous day. You do not have to come with your own supplies because they’ll be there for you. There’s food and water for you if you did not come prepared to have an adventure. There are tables for you to eat and drink. Or bring your own blanket and food and have a picnic on the grass! You’re surrounded by nature and you never have to hear a car honking. You’re allowed to bring outside food, drinks, and water bottles to the islands. So if you want to save money from buying the food on the islands, you also have that option to bring your own.

You can also go hiking. Each island has its own pathway for you to walk and hike. I’d be prepared with water and comfortable shoes because it is a tough hike to the top! It’s a great exercise for anyone who wants to be active and get their daily jogs. You’re also surrounded by the most amazing views. You can see the other islands from any island that you’re on, and you get a great view of Boston. What’s better than that?

Finally, the best part about going to the Harbor Islands is the ferry ride to and back. You can take amazing photos of the views while on the ferry. If you don’t like the sun, you can sit inside and still get a view of Boston. Or you can sit outside and soak up the sun in a pretty sundress.

What are you waiting for? The Harbor Islands are one of the best things about Boston. Plan your next trip now!

Have you ever visited any of the Harbor Islands? Would you like to visit one day? Let us know in the comments or tag us on social media at @CFashionista.

Why I Never Leave Without a Camera

We live in this big, crazy world filled with beauty and creativity tucked every corner. Even so, it’s incredibly easy to miss all of these little wonders. Life happens, your schedule fills up, and you’re rushing from place to place. Keeping busy is great, but sometimes we get so preoccupied that we overlook some important sources of inspiration.

I go to an art school where I study photography, but that’s not why I can’t leave my house without at least three cameras. It is the reason that I found this life discovery, though. I have sufficiently trained myself to be a competent passive looker, but I’ve found that when I have my camera and am actively taking in my surroundings, I see so much more.

I’m not just talking about a pretty landscape that would make for a good picture. I see people with amazing, entrancing style, architecture with imaginative shapes and designs, and I hear music with captivating sounds and voices speaking words that transcend into disquisitions in my ears.

I try to walk as my main mode of transportation. I get a big backpack and load it up with cameras of all kinds. I throw on a pair of comfortable (but still fashionable – obviously) “walking” shoes. And I put on my pink sunglasses because life really is better looking through rose-colored glasses.

My point is that every creative experiences a dry spell of inspiration from time to time, and I’ve decided that this simply happens when I’m no longer looking. Even serendipity requires some sort of stimulus. Having a camera gets me in the good habit of taking in as much as possible, and providing me with abundant content to compile a collection of inspiration to create with.

Life is just so miraculous, and sometimes we forget to take in the wonders that are right next to us. Hopefully anyone in a creative rut will find my weird lifestyle to be of some intrigue, or maybe those that are still constantly motivated will appreciate a new method of gathering inspiration.

Are you capturing the world around you? Tag @Cfashionista in your posts!

6 Steps to the Perfect Summer Shot That Will Match Any Feed

To force the thought of back-to-school on you or not? Hmm… nope, let’s push it off until September along with those summer assignments. For many of us college girls, fall is drawing nearer which means we must make the most of our time, money, and Instagram feeds. The first three steps tell you what you need to do as the model and the last three explain what to do behind the scenes. Let’s get this perfect summer shot!

1—The bikini shot.

This is the classic. Whether you’re away on a holiday or chilling by the pool, the bikini picture is essential to owning your space and your summer feed. It says “Hello summer I have arrived!” Make sure you know your angles with this shot. Turn your chin to find your light (usually toward the sun in this case) and if preferred, adjust your body so that any insecurities fade to black, i.e. the shadows.

2—The food shot. So, how exactly does food “find its light?” Simple, you put it there silly! Placement is everything. Yes, the napkins at the fill-in-the-blank restaurant look fancy but will they make the shot look too busy? Make sure the food looks appetizing and get the perfect flat lay by hovering a good two feet above your subject.

3—The beauty shot.

Again, find your light. Your entire body doesn’t have to turn towards the sun but your chin always should. From here, let your radiant confidence do the rest.

4—The I’m not sure, just aesthetically pleasing shot. Yeah, I have nothing to say, it’s just aesthetics. No, seriously, a sucky caption can ruin your shot but just the right amount of corny caption can set it off.

5—The summer shot with a dash of filter. Can we leave the whole “no filter” hype in 2016 and allow ourselves to be the Kobe of VSCO? Three quick tips: decide if the picture is about the highlights or the shadows and enhance accordingly, make sure this photo matches the warm or cool tones of your feed, and remember the vintage film look is in, so don’t be afraid to add a little grain.

6—The “OMG” I love this photo but I can’t post it because my theme is light at the moment shot. If the picture is too dark for your light feed and turning the exposure up only washes everything out, try adding a nice fade. This won’t, of course, make the picture light but it’ll be less of a contrast against your light feed.

Were you able to conjure up the perfect summer shot? Don’t forget to tag us at @CFashionista in your next photo so we can fall in love with your feed!

Tips for Shooting Long Exposure

What if I told you that you could turn water into mist, clouds into paintings, cars into light, and make the world spin while you stayed static? By using a long exposure setting on your camera, you can achieve all of this!

I recently began to explore the wonders of this somewhat intimidating photography technique. Long exposure shots can easily become skewed. For example, both too much light and not enough light can equally ruin your shot, and if your camera moves ever so slightly you must try again. Now I know this sounds frustrating, but with a little practice and the right tools, you will be able to take photos just like this! Below are some “must-haves” for this photography method.

1—Get a DSLR. This absolutely is the most expensive part. DSLR stands for digital single-lens reflex, which is fancy for “a camera that has a removable lens and takes wonderful pictures!” (Check out this camera bag.)

2—Get a tripod. Having a tripod will allow your camera to stay steady during long exposure shots where camera movement is your worst enemy! If buying a tripod is too much, improvising does the trick as well—you just have to get creative!

3—Know about f-stop, aperture, and shutter speed. Once you have a DSLR camera, it has a bunch of different settings that you can shoot with. In order to create long exposure shots, you must switch your camera to “M” or “manual mode.” Once you have completed this, you will be able to change the amount of light your camera receives. This obviously differs for shooting at night versus during the day. For example, if you are shooting traffic lights, clouds, or stars at night, you want the most amount of light hitting your lens and for usually the longest amount of time (this may be variable depending on the effect you desire). However, an essential part of shooting long exposure at night is setting your f-stop to the lowest number possible which opens your camera’s aperture to its widest setting, allowing the most amount of light in. During the day, things become a little more complicated and expensive.

4—Long exposure during the day. If you are looking to shoot long exposure shots during the day, you must purchase a neutral-density filter (ND filter). This filter screws directly onto your lens and makes it much harder for light to enter. It is important that your f-stop number be set to something pretty high, which will allow you to capture water movement, for example, without letting too much daytime light in.

5—Find a beautiful location and start experimenting. I cannot stress this point enough. Long exposure shots and photography, in general, take time and patience to master all of these technical terms. However, if you, like myself, have a passion for capturing beauty, you will be able to achieve wonders!

Have a long exposure shot you’re proud of? Share it on social media and tag @Cfashionista!

5 Ways to Up Your Instagram Game

Instagram is by far my favorite form of social media. I love using it to draw inspiration from others, as well as to share my own photos. Creating a profile that is interesting, cohesive, and that stands out will attract more people to your profile. Here are just a few ways to help you up your Instagram game.

1—Find your niche. Figure out what is unique about yourself and center your Instagram around that. Personally, I like to use my account to share fashion posts of some of my favorite clothing items and accessories with my followers. In doing this, I have attracted a specific audience to my account. So, whether you like to workout, cook, play sports, or put cute outfits together, you should make your account reflect that.

2—Take good quality photos. Taking good quality photos is not as hard as it may seem. You don’t need some fancy camera to take photos on, I use my iPhone majority of the time. The most important tip for making your photos appear to be high-quality is having good lighting. Not standing in direct sunlight and avoiding flash are some of the best ways to avoid a low-quality photo.

3—Create a theme. Creating an Instagram theme should not have to be forced. My theme matches my style, which is a lot of neutral tones, white, and denim. I like using the app UNUM to plan out the order of my photos. Doing this helps me to ensure that the picture I want to post will look cohesive with my feed.

4—Learn how to edit. I am constantly changing up the editing process of my Instagram photos. The one thing that stays consistent is my use of the app VSCO. My favorite filters to use are A6, HB2, and S2. What I find works best for my theme is turning down the saturation, making the temperature more orange toned, and adding some contrast. I recommend playing around with this app to figure out what fits your personal aesthetic.

5—Post consistently. Posting two-three times a week is the best way to keep your followers engaged but not annoyed. I struggle with figuring out what I am going to post some weeks, especially once school begins. The time of the year comes when I become super busy and I am no longer on an incredible vacation where every photo is Instagram-worthy. What I have learned is to keep my posts genuine. Just snapping a picture of my shoes when I am out and about is still cute and goes with my overall aesthetic.

What is your favorite Instagram tip? Share it on social media and don’t forget to tag @CFashionista.

72 Hours in Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina has always been a destination on my bucket list of places to travel. The city itself gives off an aura of elegance and charm. The streets are filled with brightly colored homes and cobblestone walkways that represent Charleston’s preservation of historic character. One of my favorite aspects of traveling is examining the different fashion styles and trends that present themselves throughout my visit. For example, in Charleston, the color and pattern choice really caught my eye. The clothing was so bright and cheerful with patterns that exhibited a tropical feel. The South Carolina heat was something that I was not used to, so I tried to keep my outfit cool and light. A light tank top, skirt, and sunglasses will keep anyone feeling comfortable throughout the day.

Prior to arriving in Charleston, I researched the most popular spots in the city and The Rise Coffee Bar was recommended by many. The coffee shop was said to be favored by anyone who loves to take a great Instagram post. The aesthetic in The Rise is very modern and chic, making it the perfect spot to snap a photo with your coffee! The first day in Charleston we explored the city, taking full advantage of the city market and plentiful shops. The shops range from popular retail stores such as Forever 21, H&M and Vineyard Vines to locally owned boutiques; the best of both worlds! The second day in Charleston, we took a horse drawn carriage ride through the city. This had to be one of my favorite activities to do in Charleston because you were able to hear about the history of the city with every turn. One aspect that caught my eye while roaming the streets of Charleston was the brightly colored homes. A perfect backdrop for so many great picture taking opportunities. On our last night in this beautiful city, I boarded “The Schooner Pride,” to take a trip around the harbor and view the sunset! This two-hour boat ride was so peaceful and enjoyable with beverages and plenty of room to sit, a perfect end to my trip to Charleston.

One last note—Charleston, South Carolina is now on my list for one of the top three favorite places I’ve traveled! With so many different attractions, anyone traveling to Charleston is sure to find something that will please their wanderlust. Whether it is a ghost tour, carriage ride, or just browsing the shops, you’ll enjoy this beautiful locale!

Where are you traveling to this summer? Show us on social by tagging @CFashionista!