Here is a collection of photos I’ve taken since arriving in Pico.
It’s already been more than a month here on the island and I’m grateful for my family & friends for making my time memorable.
This place was the catalyst for taking up photography, starting this website/blog and learning how to express myself creatively. Its a great pleasure to share these photos with you guys and hopefully inspire you to come visit one day.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to like & share with your friends!
I’ve walked through Mt. Hope Farm so many times that I feel like the average person would be tired of walking the same path by now.
Seeing the same pond, the same bay, the same Cove Cabin.
The same geese, the same open field, the same view of Mt. Hope Bridge beyond Seal Island.
But one thing photography has taught me over the years is that you can really see the same place in so many different ways and that’s what keeps it interesting and that’s what keeps you coming back.
With photography- with art- we can extract some sort of meaning & significance to our everyday, ordinary surroundings and through that become more present and appreciative.
The photos below were taken last week on 02/20/2021.
Let’s take a warm winter morning walk at Mt. Hope Farm.
02/20/2021 Mt. Hope Farm 24mm
Mount Hope Farm -1745-
Like: if you liked it. Comment: if you got something on your mind. Share: if you want to spread the word & help me out!
Don’t forget to check out my other photo collections at Mt. Hope Farm and Downtown Bristol.
It’s widely said that the 50mm is the closest focal length to what you see with your own eyes, so that’s something to consider if you’re going for a certain look with your photography. For me, I love it because the images retain a sort of intimacy with your subject that the 35mm and wider lenses don’t quite capture.
A tourist visits a country for a week or two on vacation. A traveler visits a country for an extended period of time.
Tourists book their vacation a year or two in advance to get away from the everyday hustle. They want a holiday escape to unwind, relax, and take time off from their responsibilities.
Travelers go to a country on an expedition of sorts where the purpose is to learn something about the world. They want to stay for as long as possible or until they achieve what they originally set out to do.
Packing, luggage & belongings
A tourist packs 2-3 suitcases. A traveler packs just what he needs.
Tourists ALWAYS overpack. They think they need way more than they actually do. Instead of packing for 1-2 weeks, they pack a few months supply of clothes, accessories, and personal items. They end up only using a fraction of what they packed.
Travelers understand the less the better. They know overpacking means excess weight that becomes a hassle to bring around everywhere. Less stuff means less worry and more attention towards the trip itself.
Lodging & Accommodation
A tourist stays in resorts and hotels. A traveler hostel-hops, couch-surfs , and sets up camp.
Tourists value comfort, convenience, and cost. Most of them want a private, up-scale, fully accommodated room with professional service a phone call away. They want a king-sized bed, a main lobby with a rec centre, swimming pool and a downstairs restaurant & bar. The price needs be fair and reflect high value for the amount payed.
Travelers value experience, immersion, and cost. They want to be surrounded by like-minded people who share their stories and insight. Many of them lean towards hostels since they’re economic and provide a central hub for other travelers with similar objectives. If a local invites a traveler to stay with them for a few nights, the opportunity for immersion far out weighs the comfort and convienence of a standard hotel/hostel room.
To-do list
A tourist joins tour groups and purchases sight-seeing packages from travel agencies. A traveler meets people who show him around and give recommendations for free.
Tourists rigorously plan and schedule their 7-14 day vacation. They want every hour of every day to be something to do and somewhere to go. Travel agencies mark their calenders and suggest everything from where to eat, to places you should and should not go.
Travelers don’t want a pre-decided plan. They act spontaneously and instinctively. Most of the time they meet friendly locals who want to show them around their city. Instead of adhering to a rigid plan, they have a general idea of what they want to do and where they want to go for the day.
Where to go and what to see
A tourist wants to see the main attractions. A traveler wants to see through the locals’ eyes.
If you’ve ever been to a popular major city like Paris, or Rome I’m sure you’ve seen the groups of tourists with selfie-sticks taking photos in front of the historical monuments.
Tourists want to see historical significance as long as they’re able to share it with their friends and family on social media.
Travelers and tourists alike want to visit world famous monuments, buildings, and museums, but the only difference is a traveler tends to see the main attractions as a “tourist trap.” Travelers want to experience Paris and Rome as a local does, not as the tourism industry advertises.
Language learning
A tourist doesn’t spend time learning a new language. A traveler finds it important to communicate with the locals.
A tourist at most remembers a few words from foreign language class. Maybe they use important words and phrases like, “please, thank you, & where is the bathroom?” Beyond that, the places they go are most likely accustomed to English-speaking tourists so there’s no need (or want) to actually learn the local language.
Travelers, on the other hand, make a genuine effort to speak and learn the language of the country they’re visiting. They want to talk with a native speaker who doesn’t speak English as a second language. A travelers goal is to be able to order food, ask for directions, make small talk, and immerse themselves as much as possible in the culture.
Comfort and Novelty
A tourist acts within their comfort zone. A traveler seeks to explore the unknown.
To a certain extent, when a tourist visits a foreign country it is acting outside of their comfort zone. For the most part, however, a tourist adheres to the pre-planned itinerary and doesn’t sway too off schedule. Tourists tend to stick with what’s familiar and not too far off from their cultural norm.
When a traveler visits a foreign country, he/she wants to experience something other. A lot of times they’re on personal quests of self discovery, meaning, and existential order. Travelers seek adventure and discovery. They want to experience all the ups and downs that comes with venturing outside of their comfort zone.
Blending in and Standing out
A tourist always walks looking up, down & around. A traveler walks with direciton.
A tourist stands out. A traveler blends in.
You can spot a tourist right away. They stand out like neon colors. The tourist starter pack includes a camera, oversized backpack, souvenir shirt, selfie stick, and a local map.
Travelers try to blend in as much as possible. They want to look and act like the local population to not draw unnecessary attention.
Bonus* A tourist walks into an Italian cafe and makes sure to order Italian coffee and Italian cookies A traveler walks into an Italian cafe and orders coffee and cookies.
So, which one are you, traveler or tourist? Comment below & and Share with your friends!
In this article I talk about my camera equipment and the important lessons I learned over four years that every photographer should know about before purchasing their first camera!
If you love traveling and your enthusiasm for foreign cultures prompts you to buy a one-way ticket, chances are you follow a certain set of unspoken rules that I call: The Avid Traveler’s Code of Conduct
When I saw the epic view of someone doing back flips on a trick line between two palm trees and in front of the water, I knew I had to pull over and strike up a conversation!
Ben told me he was passing through Florida and only had a few days left. We exchanged contact information and planned to meet up in Turtle beach a few days later.
This was a new experience for me. I had never seen someone perform dangerous tricks on a thin elastic band and now I had the opportunity to take photos of it.
Watching Ben slack line was exhilarating because there’s a certain level of risk which puts you in a heightened state. There are so many ways to mess up but with his skill, his balance and commitment to the sport it made it even more exciting to capture!
The Q Perspective 