Burn Calories With These Three Water Sports

Let's be honest: it's not always easy to keep up with a fitness routine. This is why it's important to find an activity that you'd look forward to. If you enjoy being in the water like me, here are some fun water sports you can try:

                             Image source: News24.com

Swimming: Of course, swimming has to be on the list. It's a whole-body workout that is perfect for those who have respiratory, cardiovascular, and muscular issues. Swimming for at least 30 minutes each day is a great way to stay fit without too much physical stress.

Underwater hockey: If you're feeling a bit adventurous, you'll surely enjoy this version of hockey. Snorkeling alone can burn hundreds of calories. When you add the activity involved in hockey, it will surely double the numbers. Underwater hockey is a thrilling activity that will make the time pass by quickly. If you're looking for a physically challenging water sport, this one's for you.

Surfing: Summer is the best time to enjoy surfing. When I tried this activity for the first time my legs felt heavy after an hour of trying to conquer the waves. When I got out of the water, it felt as if I just got out of a core workout at the gym. Yes, surfing can be this intense. It may look easy, but a strong physique is needed in braving the waves. Still, it’s a fun activity you shouldn’t miss out on.

Image source: Entrepreneur.com

To stay healthy, we should all do things that keep us active and happy. It's a plus if we happen to explore new places and meet new people in the process.

Thanks for reading! My name is Mike Briese, and I’m a photographer based in Milpitas, CA. I specialize in nature photography and often go on hikes throughout the many national parks throughout California. I enjoy a wide variety of water sports and outdoor activities. Follow me on Twitter for updates.

The best way to explore California’s redwoods

Whenever I think of Northern California, its famous redwood trees come to mind. Gigantic and majestic, these trees are a visual treat. If you’re looking to relax and unwind, the shade these trees provide can bring you the rest you need. As a nature photographer, these trees never fail to give me ideas for my next projects. If you want to see California's famous redwoods, here are some of the best ways to take: 

Image source: redwoodhikes.com 

Big Basin Redwoods State Park 

If you happen to be in San Francisco, this is one of the best places for seeing the redwoods. Aside from being the oldest state park in California, this park has 128 kilometers of trails that weave through a coastal redwood forest. There are also picturesque waterfalls and campsites that are also worth staying for. 

Humboldt Redwoods State Park 

Find the "Avenue of Giants" on your long drive to this state park. If you're traveling with kids, you might appreciate this accessible path that you can reach by car. If you're also going for a daytime photo walk, you don't need to travel far and long to get a glimpse of the wonderful redwoods. 

Redwood National and State Parks 

Take different trails when you visit this four-part national park. But whichever you choose, there won't be a shortage of beautiful redwoods that you'll enjoy taking photos of. The redwoods are fascinating no matter the season. In fact, the seasons provide a wonderful backdrop that showcases the charm trees and trails. Visiting California soon? 

Be sure to check out these parks that feature high and mighty redwoods. 

Image source: Visithumboldt.com

Hello! My name is Mike Briese. I'm a nature photographer, wilderness explorer, and a lover of watersports. Follow me on this page for updates.

Will your iPhone take great nature photos?

The iPhone boasts of great camera quality—quality that of a DSLR. Its high-end technology makes it the best phone to take photos of all disciplines. From street to nature photography, the iPhone is the simple weapon of choice of most photographers and photo enthusiasts. The best camera to have is the one you always have; we’re never without our iPhones. 

Image source: iphonephotographyschool.com

An iPhone weighs way lighter than any other camera and is smaller in size, making you more comfortable in taking close up pictures of nature—flowers, for example. It has great focus and you can adjust its lighting. With its HDR allowing you to capture an image with 3 different lighting compositions, your nature photos will look like it had been shot by a pro; of course, given that you’ve really done your best to get the shot. 

Shooting in burst mode will allow you to take photos of moving subjects. These can be birds, butterflies, or just about any animal on the move. It could also be a flower swaying with the wind. One of the built-in features of a camera phone is its editing prowess. However, it’s best to edit carefully and let nature speak for itself. Some light editing would do well, but if everything has been retouched, the image will lose its “nature” sense. 

Nature photography aims to capture the beauty of one’s surroundings, as honest as possible. It’s not every day you get to see these creatures in their natural habitat, and taking great pictures of them will surely refresh your memory about how wonderful you felt when you saw them with your own eyes.

Image source: londolozi.com

Mike Briese, at your service. I’m a nature photographer and wilderness explorer extraordinaire. I live in Milpitas, California, and I try to go on hikes in national parks throughout California to take photos of nature. Follow my blog for more updates.

Mobile photography: Three things to look out for in a smartphone camera

Thanks to social media sites like Instagram, smartphone photography has taken a big chunk of the camera market, and basic point-and-shoot compacts have become virtually obsolete. 

Image source: quoracdn.net

And while the best smartphone camera in the market is still no match for a decent advanced DSLR, they have undoubtedly improved considerably in the past years. We’re now in the age of dual-rear cameras and portrait modes that mimic that of a DSLR. 

With so many smartphone cameras available in the market, here three things to look out for when you’re in the market for one. 

1. Sensors: Fortunately, people now realize that the number of megapixels doesn’t directly affect the image quality, but the sensor does. Generally, a larger sensor means better image quality. 

2. LensesBecause smartphones are designed to be slim, it’s all but impossible to fit their cameras with built-in optical zoom. Some smartphones like the iPhone 7+ are equipped with a secondary lens for 2x zoom, offering digital zoom. 

3. Software: Smartphone manufacturers can equip their smartphones with the best sensors and lenses, but these features will be useless without the software. And a lot of times, software is more important than the hardware. There are built-in camera modes that are designed to take advantage of the sensors and lenses to take the best image possible. Portrait, live photos, and other camera modes are what make the smartphone camera good. 

Image source: ytimg.com

Hi there! My name’s Mike Briese. I’m a photographer who likes to go hiking, kayaking, and fishing. Visit this page for more photography-related content.

A Number of Reasons to Shoot in National Parks

National parks all across America have been the center of attention in tourism. They have also been quite the favorite destination of photographers from all over the world. This is because of a number of reasons.

There is no better way to appreciate nature than to take photos of it in action. National parks are essentially sites which have been declared as such so that they are preserved and maintained.

Image source: jasonsavagephotography.com

There’s a challenge that nature is going through nowadays, and it’s called climate change. Photographers who take shots in national parks are essentially documenting them with what they do, and the truth is, it’s uncertain if these national parks will maintain their beauty for the long haul.

It’s also good that with such photographs, these national parks are promoted. These wonders of nature need to be known to the rest of the world so that people will have a stake in the campaign to protect and preserve them.

Image source: marcadamus.com

Also, national parks provide the healthiest environment, which is truly healthy for people. Away from the pollution of urban life, the freshest air can be breathed in national parks. Doing photography in such an environment is good for the photographer’s health, especially when they get to walk around and burn calories in their discovery.

National park photography is truly beneficial in so many ways for any photographer. There are so many across the country, and they are all just waiting to be conquered by the world’s camera artists.
Hi there, I’m Mike Briese. I am a photographer who specializes in nature photography. Read more about photography in this blog.

Photographing National Parks: Glacier National Park

There are certain places in the world that are so beautiful, they don’t seem real. One such place is the Glacier National Park found in Montana. The park is one of the most stunning places in the world, especially for photographers.

Image source: glacierguides.com

I get a lot of questions where the best spots in Glacier to take pictures are, so here’s a list of them.

Lake McDonald

Oftentimes in Glacier, the views get better the longer you’re willing to hike, but Lake McDonald is an exception to that. You can drive right up to Lake McDonald and enjoy the pristine scenery. The dock in Apgar is one of the best spots to photograph the lake.

The Grinnell Glacier Trail

Hiking with your photography gear isn’t the easiest thing to do. That’s why the Grinnell Glacier Trail is a good spot for photographers, because you’ll get beautiful shots even if you only hike a portion of it.

Logan Pass

Logan Pass is the high point of the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road. The pass is always busy but it’s worth a stop. There’s a lot of spots here if you want to get photos of Glacier in all it’s glory.

Image source : glacierguides.com

I’m Mike Briese, a photographer from Milpitas, CA. I like to go hiking, kayaking, and fishing. Visit my LinkedIn profile to know more about me.

National Park Photography: The Best Spots In Mount Rainier

If you you’re going to Mount Rainier National Park for photography, the obvious destination would be Mount Rainier. But there’s so much more to the park than the peak. Here are other spots in Mount Rainier for your next trip.

Image source: beautifulwashington.com

Sheep Lake

This is one of the prettiest lakes accessible from Chinook Pass on the Pacific Crest Trail. In summer, the trail is bordered by wildflowers, making sheep lake a good subject for photography.

Tolmie Peak

Even if you’re a non-hiker, photographers will find tons of avalanche lilies bordering the Mowich Lake as snow recedes. The beautiful trail will tempt you to go further, reaching the Wonderland Trail. 

Christine Falls

Fortunately, this is one of the most accessible waterfalls in Mt. Rainier National Park. The falls is framed by the historic, arching Christine Falls Bridge.

Sourdough Ridge

From here, you’ll get a majestic view of Mt. Rainier, complete with pine trees and a vast green field. You can also take a shot of Sunrise Point and Frozen from this spot.

Grove of the Patriarchs

A short walk from the Stevens Canyons Entrance Park, and you’ll find the Grove. It is located on an island in the Ohanapecosh River. With trunks ranging up to 35 feet in diameter, the grove literally feels like it’s the island’s protector, their patriarch. Trying to capture the full height of the trees would be impossible, so look for details.

Image source : stuarticulated.com

Hi, I’m Mike Briese, a photographer based in Milpitas, CA. I specialize in nature photography. I’m currently enjoying photographing National Parks. Visit my blog to know more.