Many landscape photographers consider lens filters to be the most important accessories they own, carrying an extensive assortment that borders on obsession. But what if you don’t want to take things quite so far, but are interested in a few filters that will greatly enhance your results? Read on!

This tutorial from the Andy H Photography YouTube channel narrows down your choices to a small (and less expensive) filter collection in barely four minutes. He puts it like this: “In this video I demonstrate the impact of the “most important filters” for landscape and nature photography and explain how to use them.”

According to Andy, you can get by with just four: a circular polarizer (CPL) and three neutral Density (ND) filters of varying strengths—an ND8, ND64 and ND1000. He also explains a technique known as filter stacking and why you may want to try this too.

In this behind-the-scenes episode on the beautiful Mediterranean coast you’ll watch Andy capture a variety of photos—first with no filter at all, and then while employing the four mentioned above to shoot the same scene. You’ll not only earn the necessary camera settings for each type of filter but see the huge difference these accessories make to the look of the images.

Andy begins with the CPL that has a rotating from ring for increasing or decreasing the effect you achieve. A quick comparison of the CPL image with the first unfiltered shot  reveals several key characteristics. The polarizer darkenes the sky and eliminates unwanted reflections on the water.

The video becomes even more interesting as Andy captures a succession of images with his three ND Filters, and the drama of the photos increase as he proceeds. We’ll leave it to him to explain the proper techniques and required settings, but the basic concept is this: ND Filters let you to make long exposures in bright sun by cutting the amount of light reaching the camera’s sensor—depending upon the strength of the filter employed.

Doing so enables you to enables you to capture eye-catching images of subjects in motion, with cotton-like clouds and soft-silky water for a surreal effect. You’ll also see how the recommended filters can be used in combination to further heighten the impact.

Andy’s instructional YouTube channel is a great source of shooting and editing lessons, gear discussions, and more. So pay a visit and explore what he has to offer—especially of landscape and nature photography are among your prime interests.

We also recommend that you watch the earlier tutorial we posted, demonstrating how to take your macro photography to the next level with several great tips from a small-world pro.

Today we’re exploring the characteristics of soft light and the different ways it can affect the impact of outdoor images, whether they’re landscapes, environmental portraits, or just about anything else. This tutorial comes to us from the folks the Great Big Photography World—a YouTube community of passionate creatives with a comprehensive range of lessons for shooters of all skills levels.

Today’s unnamed instructor kicks off the lesson with this: “Learning how to control soft light is an essential skill for all photographers.” This type of light is created by relatively large light source, like bright overcast skies or when light clouds momentarily enter the frame.

There are several ways that conditions like these can lessen the impact of an image, by muting colors, sacrificing detail, and introducing an overall flat appearancs devoid of contrast that’s less than ideal. Fortunately. there are several simple techniques and a couple of affordable accessories that will dramatically improve the impact of photos shot in soft light.

One basic fact is this: The closer a light source is when falling on a subject, the softer it will appear and the smoother the shadows will be. This not only holds true when shooting in the field, but when making indoor portraits by indirect window light.

As you’ll see, a simple lightweight umbrella can be a big help outdoors when the subject is close to the camera position—especially in mixed light. Examples include macro photos, portraits, and even when there’s a key element in the foreground. The trick is to learn how to control the light, because bad things tend to happen when it’s too diffused.

Another important consideration is the difference between shooting under deep cloud cover and intentionally positioning a key subject in the shade on brighter days. The instructor also reveals his recommended camera settings and exposure modes for different situations because “there are varying levels of soft light”—each requiring a unique approach.” And if the sun peaks out from behind the clouds and becomes too harsh, there are ways to prevent that direct illumination from spoiling your results.

We strongly recommend visiting the Great Big Photography World YouTube channel—whether you’re a beginner or seasoned pro—where you’ll find unique projects and helpful lessons on a wide variety of topics.

And don’t miss a tutorial we posted recently, featuring another accomplished pro who explains depth-of-filed mistakes that will prevent photographs from reaching their full potential. Then he provides straightforward secrets for unlocking the power of selective focus.

In the middle of the English Channel, Guernsey is smaller than its neighbour Jersey, and you can easily cycle around the entire coast in a day. Even better, hire an e-bike and it makes an easy adventure for cyclists of all levels. The Northern part of the island is completely flat with its wide bays home to vast sandy beaches. The only obstacle is the wind, but like most things in Guernsey, it’s fairly benign.

Guernsey Beach

Guernsey Beach and Rocks

Bike and Beach

The South, however, is all rugged cliffs with steep descents into small bays and wooded coves. Of course going down means a tough following climb upwards, often to stunning viewpoints. Peppered around the coast are small kiosks and tea rooms providing welcome refreshment. You can do the whole island in a day but better to take it leisurely and split it into two.

Condor Ferry

Condor Ferry

Condor Ferry

And, in order to keep everything sustainable, I avoid flying and opt for slowish travel. That means taking the train to Poole and boarding the Condor Ferry which arrives in St Peter Port in around three hours.

Day 1: St Peter Port and the South

I start my coastal adventure by heading south from St. Peter Port towards the cliffs of Jerbourg Point. There are no cycle paths and the only option is to take the main road. However traffic is light and drivers tend to tuck in behind until there’s a safe opportunity for overtaking.

St Peter Port

Jerbourg Point

Petit Bot

After I pass the Doyle monument, I’m soon at the headland overlooking Jerbourg Point. Jagged cliffs drop down to the sea and the rocks end in a series of stacks. From here, I take narrow lanes westwards, helpfully labelled Ruettes Tranquilles, which take me through attractive wooded glades.

Bike

Ruette Tranquille

Moulin Huet

I park my bike and walk down to Moulin Huet Bay, a favourite spot of the French painter Renoir. The bay’s clear waters and dramatic rock formations inspired many of his works. There follows a succession of tiny rocky beaches, including Saints Bay and Petit Bot with its tower.

German Battery

German Watchtower

German Watchtower

All require further ups and downs but I’m soon at Torteval, on the South Western Tip. The headland is honeycombed with German fortifications from WW2 including the imposing Pleinmont Observation Tower. As I turn the corner, the landscape becomes gentler opening out to long wide bays.

Beach

Fort Grey

Fort Grey

Fort Grey, on Rocquaine Bay, an 18^th century fort, now houses a shipwreck museum, detailing disasters on the surrounding seas. As I cycle north I stop by at Lihou Island, a nature reserve only accessible by causeway at low tide. Here I turn inland, cycling due east through Castel back to St Peter Port. This is agricultural heaven, blessed by traditional farmhouses, and fields dotted with grazing Guernsey cows.

Day 2: St Peter Port and the North

Next day I head north, along the sea front of St Peter Port, to the working harbour at St Sampson. The coast leads me to little Fort Doyle perched on a rocky headland. Further on, at the northernmost tip, another fortification, Fort Le Marcand is slightly more substantial. It overlooks the long stretch of beach, known as Pembroke Bay, with its WW2 German fortified seawall.

St Sampson

Bike at Pembroke Bay

West Coast Bay

The track turns into a footpath so I turn inland crossing the Royal Guernsey Golf Course before arriving at Le Grande Havre. The wide beach is guarded by the loopholed Rousse Tower, one of a series of 15 built at the end of the 18^th century, to repel the French. I battle the prevailing wind as I cross Cobo Bay before turning inland at Vazon Bay. It’s then a cross country ride back to St Peter Port.

Rousse Tower

Le Grande Havre

Ruette Tranquille

Day 3:  Walk Fermain Bay and Jerbourg

I fancy getting of my bike and exploring on foot – one of most popular walks on Guernsey runs from St Peter Port to Fermain Bay. It’s a gentle wooded path, lined with spring flowers, with flights of steps, taking me up and down. Soon Fermain Bay comes into view, an attractive spot with a loopholed tower and boats moored in the bay.

Footpath

Fermain Bay

Fermain Bay

It’s only taken me an hour so I decide to press on to Jerbourg Point. There are good views of the Pea Stacks and German fortifications on the headland. I follow the path along the clifftop to Petit Port and take hundreds of steps down to the bay. Climbing up again, I’m soon at Moulin Huet Bay and then turn back inland.

Moulin Huet

St Peter Port

From here, it’s mainly road walking back to Sausmarez Manor, above Fermain Bay and onwards to St Peter Port. The last stretch turns off on a grassy path following the curtain wall of Fort George before descending to the South Esplanade and the capital. This is my last day on Guernsey and I’ll miss the gentle rhythm of exploring the island by bike and on foot.

Factfile

GO:  Condor Ferries sails daily to Guernsey from Poole in 3 hours for £56 each way for foot passengers. They also offer a 3 night B&B package at the Peninsula Hotel for £525.60 in September or £345.40 in October, based on single occupancy including return ferry fare.

Go Guernsey Land & Sea supplies e-bikes.

STAY:

• La Fregate is an exclusive boutique hotel in St Peter Port with an excellent restaurant.
• The Peninsula Hotel sits on Le Grande Havre Bay, on the other side of the island, and has great sea views.

EAT:  

• Puffin & Oyster is close to the Peninsula Hotel and offers grills and seafood.
• Balthazar is in St Peter Port and is good for fish.
• The Brasserie in the Old Government House Hotel has fine dining.

INFO: Visit Guernsey has tourist information.

Cicerone’s Walking on Guernsey is an excellent guide.

The post Guide to Bike and Walk Guernsey, Channel Islands appeared first on The Travel Magazine.

Tucked behind the coastal strip curving gently towards the Pyrenees, France’s heritage cities of Beziers, Narbonne and Perpignan along the western Mediterranean shore share a history dating back to the Ancient Greeks and Romans.

Changes in coastline mean that Beziers, Narbonne and Perpignan are today set back from the sea, but together they offer culture and coast, restaurants and retail in one easy-to-navigate trip. The perfect destination to celebrate a significant birthday with my best friend, years after we studied French together at school.

Fly into international airports such as Nimes, Beziers or Toulouse and pick up a hire car, or do as we did and be eco-responsible with unlimited travel for just €10 a day with an Occitanie Rail Pass. 

Beziers 

We fell instantly in love with Béziers in the department of Hérault, capital of the Languedoc vineyards and the only area of France unaffected by the Phylloxera aphid that ravaged vineyards in the mid-19^th century.  The town grew rich on wine and today boasts a wealth of ornate Belle Epoque town houses as well as an atmospheric old town with a hilltop cathedral and the remains of a Roman arena. 

Canal du Midi, Beziers, France

Stroll beneath the trees of the Allées Paul Riquet that cuts an elegant swathe between those ornate mansions.  Lined with cafes and flower stalls, it pays homage to Béziers’ most famous son, tax collector turned hydraulics engineer Pierre Paul Riquet, engineer of the Canal du Midi.   

We followed the fully accessible walking trail to Fonseranes where the UNESCO-listed canal drops 13.6 metres in just 300 metres via a staircase of nine locks, seven still in use.

We also enjoyed the Painted Wall Trail, easy to navigate on the free annotated map from the Tourist Office, relaxing en route at some of the city’s many wine bars and bistrots, as well as stocking up on French fashion in the retail quarter.

Nearby Agde – just 12 minutes away by train – was founded by the Greeks in the 5^th century BC near the mouth of the river Hérault.  Wind through the narrow streets of behind the black basalt cathedral; feast on fresh fish at a riverside restaurant; and explore the extraordinary Château Laurens, recently reopened after major restoration.  

Chateau Laurens, Agde

House envy is guaranteed at this stunning Art Nouveau property where every room is a sensory treat of brightly painted walls, stained glass windows and bespoke furniture.

For a complete contrast, hop on a Cap’Bus at Agde station for Cap d’Agde, one of several seaside resorts created here in the mid-20^th century.  Family-friendly and affordable, this buzzing small resort offers all the fun of the seaside without the price tag and glitz of the Riviera. 

Don’t miss the fabulous Musée de l’Ephèbe, France’s only museum of underwater archaeology packed with ancient Greek artefacts, nor the chance to watch the afternoon catch unloaded and auctioned at La Grau d’Agde fishing port.

Narbonne

There’s more ancient history in neighbouring Narbonne in the Aude department, just 13 minutes by train from Béziers. Established in 118 BC, Narbo Martius was the first Roman settlement in Gaul and the second most important Mediterranean port. This golden age is brilliantly showcased at Narbo Via, an outstanding museum designed by Foster + Partners on the plan of a Roman villa.  Expect vibrant wall paintings, intricate mosaics, and stone carvings that bring Roman life and culture zinging vividly to life.

Bishops’ Palace, Narbonne

We loved the relaxed atmosphere of Narbonne. The café tables beneath the plane trees beside the Canal de la Robine; the towering but unfinished cathedral; and the vast Bishop’s Palace, now home to the Town Hall and museum collections. Out front, a section of the ancient Via Domitia still bears the wheel marks of Roman carts.

Beside the canal, elegant 19^th century mansions are testament to the profits generated by the wine trade.   Hire an electric boat or sit back and enjoy a guided cruise beneath the Pont des Marchands, Narbonne’s answer to the Ponte Vecchio and the only residential bridge in France.

The nearby covered market, built of glass and cast iron, proved the perfect spot for lunch, the communal tables of its tapas and wine bars crammed with diners.  Around us, stalls were laden with rainbow displays of fruit and vegetables, glistening fresh fish, and a wide range of deli items and desserts.  A dip in the Med?  Head for the soft sands and safe waters of Narbonne-Plage on the Côte du Midi.

Perpignan

Whilst Béziers and Narbonne are firmly Occitan in culture, Perpignan – closest to the Pyrenees – is distinctly Catalan, a legacy of the days when Catalonia extended north of the mountain range. Capital of the 13^th century Kingdom of Majorca and now chief town in the Pyrenees-Orientale department, the town only came under French rule in 1659 under Louis XIV, but the Gothic red brick palace remains. 

First, however, we headed to Collioure on the Côte Vermeille, 20 minutes by train beyond Perpignan and a 70-minute journey from Narbonne.  The beachside Royal Palace was the favourite summer residence of those Majorcan kings, and Collioure still attracts holidaymakers with its pretty bays, Royal Castle and much-photographed Clock Tower. 

Old town, Perpignan

We browsed the boutiques along the winding streets and lunched on succulent salads beside the Med, but also enjoyed a castle tour and a ride on Le Petit Train up into the vineyards for a seagull’s eye view of Collioure. 

And so to Perpignan. Pick up a map at the Hôtel de la Loge in the historic centre, once a trading centre for medieval merchants and now the Tourist Office.Then just wander.

Hotel Pams, Perpignan

We loved the Hyacinthe Rigaud Museum, a Fine Art collection named after the local lad who became court painter to Louis XIV.  And the extraordinary Hôtel Pams, originally a factory manufacturing cigarette papers, but subsequently turned into a lavish Art Nouveau town house.  Check out the concert programme too at the red brick Gothic palace of the Kings of Majorca for a real flavour of Catalan culture. 

Some final retail therapy – Catalan striped linens and high fashion espadrilles – and it was time to raise a last glass of chilled local rosé.  Occitanie’s coastal towns had more than delivered for our zero-birthday celebration. Here’s to next time!

FACTFILE

Getting there: 

We flew to Beziers and picked up the Occitanie rail network with a Pass costing €10 per day for unlimited travel over 2-6 days. Tourist and travel information from www.voyage-occitanie.com

Useful websites:

• www.cotedumidi.com
• www.capdagde.com
• www.beziers-mediterranee.com
• www.collioure.com
• www.perpignantourisme.com

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The post Beziers, Narbonne and Perpignan deliver a perfect coast-and-city break by rail appeared first on The Travel Magazine.