(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)
From deserts and sand dunes to caves and beaches, the camping spots across the GCC are full of stunning views to enjoy with friends and family. And like most things in life, camping as an activity has evolved over the years as technology progressed.
Modern day camping now allows us to feel more at ease in the outdoors. Yes, we're enjoying the adventure and open air, but we also have the right tools at hand to elevate the camping experience by allowing us to stay connected, informed, and entertained.
Ali Khalil Husain, Founder of the GCC's leading adventure travel organisation, Husaak Adventures is working with his team to encourage more people to get out, and explore the Gulf culture.
He explained: "From the Dhofar mountains of Oman through the Abu Dhabi deserts and all the way north towards the red sandy hills in Sarawat mountain in the Kingdom, the region is home to stunning locations to go camping and reconnect with nature. Hidden gems that are waiting to be explored and enjoyed. Whilst it is essential for more people to switch off and escape the hustle and bustle of city life, we also need to take advantage of the modern day technological solutions that will allow us to do just that. My team and I hike across mountains, explore caves, trek through sweeping deserts and the reason we are able to go from points A to B without getting lost is because of modern day technology. Using our phones we can pre trip plan, organize and navigate through satellite images. So my advice is to always find the right balance but do leverage the technology that will help you on your adventure."
So on this occasion, we have put together the 'All you need' guide for modern day camping with insight from local experts to showcase the top photography tips, the best apps to download, and the playlists to keep you dancing.
Photography.capturing an instant out of time Camping trips provide the perfect photo opportunities for you to get creative. It is a unique platform to showcase all the beauty that nature has to offer. Choose to be in the moment but also make sure to capture it so you have them for keeps forever.
Emirati photographer, Ahmad Al Rais highlights: "Photography has become much closer and available to everyone thanks to ever advancing technology. The art of expression is right at the tip of our fingertips. With your phone, you are now not only able to shoot through your artistic lens whilst you're on the go, but also share your experiences with your surrounding. There's nothing more fulfilling than being able to get those shots of gorgeous sunsets or marshmallows around the fire.with one simple touch."
We've highlighted the top tips and tricks for you to capture every memory in full color:
Tip 1 - Portrait Mode: You can now capture stunning portrait shots of your family and friends at the campsite, the animals you see, and the nature around you through the iPhone 7 Plus's new Portrait mode feature. The setting works by creating an "out-of-focus" background to put a visual emphasis on your subject in the foreground.
Al Rais adds: "Portrait Mode is one of my favorite features on the iPhone 7 Plus. To get the best results, make sure your subject is really close by with the background further away, and there's sufficient light around you."
Tip 2 - Low Light: Some of the best camping shots are after the sun has gone down such as photos of the blazing stars. In the past, it would have been difficult to capture a photo of the night sky, but now with a new sensor and faster aperture, the iPhone 7 autofocuses and captures substantially better in low light.
Tip 3 - Time-lapse: Explore beyond still images and create time-lapse videos to set the scene. You could get creative and use time-lapse videos as you and your friends are building the tent or as the sun is setting. You can even leave your iPhone 7 on the tripod to capture the full sun rise and set without having to worry about any dust.
Tip 4 - Slow-Motion: You've tried speeding this up, and now let's try to slowing things down. How about you try shooting the burning campfire with the slow-motion setting to get a nice dramatic effect.
Tip 5 - Panorama: Part of the camping adventure is to take photos of the full landscape surrounding you. And by full, we mean the whole view in one photo. Simply point your camera, start panning from left to right and make sure to avoid moving subjects.
Tip 6 - Timer: You can't go on a camping adventure without getting that final group photo! This is when the timer feature comes in handy. Just set the timer, press record, and run back to the group before the image is taken.
Tip 7 - Tripod: Bring a lightweight tripod. Having one handy can be helpful to take time-lapse and low light shots without having to worry about your hands shaking.
Tip 8 - Editing: Don't forget, you will need a good editing app to 'up your photography game'. The ProCam app offers unparalleled control and quality with DSLR-like camera functionality and full featured photo / video editing capabilities for an unmatched editing experience.
Apps.the must haves: Apps have become an integral part of our every day life and there are specialized ones for every occasion and activity. Many apps in the Apple App store feature downloadable content or have offline functionality. You can store maps, news articles and videos to view later and even play games offline, whenever you want without needing a WiFi or 3G connection.
We investigated some of the best apps available, to enhance the camping experience for this campsite generation.
MAPS.ME - You can't set out on an outdoor adventure without knowing the road you're taking. MAPS.ME allows you to browse around the globe, zoom in on any region or city, and download a detailed map of that area to use offline.
SkyView - The best part of going camping is the beautiful sky view. Why not impress your friends by identifying the Orion constellation? The app brings stargazing to everyone by simply pointing your iPhone to the sky.
Find My Friends - The worst thing about being in the wilderness, is losing the group you're with. Luckily, you won't have to worry because the 'Find My Friends' app allows you to easily locate friends and family using your iPhone or iPad.
Dubai Police - because it's better to be safe than sorry. Download the Dubai police app to make sure you're only a click away from contacting our local security keepers.
Music. to keep you on your toes: Whether you're on the road or you have set up a nice campfire, you'll need the ultimate music playlist to complete the mood. Apple Music has put together a playlist to do just that. Even in the middle of the desert with limited connectivity you can still enjoy listening to all your favorite music offline without having to worry about your data being consumed.
Here are some of our favs to help you unwind under the stars...
- The A-List Khaleeji
- Today's Hits
- Sun Goes Down Dubai
Staff Reporter
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