I would like to introduce you to the Florida Keys. More specifically, Key West as it is the most sought after destination in the area for sun seekers, fisherman, and those in search of nightlife at the far reaches of the island chain. Key West as the most southerly point in Florida and the most popular Keys destination, is the crown of the Conch Republic. Washed by the waters of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico to the east and west respectively, temperatures range from 69 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit with an average around 40” of rain a year and has around 24,000 year-round residents.

When you leave Florida proper through the gate of the Everglades and emerge onto Key Largo, you may notice the pace begin to slacken although perhaps not on the highway itself. As you travel southward, you will exit the northerly area’s of weekend homes and enter the middle and lower Keys where the water blends from the rich blue around Marathon to a milky and shallow appearance as you pass Big Pine Key toward Key West.

While in Key West you should park the car and rent a bicycle or scooter as to wheel around the island like a local and take in the ambiance of the place. Ready parking areas abound with these two wheeled jewels but do be sure to lock them up when you are away. I recommend spending an evening at Mallory Square enjoying the picturesque sunset, myriad’s of entertainers, and the general festive patio-like feel of the place. Just a note, the street vendors on the square may change up on the prices for their products if they think you will let them get away with it so hold them to their original price and be willing to walk away. You already knew that though didn’t you?

There is no lack of activities on this diminutive spit of land between the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. To be honest however, many people come here just for the varied nightlife and the downtown area accommodates that by being very orientated to pedestrian traffic and bar hopping visitors. A litany of things to do here might include, sightseeing, boating, sailing, flats & deep sea fishing, snorkeling, diving, skiing, parasailing, windboarding, lobster hunting, sunbathing, barhopping & partying or perhaps just being a lounge lizard.

Key West is the southern mecca for those in the Conch Republic who enjoy the city as well as the destination of choice for those who seek hedonism in the far southern US. Many of our clients traveling to Key West prefer to be near Duval street due to it’s proximity to downtown, so if you anticipate traveling there please be aware of the demand for accommodations particularly during festivals.

I really enjoy the Florida Keys as they provide a good deal of aquatic topographical variety and activities between Key Largo and Key West as well as a pretty laid back pace. There won’t be the frenetic nightlife outside of Key West for the most part but if you want a pleasant vacation with reasonable cost, I certainly encourage you to consider a week in the Conch Republic.

http://www.villasmajestic.com/viewsubdest.php?dest=Florida&id=Key%20West



By: David Robinson

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The recent surge in digital camera sales has been possible due to the low cost camera that anybody can afford. Basic digital photography techniques are simple to master with just a little bit of practice and patience.

I recently bough a new camera for myself and then gave my daughter my old one. It was a simple point and shoot with the ability to set the shutter, aperture and ISO. Within a few weeks she sent me a bunch of photos by email and they were pretty good for snapshots but lacked any really good shots. In most cases the lighting was poor or were just poorly framed.

A few weeks later we were in South Florida, South Beach Miami to be exact, and we embarked on an Urban Photo Safari. We started early and headed down by Ocean Avenue. Knowing the sun was directly in our face while looking to the east, she snapped a away at all the cool lifeguards stands and the water. I on the other hand photographed the Art Deco style hotels and restaurants.

When we returned to our hotel later in the morning I down loaded the images to my laptop. My daughter was disappointed at how her photos were all washed out. How the water was dark and the sky was more white than blue. When we reviewed my photos, the buildings were sharp, the colors were bright and while a few of the photos had shadows, most of the shots were pretty good.

Then she asked why I did take any photos of the beach. I told her that I knew the lighting was bad and that they would probably not be very good. At that instant I could practically see the light bulb come on in her head and a valuable lesson was learned.

Later in the afternoon we went back to Ocean Avenue on South Beach and this time we had the sun to our back. Her photographs were beautiful, the lifeguard stands had vivid colors and the sand, sky and sea glowed. Lighting and time of day are very important in shooting outdoor photos.

More South Florida Photography Opportunities

South Florida has many great places for your Photo Safari. Palm Beach offers many great places to shoot photos. Along Flagler Avenue you can shoot multi-million dollar yachts in the water or the buildings that line the Avenue. Worth Avenue in West Palm Beach also offers a photographer many opportunities.

Fort Lauderdale offers many of the same type of shots. One idea is to hop on one of the many tourboats along the waterways and get great shots from there.

The Everglades is one of Florida’s more popular eco-destinations. Birds, alligators and other wildlife make for great subjects. For the thrill of a lifetime try an airboat ride, you’ll get plenty of great shots from one of those too.

The Florida Keys are another great Eco-destination. John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo offers many trails and walkways above the mangrove swamp.

Islamorada in the middle of the Keys also offers unique photo opportunities. Fishing boats of all types, from rugged commercial vessels with their salty flavor and rustic rigging to the mega yachts with black and gold fishing rods and other bling make for great photos. If you’re there in late August you’ll see lobster traps stacked high on every vacant spot (near the water and on the boats), that can make for some interesting photos.

If it’s interesting people you’re looking for Key West is the place. People who go to and live in Key West tend to march to the beat of a different drum. From salty old commercial fishermen to female impersonators, the people of Key West are truly unique.

Key West also features a lighthouse, the Hemingway House Museum with it’s six toed cats and Mallory Square with those famous sunset parties and street performers. You’ll find some interesting people there too.



By: Kirby Collins

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