Storing a lots (and lots) of Photos!

Well, I travel a lot and obviously click a lot of photos. Kudos to my SLR, usually the pics are 3-5 MB in size. I believe to keep a online backup of all my precious pics. There are a lot of options available - OneDrive (SkyDrive), Dropbox, Google Drive etc. Consider the following before selecting your online friend...

1. A Mobile friendly app to preview the pics 'On The Run'
2. A desktop app to sync all the pics in background
3. Storage .. Storage ... Storage .. Trust me, more the better

Until recently, I was storing the pics straight from my camera in their original format ... and then the day came, I fell short of the storage space. The option was to either buy more storage space OR 'think do I really need the extra space'

I found some interesting facts and some interesting ways to get more from less, which I'm gonna share here...

How many megapixels?

I know, everyone is running after megapixels these days, the more the better... But another truth about these numbers -

more megapixels = more storage required

Fact 1. These numbers do not govern the quality of the photo. A nice and bright standard print will suffice with 5MPx only.

To calculate the megapixels you need for printed photograph:

1. Determine the physical size of your print, such as 4x6 inch, 8x10 inch etc
2. Multiply the height and width by 300 each (which gives you pixels per inch [ppi] required for a 300ppi photo, which is a good print quality)
   For 8 x 10 -> 2400 x 3000
3. Now Multiply Height and Width
   ==> 7.2 million pixels. 

Thus, you would need a 7.2 MPx photo for a good 8x10 inch print. For standard prints, you need much less

Fact 2. If you are just planning to share the photos on social network, here's what you'll need

A Twitter photo, for example, measures just 375 x 375 pixels, which equals a mere 0.15 megapixels.

A Facebook timeline photo, at 960 x 720, requires 0.69 megapixels. 

A Google + cover photo, requires 2.53 megapixels. 

 

How to compress?

Now, if you have decided to compress your pics... Here's a very simple tool I use - Picasa :-)

• Just import your album into picasa. 
• Select the Album and click on 'Export'
• I prefer to store my pics in 3MPx size. Choose accordingly.
• Keep the image Quality - 'Automatic'
• Done!!

 

Keep clicking.... Keep Storing... and Keep Sharing !

Fort Aguada - Goa - A Visual Treat

Aguada Fort is among the must-visit forts in Goa. Located on the starting tip of Candolim Beach (shore of the Mandovi River), with a promising visual treat from the top.

Fact:

• Built in 1612, Aguada means 'water'. A freshwater spring inside the fort was used to provide freshwater supply to the ships.
• It has the capacity of storing 2,376,000 gallons of water, one of the biggest freshwater storage's of the time in whole of Asia.

The History... as written on the Fort!

Opening: 8:30 AM
Closing: 5:30 PM
Basic Amenities are present there - Washrooms, Drinking water, parking etc.

Fort Entrance

Upper Fort's Entrance

Try to go there when weather is favorable. A cool breeze on top of a fort and a view of the sea waters will certainly make your day...

Awesome view from the top!!

The fort also has a Lighthouse, one of the oldest of it's kind in India. It used to emit light once in 7 minutes. In 1834 it was changed to emit light every 30 seconds... and then abandoned in 1976.

Lighthouse - erected in 1864 and the oldest of its kind in Asia

Another view of the Lighthouse...

1-2 HR can be spared for this visit.

Cheers! +1 if you like the post :-)

Dolphin Spotting @ Coco Beach, Goa

We went to this beach only for one purpose -- Dolphins!
(there are similar tours available from Miramar Beach, Panaji... we chose this one as it was on our way to Calungate/Baga)

narrow single lane road leading to the beach

The beach is quiet dirty and the water on the shore is not clean, so don't think of diving in... just take the tickets to the dolphin tour and hop in the boat :-)

the entrance to the beach ...

dirty beach..!

A view of Coco Beach from the Boat...

The Dolphin Spotting will cost you around Rs. 300 per head for 1 hr (which also includes some other attractions like Central Jail, some millionaire's Rs 80 Crore palace, view of Aguada Fort Lighthouse etc., but these are not worth)

Dolphin trip and other attractions!

Rs. 80 Crore Palace (Movie - Haseena Maan Jaayegi was shot here)

Coming to the Dolphins - not that great, fine if you missed it.

• There are approx. 10-12 boats floating over the water to spot the dolphin(s) (normally there are just 1-2 dolphins).
• Because of the crowd and roaring sound of 10-12 engines, dolphins wouldn't come up too often.
• You would be lucky if you'd spot one (and even more lucky if you get a pic)

Dolphin... !!

and she is going back ... too much crowded over here ;-)

1 HR can be spared for this visit if this beach is on your way.

Cheers! +1 if you like the post :-)