Photo of the day (12.23.10)

Just one shopping day left until Christmas, maybe two if you want to push it. Even if you aren’t gift shopping, festive holiday decorations and frustrated holiday shoppers are everywhere. Flickr user jrodmanjr snapped this shot at San Francisco’s Union Square in the reflection of a tree ornament. It’s a beautiful composition and cleverly captures the festive street scene and shoppers (hopefully not seeing red).

Have any photos of other festive scenes to share? How about adding them to the Gadling group on Flickr? We might just choose one of your shots as our Photo of the Day.

Photo of the Day (12.20.10)

There’s nothing more frustrating on a road trip then getting stuck behind a slow-moving bus or truck that you are unable to pass. Not only are they holding you up, but after a few miles (or worse, a few hours), you simply just get sick of seeing the exact same vehicle in front of you. The only saving grace is if, when you finally do get to pass, the driver of that massive vehicle honks the horn and waves.

I suppose the scenery made being stuck behind a bus slightly more tolerable for Flickr user Michael in TN, who took this photo in beautiful Denali National Park. Still, I have a sneaking suspicion he passed that bus the first chance he got.

Taken any great photos during your road trips? Why not add them to our Gadling group on Flickr? We might just pick one of yours as our Photo of the Day.

Photo of the day (12.17.10)

Today’s whimsical Photo of the Day was snapped in Sofia, Bulgaria, by Flickr user BaboMike. I’m not sure what’s most appealing here–is it the meticulous representation of the policeman’s reflective jacket? His strange, tiny eyes? His diminutive traffic sign? Could it be the nicely rendered trash can the policeman is floating over? Or is it the juxtaposition of these with the blue tag and the black lettering? (And while I’m posing questions, does that “WTF” mean what I think it does?)

There is enjoyment in simply not understanding the significance of the visual material we encounter in our travels, and this principle applies to the above image. Still, I’m curious. Anyone in Bulgaria or elsewhere care to offer an intepretation of any element shown above?

Got an image somewhere of particularly awesome graffiti? Upload it to the Gadling Flickr pool and it might just end up as a future Photo of the Day.

[Image: Flickr | BaboMike]

Photo of the day (12.16.10)


What charmed me about this photo from Thimphu, Bhutan, other than the pleasant colors and lines, was the caption. Flickr user AndreaKW translated the suggestion box’s Dzongkha script as literally “thoughts box” and I love the idea, much less pressure than coming up with constructive suggestions. A thoughts box could have notes like “Next time, pack fewer shoes” or “Why don’t I ever eat meat on a stick at home?” or even the classic “Help! I’m trapped in a thoughts box!” The possibilities are endless, especially for traveler interaction, like the postcards from strangers project.

Have any photos to leave in our thoughts box? How about adding them to the Gadling group on Flickr? We might just choose one of your shots as our Photo of the Day.

Photo of the Day (12.14.10)


There’s been plenty of talk about blizzards and cold weather this week; so now it’s time for something different. Today’s Photo of the Day comes from the shores of France’s Cotes-d’Armor in Brittany.

Taken by Flickr user mlohninger, I especially like the element of playfulness and the way that the sun is used to backlight the subject. This use of lighting in combination with the wide angle lens help capture a moment that’s fun, natural, and cinematic.

Do you have playful shots with your significant other or favorite travel buddy? Share them in Gadling’s Flickr Pool! It could be our next Photo of the Day.