How to pack a Suitcase

Many of us over pack for our holidays- 40 per cent of women admit taking too many shoes, for instance. Some ideas to let you squeeze more in and help them arrive in good shape:

Place Heaviest Items.
Such as shoes and denim, at the bottom.

Leave dresses
in dry cleaning bags and fold them at the waist. If packing more than one, pile them up and fold.

Turn suit jackets
inside out and fold in half along the body. Fold suit trousers along the crease.

Avoid coloured tissue paper.
If the luggage gets damp, colours could run.

Roll knits
rather than folding them. Takes up less room and avoids wrinkles. Ditto for cotton items and ties.

Zip-lock bags
work well for T-shirts and jumpers. Press out the air and seal.

Put beauty products
into small bottles. You can always leave them behind.

Fill handbags
with socks and underwear. It saves space and keeps their shape.

Vanessa Friedman - http://www.rd.com/

CAPTURING THE MAGIC

Professional Tips For Memorable Holiday Pics:


Plan Ahead

Imagine shots you might want to take. Will you need a wide-angle lens?
Should you set out with a change of clothes or rock-hopping footwear in a spare bag?
Knowledge inspires creativity, so do some research on your locale.

Time The Light

Early Morning gives a warm, golden light. For the bright, contrasting light in the middle of the day, use a wide-angle or telephoto lens. When the sun is vertical, create graphic images by using shadows. Try trees, lattice work on a wall or a human form.

Weather Equals light

Learn how to read a weather map. When travelling for pictures of the mountains, choose an overcast day. The light will then be distributed evenly for your pictures of waterfalls, forests and plants. Have some sense of the seasons if the vegetation is to be part of your photographs. Travel in spring to capture splendid wildflowers and wildlife.

Helen Chryssides - http://www.rd.com/