ARTICLES

Social media has opened up the world to those of those who are unable to travel as frequently as we like. We can, from the comforts of home, travel the barren deserts of Mongolia, discover the prettiest gelato cones in Italy and navigate the souks of Morocco. But there are some places that social media...Read More

Here at Unusual Expedition, our tours can be a little… hardcore. From the icy seas of Antarctica to the plains of Africa teeming with wildlife, we love traveling to the ends of the world to experience life that is completely unlike that lived in our concrete jungle, but we also get that not everyone who...Read More

We are just back from our annual Guilin photography tour and wow, what a city. Despite having been so many times already, its tranquility and natural beauty never fails to impress. It’s reputation as one of the most beautiful places on earth is legit – just check out these photos. It is this scenery that draw millions...Read More

Now that the dust from getting through the first quarter of 2019 has settled, it’s time to consider the next three, specifically, where you’ll be going for vacation and most importantly, when. With most of us holding full time jobs, finding time to get away isn’t easy, which is why is important to be strategic...Read More

While we don’t travel just for the ‘gram, there’s no escaping the fact that the best moments of our trips inevitably end up on our feeds. Salt flats of Bolivia Whether you’re a professional photographer, budding travel blogger or just out to capture the wonders of the natural world, posting your photos online serve double...Read More

Longer days, warmer weather and low-season affordability, Spring is one of our favourite times to visit beautiful Tuscany. Home to rolling green hills, splendid vistas and of course, amazing wine, this springtime photography tour is our – understandably – most popular European getaway. Sunset over the Tiber Kicking off in Rome, our first shoot of...Read More

We are just 1 short month away from our annual photography tour to Guilin, aka one of the most beautiful places in the world. Home to idyllic sceneries that the tag “IG Worthy” doesn’t do justice, we look forward to this little slice of heaven every year. The meandering LiJiang river bathed in dusk’s splendour...Read More

Between air fare, accommodations, food and other miscellaneous costs (ahem, shopping), traveling can get expensive real quick! As a general rule of thumb, it is true that the further away from home you stray, the more you’re going to have to pay. We love our trips to Europe and Africa but sometimes, our finances just...Read More

Europe is spectacular during the autumnal months. Her landscapes blaze alive with golds, reds and oranges and despite the cooler temperatures, you are still blessed with the kiss of the sun. Over the years, we’ve seen plenty of Europe, from the rain-slicked cobblestoned streets of the East to the straight-out-of-a-fairy-tale, white powdered roofed villages of...Read More

Located at the southern most tip of the Americas, getting to Patagonia from Singapore is no easy feat. Well, it is of course, easy to board a plane and suffer through mind numbing on-board entertainment and ugh, airline food, but when you’ve traveled as much as we have, the hours start to feel like days...Read More

There is a reason why our Fall trip to Italy is one of our most popular tours – the landscapes. The colours of the fauna become a dramatic, rolling flame of rich reds and warm oranges, contrasting against the stark white, snow-capped peaks of the Dolomites mountain range in the distance. In the foreground, the...Read More

It’s that time of year where everyone seems to be posting winter wonderland snapshots of their vacations in Western Hemisphere, and for those of us who unfortunately, can’t away this time of year, we have to say, we’re more than a little jealous! The cold is admittedly, not fun for those who have to live through it,...Read More

Romantic, idyllic, and shrouded in mystery, Romania is a wonderful destination for not just photography, but for exploring as well. The southeastern European country is known for the forested region of Transylvania, home to the popular clifftop Bran Castle that has long been associated with the Dracula legend. Romania also boasts wonderfully preserved medieval towns...Read More

Sharing borders with Kazakstan, Russia and Mongolia, Northern Xinjiang is uniquely beautiful thanks to its geographical location. The Kanas Nature Reserve in particular boasts magnificent ecosystems formed by lakes, rivers, glaciers, forests and even grasslands, giving the entire area incredibly rich natural beauty. The Kanas Lake, located right in the middle of the reserve gets...Read More

The life of a photographer is a tiring and back-breaking one –especially if you tend to shoot outdoors more often. Between battling the elements and lugging your heavy gear all over the place, you soon realise how much of a workout outdoor photography can get! While all that effort makes the pay offs just so...Read More

Sometimes called “beginner’s Africa”, Namibia is one of the safer and more travel-friendly countries in Africa. There, you’ll be able to experience stunning safari landscapes, witness majestic wildlife in their natural habitat and meet the tribes that live the way they’ve always been for hundreds of years. There are even plenty of beaches and coastlines...Read More

Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region of China and shares its border with Mongolia. During fall (when we like to visit), the foliage flushes in the typical autumnal hues of yellows, reds and browns, lending the already-stunning landscape a fiery appearance. From her breathtaking scenery to friendly locals, Inner Mongolia is a great place for...Read More

Shooting at night is practically an art form, the way you hear some photographers go on about it! From exposure settings to metering to ISO, it is true that night photography isn’t always the easiest – in fact, some photographers even shy away from it thinking that there isn’t much to capture, or that it’s too tricky....Read More

Dealing with people is hard enough, but when you add a camera into the mix, it gets even trickier! Most people either shy away from the camera, or freeze up completely the minute they see the lens – which as you can imagine, does not make for great photos. Yet, some of the best photos...Read More

As the saying goes, “when it rains, it pours”… right? When it comes to photography, this probably holds true for many of you. A slight drizzle can feel like a raging thunderstorm and a thunderstorm well… you probably won’t even consider heading out to shoot! While this is possible if you are shooting leisurely or...Read More

We have been asked plenty of times, “is it worth traveling all that way just to see some snow and animals?” While we believe that travelling is always worth it, even it is just to a new city in your own country, we’ll let these pictures do the talking when it comes to our Antarctica tour. A...Read More

In the summer, especially if you’re shooting in Europe, the hours of daylight are much longer, which increases the chances of lens flare in your images. While strategically shot lens flares can add drama to your photos, on brighter days, they can also ruin photos. Here are our 5 tips on reducing or eliminating the...Read More

From Norway to Spain and Portugal to Ukraine, summer is arguably the best time to visit Europe. The weather is at its finest, the days are long, the wine is cheap and there are plenty of activities to engage in. However, it is also the most expensive and crowded time of the year to visit,...Read More

Ah summer – long days, lovely weather and all the aperol spritz you can drink. From the beach to the park to the mountains, everyone is travelling during this time of the year (unless you’re heading down under) and naturally, so are we! The long summer days means more hours of daylight for shooting and...Read More

We are known for our incredibly scenic tours to some of the world’s most exotic locations, from the stunning cliffside villages of Cinque Terre to the wild grasslands of Inner Mongolia. Landscape photography is definitely our “thing”, but we like changing it up once in a while. Our current tour (hello from Africa!) takes us...Read More

We live in a temperate paradise. It’s summer year round and annoying things like slippery icy pavements or frozen pipes don’t concern us. However, the heat and humidity can be suffocating, which is why many choose to hit the snowy slopes of Japan and Korea or brave the cold of Europe in search of a...Read More

Probably our most popular tour yet (and you can understand why), Italy is certainly a land that offers a myriad of splendours, from her stunning natural beauty, ancient architecture steeped in history and of course, fabulous meals cooked from recipes equally rich in history. It doesn’t matter which season you visit, because each time you...Read More

For some, travelling is about witnessing breathtaking landscapes, and others, it’s about the food and culture. Then there are those of us who travel to experience a different way of life; that which has been around from centuries past and remains unchanged despite the (sometimes invasive) inroads of the 21st century. Even though our tours...Read More

Known perhaps, as one of the most romantic islands on the planet, Santorini has had travellers spellbound for years with its well-known, picturesque landscapes. You’ve seen it before – blue-domed churches, whitewashed buildings and adorable, meandering cobblestone paths that all seem to lead toward adventure. It is probably one of the most laid-back photo tours...Read More

Here at Unusual Expedition, nature has a special place in our hearts. From the rolling, sun-drenched hills of Tuscany to the raw wilderness of Patagonia, landscape photography is kind of our ‘thing’. But we don’t forget our animal friends either because we love the challenge of wildlife photography and the opportunity to see them in...Read More

Lush, cool tea plantations juxtapose with fiery sauna-like metal workshops. An ancient temple dating back to the 9th century swarms with tourists wielding 21st century cameras and smartphones. Wonderful Indonesia is truly a study of contrasts, and being just 2 hours away by plane, makes Yogyakarta one of our favourite Asian photo tour destinations. A highlight...Read More

As travel photographers, we know how painful it is to cross continents while lugging tens of kilos of gear. The fear of exceeding our baggage allowance again and back muscles that scream for a massage ASAP having basically become a way of life, and yet, all the pain and anguish goes away the minute we’ve captured the...Read More

Don’t get us wrong, we love la belle France. From the amazing food to luxury fashion, it is no wonder that when we think Europe, we can’t help but immediately envision the Eiffel Tower glittering at night, priceless art hanging on the walls of the Louvre, wheels of cheese and bottles of wine. Yet, while we appreciate...Read More

If you’ve been following us on social media, you’ll probably have noticed that we were in Xiapu, aka home to one of the most charming fishing villages in all of China. We love visiting as it always feels like we’re stepping back into time, and despite the numerous visits over the years, not much has...Read More

Flash gel pack  Instantly add some drama or a unique perspective to your images without having to turn to long hours of post processing post-shoot. The best part about ExpoImaging’s Universal Flash Gels is that the Filter Kit cost less than a dinner out in town. These filters can cover even the largest flash head...Read More

A few weeks ago, we collaborated with Leica Akademie for our popular Italy tour and together with our expeditors, captured the best she has to offer. From the medieval seaside towns of Cinque Terre to the rolling plains of Tuscany, we aren’t sure what we miss more – the warm people, amazing food or jaw...Read More

As a photographer, we don’t need to tell you that the most important tool in your arsenal (apart from a good imagination) is your camera. Whether it’s a lower end $200 compact camera or the priciest DSLR available in the market, it is the most important and most expensive investment, so it makes sense that...Read More

Hi Abdul! Tell us about yourself and your family. I am 39 years old and have a passion for traveling and understanding the cultural lifestyle of people around the world. My wife, Siti shares a similar ideology. She dreamt of backpacking around Europe during her single days but didn’t get around to do it. We...Read More

In March this year, we set off for an adventure in Iceland and we were definitely not disappointed. We sought the Northern Lights and we saw the most spectacular display to date; we visited the diamond beach and we crossed terrains of pure ice. The climate is not forgiving, but the views we were rewarded...Read More

It’s that time of the year again – the sakuras are blooming and millions from around the world will descend upon the land of the rising sun in order to experience and photograph this millennial-pink natural wonder. If you too, are headed to Japan for cherry blossom season, here are some key tips to ensure...Read More

Vibrant, colourful and raw, Asia is home to some of the world’s most exciting and beautiful countries. While the softer light in the north does make for stunning landscape photos, and has more grand old buildings that create beautiful juxtaposition in street photography, any photographer worth his salt should include some Asian destinations in his portfolio....Read More

Every year, we head to India to witness and capture the colours of the Holi Festival, and 2018’s festivities felt even bigger and brighter than usual! Check out some photos from our trip.    Read More

You may have heard that we’ve partnered up with LEICA AKADEMIE for our upcoming Spring expedition to Italy, where we will visit start our trip in Rome before spending a bulk of our time in the romantic region of Tuscany and the medieval Cinque Terre villages, before ending our trip in artistic Florence. Here are...Read More

Maybe you got a drone as a Christmas gift last year, or maybe you dropped some of your CNY $$ on a brand new DJI Phantom – if you’re a beginner to the world of drones, take it from us that the best thing you can do for your expensive new toy is to educate...Read More

We were in Brazil for the famous annual Rio Carnival, where the streets of Rio De Janeiro came alive with dancers and revellers from the world over. The carnival is considered to be the largest in the world, with almost 2 million people on the streets… per day. We also made a detour to the...Read More

Now that you’ve mastered the art of winter photography, make the experience of shooting in freezing temperatures a pleasant one by equipping your photography kit with these essential accessories. Tripod leg warmers If you’ve ever been stuck to a metal pole during winter, you’ll know that the last thing you want is to have your...Read More

With a population of just 332,529, Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe, making it an ideal location to holiday if people aren’t your thing. That aside, there are 5 more reasons why we always head back every year. #1 The northern lights Did you know that because of Iceland’s location at the...Read More

Nestled within the African Great Lakes region, Tanzania is sometimes referred to as the ‘land of safaris’. She gets this moniker from the rich wildlife she houses; one can expect to see stampeding wildebeests, hippopotamuses cooling off in muddy waterways, elephants wandering in their majestic beauty across the plains, great cats on the hunt and...Read More

Even though we’re already 2 weeks in 2018, it’s not too late to reflect on the road ahead. Specifically, the road to becoming a better photographer than you were last year, because even for us professionals, the learning never stops! Here are 5 resolutions that we’re adopting this year. #1 Be less technical Yes, technique...Read More

If you’ve been following our Facebook page, you’ll know that we were in Antarctica over Christmas and New Year (talk about the ultimate celebration). From snowy beaches to massive glaciers to wildlife unique to the area, the 7th continent of the world definitely tops our list of unusual travel destinations. Check out our photos from...Read More

Film maker turned photographer David Lawrence Lim leads our Hokkaido photography tour and is known not only for his stunning photos, but patient and educational guiding style. With over 16 years’ experience in both photography and filmmaking, Unusual Expedition (and our clients!) is truly fortunate to have his keen eye and unparalleled creativity on our...Read More

We travel for many reasons, and for us, we especially love experiencing the various celebrations of different cultures. Allowing us an insight that mere sightseeing will never afford, here are 5 exciting events happening next year around the world that you should definitely start saving for. Holi Festival 2018 One of the most anticipated celebrations...Read More

We all have one friend or family member who is into photography. Whether they are hobbyists or professionals, they’ll never say ‘no’ a new gadget to add to their arsenal! Check out these 5 cool gift ideas for that photographer in your life. Lomography Smartphone Film Scanner Know someone who shoots film? Gift them this...Read More

In our last article, we covered some tips on breaking it into the photography industry. One tip discussed how crucial it is to have a portfolio that reflects who you are as a photographer, but the question is, where do you begin with so many portfolio hosting sites out there?  Check out our favourite 5...Read More

So you’ve made the decision, bought the gear and maybe even quit your comfortable, well-paying job in hopes of cutting it as a professional photographer – congratulations! The road ahead will not be easy, considering the advent of smartphone photography and the already incredibly saturated market, but not impossible. Here are some tips on photography for beginners, to help you get started. Tip...Read More

As travelers, we seek out different things during our trip. For some, it’s all about the exotics local foods where for others, it might be landscapes that are utterly unlike those seen at home. For many, it’s the opportunity to capture stories through the lens, so as to bring home tales to share with family...Read More

As a photographer, you might not think that working out is important in your line of work, but did you know that most professionals are at risk of slipped discs, muscle spasms, rotator cuff syndrome, tendinitis and even carpal tunnel? Photography is actually very physical, when you consider you spend plenty of time lugging around...Read More

Whether you’re a professional travel photographer in search of unchartered photographed territory, or a budding photographer looking to include spectacular snaps in your portfolio, check out these totally unique destinations for a once in a lifetime experience. Patagonia Surreal, wind-swept and rugged, Patagonia boasts an incredibly diverse countryside ranging from vivid green alpine meadows littered...Read More

Memories last a lifetime, but memories captured on film last for eternity. Whenever we travel, we seek to preserve some of the sights we experience– of mother nature’s boundless glory and customs and traditions completely foreign – through photography, whether it’s through the eyes of a professional, DLSR-wielding photographer or a backpacker with just an...Read More

You’ve likely heard of the Rule of Thirds, and while that is one of the key factors in achieving pleasing composition in a photo, it isn’t the only one. Take your photography to the next level with these helpful tips to improve your composition. Center dominant eye In portraiture, try positioning your subject’s dominant eye...Read More

From sun-kissed mountain ranges to magnificent seascapes, here are our tips on capturing the best landscape photographs. Invest in a wide-angle lens Landscape photography is a genre where you can use a wide range of lenses, from wide-angle to telephoto. Ultimately, the location and subject will always determine your focal length and technique, but having...Read More

As winter approaches, many of you might be planning a trip far up north to witness the magical spectacle that is the northern lights. These shimmering, dancing waves of light are surreal, and certainly a sight worth capturing! If you’re also planning on bringing your camera, check out these tips for the best shot at...Read More

Now that you’ve mastered the art of winter photography, make the experience of shooting in freezing temperatures a pleasant one by equipping your photography kit with these essential accessories. Tripod leg warmers If you’ve ever been stuck to a metal pole during winter, you’ll know that the last thing you want is to have your...Read More

Winter is a beautiful time of year where the grounds are dusted in pristine snow, evoking imagery of winter wonderlands. Winter photography can be exceedingly ethereal, but tricky to perfect, given lighting, exposure and reflections situations. Learn how the pros do it in time for your next winter getaway. Compensate for exposure Whether you’re trying...Read More