I think you can tell a lot about a person by how they use their mobile phone. Someone who says their phone is primarily used for checking email might be a bit of a workaholic, while someone constantly sending texts is probably a social butterfly. There might even be a few people who still use their phones to make calls — a function that’s easy to overlook. Another common use is likely to be “for taking pictures and videos.” In fact, this might just be the most revolutionary response when it comes to the world of travel.
Certainly, these little computers we carry in our pockets are important for researching travel and even what we choose to do while we travel (think Yelp, for instance), but the implication of everyone walking around armed with cameras cannot be overstated — especially for travel. Younger generations will never know what it is like to not have a camera handy whenever they see something that interests or inspires them (let alone to not have film to put in that camera). Experts talk about the democratization of ideas — when something that was once reserved for the few becomes readily accessible to the majority, and how this process changes society. Certainly, we have seen this happen with photography over the past decade or so and, as a result, visual images have become a much greater part of how we experience the world.
Today, every traveler has the potential to take a great photo and, to emphasize this point, we are holding our third annual Reader Photo Contest. Readers should submit their favorite photos, in the highest resolution possible, to us by Dec. 6. The winning photograph will receive a $200 American Express gift card and will be featured on an upcoming cover of TravelAge West. Second and third place winners will receive $100 American Express gift cards and will be featured in an upcoming issue as well. To submit an original photo, readers must email photos to [email protected]. Contestants may send multiple entries, but please send only one photo per email. For complete rules, visit TravelAgeWest.com/PhotoContest.
I’m willing to bet that you have an all-time favorite shot you just love. Here’s your chance to share it with the world.
