Taking that candid picture is never easy. You never know what pose will work, what angle will work, and most importantly what location will work. Today’s blog post will be helping you alleviate some of that frustration by suggesting a few places in the city for candid shots.
These are tried and tested locations that always work well. So, let’s get into it!

​1. Café
Cafés should be your go-to place for candid shots. Cafés are often really well designed and more importantly really well-lit these days. The lighting conditions are almost always ideal in a cafés. And cafés just add that little bit of culture to your candid shots. 

Explore your city and try to find small family-run cafés with good interior décor for that perfect candid shot. Smaller boutique cafés have a personality that you can’t find in corporate-run chain cafés.

​2. Public Parks
If you are in the mood to add some nature to your shots, then your best bet is the local public park. Depending upon your city, your local public park can have a lot of flora and fauna to make an excellent backdrop for your candid shots. 

The best part about a public park is that having a little shoot there is also refreshing and doesn’t feel like a chore.

​3. Public Library
If you are feeling a little nerdy then head straight for the public library. Again depending upon your city, your public library could either be a 200-year-old antique building or a modern minimalistic style building. Both styles of architecture have their own appeal. 

Grab a book and start capturing those candid shots. But be careful to not make too much noise or disturb other people. Not everyone is in a public library to get some candid shots. A lot of people are there to study.

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Squirrels have a very impactful presence on the scenery in any urban environment. These small furry mammals make the city look more alive and natural. But did you know that not all squirrels in the city are the same?

In fact, squirrels that inhabit urban environments can be of different types. Let’s look at some of the more common types of squirrels that you can come across during your photography walks in the city.
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1. Tree squirrels
Tree squirrels, also known as Sciurus are the bushy-tailed squirrels that we have come to associate with how generic squirrels look. This is because Sciurus is very common throughout the world. You can find these from North America to most of Europe and Asia.

Tree squirrels are a common sight in a city. They usually live on trees and can be seen around trees gathering food like acorns and nuts. The best place to find them will be in a park that has a lot of trees.
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2. Tamias
Tamias is a type of chipmunk that comes under the squirrel family. These cute-looking mammals only have a single living species left. That is the eastern chipmunk.  They have puffy cute faces and are very small as compared to other types of squirrels. 

Tamias are known to collect and store food for winter use. Hence their name Tamias, which is Greek for steward or Treasurer. These cute little chipmunks aren’t there to look cute, they have a lot of work to do.
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3. Prairie dogs
Prairie dogs are a type of ground burrowing squirrels. These are native to the grasslands of North America. In cities, you can find them inside parks. But instead of living on trees, they make small burrows in the ground.

​They are usually larger in size than regular squirrels. They can grow to be between 12 to 16 inches long. Prairie dogs are very social animals and live in large colonies.
 
4. Ground squirrels
Like Praire Dogs, ground squirrels also make their homes inside small burrows in the ground. Ground squirrels have a few types as well. And some can grow to be as long as 30 inches. 

While ground squirrels prefer to live in open pastures and sparsely wooded hillsides. You can also find them inside parks in cities and other grassy areas like golf courses.

​5. Flying squirrels
These airborne mammals are certainly the most interesting of the bunch. Despite their name, flying squirrels don’t actually have the capability of flight like birds. Instead, they glide from one tree to the next. But calling them gliding squirrels doesn’t sound as cool as flying squirrels. 

Species of flying squirrels can be found across most of North America and Central Asia. While they love to live in wooded areas. They can also be found inside cities now as their habitats are destroyed by expanding cities.

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Phones have become the primary camera for the majority of people these days. In fact, a lot of professionals prefer to use smartphone camera’s over DSLRs and professional photography cameras. The main reason behind this shift is that smartphone cameras have become very good over the years. And they are also very convenient and portable.

Having said that, not all smartphone cameras are created equal. Some are obviously better than others. In today’s blog post, we will be looking at some of the best phones you can get for photography in 2022. But do keep in mind that it can get a little expensive if you want the best of the best. 

5. iPhone 12 Pro

Although not the latest iPhone on the market, iPhone 12 Pro still packs a punch. The phone came out back at the end of 2020. The iPhone 12 Pro came with an excellent triple camera unit. This has an ultra-wide, a wide, and a telephoto lens. The front-facing or selfie camera is a 12 MP sensor as well with True depth technology. 
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But the best part about iPhones and their cameras isn’t the hardware but the software. iPhone 12 Pro supports Apple’s new Apple ProRAW file format. This results in excellent picture quality.

4. Google Pixel 6 Pro

​The official phone by Google is known for one thing and one thing only, its picture quality. And just like Apple’s iPhones, Google Pixel has amazing picture quality because of its superior image processing software. The hardware on the spec sheet may not look impressive but the pictures sure will. 

Google Pixel 6 pro carries the tradition of providing excellent photo quality, especially in low light conditions. The latest pixel ships with Google’s Tensor chip, which is designed to take advantage of the latest developments in A.I. This is also implemented in the camera app of the Pixel 6 Pro. The result is unbeatable picture quality.

3. Sony Xperia 1 III
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If there was one phone that you could truly replace a professional DSLR camera, it would be Sony Xperia 1 III. The phone is the preferred smartphone of choice if you want to get really technical with your photography.  

The Sony Xperia 1 III offers excellent photo quality and expert control. Making it an ideal alternative to a professional camera. But it does cost a little more than the competition.

2. Samsung S22 Ultra
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Samsung’s latest flagship, the S22 Ultra packs a punch. And no one should expect anything less than that. This phone ships with a 108-megapixel rear camera that offers unparallel picture quality. 

The camera suite on the S22 ultra offers a wide range of options from an ultra-wide with a 120-degree field of view to a 10-times zoom telephoto lens.

1. iPhone 13 Pro

​This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Apple’s latest flagship, iPhone 13 pro. The iPhone 13 pro honors Apple’s long-held tradition of providing the best photo quality possible with a smartphone camera. 

Apple has continued with the last generation design of the triple camera setup. But the sensors have been upgraded, so the resulting pictures are even more pretty this time. If budget is not an issue, iPhone 13 Pro is a no-brainer for anyone interested in taking pictures.

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Azerbaijan might not be a glorious tourist spot like Thailand or Greece, but it offers its own unique beauty, culture, and heritage. Located in the beating heart of the Caucasus, Azerbaijan is quite different from your other tourist destinations.
Azerbaijan is a former Soviet state, so its architecture still has that utilitarian aesthetic going for it. Now combine that with the fact that Azerbaijan has a very deep Islamic history. The country is a melting pot of medieval Islamic architecture blending in with the soviet aesthetic.

5. Shamakhi
The historical city of Shamanki was a history that is 2 and half millennia old. Formerly It was the capital of the Shirvan Empire. Making it a central hub to connect central Asia with India and China. 

The main attraction in Shamakhi is its medieval ruins and the crumbling Gulistan fortress. The Gulistan fortress almost dates back 1000 years.

4. Lankaran
The town of Lankaran is a very welcoming site for tourists as it is considered a resort town with a lot of facilities. There are many points of interest in Lankaran like the old lighthouse, the old prison, and the Lankaran forest. 

Since Lankaran is a coastal city, so you can also head down to the beach to enjoy yourself.

3. Quba
If you are looking to roam around in ancient mountain villages and explore the ancient streets, Quba is the place to go. 

Quba sits comfortably about 1969 feet above sea level and with slopes of the Shahdag Mountains. If fresh mountain air, local culture, and natural beauty are what you are looking for; head for Quba.
 
2. Ganja
Ganja is another very historically important city in Azerbaijan. 

Here you will experience a flashback of Azerbaijan's history as you can roam around buildings as old as the 6th century. From mosques to caravanserai to churches, Ganja has everything.

1. Baku
The capital of Azerbaijan and one of the main tourist hotspots in the country, Baku is famous for the clash of its historical heritage with soviet remanences. 

But Baku offers much more than its history. The new oil money has allowed it to become an economic center and the skyline of Baku has considerable modern skyscrapers as well. From its street café scene to historical sites, Baku has a little of everything.
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Japan, the nation of the rising sun is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. From its picturesque mountains to glowing valleys, Japan offers a totally surreal experience.
But Japan isn’t just known for its unparalleled natural beauty. Japan also offers a very unique urban landscape inspired by thousands of years of culture and heritage. When that blends in with the natural beauty of the country and Japan’s modern industrialized aesthetic. You truly get a very unique experience to capture on camera while in Japan.

5. Kobe

The port city of Kobe offers a perfect blend of the sea and the mountains. The city is located between the sea and the Rokko mountains. The streets are filled with both traditional and contemporary aesthetics. 

You can visit the all-marble Jain Temple during the day and go on top of Kobe Port Tower to watch the sun go down at sunset.

4. Kanazawa

Kanazawa is one of the few cities that survived the horrors of World War II. So that is why it has retained its ancient architecture. If you want to truly experience 16th-century Japanese architecture, then Kanazawa is the place to go. 

Things you should see when in Kanazawa are the 16th-century Kanazawa castle and its beautiful gardens. And if you are into the samurai culture and history then the Nagamachi Samurai District is the place you want to be.
Other places like Higashi Geisha District are also famous tourist spots.

3. Fukuoka

Another port city, Fukuoka is famous for its Mitama Festival. People light about 6000 lanterns at the Gokoku Shrine to welcome the spirits of the dead while the taiko drums play in the background.
You can visit the Tochoji Temple which has the largest sitting Buddha statue in all of Japan. Or visit the artificial beach near Momochi seaside. 

At night you can take a cable car to the top of Mount Sarakura to get a beautiful view of the city.

2. Osaka

Osaka wasn’t as lucky as some of the other cities in Japan and saw heavy bombing during world war II. But it was quickly built after the war and has its own style of charm to it. Compared to other cities on this list, Osaka might look a little rural. 

It may not have a lot of historical spots, but the city offers underlying beauty that needs to be experienced.

1. Tokyo

Tokyo, the epicenter of everything Japan is known for, rich culture, history, and technological prowess. Visiting Tokoyo you will get to experience all of that and much more. 

From the Electric Town areas to the Sensoji Shrine and the Imperial Palace. Tokyo offers the full Japanese experience if you are short on time. Just don’t forget to view the Cherry Blossoms or Sakura when you are in Tokyo in spring. That is a one-of-a-lifetime experience.

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Are you planning to visit a famous tourist spot for your next photography run? If your answer was yes, then you have come to the right place. Today I will try to convince you why it is a good idea to visit tourist hotspots during the off-season.
While this may sound a little counterintuitive, hear me out first. Then you can make up your mind if it is a good idea or not. So let us get into the reasons why visiting a tourist hotspot during the off-season is a good idea. 


It’s cheaper
While this may not come as a surprise to anyone reading this. It is still something that people put at the bottom of their priority list when planning a trip. You don’t go on vacation every day, so why not splurge a little? But the reality is sometimes, spending that extra cash doesn’t give you the value you deserve. 

As most of the time, tourist spots offer a very similar experience no matter the season. The pyramids of Giza are going to look the same in both summer and winter. So why not save a little money. 

It’s more peaceful
Personally, this is one of the most important benefits of going somewhere during the off-season. It’s less busy, meaning fewer people around. It allows you to truly visit all the important hotspots without other people getting in your way. 

What’s the point of going to a beautiful vacation spot, only to get bombarded with a rush of other tourists. Going off-season means fewer people, which means you can easily enjoy spots that would otherwise be either inaccessible during rushy times of the year.

You get to take that perfect shot
And finally, the most important benefit of going off-season to a tourist hotspot is that you can take that perfect shot. If you go to a famous tourist spot during the off-season, you will almost always find it devoid of other tourists. So you can easily take those perfect shots you wanted to.
No need to wake up in the middle of the night to try to beat the horde of tourists in the morning or photoshop people from your shot. 

​Talking about editing pictures, try the Urban Jungle Photo Editor to work on your next batch of vacation photos. Now available on the App Store.
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Urban Jungle just recently got an overhaul and we can’t be more excited to share more about it with you. Update 4 of the urban Jungle brought with it new content and features.

​This blog post will briefly go through some of the major changes brought with the new update. So you are up to date with the new changes to your favorite photo editing application on the App store.

When you power up the Urban Jungle application now, you will be greeted with a newly refreshed home page.  

Now it’s, even more, easier to add pictures from your own photo gallery to the Urban Jungle Photo editor. While you are at it, you can check out our Instagram page by clicking on Getting Started. 
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​Controlling the shadows is now even more intuitive now. Simply select the inverted triangle icon and drag it around to adjust the shadows for objects. 

​Another exciting new feature in Urban Jungle Photo Editor is the option to import custom layers. Now you can add your own layers to the Urban Jungle app. Just make sure the layers are square with alpha transparency to be compatible with the Urban Jungle app. 

​The project page has also been updated with a new look. You can find everything you loved about Urban Jungle and much more in the menu at the bottom of the page. 

​One of the great new features is the ability to add realistic water to your projects. There is so much you can do with the Urban Jungle app now. 

​You can explore all these new features yourself by downloading the Urban Jungle Photo Editor. Available on the Apple App Store.

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​Urban Photography is similar to other photography in many ways, but at the same time, some unique tips will help you land that perfect urban shot. 
Here are some tips for Urban photography that will be helpful for people just getting into urban photography.

4. Use natural light to your advantage  

​While this is true for almost any type of photography, it is even more important for urban areas. This is because if you don't account for lighting direction and intensity, your photographs will turn out dark and unappealing.  

​You want to make sure that the natural light is working for you and highlighting the object of your photography. And it is not working against you by overexposing or underexposing the thing you are trying to photograph.

3. Include People and movements in your shots

​A common mistake a lot of make when clicking pictures in the urban jungle is to totally ignore the people. They will go to great lengths to exclude the people and the hustle-bustle of the city. When in fact, people are what makes the urban environment lively. 

​Try to include as many candid pictures of people and the general movement of the city. This adds authenticity to your
photographs.

2. Talk to locals and explore the city   

​If you are visiting a totally new city, it is always a great idea to talk to the locals and explore the city. Just don't flock to the most generic tourist spots. Often, the city's most authentic beauty isn't in the limelight by being famous tourist spots. But instead, you might find it the streets of the city.  

​Explore the city, find new spots. This adds creativity and authenticity to your shots.

1. Take advantage of Golden hour for your shoot
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​The golden hour for photography is your best friend. This is the time of the day that is best for outdoor photography. This is the one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset. At this time, the light isn't as sharp, and you will get amazing shots. 

​Make sure you are outside and taking photographs during the golden hour.

Use the Urban Jungle Photo Editor to combine your Jungle pictures with your urban clicks for a splash for creativity.
Download it now for free on the Apple app store.

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When you think about small canals flowing through a city, streets, where people travel more by small boats than cars, the first city that comes to mind is Venice, Italy. It is a picturesque town in southern Italy.
But what many people don't know is that Venice isn't the only beautiful canal town in the world. This article will explore other Venetian-style cities that are not Venice themselves. Unsurprisingly a lot of the cities on this list will be in Europe.  
5. Beirut, Lebanon
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Beirut Lebanon is an excellent amalgamation of middle eastern architecture with Greek and Roman influences. There is something for everyone in Beirut, from the ancient Roman baths to beautiful mosques and unique museums. 

​At night the city gains a life of its own. Go to a rooftop hookah bar, sip some green tea, and enjoy the night lights.

4. Doha, Qatar

Like most other middle eastern countries rich with oil wealth, Doha radiates a high-class lifestyle. From traditional middle eastern architecture to modern contemporary styles, you can see it all in Doha. Places like the Museum of Islamic Art is must-visit sight. 

​If you are getting tired of exploring the various architectural wonders in the city. You can visit the many scenic beaches in Doha for a tranquil middle eastern experience. Doha will also be hosting the Fifa World Cup in 2022, bringing new world recognition to this middle eastern beauty.

3. Isfahan, Iran

​The ancient city of Isfahan has been inhabited by humans since the old stone era. The city is old as humanity itself. And that means it has lasted hundreds of different civilizations and cultures. And this is what makes Isfahan a truly spectacular sight to see. From old ruins of the Persian empire to influences of Hellenistic culture that was brought by Alexander the Great. 

Isfahan is truly a diverse city to explore, a boiling point of different cultures from all over the world. 

2. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

​The capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, is a unique city juxtaposed between tribal ruins and the epitome of modern architecture​

​From ancient Arabic forts to Kingdom center tower, you won't see this kind of range anywhere in the world.

1. Dubai, UAE

​A list recommending places to visit in the middle east can't be complete without talking about Dubai. Dubai is the center and often the symbol of middle easter oil wealth. From world-class F1 race tracks to sprawling beaches and huge skyscrapers. 

​If there is one city that blatantly radiates wealth and opulence, it would be Dubai. In fact, one of the largest celebrations in the city is their shopping Expo that attracts wealthy tourists from all over the world.

Use the Urban Jungle Photo Editor to combine your Jungle pictures with your urban clicks for a splash for creativity. Download it now for free on the Apple app store.

​Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on upcoming exciting new features. You can also get your pictures featured on our page if you use the #UrbanJungleApp.

While we like to think that humans only inhabit centers, that is actually not true in reality. We humans actually cohabitate urban spaces with different species from animal kingdoms. From birds to mammals, Urban wildlife has become part of city life. 
While some animals are native to particular geographic locations, other animals are universally common. Today we will be looking at some of the most common urban-dwelling animals. Since we have already covered some of the most common birds you can find in cities, this article will not include birds.

5. Monkeys
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Monkeys and other small primates might not be that common in the western world. But in the east, specifically, Asia, monkeys are a common sight in cities. Monkeys thrive in the urban environment, where there is plenty of food and a maze of a concrete jungle for them to play in. 

​Monkeys have adapted to live in urban centers in Asia, primarily out of necessity. This is a theme that you will see with all the animals on this list. As humans expand their cities, we start occupying spaces that belonged to native animals species for thousands of years. And those animals have to adapt and become part of this new normal for them. So if you are visiting South Asian and South Asian cities near large jungles, expect to see monkeys all over the place.

4. Dogs

Man’s best friend is quite a common sight in almost any city in the world. While species may vary depending on where you are, Dogs will permanently inhabit space near humans. For example, in colder regions of the world, you might find Dogs with oversized coats like huskies. While warmer climates will have dogs with little to no fur. 

Dogs have adapted to city life as well. Dogs raised in urban areas have a different demeanor from those raised in the wild. But dogs always add a new flair to the city they inhabit. This is why many cities around the world have dogs as their city mascots or have dogs on their city flags.​

3. Cats

Like dogs, cats are also a common sight in most urban areas around the world. You will find them in alleyways going through garbage or chasing other cats in the streets of most cities. 

​By living among humans for hundreds of years, these felines have acclimated to the complexities of urban life.

2. Rats/Mice

Where humans go, they somehow attract rats and mice with them. These little mammals’ little scavengers, feeding on the scraps left by humans. 

​You will find rats in dark alleyways and running around in parks on the hunt for food.

1. Squirrel  

​The Squirrel has become a symbol of urban and suburban life. They inhabit the trees in urban spaces and add a natural aesthetic to a city. 

​Among all the animals on this list, squirrels have the most positive outlook. They aren’t considered a nuisance by most people. Instead, most people find them a cute presence. If you want to photograph these tree-dwelling mammals, you will need to go to green spaces in the city. A place with lots of trees for them to jump around on.

Use the Urban Jungle Photo Editor to combine your Jungle pictures with your urban clicks for a splash for creativity. Download it now for free on the Apple app store.

​Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on upcoming exciting new features. You can also get your pictures featured on our page if you use the #UrbanJungleApp.