Going to be visiting Florida for a few weeks in late Dec. South Florida mainly, for family. Any recommendations for worthwhile areas to photograph and visit? Hidden gems. I will be staying the first two nights in Miami around little Havana.
A couple of suggestions: Morikawi Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach (not too far a drive but worthwhile), Villa Vizcaya, Fairchild Gardens and the Everglades at Shark Valley.
Your relatives, if like most residents around Miami, most likely keep air conditioning in home at sub arctic temperatures, causing condensation on camera and lens when taken outdoors. Keep camera in case and wait awhile before opening to take pictures. I am not much of a tourist photographer, but the Miami- Fort Lauderdale are has interesting shops and markets frequented by locals. There are always interesting things to photograph...even relatives.
I was on the gulf side, near Fort Meyers, so things might be different on the ocean side, but I had a great time at a number of parks and bird sanctuaries. From the standpoint of photographing nature, the tropical and subtropical environments were beautiful, and a bit surreal compared to my experience as a desert rat.
Your relatives, if like most residents around Miami, most likely keep air conditioning in home at sub arctic temperatures, causing condensation on camera and lens when taken outdoors. Keep camera in case and wait awhile before opening to take pictures. I am not much of a tourist photographer, but the Miami- Fort Lauderdale are has interesting shops and markets frequented by locals. There are always interesting things to photograph...even relatives.
It's stone crab season. If you have never had them before be sure to try them. As far as restaurants go it depends on what you like and how much you want to spend on dining. While not the grandeur of Alberta, there are plenty of photography opportunities around the Miami area as have been mentioned. Traffic in Miami can be frustrating especially since using turn signals is a rarity .
On a weekday, drive down to Key West in the morning for a long day trip or an overnight stay. At Florida City, be sure to break off from US 1 and take Old Card Sound Road, which is the old road to Key West. Stop at Alabama Jack's for lunch. Make sure you go all the way down to Key West, as the lower Keys are far more beautiful than the upper Keys. Bahia Honda State Park, about 40 miles before Key West, is very nice and has a small but top-ranked beach. And, of course, Key West itself offers beautiful street photography.