Kraków, Poland | Cinematic Travel Video | Historic Beauty & Timeless Streets | DJI OSMO Pocket 3

Experience the stunning beauty of Kraków, Poland through this cinematic travel video filmed on a DJI Osmo Pocket 3.

From the charming Old Town and Wawel Castle to the historic Kazimierz neighbourhood and Rynek Główny (Main Market Square), this film captures some of my travels in one of Europe’s most captivating cities.

📍 Featured Locations: Floriańska Street Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) St. Mary's Basilica Kazimierz (Jewish Quarter) Wawel Castle 👉 If you enjoyed this video, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more cinematic travel content!

📸 Follow me on Instagram: @james_bombales

🌐 Want to connect? Visit my website at jamesbombales.com or send a DM on Instagram!

Notre Dame de Paris before the Flames and Restoration

With the grand reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris last weekend (December 8th, 2024), I'm reflecting on my visit to this iconic French Gothic cathedral in 2018, just six months before the devastating fire. Stepping inside, I was in awe of its breathtaking architecture and the history that spans over 800 years. I remember climbing the winding stone staircase — narrow and worn by centuries of foot traffic — reaching the observation area and taking in the breathtaking views of the City of Light and all its other famous landmarks. From here, you were also able to view the intricate stonework and details of the structure up close including the renowned gargoyles and Eugène Viollet-le-Duc's magnificent spire.

While I was fortunate enough to be in Paris this year, the restoration of Notre Dame wasn't yet complete. However, I know I will return and witness this incredible symbol of resilience in person once again.

In celebration of its re-opening, I’ve dug through my photo archives and found a collection from my visit in 2018, some of which are available for prints. If you'd like to order or inquire any of these limited edition prints, please feel free to reach out to me at hello@jamesbombales.com.

Merci!

St Giles' Cathedral Engagement Photo Session

With its beautiful streetscapes, historic architecture and charming scenery, Edinburgh is no doubt one of the prettiest cities in the United Kingdom. It’s a great destination for history buffs and architecture/travel photographers with its many attractions and stunning landmarks along the Royal Mile. For the same reasons, Edinburgh is also great for portrait and engagement photos. 

I was recently in town on vacation with Natalie and Ethan – engaged friends of mine from London. While exploring the Royal Mile and taking in the sites, we managed to get a quick engagement photography session in. After all, what better location could you have for one?

There are plenty of spots that provide charming backdrops for engagement photography but we chose St. Giles Cathedral, located in the heart of the Royal Mile. While the cathedral’s main square is often crowded with tourists, we slipped into the side entrance where there was a quaint courtyard area. With the 12th century cathedral as our backdrop along with the surrounding building’s sandstone pillars and walls, combined with classic Edinburgh overcast weather, the setting was perfect for a shoot.

Highlights from the 2023 Canadian International Autoshow

After a two-year hiatus, the Canadian International Autoshow (CIAS) is back for 2023. As a car enthusiast and photographer, I've always loved the autoshow. It was always exciting to see the latest tech and designs the manufacturers had to offer and experience them up close without having to visit several dealership. Not to mention the concept cars and dreamy exotics that are always a crowd pleaser. Although this year’s show was missing several manufacturers (due to supply shortages and shifting marketing strategies), the 2023 CIAS featured a great collection of super cars, EVs and unique exhibits and experiences including the Cobble Beach Classic’s 75 Years of Porsche, Camp Jeep and an EV test drive track.

Here are some highlights from the show. 

Auto Exotica

Concept Cars

New Cars

Special Exhibits

Test drive and photoshoot with the all-new fully electric Volkswagen ID.4

With electric cars becoming more popular and charging infrastructure growing, the automotive industry is in the midst of another major revolution. While companies like Tesla have made EVs more desirable with sleek styling and sports car level acceleration, they remain unaffordable to the masses — especially popular SUV models. Volkswagen hopes to change that with the introduction of the all-new ID.4. 

© James Bombales

Priced from CAD $44,995, the ID.4 offers SUV styling and functionality at a more affordable price point that qualifies for federal and provincial government EV rebates. The four-door SUV is part of VW’s new generation of ‘Intelligent Design’ (ID), fully electric vehicles based on a modular design platform shared with the upcoming Audi Q4 e-tron. 

© James Bombales

The ID.4 features an 82-kWh battery with an impressive 400 kilometre range and can charge up to 80% in 40 minutes, using a Level 3 DC charger. An AWD model with 295 hp will join the model range in the future but for now the ID.4 comes with a single motor delivering 201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque to the rear axle.

© James Bombales

Volkswagen Canada gave me the keys to an ID.4 in Mythos Black Metallic with the Statement Package (black roof, leatherette power seats, panoramic sunroof, 20” wheels and power tailgate), to try out before it hits the Canadian market this fall. So I hit the road and headed out on a little road trip and photoshoot traveling from Toronto to Ottawa. Keep scrolling to see more photos from my travels and to see my list of favourite (and least favourite) features of the ID.4.

© James Bombales

Highs

Exterior Design - The ID.4 features a handsome design characterized by clean lines, elegant curves and a classic SUV shape that strikes a nice balance between form and function. I also like the attention to detail seen in the design of the LED projector headlights, the slick 20” Drammen wheels and the illuminated front VW badge.

© James Bombales

Ride - The ID.4 combines a smooth and refined ride quality with a silent cabin, aside from some cool/weird spaceship-like artificial sound for pedestrian safety. Acceleration is decent with a 0-60 mph time of 7.6 seconds, but those looking for a little more muscle may want to wait for the AWD model, which is expected to be at least two seconds quicker. I was also surprised by the ID.4’s tight turning circle of only 10 metres, making it very easy to maneuver around town.

© James Bombales

Fast charging and range - The ID.4 has an estimated range of 400 kilometres on one charge. The car’s battery has a peak charging rate of 125 kW meaning it can charge from 5% to 80% in an estimated 38 minutes according to Volkwsagen. It’s great for road trips because you can make a quick rest stop, have a bite to eat or use the bathroom while the car adds another 100 kilometres in range in around 10 minutes. This allows you to hop on towards the next charging station without having to wait for it to fully charge in one stop. 

I only wish Ontario had a larger network of DC Level 3 chargers (especially ones that are free!). Petro Canada and Electrify Canada stations are equipped with chargers that can charge up to 350kW, but I found that most of the (free) Level 3 chargers I used reached peak charging rates of only 24 to 40kW. Ofcourse this is less of an issue if you have a Level 2 home charger as the ID.4 can be fully charged overnight.

© James Bombales

ID Light - The ID Light is an LED strip that runs the length of the ID.4’s dashboard at the base of the windshield. It’s an intuitive light bar that gives visual cues to things like incoming calls, brake warnings and navigation instructions. Combined with the LED ambient lighting, the ID.4s interior is well-lit and feels very modern.

Exterior LEDs - Like its interior, the ID.4’s exterior light game is strong, starting with a distinct front fascia that features LED headlights, light bar and even an illuminated VW badge, which caught the attention of many Tesla and Mach-E drivers at the chargers. 

At the sides, path lighting is emitted by an LED light under the side mirrors, while at the rear is a slim LED light bar that looks slick, especially from a ¾ view. 

© James Bombales

Interior details and storage - Designed for families, the ID.4 offers plenty of storage space throughout the cabin. A moveable cup holder can swallow most grande frappuccinos and can be stored inside the centre console should you wish to use the front compartment as a storage area. 

The seats are very comfortable and mine were covered in a light-grey, vegan-friendly leatherette trim with a cool hexagon pattern and ‘ID.’ badging. The rear of the front seats has your typically map pocket but it also boasts a smaller smartphone-sized pocket just below the headrest. 

Lows

Dashboard - Volkswagen has gone with a very minimalist design when it comes to the dashboard. While I appreciate minimalist design, I wish the ID.4 took a few more design cues from the existing line of Volkswagen cars. For example, the instrument pod mounted on the steering column is small, isn’t customizable and doesn’t show that much information, unlike the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit available in cars like the Tiguan and Arteon.

© James Bombales

Infotainment system and controls - The dashboard’s minimalist design means that most controls have been moved into the infotainment system. That includes commonly used functions such as climate controls, seat heaters and a volume touchpad slider instead of a no-nonsense volume knob. I also found the system to be a little buggy at times and slow to respond including the voice controls and virtual assistant. I drive a BMW 330i that answers to ‘Hey BMW’ about 95% of the time, but I could never get the ID’s attention. Luckily, the ID.4 includes wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

© James Bombales

I like the design of the steering wheel and the touch-sensitive controls with haptic feedback are cool, but I found them to be over-sensitive at times. For example, when backing into a parking spot or parallel parking, my hand would often touch the controls and inadvertently change the radio station. 

Another feature I didn’t love was the design of the rear window controls. Instead of four dedicated power window switches, the ID.4 only has two switches to control all four windows. You have to toggle between the front and rear windows by pushing a ‘rear window’ button. Why the extra step? 

No frunk - Many electric cars are known for having extra storage space where the engine would usually be. Unfortunately, the ID.4 has a bunch of vehicle components under the hood so you miss out on that extra practicality.

Overall, I really enjoyed my time with the ID.4. It looks good, it’s sized right and it’s priced right. It’s really exciting to see the next wave of electric cars and SUVs coming out with better range, faster charging rates, sleeker styling and MSRPs that more people can afford.

More photos from my time with the Volkswagen ID.4 below.

All images © James Bombales

8 tips for taking better photos of your home

Photos: James Bombales

(Originally published in Livable.com)

Whether you’re selling your home or want to show off a newly decorated space to friends and family, you need to take sharp, well-composed photos that show your home’s appeal. Hiring an experienced professional is always an option (especially if you’re selling a pricey property) but if you’re on a tight budget or just want to share your space on Instagram, you may want to tackle the task yourself. To help you get started, we’ve compiled 8 simple tips to follow to capture the perfect Instagram-able home photo.

1. Declutter your space

There’s nothing worse than taking the perfect photo of your space only to notice a distracting object in the foreground or background after your shoot. Spend some time on decluttering and organizing to save yourself a headache and having to retake the shot. Some things to look out for while prepping include remote controls on the coffee table, crooked lampshades, children’s toys on the floor and electrical cords.

2. Stage the scene

Beyond removing objects and decluttering, you should add some decorative elements to create a sense of style and visual interest. This doesn’t mean you have to go out and purchase a new couch or coffee table. Little things like filling a bowl with fresh fruit, adding a vase with flowers or turning on a fireplace can add warmth or vibrancy to a scene.

3. Compose your shot

Before you press that shutter release, take a few minutes to carefully plan and compose your photo. Think about what you want the photo to say or the mood you want to convey. Use simple photography techniques like the rule of thirds by visually dividing the scene into two horizontal lines and two vertical lines. Then position the subject(s) along those lines or at the points where they intersect. This creates a composition that’s more interesting and pleasing to the eye compared to having the subject directly in the centre of the frame. And don’t be afraid to move furniture or position yourself in various spots to get the composition you want.

4. Use a tripod

Blurry photos caused by camera shake are a photographer's worst nightmare. No matter how steady you think your hands are, indoor light conditions are rarely ideal for handheld photos. At first glance the image on your camera’s small LCD screen might look sharp, but zooming in may reveal motion blur caused by a slower shutter speed that allows more light to hit the sensor. To make sure your photos are always clean and sharp, use a tripod or place your camera on a flat, sturdy surface. And make sure to activate your camera’s timer as even the slightest movement -- like your finger pressing the shutter release -- can cause a little bit of shake.

5. Use as much natural light as possible

Indoor lights can cast unwanted shadows and create white balance issues caused by incandescent light bulbs so it’s best to use natural light whenever possible. Make sure to open up curtains, raise blinds and try to shoot during the day. If it’s still too dark, you may need to use a flash. But beware of using the on-camera flash; they’re not powerful enough to properly light a room and often create unattractive shadows. In these cases, try to use fixtures like LED pot lights that emit a cooler (less yellow) color temperature or an inexpensive LED light panel to fill in dark corners.

6. Shoot at a lower height

When you’re taking a photo, your natural inclination is to take it from eye level while in a standing position. But when you’re shooting an interior scene, a standing position will cause you to tilt the camera down which skews the verticals and creates image distortion. Instead, lower your tripod and use your camera’s level to shoot straight and even at the subject.

7. Mind your mirrors (and other reflective surfaces)

You don’t have to spend a lot of time on scrolling through home listings to find some bad real estate photography. A common mistake is seeing the photographer’s reflection in a bathroom mirror or glare from a camera flash. To avoid this, try shooting from a different spot in the room or kneel down to avoid the mirror above a bathroom vanity.

8. Use a wide angle lens but don’t be afraid to get up close

Wide angle lenses are great for interior photography since wider shots allow you to capture the entire space while providing a better sense of depth and detail. However, don’t forget to shoot vignettes and closeups, especially if you want to highlight a particular object or feature of your home.

In order to get the silky smooth blurred background (ie. bokeh) that photographers crave, set your camera to aperture priority mode and shoot at a wider aperture by setting a lower f-stop. Aperture is essentially the hole or opening within a lens that allows light to travel into the camera and its sensor. A wider aperture lets in more light creating a photo with a shallower depth of field where everything behind your subject is out of focus and blurred.