Flickr Freshens Up, But Is It Still Tops for Travel Photos?

I recently got back from a trip through the American Southwest with Budget Travel’s associate photo editor, Whitney Tressel. Along the way, I was struck by one persistent question: how in the world do you find those amazing vantage points for postcard–worthy sunset shots, mountain vistas, and skyline panoramas? With apps and guidebooks and websites, you’re never more than a few clicks away from a restaurant recommendation, hotel pick, or list of can’t–miss attractions. But I’ve never managed to find a similar source for views. During our trip, we picked up a few tips that helped Whitney get those beautiful shots (which you’ll be seeing in issues later this year!). Talk to the person at the local camera shop: Those people selling you memory cards and camera cases? Turns out many of them are amazing photographers! Don’t miss the chance to pick their brains. While in Sedona, Arizona, we stopped into Rollie’s Camera Shop for supplies. We casually mentioned that we were looking for great views, and Jennifer behind the counter gave us a guidebook’s worth of invaluable information, including an easy hike that led Whitney to 360 degree views of the city and its stunning red rocks. We would never have found it on our own without her help. (In case you’re wondering, the hike is called Sugarloaf Trail and you can find it just off of Coffee Pot Drive!) If you see people lined up on the side of the road, STOP!: This one might seem like a no–brainer, but it’s worth mentioning. If you see cars lined up in a seemingly strange place (a gravel shoulder on the side of a scenic byway?), don’t be afraid to poke your head out the window and ask why people are stopped. Often, you won’t see the goods from the road. But a short walk from your parked car, just beyond those trees, you might find some amazing vistas. Make sure to explore. Look at postcards and then tweak the shot: We know you don’t necessarily want an exact copy of those tired postcard shots. But let them be a rough guide for you. You can often get a good sense of general starting points based on what you’re seeing. Check the caption on the back for any details on the location or just use context clues to figure out the general vicinity—the shot was taken from the south or from a hill to the north or from a balcony a few stories above the beach or from Broadway and 49th. Follow those general guidelines and then play with light, time of day, and angles to make the shot your own. Don’t skip residential areas: It might feel weird at first taking pictures of people’s houses, but they can often give you some of the most iconic shots of a city landscape. As we traveled through Santa Fe, some of the most traditional adobe structures in town were not in the main city plaza. Instead, we followed winding paths up dusty hills and found some beautiful scenes in some of the least flashy parts of town—the suburbs! Do you have any go–to plans for finding the best views in a new city? MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL 25 Most Photographed Places On Earth 4 Tips for Tough Photo Scenarios My Take: A Monthly Reader Photo Pick

Yesterday America's largest rental car chain, Enterprise, took the surprise step of backing a plan for tougher government regulation of its industry. Earlier this week, Hertz, the nation's second largest chain, made the same about-face. Both companies caved into pressure from activists, an online petition signed by more than 130,000 consumers, and one very determined mother. First, the backstory: Eight years ago, Cally Houck of Ojai, Calif., learned that her daughters Raechel, 24, and Jacqueline, 20, had died in a fiery crash while driving a PT Cruiser from Enterprise. Tragically, an unrepaired safety defect caused the accident. The model had been under recall to be fixed. Houck sued Enterprise and in 2010 won damages for negligence, as ABC News has reported. But Enterprise said it would not change its policy about continuing to rent autos under safety recall. Due to a legal loophole, rental car companies like Enterprise are not required to take out of service recalled cars. So Houck put her life on hold and joined with activists at Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety (CARS) to campaign for a law to force rental car companies to sideline recalled cars until they're repaired. What began as the passion of a handful of people slowly morphed into a grassroots movement. In the past few days, more than 130,000 Americans signed a petition for a new law to stop so-called "rental car roulette." This week, after hundreds of hours of volunteer effort, Houck and CAARS scored big: In response to public outcry, Hertz and Enterprise announced they would "ask Congress to put recall oversight of the industry under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration," in the words of USA Today. Both companies insist that they observe solid safety practices and have stellar track records in providing safe autos to their customers. The companies argue that not every safety recall issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration deserves an emergency response, given that some are for minor repairs. For instance, in a policy that is standard for the industry as a whole, Dollar Thrifty says in a public statement: "Dollar Thrifty's Vehicle Safety Team evaluates safety recall notices to determine if a Hard Ground Response (i.e. vehicle not rented until vehicle is remedied), a Normal Response (i.e. defect remedied at next maintenance event), or a customized response is warranted...Based upon information in the recall notice and additional consultation with the relevant manufacturer, Dollar Thrifty draws distinctions between safety recalls based on the degree of safety risk posed by the defect." Even with these victories in hand, Houck and company still have battles ahead to get Congress to pass the legislation. Early next week, an amendment with the same provisions is expected to be added to a surface transportation bill in the Senate, reports USA Today. It's a fight that travelers nationwide will be watching closely. SEE MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL Rental Cars: Which Ones Are the Safest Rental Cars: The Safety Mistake Travelers Often Make Highest-Ever $22 Billion Collected by Rental Car Companies in 2011