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Posts Tagged ‘Trip’

Evolving my camera system for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Galapagos

04 Jul
My last bucket list trip, taken right before joining DPReview in 2013, was a cruise around the bottom of South America, with several days spent in Antarctica, pictured here. Photos taken with the Canon EOS 7D.

Fourteen months ago I was supposed to be cruising around the Galapagos Islands onboard the National Geographic Endeavour II, seeing barren landscapes and animals you won’t find anywhere else (blue-footed boobies!). It was a trip high on my bucket list, and one that I’d been saving up for nearly two years; cruises to the Galapagos don’t come cheap.

But months before my scheduled departure, the first major outbreak of covid-19 in the U.S. tore through a nursing home five minutes from my house, killing nearly 40 people. Everyone knows what happened next.

I’m planning on buying my gear, rather than borrowing it from the cabinet in the DPReview office

Obviously, the trip was cancelled, but the nice folks at Lindblad Expeditions let me reschedule for 2021 (and why not, since they already had my money). As time went by I started to lose confidence about travel in 2021, so a few months later I pushed the trip back to 2022, just to be safe.

But I’m not writing this article to share my travel woes. With the trip looking like it will actually happen next year, I’ve returned to planning what gear to bring. Unlike the first time I performed this exercise, I’m planning on buying my gear, rather than borrowing it from the cabinet in the DPReview office.

And why am I doing this now, rather than closer to the trip? Simply put: the value of my current gear is only going to go down between now and then.

This iceberg was much, much, much larger than our ship – and that’s just on the surface.

My current gear

The EOS 5D Mark III with the 24-104mm F4L kit lens

For many years I’ve been the proud owner of a Canon EOS 5D Mark III. Even though I rarely use it due to all the new toys in the office, it still has a special place in my heart. It takes great photos, the ergonomics are close to perfect, it can take a beating and the optical viewfinder is large and bright.

As for lenses, I own Canon’s 70-200 F4L IS USM (the first one), 17-40mm F4L USM and the 24-105mm F4L that came in the box with the camera. While I could always buy more lenses, those three covered the bases, and well.

Camera requirements

The most important factor in my search for a new camera system is price. I’m looking for the value option, not the best camera on the market.

As for my camera system wishes, here are the main features I’m looking for on my 5D III replacement (the 5D already offers some of these things):

  • I want a more capable sensor; the 5D’s resolution is fine, but the dynamic range is behind the times.
  • I want a tilting or articulating screen so I don’t have to lay on the volcanic rock found on most of the islands.
  • I want 4K video. Of all places to take high quality video, the Galapagos is it.
  • I want in-body image stabilization. My hands have a mild tremor and I don’t want tmiss a shot.
  • I want something rugged enough to get wet or bashed into… something.
  • I want dual card slots; not taking any chances since this is likely a one-time trip
  • The display and EVF must pass the “polarized sunglasses test”. I need to be able to see what I’m looking at (in both landscape and portrait orientations) when shooting outdoors.

Some may be surprised that didn’t include amazing autofocus on the list. While I want something to focus quickly and accurately, having top-notch subject tracking isn’t a deal-breaker, since most of my subjects won’t be running around. (I’m also one of those focus and recompose people: probably the only one left in the DPReview office. That said, the switch to mirrorless may convert me to continuous autofocus with subject tracking.)

Next, I have a rough list of the kinds of lenses I’d like in my backpack, which happen to be very similar to what I already own. I would rent a longer super-tele lens, since I don’t need one in my personal collection. Here’s what I’m looking to buy:

  • Ultra-wide (16-35mm equiv.)
  • Standard (24-105mm equiv.)
  • Tele-zoom (70-200mm equiv.)

Ideally, these lenses would be in the F4 equivalent range, since I don’t need the very best, and my bank account is not overflowing with cash.

What’s my gear worth?

My Canon gear, all boxed up and ready to sell.

Not wanting to deal with craigslist, I went to KEH’s website to look into prices for my Canon gear (and don’t forget to check with your local camera store, who sometimes buy used equipment for trade or credit). Here’s what they were willing to offer on June 23, 2021:

Product KEH condition KEH trade-in estimate
EOS 5D Mark III body Excellent $ 809
EF 70-200 F4L IS USM Excellent $ 520
EF 24-105mm F4L IS USM Excellent $ 683
EF 17-40mm F4L USM Excellent+ $ 365
Grand total $ 2377

So I have almost $ 2400 to spend, but I still want to keep my cost as low as possible. What are my options?

Option 1: Get an EOS R6 and adapt my DSLR lenses

If I had an unlimited budget, I’d sell the whole 5D III kit and get myself an EOS R6 and a few RF lenses (14-35mm F2.8, 24-105mm F4, 70-200mm F4), which adds up to $ 6900. Unfortunately, I don’t.

The EOS R6 with an adapted EF 70-200 F4 L

I love the R6 because, being a Canon camera, it’s familiar to long-time owner of that brand. Image quality is great, it has really good in-body stabilization, a fully articulating screen, high-res viewfinder and 4K/60p video. And yes, its autofocus is really good too.

Downsides? Some rolling shutter in video, the small risk of overheating in video and so-so battery life (though I’m planning on bringing a small fleet of batteries, just to be safe.

In this scenario I would keep all three of my lenses and buy the R6 and Canon’s basic EF-to-RF adapter. That would add up to $ 2600 and, after taking the $ 809 I’d get for trading in my 5D III, I’d still owe almost $ 1800. Let’s try something else.

Option 2: Sell it all and start over

A more realistic plan may be to dump all of my current gear and start from scratch with a new system. There are an overwhelming amount of camera and lens options, though my camera requirements help narrow down the field a bit.

Cameras

After much soul-searching, here are the cameras on my short list, based on the requirements I mentioned earlier.

Camera Pros Cons Cost (body)*
Canon EOS R6 Build, familiar controls, EVF, video, LCD type, great IBIS Price, rolling shutter, small risk of overheating in video, battery life $ 2500
Fujifilm X-T4

Design and controls, IBIS, JPEG quality, video, LCD type, battery life

Price, buffer size, too many dials $ 1700
Nikon Z5 Price, design, image quality, IBIS, EVF, battery life Slow burst, cropped 4K w/rolling shutter, no 70-200 F4, single card slot $ 1000
Olympus E-M1 III Build/durability, IBIS, fast burst, ‘live’ features, LCD type. battery life Price, low res EVF, smaller sensor, menus, future of company $ 1600
Panasonic G9 Price, build quality, IBIS, EVF, LCD type, fast burst, 4K/60p video, compact lenses Unusual USB port, “fluttery” autofocus, smaller sensor, battery life $ 1000

* All prices from B&H Photo

If I was just buying a body, the $ 2377 I’m getting for my 5D III kit makes all of these products very accessible. But I’m not.

Lenses

Now, for the other big purchase: lenses. As mentioned earlier, I’m looking for an ultra-wide, a standard zoom and a tele-zoom lens. Here’s where things get a little messy.

Camera Lenses Equiv. coverage Cost (lenses)*
Canon EOS R6 14-35mm F4
24-105mm F4
70-200 F4
14-35mm F4
24-105mm F4
70-200 F4
$ 4400
Fujifilm X-T4 10-24mm F4
16-80mm F4
50-140mm F2.8
15-36mm F5.6
24-120mm F5.6
105-450mm F4.2
$ 3400
Nikon Z5 14-30mm F4
24-200mm F4-6.3
14-30mm F4
24-200 F4-6.3
$ 1900
Olympus E-M1 III 7-14mm F2.8
12-40mm F2.8
40-150mm F2.8
14-28mm F5.6
24-80mm F5.6
80-300mm F5.6
$ 3550
Panasonic G9 8-18mm F2.8-4
12-60mm F2.8-4
35-100mm F2.8
16-36mm F5.6-8
24-120mm F5.6-8
70-200mm F5.6
$ 2600

* Some of these lenses are available bundled with the camera body, which may save me some money. I’m not including those discounts above. All prices from B&H.

The Nikon kit comes out as the bargain but, as noted earlier, my kit only includes two lenses. While there is a 24-105 on the official roadmap, there’s no announcement date yet. Also, a 70-200 F4 isn’t even on the map – at least not yet. Sure, I could buy the FTZ adapter and use Nikon’s DSLR lenses, but I’d rather not. So, for now, I have to settle for the 24-200 F4-6.3 VR (along with the 14-30mm F4) to tide me over.

Nikon is yet to produce a 24-105mm F4 for Z-mount, leaving the 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR as the only alternative.

Right as I was wrapping up this article, Canon introduced its RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM lens, which fits my requirements. At $ 1700 it’s very expensive, but Canon offers all three types of lenses on my list.

The $ 2300 RF 15-35mm F2.8 is Canon’s only ultra-wide zoom that I could buy right now, though the 14-35mm F4 is arriving soon.

The only weather-resistant approximately 70-200mm equiv. that Fujifilm offers is its 50-140mm F2.8, which costs more than I’d like, but the 75-210mm equiv. range is nice and it’s still relatively fast. Since it’s still $ 700 less than the Nikon 70-200 F2.8, I’ll splurge and add the Fujifilm 50-140mm to my shopping list.

Being an F2.8 lens. it’s not surprise that the X-T4 with the 50-140mm is on the large side.

All of the lenses for Micro Four Thirds are have smaller equivalent apertures than the full-frame models, but they’re also more compact and generally lighter, which is one of the biggest selling points of the m4/3 system. Olympus makes some great lenses – and I like the idea of having a 80-300 equiv. – but they’re expensive, and that’s before I factor in the $ 1600 camera.

The Olympus E-M1 Mark III is remarkably compact with its 40-150mm F2.8 Pro lens attached

Two out of the three Panasonic’s have variable apertures, so they’re not as fast as the fixed aperture Olympus F2.8 lenses, but they hit my desired focal lengths.

So what’s it all going to cost?

I’ve gone through my two options – adapt my existing lenses, or just start all over – now let’s see how much all of these options will cost. Remember that KEH has valued my 5D III body at $ 809 and adding my lenses brings the total to $ 2377. This time I’m taking promotions into effect, since that’s how I’d actually buy the equipment.

Option Cost* KEH trade-in credit Out of pocket cost
Canon EOS R6 + adapted current lenses $ 2500 $ 809 $ 1691
Canon EOS R6 + 3 lenses $ 6900 $ 2377 $ 4523
Fujifilm X-T4 + 3 lenses $ 4800 $ 2377 $ 2423
Nikon Z5 + 2 lenses* $ 2800 $ 2377 $ 423
Olympus E-M1 III + 3 lenses $ 5150 $ 2377 $ 2773
Panasonic G9 + 3 lenses $ 3400 $ 2377 $ 1023

* Cost includes camera + lens kits, which may decrease price. All prices from B&H.

The Nikon Z5 appears to be the big bargain here, but remember, I’d be getting one less lens, and and the 24-200mm lens gets slow quickly (it crosses F5.6 at 50mm and F6.3 at 105mm). The EOS R6 with three new lenses is expensive for obvious reasons, and both Fujifilm’s and Olympus’s higher-end cameras and lenses tend to be on the pricey side.

The final choice

On June 25th, I visited B&H’s website and ordered a Panasonic Lumix DC-G9, plus the 8-18mm F2.8-4, 12-60mm F2.8-4 and 35-100mm F2.8 lenses. Is the G9 the camera of my dreams? Nope. Rather, it’s the best one for my needs, in terms of both its lens collection and value. I’m still not sure if my trip will happen next year, but when it eventually happens, I’m confident that I made the right choice.

During my shopping process I considered what features I wanted, what cameras to consider, and how much it was going to cost. Price-wise, the two best values were the Nikon Z5 and the Panasonic DC-G9 (with the Z5 being about $ 700 more), so they were my finalists.

Ultimately, it was the system that sold me

The factor that drove my decision-making was not image quality, which was the first thing on my ‘must have’ list. I already know how that would turn out (the Nikon easily wins), and I didn’t even look at our studio scene comparison until after I’d ordered my new gear. Given the kind of shooting that I’ll do on the trip (and in life), it’ll be mostly outdoors, so the smaller m4/3 sensor performs well enough for me.

Ultimately, it was the system that sold me. The Micro Four Thirds system offers the lenses I want for my trip, and dozens more than I could buy or rent should the need arise. The lenses are smaller and lighter than those for APS-C or full-frame, which will make them easier to transport in the limited amount of space I’ll have.

Nikon makes some fantastic lenses for the Z system, but its collection of midrange full-frame options just isn’t there yet. I expect that to change, but I’m buying now and not later.


Homepage thumbnail photo of the Blue-footed Booby: PDolby via iStock

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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YouTuber uses AI to turn historic 1911 New York trip footage into colorized 4K/60p video

26 Feb

In 1911, Swedish company Svenska Biografteatern captured footage of a trip to New York, resulting in more than eight minutes of video that, in its original form, is quite low resolution with a low frame rate.

Various efforts over the years have attempted to improve the resolution, frame rate, colors and other details with different results, but one of the best edits thus far comes from Denis Shiryaev, who recently shared the edited video on Reddit.

According to the video’s description, as well as a comment left by Shiryaev on Reddit, the project involved four neural networks, including DeOldify. In all, the various neural networks managed to increase the framerate to 60 fps, increase the resolution to 4K, bump up sharpness and even colorize. This is one of multiple videos Shiryaev has upscaled and improved; other examples include a video from the Apollo mission and ‘Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat’ from 1896.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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6 Ways to Plan a Photography Road Trip

01 May

The post 6 Ways to Plan a Photography Road Trip appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jeremy Flint.

photography road trip 01

Monument Valley, USA

Going on a road trip can be an exciting prospect for any budding photographer. There is usually a great sense of anticipation and adventure associated with any road trips where you embark on a journey across familiar or unfamiliar lands.

If you are planning a road trip to a particular travel destination, here are 5 ways to help you plan your getaway.

1. Choose a destination

photography road trip 02

Arizona, USA

One of the first and most fundamental things to do is to decide where you want to go. You can choose a destination based on a photographic interest you may have such as landscapes or select a location based on somewhere you would like to visit. For example, the Scottish highlands in England are a great place to take a road trip where nature is bountiful and beautiful.

You may prefer a road trip that follows a famous route such as Route 66 in the USA.

2. Do your research

Planning your journey can be a challenging prospect if you have never been to the place you will be visiting. The fear of the unknown surrounding the location can hold you back and even put you off doing any groundwork.

I suggest to just choose a route, research it and go. Researching an area will help alleviate any anxieties about going to a new area. Then it’s simply a case of putting your plan into practice.

photography road trip 03

Arizona, USA

You need to decide if you will take your own vehicle or hire one depending on your budget and where you are planning to visit. Obviously, if you are going somewhere abroad that is too far away to take your own vehicle, consider which vehicle you will hire. A campervan may be a financially viable option if you would like wheels and accommodation in one.

Alternatively, you may opt to rent a car and stay in local accommodation at your chosen destinations The advantage of a campervan or car and tent is that you can stay overnight near to a place you want to photograph such as beside a river, lake or landscape.

3. Plan time for photography

Plan your trip for the time you have. Figure out which location you want to visit and factor in some time for picture taking. You will also want to allow some time for sightseeing and relaxation. Don’t forget to stop the car during your road adventure to soak in the views.

photography road trip 04

Namibia

4. Consider your travel partners

A key factor to consider when planning time for photography during your road trip is who you do your grand tour with. Consider who your travel partners will be whether you decide to go with a friend, your spouse or family. Make a clear plan to factor in some photography. Tell the people you are with that you intend to do some photography at a specific time and ask if they want to come with you on your photographic pursuits.

If they decide to join you, advise them to take to take a good book or puzzle to entertain them. These plans will help keep everyone happy and prevent you from falling out with your travel companions.

On the contrary, if your tour is a solo road trip, you will have all the time you need. It will just be a case of choosing where and when to go and which travel destinations to photograph.

5. Plan the gear to take with you

photography road trip 05

Bryce Canyon, USA

Have you ever been on a photography excursion only to find out when you get there that a vital piece of kit is missing? This could be anything from a piece of equipment to a lens cleaning cloth.

As simple as it may seem, I recommend making a list of things to take before you pack to ensure nothing is forgotten. Your packing list may include a camera, lenses, cleaning cloths, spare batteries and memory cards, tripod, waterproof coat, hat and gloves, walking shoes, map and a guidebook.

6. Consider electricity

photography road trip 06

Desert road, namibia

Charging your batteries is an essential part of your trip so make sure that wherever you are going has sufficient supplies to charge your batteries. Electricity points are available at most types of accommodation including hotels, B&B’s, hostels and even campsites.

If you’re traveling in a campervan or vehicle specifically set up for road trips, it may already be well equipped with electricity points for charging devices. A solar powered or fully-charged battery charging device will provide additional battery charge capabilities.

Conclusion

When embarking on a road trip, make sure to plan your trip well and be prepared for any potential photographic challenges such as lack of electricity when away from connectivity spots for a certain duration of time.

Choose and research your location. Plan time for photography and make a checklist of the gear you intend to take with you. That way, you ensure nothing is forgotten when packing for your adventure.

The post 6 Ways to Plan a Photography Road Trip appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jeremy Flint.


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5 Tips to Guarantee Great Road Trip Photos

10 Dec

The post 5 Tips to Guarantee Great Road Trip Photos appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Ringsmuth.

1 - 5 Tips to Guarantee Great Road Trip Photos

Few things say “Midwest United States” like hay bales and rolling hills. You won’t find scenes like this on most interstates and major highways though.

For some people, the idea of taking a road trip can seem like a dull proposition. One fraught with mundane scenery and near-endless hours of staring out of the window watching the world outside whiz by at 70 miles an hour. However, with a little planning and creativity, you can turn any long car ride into a precious opportunity for amazing pictures.

The countryside you are traveling through may seem uninspiring. You may have already made the drive dozens or even hundreds of times. Still, there are a few things you can do to set yourself up with some fantastic photos, of which to be proud, at the end of your journey.

Take the road less traveled

I live about 400 miles from my parents and siblings, so I end up making the drive back to my old stomping grounds a few times a year. The easiest route to take involves a turnpike, followed by hundreds of miles of interstate. Due to the speed limit being higher, and the drive straighter, I don’t have to slow down every 20 minutes to pass through a small town. However, when it comes to photo opportunities, this type of travel precludes a lot of good chances for picture-taking.

2 - 5 Tips to Guarantee Great Road Trip Photos

I was driving down a highway when I saw this dirt road off to the side, so I pulled over and got a picture while also taking a minute to stretch my legs.

Interstates and other thoroughfares are great for getting to your destination quickly, but not so great for photos. Instead of taking the quick and easy path, as Yoda might say, look for alternate routes to your destination. Alternative routes that may not be as fast but are far more photogenic.

Pull up your preferred mapping software, or unfold a physical map, and look for highways or other types of two-lane roads. When you are driving down these types of roads, you pass by scenery that is more interesting than you find on the interstate.

Moreover, you also have the luxury of being able to pull over and stop without causing a traffic jam.

Plan your photos

When taking a road trip, have an idea in mind of the types of pictures you want to take. Keep a sharp eye out for those opportunities when you are on your drive. Hoping to find something interesting along the way to your destination may work out, however, planning ahead to photograph something specific, is likely to achieve much better results.

3 - 5 Tips to Guarantee Great Road Trip Photos

On this particular drive I wanted to take pictures of windmills and sure enough, once I had that thought in my mind I started noticing windmills all over the place.

The Baader-Meinhof phenomenon is a weird trick your brain plays on you. When you start taking notice of one particular thing, say a specific type of car or style of clothing, you start seeing it everywhere. This concept comes in handy on road trips. While you may not know what you are going to encounter along the way, you can plant the seeds for some great photos with a little mental preparation in advance.

For instance, on a recent drive back home, I pulled out a map and found some slower, but more interesting, highways to take. I told myself to look for windmills along the way. I couldn’t recall ever seeing windmills before.

However, given that I was going across the midwest United States, I felt sure I would end up going past at least a few. I was stunned when, as the hours ticked by on my drive, I kept passing one after the next and ended up with some excellent pictures as a result.

4 - 5 Tips to Guarantee Great Road Trip Photos

Try applying this method next time you’re on a road trip. You might be equally surprised at how well it works. Before you leave, think of a particular subject or type of picture you want to take. Then look at how often you see those opportunities along the way. Things such as dilapidated barns, weathered billboards, old bridges, tall cacti, mountainside vistas, or even dirt roads can all be exciting subjects for road trip photos.

If you plant these seeds in your mind, by the time you reach your destination, they could very well grow into fascinating and beautiful photos.

Time of day is paramount

Sunlight can make or break almost any type of photo. The same holds true when it comes to making images on a road trip. The journey you are taking might be perfect for some sunrise or sunset shots, but those aren’t going happen if you set out at noon! It might seem too simple to mention, but just knowing that your photos are dramatically affected by the sunlight affects your departure time and helps you plan accordingly.

5 - 5 Tips to Guarantee Great Road Trip Photos

There’s about a two-minute window for getting sunrise shots like this. Plan your drive accordingly.

If you aren’t sure what type of pictures you want to capture on your road trip, plan to leave at least 30 minutes before sunrise. You may see something compelling. Alternatively, if you know you are going to pass by a particular photo location, make sure you get a good picture of it by adjusting the timing of your trip. That way you maximize the chances of getting good light in that particular spot.

6 - 5 Tips to Guarantee Great Road Trip Photos

Allow more time than you need

If I take the interstate to get back to my hometown and plan on stopping only once, I can make the trip in about six and a half hours. However, that’s not how I prefer to make the drive. Taking less-traveled roads and stopping half-a-dozen times for possible photo-ops, I usually get there in seven-and-a-half hours. So, when planning for the drive, I always allow at least eight hours for unexpected photo opportunity stops.

One of the worst situations a road-trip photographer encounter is coming across a stunning sight or landmark only to realize they don’t have enough time to stop and take a picture. Give yourself some wiggle room by adding an extra half-hour into your drive schedule. Make sure that time is not a limiting factor.

Having extra time is also an excellent excuse to get out, stretch your legs, and see the scenery even if you’re not sure of the photographic possibilities.

7 - 5 Tips to Guarantee Great Road Trip Photos

On one recent drive to see my folks, I ended up driving past a vast field of beautiful sunflowers by accident. The lighting wasn’t great, but I stopped for some pictures nonetheless. I made a mental note to go back to the same spot on my return drive. Not knowing how long I would need, I made sure to build in plenty of extra time on my drive and achieved the shot you see above. This extra time gave me the ability to pull over a few hours later to capture this shot of an oil pump and wind turbine.

8 - 5 Tips to Guarantee Great Road Trip Photos

Don’t worry about your gear

At this point, you might be thinking about how to apply some of these tips on your next drive. However, you may not think you have the right gear for the job. On the contrary, the nice thing about road trip photos is you probably already have the camera equipment you need to take great photos. Something as simple as a mobile phone camera is enough to capture sweeping landscapes or beautiful countrysides.

9 - 5 Tips to Guarantee Great Road Trip Photos

I shot this with some expensive camera gear but based on the exposure settings (f/4, 78mm, 1/180 second, ISO 220) a nearly identical image could have easily been taken with a basic DSLR with a kit lens.

Don’t let your camera gear, or lack of it, hold you back from taking good photos the next time you are in a car for hours on end. Fantastic shots are achievable with a mobile phone, a DSLR, or anything in between. If you have a tripod, go ahead and bring it because you never know when it might come in handy. However, don’t stress over whether your camera is good enough.

As you develop your skills, you may find yourself gravitating towards a particular lens, or camera depending on the shots you like to take. Things such as lighting, planning, and taking less-popular roads achieve better results than merely buying a new camera.

10 - 5 Tips to Guarantee Great Road Trip Photos

I took this shot on a road trip with a simple point-and-shoot camera, and all it required was some good light and an observant eye.

What about you? Do you have any favorite tips or tricks for getting good pictures while out driving? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post 5 Tips to Guarantee Great Road Trip Photos appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Ringsmuth.


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5 Tips for Better Road Trip Photos

09 Nov

Are you heading out on a road trip anytime soon? Packing up the car and hitting the road with friends, family, or even running solo can make for a great adventure.

But as photographers, our thoughts aren’t just on the experience itself. Documenting it with your camera adds to the occasion for creative types, but doing it on the road adds another level of challenge!

Here’s a 2-minute video from Tajreen&Co which outlines 5 top tips for getting better road trip photos, that make for better memories and pictures.

5 Top Tips for Getting Better Road Trip Photos

  1. Shoot with the kit you already have – even your phone!
  2. Interact with your environment
  3. Exaggerate your shots – explore angles and backdrops
  4. Capture moments and emotions – it’s all about the experience
  5. Plan your shoots even on a road trip

What are your tips for achieving better road trip photos?

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7 Tips For Planning the Perfect Photography Trip

02 Nov

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Are you planning your next photography trip? This video from Nigel Danson outlines 7 tips for planning the perfect photography trip.

In this awesome video, Nigel covers in some detail the following points:

1. Ensure You Take the Right Gear

Use Adobe Lightroom (or other post-processing applications you may use) to check out your favorite shots so you can see what lens you used. Chances are, you will find a trend towards one or two lenses, helping you to rule out the ‘just-in-case’ lenses. Try to stick to just 2 or 3.

Tripod – something that is lightweight, yet durable is a good choice.

Lens cloth – helpful for drying and cleaning your camera.

Portable hard drive – to download your images from your camera.

USB Battery Charger – If you run out of battery power on-location you can recharge via the USB.

Handwarmers (if in cold locations) – great for warming hands (and batteries) when in cold or icy climates.

2. Be Sure To Test All New Gear.

Check all the settings on any new camera gear to both make sure they work the way you expect, and so you know how to use them!

3. Understand Your Location

Research the location beforehand. Use tools like Google Earth to allow you to visualize a place in 3D. With Google Earth, you can get an idea of the scenic points that you can see from particular positions..

Check maps for routes, trails, and locations to narrow down where you would like to visit.

Make a google map of that area and plot your locations.

4. Focus on Fewer Locations

Plan out the best locations, so you don’t end up with just lots of holiday snaps. The more time you spend in a particular location, the more you can explore the light and angles, and get much better images as a result.

5. Understand the Time of Year in Detail

Understanding the time of year in detail means you have a better understanding of when the sun rises and sets in that place and its position in the sky. Where the sun sits dictates the composition of your shot. A good app for checking these things is Photopills. Also, check the weather forecasts.

6. Research the History and Culture of the Location

You want to tell a story about the location you are visiting. You want to let people know what it was like there (to accompany your photos either via blog or in person). Having a background to your images is excellent for these reasons. It is also great to have conversations with locals about the area.

Employ a local guide while you are there to find out the best spots and to get background information.

7. Explore Social Media and the Web

Take a look at what other people are photographing in that location, and look to take photos in spots that are covered least. That way you aren’t just making the same images as everyone else!

Be sure to follow some of Nigel Danson’s tips for planning the perfect photography trip.

If you have any tips of your own that you would like to share, please let us know in the comments below.

You may also find the following articles on our site useful:

Beginner’s Guide to Natural Light in Landscape Photography

5 Landscape Photography Mistakes That Keep Your Images From Standing Out

Using Layers and Foreground Interest for Better Landscape Photography

 

 

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5 Road Trip Photography Tips – Come Home with Great Photos

23 Sep

Who doesn’t love a good road trip? You pick a destination, plan your route, pack up your stuff in the car, and hit the road. For many, the open road signifies freedom, opportunity, exploration, and adventure. As much time as you spend planning out a road trip, you never know what surprises may be out there waiting.

It’s exciting! It’s truly an iconic American experience. There will be moments and memories you plan to capture and a whole host of others you won’t want to forget.

Road trip photography tips 01 - old swing set

On every traveler’s packing list is a camera. Whether that’s your phone, a simple point and shoot, or a DSLR, you want to make sure you’ve brought something to capture your experience. So, how do you make sure you’re getting the best possible photos?

What are some tips and pointers for capturing all of those memories? Here are a few quick tips that you can use to make sure you can do the best road trip photography possible.

Road trip photography tips - b/w person taking a photo

1. Research Your Spot

Thanks to the internet and social media, you can search for any destination online and see photographs others have taken. This is a great way to see what attractions, large or small, await you. A quick search of the highway or road you’re going to take, the cities you’re going to pass through, may bring up unexpected and worthwhile stops.

Another really helpful tip is to research your destination on social media. A quick search on Instagram or Facebook will reveal all of the top spots that other photographers have found. This will be helpful to make sure you don’t miss a monument, historical landmark, or site along the way.

Road trip photography tips - sunset and mountains

But, it’s also really helpful to find all of those hidden gems that only the locals or seasoned travelers might know about.

2. Plan and Pack

If you’re a photographer hitting the open road, packing your camera gear is almost as important, if not more so, to you than remembering your toothbrush. Depending on the trip, you may have enough room to bring all your gear or you might have to limit yourself.

Take note of important things like the locations you’re going to be driving through, the time of year you’ll be driving, what kind of photographs you’ll want to take, and the weather. All of these components will affect what kind of gear you will need to bring with you.

It can be easy to get carried away or get overwhelmed and not pack the right things. So, take a minute and think through what your most useful and crucial gear might be given where you are traveling. What is going to help you capture those can’t miss moments the best?

It is always better to have a few extra pieces of gear to ensure you have what you need rather than miss a moment.

A quick list of things to consider as you plan and prep:

  • Will you be walking a lot at your destinations?
  • Will your gear be safe at your destinations?
  • What time of year is it?
  • What will the weather be like where you’re going?
  • Do you need any accessories (i.e. tripod, filters, reflectors)?
  • What is the one camera/lens combo you can’t live without?

Road trip photography tips - curves in the road sign

3. Prepare a Go-Bag

Any time you’re on a road trip it is vital to have a setup close-by and ready to go. This means a versatile lens, your camera, a fully charged battery, and your settings already set up.

You can pack up the bulk of your gear elsewhere in the car but keep your camera bag or an additional bag with all of these necessary items next to you. It will help you in a pinch. You never know when you might see a great scene out the window as a passenger or when you’ll want pull over to capture an unexpected sight or beautiful landscape.

It is helpful to keep a short list of must-have gear for your go-bag so you can quickly pack one at any time. Some of these items may include:

  • Camera bag
  • A tripod
  • Fully charged batteries
  • Camera body and lenses
  • Dust cloth, air blower, or any tool you use to remove dirt and dust from your gear
  • Filters
  • Memory cards

Road trip photography tips - scenic telescope viewer

4. Slow Down and Expect the Unexpected

You can plan, and you can prepare. You can have a list of all of your top spots ready and marked on your route. As important as all of these tips are, being ready for the unexpected is just as important.

If you see something cool or unique, stop and take a photograph. If you pull off into a little town, take some time to walk around and keep your eyes peeled so you don’t miss an interesting photo opportunity. Don’t let the excitement of heading to the next destination keep you from missing out on a great photograph.

Remember to carve out time to slow down and see the sights both with and without your camera.

Road trip photography tips - dirt road

5. Never forget to have fun!

Finally, never forget to have fun doing it.

Do you have any other road trip photography tips? Have you done any good road trips lately? Please share your tips and images in the comments below.

Road trip photography tips 07

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Zeiss offering €12,000 in lenses and €3,000 trip in annual photo contest

13 Oct
Photo by the 2017 winner, Kevin Faingnaert

German optics manufacturer Zeiss has opened its annual photography competition for entries, and this year it will be offering lenses to the value of €12,000 for the best collection of images. The winning photographer will also get €3,000 to spend on travel for a photography-related project.

Now in its third year, the Zeiss Awards partner with the Sony World Photography Awards. Winners get to go to the ceremony in London, and will have their work exhibited alongside the SWPA winners in the finalists show.

The theme this year is ‘Seeing Beyond – Untold Stories’ and entrants are expected to submit between five and ten images that operate as a single series, along with a short description of the project.

The Brief:

Seeing Beyond – Untold Stories

Photographers are again asked to look beyond the ordinary and everyday to present judges with strong series of 5-10 images that capture an ‘untold story’. The brief is intended to be understood in its broadest sense – the work could explore a familiar theme told from a different perspective or address an issue that has previously had little attention. All forms of photography are welcome, but judges are specifically looking for series of works that have a strong narrative. The ‘untold story’ the photographer is addressing must be visually clear in the submitted image.

The competition is free to enter, and you have until February 6th, 2018 to do so. For more information, including terms and conditions, see the Zeiss Photography Awards website.

Press Release

ZEISS Photography Award

Photographers from all over the world are invited to submit a photo series by 6 February 2018 in response to the topic “Seeing Beyond – Untold Stories”.

The third round of the ZEISS Photography Award is underway – and ambitious photographers from all over the world are invited to present their work on the topic of “Seeing Beyond – Untold Stories” to an international expert jury. The photographers have until 6 February 2018 to submit a series of five to ten images here.

“Untold Stories” can be understood in all manner of ways, but the end result should be stories that have not yet been told (in full). The works can bring to life familiar tales from a wholly new perspective – or be dedicated to topics that have received little attention to date.

A renowned jury

All submissions will be reviewed by a renowned jury comprising three international photography experts: British Art Director Chris Hudson from National Geographic Traveller, Publisher of Dutch photo magazine GUP Magazine Peter Bas Mensink, and Patricia Morvan from French photo agency Agence VU’ who is in charge of exhibitions and cultural projects. The submissions will be judged on both their quality and creativity. All forms of photography are welcome and judges are specifically looking for series of works that have a strong narrative.

Attractive prizes: ZEISS lenses to the value of €12,000 and a photo trip

The winner and shortlist will be announced on 3 April 2018. The winner can look forward to fantastic prizes: ZEISS camera lenses of their choosing to the value of €12,000 and €3,000 to put towards a photo trip. An award ceremony will take place on 19 April 2018 in London. The winning photos plus a selection of those shortlisted will be on display at Somerset House in London alongside the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition; the winner will attend the opening of the exhibition. ZEISS will also invite the winner to the company headquarters in Germany, where they will get a peek behind the scenes of the ZEISS world and the opportunity to get to know its lenses. They will also get the chance to work with ZEISS and the World Photography Organisation.

“Due to photo editors having seen my work through the news of winning the ZEISS Photography Award, my personal documentary work has since gone on to be printed in magazines and newspaper around the world,” says last year’s winner Kevin Faingnaert, who wowed the judges with his photos of life on the Faroe Islands. “Winning the award helped secure more clients but, more importantly, my self-confidence as a photographer has certainly grown since the win.”

The ZEISS Photography Award is hosted jointly by ZEISS and the World Photography Organisation. Last year, around 4,700 photographers from 132 countries submitted more than 31,000 photos.

Dates

All the dates for the ZEISS Photography Award 2018 are listed below:

  • 10 October 2017: Competition open for submissions
  • 6 February 2018: Competition closed for submissions
  • 3 April 2018: Winner and shortlist announced
  • 19 April 2018: Award ceremony and gala dinner in London
  • 20 April to 6 May 2018: Winner’s photos and selected photos from the shortlist on show at Somerset House in London

For further details about the ZEISS Photography Award, the Terms and Conditions of Participation and to apply, please visit www.zeiss.com/zpa2018.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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21 Images That Show a Trip to the Market

15 Jun

Markets the world over are fascinating places. A photographer’s paradise, with a cornucopia of things to aim the camera at. Here are 18 images from a trip to the market:

By Carsten ten Brink

By Roberto Verzo

By David Stanley

By jpellgen

By Brook Ward

By Bud Ellison

By swong95765

By sara marlowe

By Rod Waddington

By Vanila Balaji

By aotaro

By David Guyler

By Neil Howard

By Leticia Roncero

By eugenuity

By James Merhebi

By Ryan Bodenstein

By Grant Matthews

By sdosani

By Carla Cometto

By Didier Baertschiger

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In photos: a bucket-list trip to the Serengeti

10 Jun

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The Serengeti is on many-a photographer’s bucket list, but it’s not a cheap trip to make. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth making the investment, photographer Michael Bonocore gives a resounding ‘yes.’ He made the trip to Tanzania last year and returned with stunning photos from the region.

Michael says:

‘It’s hard to really explain the adrenaline rush that will hit you like a ton of bricks the first time you see a herd of elephants or a pride of lions start to walk your way. Staring blankly in awe of such powerful creatures, it can be hard to get your camera at the ready and your settings dialed in before the moment passes. But eventually, you learn that these magnificent animals are indifferent to your presence.’

Serengeti National Park has the ‘big five’ animals typically seen on safari: rhinos, elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard. An estimated 3000 lions can be found in the park alone. What’s harder to find are critically endangered black rhinos and stealthy leopards. Bonocore also spotted ‘wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, warthog, hyenas, jackals, monkey, birds, and even crocodiles.’

You can see Michael Bonocore’s full writeup of his trip to Africa, as well as some truly stunning sunset photos, over at Resource Travel.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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