The *Official Photography Thread*

So I'm prepping for my big trip. It fell through last Summer so it's finally happening this year. If anyone had tips for traveling as a photographer feel free to post up. I'm headed to Jerusalem. I plan to pack light. I'm only brining three lenses but a ton of memory cards haha I'm thinking about leaving my bigger tripod and just bringing the gorilla pod. Still debating on bringing a flash along or not. I have room for them but don't use them for my documentary style stuff a whole lot. Mostly just stoked to be going and wanted to share ha I haven't been on here in a good while.

 

That's going to be an awesome trip Chaz!!!

I need to find a smaller tripod to use in July. I'm flying out to Las Vegas and going to be loading up some memory cards there. My Manfrotto is a little huge when attached to my backpack so I'll need some that might actually pass as carry on. lol

 

Joby Gorillapod has been plenty for me lately. Doesn't replace a real tripod by any means but it's small, bendable and packable. I can use it as a handle for a flash as well

 

Snapped a few around the house today. I've been busy getting my dirt bike running and some new parts installed as well as building a tree fort for the little brother.

Played some basketball with the boyo today:
DSCF0076.jpg by AdelphosChaz, on Flickr

He also plays cello (and piano, guitar, tin-whistle, etc. ha):
DSCF0058.jpg by AdelphosChaz, on Flickr

 

I'm gonna need a real tripod. Something compact but still solid.

 

Look at the Induro, Benro, and Gitzo tripod lines. All three have some nice compact designs.

 

Nice work on the lighting Chaz! Especially the first.

 

Worked fine on all of the test shots, but they were BNSF and UP locos, so they were a bit brighter than the Mallet.

 

I saw him sitting in the warm sunset through the back window and cool fill light through the side window and had to grab a shot.


I really like this one from today as well.

DSCF0067.jpg by AdelphosChaz, on Flickr

 

Some simple beginner travel/street photography tips ha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpYfhqfWcu8

 

Cool tree fort!

 

I am assuming you will be spending most of your time in the old city of Jerusalem and I would take the flash. If you have been there before and think it would work without it I apologize. The streets inside the walls of the old city are very narrow with tall buildings on either side, it is very dark even in the middle of the day. And the inside of most churches and buildings are also pretty dark. It is packed with people especially when groups of tourists come through and you would be hard pressed to put up a regular tripod in most places. Haven't been there in 20 years but can't imagine there are any less people by now... First time I was there was in 83 when I took the Coral Sea around the world when her home port was changed from Ca. to Norfolk. From then until 93 every Med or Gulf deployment we pulled into Hafia at least once, and I always went to Jerusalem. And the rest of the country is worth seeing too IMO. Great choice and I hope you have an exceptional trip. Be safe and keep your head on a swivel.

 

Going off of Mike's comment of being safe...you probably know this but keep a hand on your camera any time it's on your neck. One of my friends told me of his friend who's camera was stolen right off her neck 'cause the thief cut the strap.
I also had my point and shoot stolen in Argentina because it was on the end of a bench and a "marketer" came up begging for us to buy something and he was "selling his case" by leaning over the bench. When he left I noticed my camera bag was open with no camera! So I chased after him and yelled out and since there was only one entry/exit to the park he set it down and took off. On my way back to the bench everyone was asking if they needed to go after him, it was pretty cool!
But yeah, now I keep my camera right next to me at all times when traveling in cities!

 

Yeah! We've been working on it for two days now. I'm doing the trap door with locking mechanism, cool rope walls and slatted roof this week as well haha just bonding time with the little bro. We're really far apart so I have to find things we can do together. He doesn't want to talk trucks and I don't want to play at the park like I used to haha

Thanks for the tips. I'll bring the flash set up in my big travel luggage. I have too much room in it haha should have gotten a smaller one. My head is stuck on a swivel

I'm an overly cautious and skeptical person haha I'm hoping no one will get the one up on me. I have my camera bag and camera prepped for just this. When I walk the streets I usually swing my camera to my back but while I'm there I'll definitely keep it in front of me and keep a hand on it. I've really shaken off the whole military lifestyle best I can in the past few years but I have a feeling being back in the middle east will have me quite a bit more alert than usual as well.


Thanks for the head's up guys. I'm bringing a 20, 35 and 50mm. I think that should be plenty. I want to keep it light and simple. I've been debating on picking up an 85 again here soon but I think I will wait until after the trip. We'll see. I figure the 20 for city-scapes, 35 for street shots and 50mm for when I just can't get right up and touch somebody to take their portrait. 50 is my favorite focal length but I find myself using wides more and more. Do you guys think I should bother picking up an 85/1.2 for the trip or just call it good and go with what I've got. I think I'll be fine without but who knows . . .

 

I agree that having a real tripod is far less limiting but this little guy sure does come in handy, and fits just about anywhere.

DSCF0131.jpg by AdelphosChaz, on Flickr

Joby Gorillapod.

 

Stopped on my way into work yesterday. Hoping to get a challenge shot. I like this shot, just not really for the challenge.

tracks by flyin' B photography, on Flickr

 

Thanks Ben!

 

Awesome shot TJ!

 

Thanks Murph! I am pleased with it!

 

Big fan of infinity shots.