Photography Tips : Switzerland as a Photography Tourist

Zermatt – Matterhorn October 2012

I decided to visit Switzerland as a tourist. For this trip I took a railpass for 15 days. It is not an optimal solution since one cannot make frequent stops to take pictures, The advantages were it was less tiring than driving and much cheaper than renting a car.   During this period I visited:

• Grindelwald / Lauterbrunnen
• Zermatt
• Luzern / Engelberg
• Lugano
• Ascona / Lugano
• Geneva
• Fully
• Thun
• Lavaux
• Evian (in France across from Lausanne)
• Chatel St. Denis

I had pictures of Zurich, Bern and Lausanne so I decided to skip them. In October weather is a factor and I lost a couple of days due to rainy weather.

Like in some other countries, taking pictures of people can get complicated. I have been asked to delete pictures on occasions for privacy reasons.

LAVAUX

For more pictures of Switzerland click here : http://photobyphm.smugmug.com/TravelVoyages/Switzerland/25982587_qv9DZC#!i=2156042714&k=CLTvZpX

Photography Tips: Fall Colors Part 2

What  a difference a day or 2 can make. I always recommend to take the time and go out and shoot pictures. TODAY. Do not procrastinate and push it off until tomorrow.

Check out the gallery. The difference between Friday morning and Sunday morning.  I even admit to leaving my Fall pictures alittle late.

For other pictures check out my gallery:  http://photobyphm.smugmug.com/galleries

Fall Colors Lausanne _

Fall Colors Lausanne _

Fall Colors Lausanne _

Fall Colors Lausanne

Fall Colors Lausanne

Fall Colors Lausanne

Photography Tips: Fall Colors

Fall Colors

We are arriving at the end of fall and it is a period of beautiful colors. This is just a reminder that this period comes only 1 time a year and one should take advantage of the seasonal colors to go out and take pictures.

Fall Colors

Fall Autumn Colors Sauveblein Lausanne Switzerland. The mountain goat is not a statue

Fall Autumn Colors Sauveblein Lausanne Switzerland.

Fall Autumn Colors Sauveblein Lausanne Switzerland.

Fall Autumn Colors Sauveblein Lausanne Switzerland.

For more Photos visit my gallery  http://photobyphm.smugmug.com/Nature/Seasons/26145461_J8nBB6#!i=2173490289&k=pdznfM8

Gymnaestrada 2011

Gymnaestrada 2011

Gymnaestrada is the official world event of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).  Once every four years in a country of one of the affiliated federations, gymnasts of all ages and backgrounds meet to share their passion for gymnastics. It is considered the largest event of its kind with over 20’000 participants. Gymnaestrada 2011 was held in Lausanne, Switzerland. Gynaestrada 2015 will be held in Helsinki, Finland.

More Gymnaestrada photos are available at http://photobyphm.smugmug.com/EventsEvenements-1/Gymnaestrada-2011/25088733_jR5rs6#!i=2075685653&k=k2dM8Rj

Gymnaestrada is the official world event of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). Once every four years in a country of one of the affiliated federations, gymnasts of all ages and backgrounds meet to share their passion for gymnastics. It is considered the largest event of its kind with over 20’000 participants. Gymnaestrada 2011 was held in Lausanne, Switzerland. Gynaestrada 2015 will be held in Helsinki, Finland.

Gymnaestrada 2011

Gymnaestrada 2011 Team South Africa

Gymnaestrada 2011

Gymnaestrada 2011

Gymnaestrada 2011 Macabi Dan Tel Aviv

Gymnaestrada 2011 ALVI-VERDE PALMEIRAS, Brazil

Gymnaestrada 2011. La Società Ginnastica La Trottola di Modena , Italia. FIG Gala 2011,

Gymnaestrada 2011

Photography Tips: High ISO

When teaching photography to beginners one of the hardest concepts to grasp is the relationship TV/AV/ISO and integrating the 3 into picture taking. What I try to convey is that photography is stopping the action and capturing the moment. If you do not capture that moment in focus, then you have a problem. There are other parameters such as exposure but that will be discussed at a later date. Enter ISO and pushing ISO sometimes to the max.

Gymnaestrada 2012, ISO 6400

Say ISO and the automatic knee jerk reaction is 200 or never above 800, 100,  or 1600. When I ask why,  the answer is “Because of noise”. Not anymore. Firstly cameras are now achieving higher usable ISO setting,  secondly, software is getting better reducing noise and lastly, noise is almost  imperceptible at the sizes most people are using to show their pictures.  So when faced with no chance of taking a sharp picture by keeping the ISO low or upping the ISO and knowing there may be some work afterwards, I never hesitate.

Cabaret Chiang Mai. ISO 6400

Get out and shoot. Practice and see how your camera handles ISO, so when the time comes you are comfortable with the situation.

Thaipusam Singapore 2012. ISO 5000

For more pictures, visit my gallery at: http://photobyphm.smugmug.com/galleries

Photography Tips: Thailand Photo Competition

If one has visited a photo exhibition in Thailand, it is evident that a large majortiy of the pictures will be either of Buddhism, Buddhist monks or Buddha.

Lanna Archetecture

I participated in a photo competition sponsored by Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) Chiang Mai and IPOT. Each day for 5 days a new subject was given. They were:

• February 3 : Thai Architecture
• February 4 : Flowers of Lanna
• February 5 : Landscape
• February 6 : Lifestyle
• February 7: Street Photography
  

  Fruits as Flowers. Chiang Mai Flower Festival 2012

Notice that none of the subjects are related to Buddhism, Buddhist monks or Buddha, or that is what I thought:

However the winner is>>>>>>>>>Monks praying at a Wat Suthep.

Yep folks, 4 of the 9 chosen winners were of Buddhism, Buddhist monks or Buddha.

Check out the winners.

ipot.thaiphoto.net/?p=499

Moral of the story. Know thy competition. In Thailand, no matter what the theme of the competition, submit a picture of buddhists monks or a temple.

Wan Pantao Asaha Bucha 2012

For more pictures, visit my gallery at: http://photobyphm.smugmug.com/galleries

Photography Tips: Get Out and Shoot – No Ego

Reflections. 1/125, F 5.6, ISO 1600

I had to go to the USA for a few days. I decided to take my Olympus E-PM1. Each morning at 6AM I went to a nature reserve to take sunrise/early morning pictures.

Deer staring down an Egret. 1/100s, f 5.6, ISO 1600

I admit the Olympus E-PM1 with a 14-42mm lens is not an ideal camera for nature photography, not to mention birding. It is still a better camera than what was available to photographers 60 years ago.

Since it was early or dark in the woods, I needed to up the ISO to 1600. I felt this was the highest possible usable setting for the Olympus. I held the camera against a tree for all the pictures except the geese flying. There I had set it down in a blind.

Geese 6:47 take-off. 1/80, F 5.6, ISO 800

Why no ego? When one is going out to shoot, there will probably be other photographers around with better cameras and longer lenses. One morning I saw photographers with 600mm, 400mm and other ultra zoom lenses. That will always be the case. What is important is that I was out with my camera, enjoying a beautiful morning and with the hope of catching “THE SHOT”.

 Moral of blog. There is never a better time, place, camera or light than the present. If the pictures do not turn out, learn from the experience. Then go out again. Get better, not an EGO.

Hey don’t shoot. 1/6s, F 5.6, ISO 1600

 Get out and shoot.

For more pictures, visit my gallery at: http://photobyphm.smugmug.com/galleries

Photography Tips for India

Before my first trip to India, I looked on the web to find out what I should take and what it was like to be a travel photographer in India. I did not find much so I will try and share some of my experiences and how I am preparing for my next trip there in December.

General Photography Tips:

Pushkar Ladies

The Indian people are very nice and do not mind if you take their pictures. In fact I have had people come up to me and ask if I could take their picture. I was initially surprised but then got used to these requests.

On the other hand beware of “professionals models”, especially in Pushkar and Varanassi. It is amusing to see their pictures on many websites as typical Indians, when in fact they are not typical.

Early morning in Pune

It was my habit to get up before sunrise and try and capture early morning lifestyle. The light is softer ad there are less people on the streets.

Colors, colors and more colors. Somes of the cities in Brazil were colorful, but in India it was the clothing people were wearing, especially in Rajasthan.

Beware of your equipment. I was not worried about walking around with a camera (unlike Brazil, where it was downright dangerous) but do not leave it unattended on a table or on the floor, even for one second. Have a basic sense of security.

• Do not leave equipment, passport or valuables in a hotel room, even if the hotel gives you a lock for the door. Bring your own lock or if you must leave things in the room use a Pac safe type of net and lock it onto something
• Always have water with you.
• I am a fan of GPS. I did not have one during my first trip but will take one this time. I know it is a gadget but many times I got off the train at some of the stops and just shot some pictures. It would have been nice to know where I actually was.
• I have 2 backpacks with me / on me. A small North Face Tactic and 30L Arcteryxx Bora. The small North Face is for my camera, notebook, and lenses. When sleeping in the 2AC train compartment it is my pillow. I may use it when walking around an then leave the 30L in the hotel room locked up. I never leave anything with reception.
• Tripod: I will probably take a Gorillapod and not a normal tripod. Last trip I had a “normal” tripod and I used it in Varanasi, Agra, Jodphur and Jaisalmer. This trip I am more interested in portraits, group shots and if I can find them, weddings.
• First Aid Kit: One can easily buy antibiotics for Delhi Belly in India. They cost a couple of USD. I have a strip with me in any case. I also have Nurofen, Smecta, Immodium, lavender essential oil, betadin, band aids and ear plugs with me at all times.
• Computers, Wifi and Backup: In 2009, Wireless Internet access was not too available. This has probably changed. Internet cafes are plentiful and early in the morning access was fast. Later in the day, less so and more crowded. I am taking my own notebook and an external USB disk drive. I bought an extra drive in India in 2009 and it was very reasonably priced and still works (Transcend). I lost my CF Card reader and was forced to buy a new one in India. It was cheap and worthless. I am bringing one with me and hoping not to lose it.
• 

  Pune Bike Man

  Lenses:  No advice here. It depends on your photo style. I will probably take 3 lenses with me. I have grown fond of my Canon 85mm 1.8 and may use this as my “walk-around” lens. It may require more footwork but one of my objectives is more “portrait” shots.

Photo GPS

When I mention to fellow photographers that I am taking a GPS unit (Sony GPS-CS3) with me, I am usually given the reply:  “What for”? The answer for me is obvious. So I can record where we went and where I took my pictures.

Amongst others, I am a “travel photographer”. I have taken pictures in numerous countries,    but until recently without GPS. When asked where was this picture taken, I can usually remember or refer to the file name. Now with Mr. Google Maps or similar programs, it is possible to show where. 

I use my elephant pictures as a perfect example. There are quite a number of elephant camps around Chiang Mai. Which one our tourist guide arranged for us was a mystery. However with GPS I was able to find it.

The picture featured next is not anything special. For me though it has enormous meaning. The picture was taken at GPS Coordinates 18°47’32” N 98°33’7″ E. If one looks at the location on Google Maps,  one will see it is in the middle of nowhere.  We were not technically lost, since our other GPS unit knew exactly where we were, however this was not a “road”. In the end we covered 40km in 4.5 hours and were lucky that was all.

The main problem with using GPS for pictures is the workflow. Most digital “travel” cameras shoot only .jpeg. The coordinates are integrated automatically in the exif data. That is easy. However, if you shoot RAW, good luck. With my sony unit I have to: a.) Download the photos to the computer. b.) Process the photos and create .jpeg. files c.)  Launch the Sony software to link the .jpeg to the gps file.  A real time consuming process.

Moral of the story: It is alot of extra work to have a Canon and use GPS. However, it is an added plus if you are a travel photographer. On my upcoming trip to India I am looking forward to using GPS.

For more pictures, visit my gallery at: http://photobyphm.smugmug.com/galleries

Thaipusam Singapore 2012

Zermatt – Matterhorn October 2012

Photography Tip: Whats going on where you live? Lausanne International Horse Show

In every city there are events happening all the time. Try and find a calendar for your city or area and check it out regularly. Normally I check around the 28th of the month for the upcoming month. I then note the activities in Google calendar with a reminder. For me it is a great incentive to get out and shoot something I normally wouldn’t. 

This week was a perfect example. Lausanne is hosting the “Lausanne International Horse Show” LIHS. Although there is an entry fee Saturday and Sunday, Friday was free.

How could I refuse such an offer? I had never thought of taking pictures of horses but why not? In addition it was the perfect occasion to test a 70-300 DO IS.  This lens has mixed reviews and I wanted to see for myself how it performs. The results, judge for yourself.