how to
Parthenon
What does it take to be a photographer? Some say that with the new digital equipment, "Anyone can take great photos now. All you have to do is point and shoot. The camera does the rest."
Knowing that I wanted a key image of the Parthenon at night for a feature story on Athens, I climbed from the Plaka over the Acropolis Hill and across to Filopapou Hill well before sunset to scope out locations and the light. It was a 45 minute hike each way with camera gear and tripod. The shots weren't great, the light iffy, and the angle wrong. I went back the next day before dawn, after a late late dinner and a couple of hours sleep. Even though the light was nice the direction was off and the Acropolis against the morning sky uninspiring. One nice shot that morning was the Filopappos monument. That evening again I traipsed across town to my lookout spot, but clouds came in and the evening just lacked something. No shot.
It was the fourth attempt that finally gave what I wanted [above]. A wind had cleared out the pollution, the night sky was clear and crisp and I'd found another vantage point, lower on the hill, below the monument. One of the challenges had been to screen out the ugly construction equipment and scaffolding, and this angle of view worked, along with the deep indigo sky. The vertical image too was a nice cover shot.
Much of travel photography is about being in the right place at the right time, about going back again and again and again, about not being satisfied with mediocre results, and above all about caring enough to walk across Athens as many times as it took to get what I envisioned. Any Joe or Jane with a digital camera just won't take the time.
Parthenon posted in europe , frames , greece , how to
D2X
Nikon's new D2X digital camera is the latest in their pro line and has received excellent reviews. I've just taken delivery of one and will be using it in Quebec for the first time. At 12.4 megapixels and up to 8fps shooting it is a dream to use and the file size promises much longer lifespan for stock photography images.
UPDATE: Now after the first full shoot in Quebec I have to say the results are even better than I'd expected. The dynamic range is wider with shadows not blocking up and highlights holding better than the D70. Working with only one body, though, is a pain and dust finds its way onto the sensor when you change lenses often.
D2X posted in how to , news , nikon , photography
Serendipity
Wow that was lucky! That's amazing! How did you manage to get that?��� How many of us have heard comments like this when showing photographs from a recent trip?
While I was photographing a Buddhist temple on the banks of the Mekong River in Luang Prabang, Laos, the bright tropical light dipped behind the trees lining the river. Quickly I gathered my tripod and headed across to the earthen riverbank. Scrambling down the path to the waters edge I saw a dozen children splashing and playing in the water. Quickly setting up my 35-70mm zoom lens I began shooting their bronze bodies and beguiling grins. Gradually the sky began to turn a magnificent purple and magenta. A fisherman drifted into view, and then stood on one leg as he cast his net into the water. The moment was magical. The gesture perfect.
Was that a lucky shot? Well, yes and no....
Serendipity posted in how to , stories , thoughts