Tips for shooting in Hawaii (Page 2): I want to go with the mentor..I'll carry everyone's baggage...

Scubie Loc: Brunswick Georgia

I want to go with the mentor..I'll carry everyone's baggage,

Dan821 Loc: Traveling........

Great time of year to go! Also stunning scenery everywhere you look.
You do not say how long you plan to be on the island but take a few days and island-hop to Oahu or the Big Island. Each one is different and worth the time to explore.
Don't forget your tripod for the sunrise and sunset pics.
Have fun!

rayford2 Loc: New Bethlehem, PA

When you get back make sure you post some of your work on UHH...Bon Voyage.
And don't forget your tripod.

andesbill

My wife and I went to Hawaii 35 years ago and basically saw the islands through our viewscreens. Don't do that. Enjoy the experience first. Use your camera to enhance the experience, not replace it.

NikonKnight Loc: Owings Mills, MD

Jay Pat wrote:

photoAl wrote:

I'm going to Kauai in a couple of weeks (my first trip to Hawaii) and will be taking my gear (Nikon D7000, 70-300 4.5-5.6G AF-S Nikkor, 18-50 AF Di II XR 2.8 Tamron, 50 1.8G Nikkor, 40 mm macro Nikkor). I'm trying to capture landscapes, wildlife, people, sunrise/sunsets. Any thoughts, tips or suggestions are welcome.

Are you going with a tour group or will you be on your own and free to roam as you please?
How many nights will you be there?
Pat

Hi Pat
I'm there with my wife and another couple so I will have some flexibility to roam. I arrive on the 15th and depart on the 22nd to end 3 days in San Francisco before returning to MD on 1/25.

photogrl57 Loc: Tennessee

MT Shooter wrote:

NO NO NO!!
Photography in Hawaii is the most challenging location on earth! If you have never been there before you will never succeed without a photography mentor! This is absolutely essential to bringing home any good images.
I would be happy to offer my assistance in this matter free of charge. (Just cover my airfare and hotel and we will call it even!)
You have been warned! Not my fault if you go without me and don't like your shots!

LOL now that's just funny ... love the humor.

photogrl57 Loc: Tennessee

We lived on Maui for 5 years and I agree there is no way you have to worry about getting great shots...it's nearly impossible to take them. I've never been to that particular island but I have thousands of photos of Maui and a few hundred from Oahu.

NikonKnight Loc: Owings Mills, MD

photogrl57 wrote:

quote=MT Shooter NO NO NO!! br Photography in Haw... (show quote)

It's one of the reasons I love this forum!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Iduno wrote:

quote=MT Shooter NO NO NO!! br Photography in Haw... (show quote)

Thanks, but its cold enough right here thank you! I save my Alaska trips for August, the halibut fishing is better then!

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

photoAl wrote:

I'm going to Kauai in a couple of weeks (my first trip to Hawaii) and will be taking my gear (Nikon D7000, 70-300 4.5-5.6G AF-S Nikkor, 18-50 AF Di II XR 2.8 Tamron, 50 1.8G Nikkor, 40 mm macro Nikkor). I'm trying to capture landscapes, wildlife, people, sunrise/sunsets. Any thoughts, tips or suggestions are welcome.

Aloha, Bring the biggest chip you can find. Or your laptop and download when needed. I took the helicopter twice. If you bring a pro-looking camera and equipment they may put you near a window. They have to balance people and won't guarantee you a window. Some windows are cleana and another was not. Good luck.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Meives wrote:

quote=photoAl I'm going to Kauai in a couple of w... (show quote)

One suggestion for helecopters or planes or trains. If you want to shoot out a window its a great idea to have a pack of Windex Wipes in your pocket or camera bag. Its a perfect way to clean off the fingerprints, noseprints and whatever else previous flyers left behind. At least your little spot of window will be clean to shoot through.
VR lenses really help here too as the motors sometimes put out disruptive vibrations.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

photoAl wrote:

I'm going to Kauai in a couple of weeks (my first trip to Hawaii) and will be taking my gear (Nikon D7000, 70-300 4.5-5.6G AF-S Nikkor, 18-50 AF Di II XR 2.8 Tamron, 50 1.8G Nikkor, 40 mm macro Nikkor). I'm trying to capture landscapes, wildlife, people, sunrise/sunsets. Any thoughts, tips or suggestions are welcome.

Go to Kilauea Point Lighthouse and National Wildlife Refuge!
Depending on the season, you'll find a good collection of interesting birds. When the wind is right, they'll soar along the cliff. It's not often you can photograph a soaring Albatross, Great Frigatebird and others while looking DOWN at them. If like taking bird pictures but are tired of pictures of their rear ends from below, this it THE place to go!

If you're old and cheap, like me, get a "Senior Pass". It's a $10 lifetime pass to National Parks and other Federal lands. You can get one at Kilauea. The "Senior Pass" replaced the "Golden Age Passport" pass, which is still valid.

daddyloveszm Loc: Las Vegas

Think about getting a "good" ND32 or ND64 filter...I have seen some great long exposure daytime shots taken from the islands. Slowing down the shutter speed (5-6 stops, respectively) will allow you to catch some great water motion...shooting at .5 to 1 full second at f22...additionally, you can use the filters to open the apeture to decrease the DOF...have fun!!!

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

photoAl wrote:

I'm going to Kauai in a couple of weeks (my first trip to Hawaii) and will be taking my gear (Nikon D7000, 70-300 4.5-5.6G AF-S Nikkor, 18-50 AF Di II XR 2.8 Tamron, 50 1.8G Nikkor, 40 mm macro Nikkor). I'm trying to capture landscapes, wildlife, people, sunrise/sunsets. Any thoughts, tips or suggestions are welcome.

The Kauai Tourist Bureau controls the beautiful sunrises/sunsets. Due to the poor economy, they're scheduled only on days that end with a "y".

mooseeyes Loc: Sonora, California

photoAl wrote:

I'm going to Kauai in a couple of weeks (my first trip to Hawaii) and will be taking my gear (Nikon D7000, 70-300 4.5-5.6G AF-S Nikkor, 18-50 AF Di II XR 2.8 Tamron, 50 1.8G Nikkor, 40 mm macro Nikkor). I'm trying to capture landscapes, wildlife, people, sunrise/sunsets. Any thoughts, tips or suggestions are welcome.

Here is a link that you might want to explore. This map of the island shows cameras that you can click on, for a photo and info (I am sure you can do better on the photos). I have been to the islands dozens of times, including Kauai (the Garden Isle). My advice is to relax, take your time. . .and don't kill yourself trying to see and do it all.

Do NOT leave your camera gear locked up in your rental car for any reason, at any time, or at any location.

http://www.summitpacificinc.com/kauai_map.html