I've used Greentoe on two occasions and have been very satisfied with the purchases.
Dirtfarmer, can you provide more details on how you do this? I am in the same situation and would like to replicate what you are doing with group photos. What algorithm, etc?
I replied further down in the post...but take a look at California Penal Code Section 409.5(c) PC: Unauthorized Entry Into A Closed Emergency Area.
Going into a disaster zone is likely to get you killed or arrested. They have evacuations there, rescues, etc. going on there. Adding to the confusion....in my mind...is a bad decision. And to do what? Get a photo? Unless your are a credentialed media person, you should stay out.
I use a Delorme InReach GPS unit for several reasons. The InReach is a GPS but also (via a subscription service of about $8 a month) which has the ability to text via satellite to people and has an SOS button on it that can summon help anywhere in the world. I have an evacuation insurance plan (about 300 per year) that is associated with the InReach so I hit the button and can get flown out to a quality hospital. I used the texting on a backpacking trip where we encountered a serious wildfire. I communicated with the wife and the Sheriff's Dept which allowed me to make some decisions to evacuate, where to go etc. I came across a church group and had up to date intel to advise them to evacuate as well. The InReach will log your trip and allow family and friends to monitor your progress on a map via the internet.
And...long way to answer yhour question...it also is a GPS logger that produces a file that Lightroom can use to geotag your pics. It is quite easy. I am headed to India in a week and will be using this. And I will also use the old fashioned note pad and simply write where I am, take a pic of it and it will be the first pic in the series. I change locations and take another photos of my notes!
I live in California and go there on occasion. I think you are hitting all the right spots. I am wondering if you should not also plan for including people in some of your photos? The majesty of the valley is unquestionable and will be like shooting fish in a barrel as far as scenery goes. There could be some interesting studies on human nature as well as nature. I happened to look back whilst shooting and caught all my fellow photogs doing exactly what I was doing!
The falls will be flowing so a good tripod and ND filter will give you the usual wispy water shots as well.
Congratulations of going to Israel. Having traveled a lot, people ask me what is the ONE place I would love to see again and my answer is "Israel"...no doubt about it. A magical place.
A few thoughts on your trip. If it is a tour, you will be on the bus, off the bus, walking through the Old City, etc. You will not generally be able to stop for long time periods to take a photograph. It may be possible at the Dead Sea or Sea of Galilee, but generally, you will be in very tight quarters. In the Holy Sites in Jerusalem, you will be pressed against other people and possibly in dark environments. I went back and did a data run on my photos to determine the focal length of all my pics taken in Israel. The data reveal that 75% of pics were taken at 80 mm or less (35 mm equivalent focal length calcs). Only a few were taken at longer ranges. (I did not go to the nature preserve...so that could influence things a bit.) Further, when you get into the various sites like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, you will need a very fast, short lens because it will be dark. You will also have to shoot at higher ISOs there as well. Changing lenses in those places would be a hassle...so just go wide and leave it at that.
The streets of Jerusalem are excellent for street photography. Some streets are similar to European streets with sidewalk cafes, singers, etc. Be mindful for photo ops there. There is something beguiling about women carrying M4 carbines! You will see that a lot.
In Jerusalem and perhaps in outlying areas, some of the Muslims, particularly women, did not want their photos taken. I would respect that. But, most folks on the street loved having their photos taken and were quite cooperative.
An additional recommendation: There is a lot of history there. It was almost impossible to remember everything we saw. I recommend you study up on the places you will be going and keep a log at night so that you can recall everything. I am now in the habit of actually writing the sight I visit on a piece of paper (or shooting a reference photos of a sign) before every major site visited. It helps later when you put your pics together.
Final thought, unrelated to photography, the food there can be excellent. So make sure to enjoy the cuisine.
In my consulting business contracts I use the GSA reimbursement rates for mileage and meals. The IRS rules are for tax on issues which has nothing to do with this. Right now the GSA rate is 0.54 per mile in a private vehicle.
I respectfully disagree
who...a soldier killing another solder
what...an execution...obviously in the street...no due process of any sort
where...because of the time it was taken and obvious races of the people, the Vietnam War
why...lack of humanity..sheer brutality of the moment. I think the photos may not answer why but asks why.
when...current time...as reported in news.
Who...a young innocent girl running from an obvious napalm strike. Her nakedness speaks volumes about her condition.
what....time of war...girl is naked..flames in background.
where...because of the time, it is obviously Vietnam or Cambodia.
why...that is the question of the photo...why
when...the image is so iconic that most people know the era when the photo was taken.
I think they do answer the questions...but we agree to disagree.
Best regards,
Rick
If photos do not tell stories, then there would be no Pulitzer for photos....such as the "Napalm Girl" who was naked running from a napalm strike or the "Saigon Execution."
I gotta say that I would prefer constructive criticism on my photos. "Great shot" really does not help me progress. I am in a photo club that has professional come in to evaluate our photos...and it is really helping me. I think we can ignore the "that's a horrible photo" and accept good criticism.
Welcome to the UHH. My first question for you would be what is your photographic mission (or area of interest)? Wrap your equipment purchases and self-improvement around that. For instance, I had to define what it is I shoot, how I display the photographs and under what circumstances I gather those pics. In looking back, I found that most of my photography was travel photography which I displayed in self-published books. I take some photos of family, etc during events, but for the most part my photos come from travel. And those photos are captured while on vacation, often during hiking trips, not necessarily on led photo tours. I further went back and used a data-plot program to look at the focal length I use most often and found that about 80% of my photos are in the wide to very wide angle range. As I travel more and more, I try to interact with people so as to get more street scenes. I also like taking in-door pics of people and events so fast glass was needed. So...given all that, my photo mission really does not require certain equipment but mandates other equipment. I found that I was probably not carrying the right stuff, so I changed. This is a long way of recommending that you define what it is that you want to shoot, decide if you have the equipment or need additional equipment. If the answer is that you are equipped, I would spend the money learning new techniques, on trips, or something else. If you find your needs are such that your style will be improved by glass or a camera, get it.
These are exceptional photos. Very well done, great clarity, bird in flight, wonderful tone. Congratulations on great work.
I may just follow your lead!
em5ii...
You are right on the good glass...I have a junky telephoto that is going back to the store. But I also have a 17 mm prime which is quite fast and crisp. With 5 way stabilization I can hand hold shots pretty well and keep ISO down. So, after I get a 12-40 pro lens, it will be about 85% in my range of use. My good friend, and excellent photographer, uses Olympus when traveling. He recently purchased the pro wide zoom (to the tune of about $1k) and is happy with it.
Best regards,