India’s Faces & Places

In January/February of 2020 I took a group of photographers to India for a little over 2 weeks.  We hit the highlights of New Delhi, Bandhavgarh National Park, Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, & Jaisalmer for the Desert Festival.

My main gear for this trip was 3 Canon bodies a 5D Mark IV, 5D Mark III, the 90D, & my new iPhone 11.  I paired these with a Canon 100-400L II, Canon 70-200L f/2.8 II, and a Canon 16-35L f/2.8 II, my trusty BlackRapid Yeti double strap, and my Tenba Shootout 32L camera bag (which was full of all my other goodies).

India is a mix of amazing, confusing, and absolutely unexplainable activity, colors, sounds, sights, smells, and rich diversity.  There are examples of virtually every known type of societal division; six major religions – Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, Buddhism, & Zoroastrianism; two major language families – Aryan and Dravidian, with 18 official languages and innumerable dialects and tribal languages; three racial strains – Aryan, Dravidian, and proto-Australoid; and over 4000 castes, hierarchically ranked, endogamous, and occupational.  It was this we wanted to photograph.

But where does one begin to photograph this chaos (a word most folks think of when they have not visited India)?  India today is unfolding a story of a billion plus people, or more precisely, one sixth of the world’s population, on a big move as India’s large and complex systems rapidly moving top-down and the country emerges as one of the fastest growing economies of the world.  The shadows of a vibrant consumer society are taking shapes and urban population is exposed to massive change in life style, consumption habits, and cultural conditioning.

A common place to begin telling any story of India is with her people and places.  It is these that I exposed my guests to and as we shot we all experienced an India that embraced us and opened her arms to our needs, whims, and even our most selfish requests.

India has a photograph around every corner.  It does not matter if you are in the city or in the villages.  The people and places of India are as vast & diverse as Sherwin Williams paints – and often times even better and brighter!

We even took a few days to explore and photograph some wildlife.  I was not the luckiest person with the tigers this trip but I did use the occasion to test a new Canon crop-sensor DSLR – the 90D – a 32.5MP, 10 fps wildlife machine.

We ended the trip in the desert outside Jaisalmer for The Desert Festival.  We used the time to create some classic desert images with a camel, a camel driver, the sand dunes, and an awesome sunset.  Not the first time to shoot this but I am always blown away by the beauty of the desert.

As I plan the next adventure we’ll take to India I also look forward to a new group and new images.  I am still inspired by India; let India inspire you and bring a better understanding of her places and people to you.

Botswana photo safari

M&M Photo Tours, Inc. lead a photo safari to Botswana in July 2018.  Depending on who you ask Botswana is either #1 or #2 for wildlife safaris in Africa.  We can tell you that Botswana did not disappoint and remains in solid medal position for M&M and our guests.

The camera/lens gear I used for the trip was 3 Canon bodies – 5D Mark IV, 5D Mark III, & 7D Mark II and they were paired with the following glass – Sigma 150-600 C, Canon 100-400L II, Canon 70-200L II, or Canon 24-105L.  I also used a Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II for some video and stills.

Fish Eagle w/ Canon 7D Mark II, f/8, ISO 640, 1/2500 @ 200mm

This amazing Fish Eagle was one of many that we enjoyed photographing while along the Chobe River.

Elephant w/ Canon 5D Mark IV, f/8, ISO 1600, 1/1600 @ 267mm

And elephants along and in the Chobe River never disappoint.  We had great luck several different times with elephants playing in the water.

Elephants w/ Canon 5D Mark IV, f/8, ISO 1250, 1/1250 @ 172mm

The Chobe has so much life in and around it one could spend years and still not get every possible image presented.  We spend 4 days on and near the river so we capture as much as possible.  Like hippos, giraffe, birds, elephants, crocs, and much more…

Hippo running into Chobe River w/ Canon 7D Mark II, f/8, ISO 640, 1/1600, @ 200mm

Giraffe getting a drink w/ Canon 5D Mark IV, f/8, ISO 1600, 1/1250, @ 221mm

There is all sorts of bird life along the river – Kingfishers, Lilac-Breasted Rollers, Herons, Fish Eagles and so many more.

 

Croc w/ Canon 5D Mark IV, f/8, ISO 1600, 1/400, @ 600mm

We also spent time in Khwai area which is part of the larger Moremi Reserve.  The raw beauty of the setting coupled with the excellent guides and the great hosts at camp made for a memorable trip.  Of course, the photography was amazing and the subjects endless.

Hippo water toss w/ Canon 5D Mark IV, f/8, ISO 2000, 1/800, @ 374mm

Hippo yawn tight crop w/ Canon 5D Mark IV, f/8, ISO 1600, 1/640, @ 403mm

Plenty of gazelles around the water made for some fun imagery.

One of the big draws to Botswana is the chance to see Wild/Painted Dogs.  They are so beautiful, playful, fun to photograph, and amazing to watch on the hunt.

Botswana probably has more elephants than any other country in Africa and they are everywhere doing everything you expect an elephant to do.  They make for sure great subjects and their young are just adorable.

Lions are always a safari highlight – Botswana has plenty and seeing lions in or near water with their young (tickler alert) is always a plus.

Botswana is a birders paradise.  So many beautiful colors, species, settings, and sizes to photograph.  We had great luck with birds the entire trip.

M&M’s 2019 Botswana photo tour is full but we have dates in 2020 and 2021 on the books so if Botswana is a destination you have been wanting to photograph – start saving now and join us for an awesome safari to Botswana!

Tanzania – wonderful wildlife safaris

Elephant rendered in B&W – Canon 5D Mark III, f/11, 1/320, ISO 200, 35mm

Lioness resting on a fallen tree – Canon 7D Mark II, f/4.5, 1/1000, ISO 2000, 74mm handheld in very low light right before sundown with thick cloud cover

Every year M&M ventures to Tanzania in January and sometimes in August to witness two of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth.  In January I call it the reverse migration when wildlife returns to Tanzania from Kenya.  This is the calving season for many of the hoofed animals – zebra, wildebeest, gazelle, impala, and more.  It makes for great predator action.  In August we venture over again for the better known Great Migration and river crossing you have all heard about and seen images from many different sources.  This is when the migration leaves Tanzania for Kenya and the better grass across the border.  This post is meant to share just a few comments about Tanzania and several images from recent M&M trips.

Most of trips to Tanzania are all-inclusive – RT economy air from certain US gateway cities, all meals, all lodging, all ground transport, all park fees, world-class driver/guides, and more.  We usually fly through Amsterdam and then into Kilimanjaro International Airport just outside Arusha, Tanzania.

During most trips we visit the following areas – Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and then spend as much time as possible in the Ndutu area, & Serengeti National Park.  Each area gives us a different view of the wildlife and the migration.  They also afford their own benefits and scenes for the wildlife photography we all desire.

We head to Tarangire for a few reasons – resident wildlife and the elephants.  The park has solid numbers of resident wildlife anytime of year.  This gives us a quick warm-up for what we’ll experience on the rest of the trip.  The Ngorongoro Crater needs no words.  With one of the world’s most dense resident wildlife populations it is hard not to see amazing wildlife or capture great images.  The crater offers one of the best wildlife experiences in all of Africa and certainly one of the top in Tanzania.  Ndutu is a region known for awesome wildlife year round.  The resident cats (lions, leopards, cheetah, and more) are some of my favorites here but there are also elephant, herds of zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, and more.  One of the pluses of a several day stay in Ndutu is the that off-road safari is allowed so you can track and get even closer to wildlife than in other areas.  Of course, we and our driver/guides maintain a respectable distance and give the wildlife the space they need to keep them comfortable.  The Serengeti is arguably the best National Park in all of Africa.  It offers excellent wildlife viewing year round and the space and numbers of animals in the park make every safari authentic and every safari participant yearning for more.

People often wonder what our lodging is like on safari.  Here I am going to give you links to the places we usually stay (our first picks) so you can decide for yourself.  We try to combine authentic safari experiences with several comfortable lodges/camps so our guests are comfortable, safe, and enjoy their time in Tanzania.  Of course, the food is always delicious…

We first stay at Rivertrees upon arrival – Rivertrees is set in a pleasant semi-rural location around 20km to the east of Arusha and is therefore convenient for Kilimanjaro International Airport.  It sits in beautiful informal gardens filled with large shady trees and is centered on a lovely old farmhouse.  https://www.expertafrica.com/tanzania/arusha/rivertrees-country-inn

Our next stop is one of two camps in Tarangire National Park.  Tarangire Safari Lodge – Tarangire is situated in an impressive hilltop position deep inside the reserve, with extensive views from camp of wildlife along the river. It is a simple facility, but with very nice well-intentioned owners.  Tarangire offers good quality dry season wildlife, notably superb elephant viewing Jun-Dec.  Additional activities include vehicle safari and balloon safari, plus some modest walking safari and night vehicle safari.  https://www.expertafrica.com/tanzania/tarangire-national-park/tarangire-safari-lodge  Or, we’ll use Tarangire Ndovu Camp depending on group makeup and numbers.  Ndovu is a medium specification mobile tented facility in a quiet location in the northeast of the reserve. It is a comfortable camp, with just six guest tents. Activities include daytime vehicle safari, with possible options for walking safari and night vehicle safari. Wildlife viewing is usually at its best during the dry season, Jun-Dec, particularly strong for elephants.  http://www.nasikiacamps.com/tarangire-ndovu-camp.html

Our next stop is the Ngorongoro Crater.  Here we always try to use Lemala Ngorongoro Camp.  Lemala is a high quality mobile tented camp set on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.  It includes a comfortable and nicely appointed mess and nine pleasant guest tents, with reliable owners and a reputation for a really good atmosphere amongst the camp staff.  The lodge is on the better northern side for weather and for early access into the crater.  Vehicle safari into the Ngorongoro Crater itself is the main activity, with walking and cultural activities also being possible.  https://www.expertafrica.com/tanzania/ngorongoro-crater/lemala-ngorongoro

We always try to book Lake Masek Tented Camp in Ndutu.  Lake Masek is a medium specification permanent tented lodge set in the important Ndutu area and is open year round, with the main migration often being in the area Nov/Apr.  The lodge offers a relatively high level of conventional comforts, especially compared with the mobile tented camps which are so numerous in this area during the migration season.  https://www.expertafrica.com/tanzania/serengeti-migration-area/lake-masek-tented-camp  Another option we have on hold often is Kubu Kubu Tented Camp.  Kubu Kubu is Situated on a gentle hillside with broad views of the Central Serengeti area and is a medium specification permanent tented camp.  It is centered on a large circular structure which contains the lounge and dining areas, leading out to a large swimming pool.  Guest accommodation is in a total of 25 spacious tents on raised platforms and with great views, which are suitable for up to five people, making this place a big favorite for families and camera clubs.  Activities are centered on vehicle safari, with the area offering very solid wildlife viewing year round, notably with incredible predator sightings.  The migration usually passes through May-Jun and Nov-Dec.  http://www.africatravelresource.com/kubu-kubu-tented-camp/

Depending on the time of year and camp availability we’ll use one of two of three camps in The Serengeti.  We always like to give folks the experience of a true “roughing it” camp so we use Ronjo Camp.  Ronjo is a medium specification mobile tented camp set in a relatively quiet location in Central Serengeti.  It offers an authentic safari experience, with animals often passing through camp. The camp has a pleasant canvas mess and around sixteen reasonably comfortable guest tents.  It is a closed access camp, which means it does not accept vehicles from other operators, which can lead to a much more intimate atmosphere.  http://www.africatravelresource.com/ronjo-camp/  After a couple of nights at Ronjo we’ll move our guests to one of two more upscale camps – Dunia Camp or Kaskaz Camp.  Dunia is a high specification mobile tented camp is in a relatively quiet location in Central Serengeti.  It offers an authentic safari experience, with animals often passing through camp.  The camp has a lovely canvas mess and around eight guest tents. It is elegantly presented and genially hosted.  Activities are centered on vehicle safari, with the area offering very solid wildlife viewing year round with incredible predator sightings, especially Jul-Oct.  The migration usually passes through May-Jun and Nov-Dec. https://www.expertafrica.com/tanzania/serengeti-migration-area/dunia-camp  Kaskaz is a small and relatively upmarket mobile tented camp with eight guest tents .  Kaskaz offers style and grace in the northern Serengeti – we use this camp for the August Great Migration safari.  http://www.nasikiacamps.com/Kaskaz-Mara-Camp.html

We cap every trip off with a stay at Gibbs Farm (when available and we book far enough in advance.  This place is an oasis after a safari and bring a level of comfort and peace that unrivaled in Tanzania.  Gibbs Farm has been voted Best Safari Hotel in Africa in the past.  Gibb’s Farm imparts a sense of well-being, tranquility and history—deeply rooted in African culture and community—in a warm, rustic luxury environment.  A peaceful sanctuary to rejuvenate the senses while on safari in Tanzania, the farm features cozy, well-appointed cottages, breath-taking scenery and wildlife and unique cultural activities that allow you to fully experience the rhythms and beauty of the farm, community and nature.  http://www.gibbsfarm.com/

Hope you have enjoyed our little piece on our Tanzania adventures.  We’d love to host you on one of our Tanzanian safaris sometime soon.  We have tours coming up in August 2017 that has 2 spots available, one in January 2018 that still has multiple spots open, one in August 2018 that has multiple spots open, and back-to-back luxury trips scheduled for January & February 2019 with guest pro Jeff Cable.

Eastern European Adventure

Last September we took a 3 week adventure which started in Berlin and took us to Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, The High Tatra Mountains, Krakow, Warsaw, St. Petersburg, and Moscow.  7 countries and many wonderful sites, meals, and people over the 3 week trek.

We saw the great sites of Berlin but what caught our eye most was the street art and the remaining Berlin Wall.  We love history and we were right in the middle of it!

Berlin was awesome – look forward to going back soon.

Street art – Berlin

Brandenburg Gate – Berlin

The Great Wall is covered in new art – found this one powerful – tells the story of the thousands that wanted to escape the oppression they suffered:

Berlin Wall art

Next was my favorite city in central Europe – Prague.  Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe with great sites, food, people, and history.  There is so much that can be written about Prague but we do not have the skills to do it justice so we’ll just share some images…

Charles Bridge and more – Prague

Old Town – Prague

After Prague we had a nice and relaxing visit to Mikulov and Cesky Krumlov.  Loved this scene:

Street scene – Mikulov

Next on the adventure is Vienna – quick and easy is Vienna.  Again, so much can be said about Vienna and her history but that is for a different day.  We enjoyed a nice Blue Hour shoot at Schonbrunn Palace:

Schonbrunn Palace – Vienna

Had not been to Budapest in a few years BUT got to go twice in the course of 1 month!  Right before this wonderful 3 week adventure I spent a week in Budapest and Prague with good friends.  Didn’t have any real-time for photography with my friends but was able to get some shots to update things on the longer trip.

Parliament Building – Budapest

Chain Bridge and more – Budapest

Bratislava and The High Tatra Mountains were next.  Loved the mountains and the relaxation and fresh air…

Krakow & Warsaw were next on the menu.  Once again, more history than we can shake a stick at BUT plenty of cool images to be had if you get out and walk – and look – and shoot.  We are only sharing a few from Warsaw for now…

We wrapped up the trip with a few days each in St. Petersburg and then Moscow, Russia.  We have lots we could say about our visit but will withhold here.  Weather was not the best, we were rushed (beyond our control), and had a few locals that were less than friendly with us.  Even with all that we still we happy to come home with a some images we like.  Hope you do too.

St. Basil’s – Moscow, Russia

Hope you enjoy the quick trip with us.  We have a blast on all our trips and have some excellent ones coming up – Uganda for the mountain gorillas, Tanzania, Cuba, Japan, Indochina, China, New Zealand, Myanmar & Thailand, and more.  Let us know which one interests you.

Italy 2016 Adventure

Italy is a country that amazes with her beauty, food, people, and varied landscapes.  This is why at M&M we rotate 3 different tours – Best of Italy, Classic Tuscany, & Northern Italy & Lake District photo tours.  This post is from the 2016 Best of Italy adventure.

Manarola long exposure with storm clouds

This year’s adventure started on the Cinque Terra where we enjoyed varied weather.  The shot above was shot at f/22 for 2 seconds at ISO 100 at 24mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 24-105L IS lens.

Venice Gondola Blur at Blue Hour

Venice never disappoints.  We also hit Burano while in the area but this was the shot selected for the this post.  The shot above was shot at f/22 for 30 seconds at ISO 100 at 25mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 16-35L lens.

Ponte Vecchio at Blue Hour

Florence has so much to shoot and our groups love Blue Hour.  The image above was shot at f/16 for 8 seconds at ISO 160 at 35mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and a Canon 16-35L lens.

Florence Duomo B&W

The Florence Cathedral is an architectural marvel with shapes, patterns, and simplicity.  The above image was shot at f/8 for 1/640 of a second at ISO 400 at 70mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 70-200L IS II lens.

Pisa and river with storm clouds

While doing our walk along the river in Pisa some EPIC storm clouds formed and the light on the buildings facing us was great.  The above image was shot was shot at f/22 for 1/40 of a second at ISO 400 at 24mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 24-105L IS lens.

Pisa – Leaning Tower and Cathedral with storm clouds

The weather continued while we wandered the Field of Miracles shooting the Pisa Cathedral and Leaning Tower.  The above image was shot was shot at f/22 for 2 seconds at ISO 100 at 28mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 24-105L IS lens.

Fun with reflections

While waiting for the light to shift we decided to have some fun with mirrored sunglasses.  Harvey modeled them and I caught most of the group in the reflection.  The above image was shot was shot at f/4 for 1/60 of a second at ISO 2000 at 105mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 24-105L IS lens.

Amalfi Coast sunset

The Amalfi Coast is so full of beauty and color it is nearly impossible not to come home with some pleasing shots.  The above image was shot was shot at f/9 for 1/125 of a second at ISO 800 at 40mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 24-105L IS lens.

Capri Islands Faraglioni Rocks

The boat ride around Capri was eventful – a little wind, a little water, some cool clouds and the iconic Faraglioni Rocks.  The above image was shot was shot at f/6.3 for 1/1250 of a second at ISO 800 at 28mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 24-105L IS lens.

Capri Blue Grotto boats

As we were departing the port we walked past these extra boats which locals use to take folks to the famous Blue Grotto on Capri Island.  I added a bit of grunge for effect and the help the weathered look stand out.   The above image was shot was shot at f/8 for 1/800 of a second at ISO 400 at 35mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 24-105L IS lens.

Sorrento Boats

Sorrento is known for boats.  Evening light and the color cast shadows of the right hand boats makes this shot for me.  The above image was shot was shot at f/8 for 1/1000 of a second at ISO 400 at 400mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 70-200L IS II lens w/ 2x extender.

Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II & St. Peter’s Dome Color at Blue Hour

We always end the Best of Italy trip in Rome.  There is simply so much to see and shoot.  Can’t do Rome and not include a Blue Hour.  The above image was shot was shot at f/16 for 10 seconds at ISO 100 at 45mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 25-105L IS lens.

Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II & St. Peter’s Dome B&W

A B&W rendition of the color image above.

Arch of Constantine – Rome

Putting a little more art in my imagery – shooting an arch through an arch.  Shot from inside the Coliseum.   The above image was shot was shot at f/11 for 1/400 of a second at ISO 400 at 40mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 25-105L IS lens.

Trevi Fountain

On our last night we wandered till last and found the freshly restored Trevi Fountain refreshing and unobstructed.  The above image was shot was shot at f/16 for 5 seconds at ISO 100 at 28mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 25-105L IS lens.

Hope you enjoy.  We visit Italy every year and will hit northern Italy and the Lake District next May.  Check out http://www.mmphototours.com for all our tour offerings.  Hope to have you join us soon.

 

 

Sigma 150-600 C lens test in Tanzania

Young elephant crossing the river in Tarangire National Park

In June of 2016 Mike G had the chance to make a visit to Tanzania with family and friends where he spent several days testing the Sigma 150-600 C lens in three different Tanzanian National Parks – Tarangire, Ngorongoro, & Lake Manyara.

Bottom line – Mike G, who has used the Tamron 150-600 VC lens and Canon L series big glass on African safaris in the past, was very pleased with the lens and feels it is every bit the lens the Tamron is with possibly better stabilization and color reproduction and offers a better bang for your buck than the much more expensive Canon or Nikon options.

All of the following images were taken with a Canon 5D Mark III and the Sigma 150-600 C lens.

Waterbuck family checking surroundings

Elephant crossing the river in Tarangire NP

Elephant crossing the river Tarangire National Park

 

The first thing most people are going to notice with this lens is the price tag – much less than the Canon 100-400 II, Nikon 80-400 VR, Canon 200-400 w/ 1.4x, or any of the prime BIG glass lenses either Canon or Nikon offer.  And, you are gonna save size vs a few of the other options while not adding much bulk vs some of the slightly smaller options – Canon 100-400 II or even Nikon 80-400 VR.

High quality glass is vital to the optical quality of any image.  The quality Mike G observed in this test shows that the 150-600 C is an excellent lens with high quality workmanship coming out of the Sigma Aizuwakamatsu (where Mike actually lived for several months while a young man) factory in Japan.  The FLD & SLD glass elements help the lens achieve a high degree of clearer, sharper, greater clarity and excellent contrast across the focal range.  While not weather-sealed like its Big Brother the S version the lens should withstand most light weather situations but you’ll want some form of heavy weather protection should you venture out in heavy rain/snow.

Mike G finds the lens be very sharp at all focal lengths up till about 550mm – especially when stopped down to f/8.  Above 550mm stopping down to f/11 helps keep the center of images sharp and clean.

Lilac-Breasted Roller checking surroundings

The next thing you are going to notice is a wonderful range (150-600mm) which will allow you to fix this lens on your favorite camera body and shoot all day without changing lenses – which can be extremely convenient and save a lot of sensor cleaning while out on safari – or even shooting birds in the backyard or wildlife in Yellowstone National park.  With a minimum focusing distance of 110.2″ critters will have to be pretty close – 9.2′ or just a tad over 3 yards away to not focus.  If you are that close to any wildlife you had better be near small wildlife that cannot hurt you or in vehicle that can help protect you.  For sporting events – depending on the event – it can be the lens that reaches out and touches the action.

Some of you may ask – what about the min/max aperture range of the lens – f/5-6.3 – f/22 and capturing images in low light?  Not a concern if you are shooting with a relatively new body that handles noise/high ISO situations well.  Feel free to bump that ISO up to keep your shutter speed up if needed.  Plus, the Sigma Optical Stabilization, which includes an accelerometer for better panning results, is going to get gain you anywhere from 2 – 3 stops when handholding with good, solid technique.  So, go ahead and shoot away.

Wildebeest males battle during rut

Male lion surveying Ngorongoro Crater surroundings

How about the auto focus performance you may ask?  Mike G found it to be very accurate, fast, and quiet.  The Sigma Hyper Sonic Motor is reliable and Mike G found it be a bit faster than the Tamron 150-600.  The lens does also come with a focus limiter switch which can be handy when subjects are more than 33+ feet away.

Warthog family lounging in the short grasses of Ngorongoro Crater

Young elephants crossing the river in Tarangire National Park

Do we (Mike G) recommend this lens?  Yes.  This lens offers great image quality at an excellent price point.  The outstanding performance seen coupled with the savings makes this lens a viable option for even the most serious wildlife photographers.

Lounging gazelle

Zebra

Croatia & Slovenia trip

It seems like ages ago but the Croatia & Slovenia trip was one to remember.  We had an awesome group of M&M Photo Tours returnees and added a new guest/fan to the mix.  The trip went off without a hitch and the weather was awesome the entire trip.

Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 @ 55mm, f/11, ISO 200, 1/3, BlackRapid Sport, Lexar Digital Media, Tiffen filters, Clik Elite Pro Express

This trip takes to the best locations both countries have to offer and we experience a feel and flavor that is unique and special.  Our local guide for both countries is Luka Esenko (http://lukaesenko.com/about) who is an awesome photographer himself which adds to the group and locations we shoot – Luka knows his stuff.

Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 VC @ 24mm, f/11, 1/4, ISO 100, BlackRapid Sport, Tiffen filters, Lexar Digital Media, Clik Elite Pro Express

We travel from the beautiful coast of Croatia starting in Dubrovnik, then to Hvar, Split, Plitvice Lakes NP, and then head into Slovenia where we shoot Lake Bled, the Soca River Valley, & beautiful Ljubljana.  From the Dalmatian Coast to the awe-inspiring Julian Alps of Slovenia and all the gems in between make this trip a landscape photographers dream BUT also delivers for those who love culture, street photography, macro, and more.

For those who may be concerned about the past history of the locations – you have NOTHING to worry about.  The trip is safe, the people kind & helpful, the food is some of the best in Europe – awesome pizza and seafood which I love (MCG), the lodging is superb, the towns are clean and open, and the photography is simply awesome.

Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 VC @ 55mm, 1/20, f/22, ISO 100, BlackRapid Sport, Lexar Digital Media, Tiffen filters, Clik Elite Pro Express

Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 VC @ 45mm, 1/800, f/5, ISO 2000, BlackRapid Sport, Lexar Digital Media, Tiffen filter, Clik Elite Pro Express

Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 16-35L f/2.8 II USM @ 16mm, 1/800, f/6.3, ISO 800, BlackRapid Sport, Lexar Digital Media, Tiffen filter, Clik Elite Pro Express

Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 VC @ 51mm, 1/400, f/4.5, ISO 2000, BlackRapid Sport, Lexar Digital Media, Tiffen filter, Clik Elite Pro Express

The overall beauty that awaits, the crisp clean light, the fresh clean air, the ease of access to locations, and our guest pro Deb Sandidge and local pro/guide Luka Esenko add so much to this trip that the value and photography are off the charts.  There is simply so much to shoot at every stop that you’ll have a hard time paring your images down for your camera club presentations that you’ll be asked to do once folks see your images.  It is that good!

The 2015 Croatia & Slovenia trip is scheduled for June 15-29, 2015 and is an all-inclusive trip – as are most M&M international tours.  There is still space available but will fill fast once we get past the holidays.

Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 VC @ 70mm, 1/1600, f/9, ISO 800, BlackRapid Sport, Lexar Digital Media, Tiffen filter, Clik Elite Pro Express

Tuscany 2014

Our annual trek through Tuscany in May of each year is always enjoyable, relaxing, and filled with excellent photography opportunities.  Once again this year we set up residence at our favorite villa outside of Arezzo and explored Tuscany from there.  Our group was small which allowed us flexibility to take the time we needed/wanted at each location.

Our hosts at the villa – Mirella & Stefano

No trip to Italy – let alone Tuscany is complete without awesome meals and awesome people to share them with.  There were plenty of meals to share and the group made for great company.  We ate like kings, shot like kings, slept like kings, and overall just had a wonderful trip and many great experiences during our two weeks in Italy.

We like to give ourselves assignments on or before each trip.  This trip was about handheld HDR and really testing the lenses, Canon 5D Mark III, and seeing if the image stabilization of the lenses would give us the stops we need to forgo a tripod at times.  We were happy with the result BUT have determined yet again that a tripod is always a good idea.

A little low light, high ISO work – Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 16-35L @ 27mm, ISO 5000, 1/40, f/2.8, handheld, BlackRapid Sport, Lexar Digital Media, Clik Elite Pro Express

Several of the guests enjoyed the wine while we all enjoyed everything about the trip.  One of our favorite things and parts of this trip is the stained-glass we get to see – here are a few of our favorites from an old church in Montepulciano:

Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 70-200 @ 200mm, f/4.5, ISO 500, 1/250, handheld, BlackRapid Sport, Tiffen HT Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Media, Clik Elite Pro Express

Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 70-200 @ 200mm, 1/800, f/5, ISO 640, handheld, BlackRapid Sport, Tiffen HT Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Media, Clik Elite Pro Express

We ventured to so many different parts of Tuscany during this trip that it is difficult to express which part we like most – fact of the matter is that we love them all or we would not go.  Landscapes, people, architecture, and food are some of the reasons we visit Italy – we photograph them all.  The next several shots are some of our favorites from this year’s trip:

Chapel on The Hill – Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 70-200 @ 200mm, 1/640, f/8, ISO 800, handheld, BlackRapid Sport, Tiffen HT Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Media, Clik Elite Pro Express

Grove of Cypress Trees – Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 24-70 @ 33mm, 1/640, f/9, ISO 1000, handheld, BlackRapid Sport, Tiffen HT Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Media, Clik Elite Pro Express

Pitigliano – Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 24-70 @ 40mm, 1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 800, handheld, BlackRapid Sport, Tiffen HT Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Media, Clik Elite Pro Express

Florence – Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 24-70 @ 44mm, 1/1000, f/8, ISO 800, handheld, BlackRapid Sport, Tiffen HT Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Media, Clik Elite Pro Express

Pisa – Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 24-70 @ 24mm, 1/1000, f/8, ISO 800, handheld, BlackRapid Sport, Tiffen HT Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Film, Clik Elite Pro Express

San Antimo Abbey – Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 24-70 @ 70mm, 1/250, f/8, ISO 200, handheld, BlackRapid Sport, Tiffen HT Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Media, Clik Elite Pro Express

We also spend a few days in Rome and make a few stops outside of Tuscany while on this trip.  Here are a few of our favorites from those days in Orvieto and Rome:

The Orvieto Cathedral is our favorite in all of Italy – Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 16-35L @ 18mm, 1/1000, f/11, ISO 500, handheld, BlackRapid Sport, Tiffen HT Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Media, Clik Elite Pro Express

Rome – Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 24-70 @ 24mm, 1/200, f/22, ISO 800, handheld, BlackRapid Sport, Tiffen HT Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Media, Clik Elite Pro Express

Rome heading towards Vatican City – Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 24-70 @ 40mm, 1/800, f/14, ISO 800, handheld, BlackRapid Sport, Tiffen HT Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Media, Clik Elite Pro Express

We even got to spend a Sunday afternoon at Vatican City and listened to Pope Francis deliver an address to the crowd in St. Peter’s Square.  Did not understand a word but as we say at M&M “You don’t just take a photograph, you experience it!”  It is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that anyone who goes to Rome should try and experience.  Wish I would have brought a longer lens – even left the 70-200 at the hotel as I chose to do this walk with just one lens.  Lesson learned?  Yes, carry your pack and gear at all times – even if you have been to a location MANY times before because you never know what will present itself.

We even got to see The Pope – Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 24-70 @ 70mm, 1/800, f/8, ISO 800, handheld, BlackRapid Sport, Lexar Digital Media, Clik Elite Pro Express

After the Tuscany trip was complete I had a few days to myself in Rome and Venice while in transit to Croatia for my next group.  Here are a few shots from Venice:

Venice – Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 24-70 @ 70mm, 1/400, f/4.5, ISO 2000, handheld, BlackRapid Sport, Tiffen HT Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Media, Clik Elite pro Express

Venice canal – Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 24-70 @ 70mm, 1/800, f/6.3, ISO 2000, handheld, BlackRapid Sport, Tiffen HT Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Media, Clik Elite Pro Express

Hope you enjoy the post.  Look forward to have some of you joining us in Italy next year – May 17-26, 2015.

TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: Light, Location & Lenses

Where do I go to get the best shot of…?  When do I go to get that shot?  These questions have troubled travelers and photographers for years.  Travel photography is more available and affordable than ever.

Great travel photography boils down to three things: Light, Location and Lenses.  In the following short paragraphs I will share with you the prime basics I have learned over the last 30 years of travel photography.  Since the early 1980’s I have traveled to over 160 countries—yes, there are that many and still more to go!

Light.  Without it GREAT photography is difficult—even with the high ISO digital cameras of today.  Truly excellent photography begins AND ends with light and how you use, protect, manipulate and ultimately capture light.

Just as important as the primal light mother-nature provides is the light of your own imagination and eye.  The art of seeing light is a must for being able to visualize exactly how you want to capture the light you have to work with.

The key with travel photography, as with most other photography, is how you put yourself into position to capture the best light for the location you are working with.  This can vary depending on the location.

How do we combat or work with light?  Rise before the sun, and most people, to be out, set-up and ready to release the shutter on location before even the bell tower mice of Notre Dame are awake.  The best light of any day and any season is often the morning light.  The soft rays create hues and angles which even the novice can make look extraordinary.  In my opinion morning light is the most interesting and clean light of the day.  Of course, the often vibrant rays of the evening are inviting and awesome as well.

As always, before you begin clicking away, consider how the available light, weather, as well as lens selection and camera position will impact your shot.  Take some time to walk around your subject, if possible, while considering all of these elements. Take your time and look through the viewfinder (or even LCD screen) and be open to the unusual and the unexpected.

Location.  The world is such that many people have traveled and seen much more than even 20 years ago.  The classic sights—The Eiffel Tower, The Leaning Tower of Pisa or even a Bull Elk in Yellowstone National Park have been shot by MILLIONS of photographers.  Each of them has a killer shot of the site—right?  However, many travelers do not go back to a location to ever shoot it again.  Hitting sights in each of the four seasons brings them to life.  If at all possible return to favorite locations and shoot often—the Light is NEVER the same and your mood and imagination may bring you new discoveries.  Spending time watching locals interact and visit sites can add a layer of creativity and vision to how you approach and shoot it.  Find out as much as you can about your destination before you start traveling.  Use the Internet, travel books, maps and the phone to find out details about potential shooting locations and weather.  When you arrive on location take some time to look at post cards of the area to get ideas and locations.  If the schedule allows, scout a location to determine the best camera position for the next day—these are all things we do and provide in advance on a photo tour!  Putting yourself in the right place at the right time is a must to excellent travel photography.

Lenses.  Do NOT skimp on glass.  I would rather have a basic (read entry level) DSLR and GREAT glass than a fully-loaded pro DSLR with inferior glass.  Yes, we recognize that there is a lot of good glass out there.  Every maker has raised the quality level to deal with the specific needs of digital photography.  The key here is to take the time, effort and spend the money you can afford for the system AND desired results you want.  Our Imagination, Light and Lens (ILL) make SICK (read awesome) pictures!  When the three L-elements come together with our imagination the possibilities are endless and the creativity and beauty are as magnificent as the love of our life.

What are the answers to the above questions?  Get out and travel.  Take your camera and shoot.  When we couple travel & photography the world takes on new meanings and adventures.  The people, places and sights that are travel photography open our eyes and fill us with an appreciation for the privilege we have to document the Light & Location through the Lens, of not only the camera, but our minds and hearts.  As we say at M&M, “You don’t just take a photograph, you experience it!”

Contact me directly at: mikeg@mmphototours.com with questions about our tours, general travel questions, and of course anything photography related.  Thanks for all the support.

Cambodia: Ancient Temples, Floating Villages

As we move to Cambodia, the group gets immediately immersed in the life of the local folk on the floating villages of Tonle Sap.  These hearty people have built their entire existence around fishing from the lake.  Their homes either float or are built on stilts and they even keep a supply of regular farm livestock for dietary variety in floating pens as well.  Here are a few examples of the daily activity on the lake.

Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

One of our guests Carolyn gave each child a small ring as a gift and it helped us get  wide smiles that were great to photograph.

Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

   Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

On the tour, we cover the floating village experience in two days because our guests love it so much.  There is so much to shoot and the lake is very large so we visit several locations to get the best shots.

These two children were out practicing their seamanship near the shore of the lake at their home.  They become comfortable with water life from a very young age and quickly become expert at catching fish or shrimp and drying it for long-term storage.  Cooking is done on small fires inside metal containers inside the house.  They want smoke from the fire to fill the house because the smoke treats the thatch walls and roof so bugs will not eat it or live in it.

Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

 Another awesome part of Cambodia that we visit is the temples at the Angkor complex.  These shots are from Angkor Wat.  The first one was an in-camera HDR shot on a Canon 5D MKIII.   The results are truly amazing.  The shot needs no post processing and looks this good.  Give yours a try if you can.

Canon 5D MK III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

 

Canon 5D MK III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

This costume is prevalent in Thailand and Cambodia because of their similar heritage.  It was shot in low light so the ISO needed to be higher to capture a clear image but as you can see the detail in the shot is still good.  This was a great place for our guests to practice their low light skills and have an excellent meal too.

Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

This man was in charge of bailing while his group rode in to town from their floating village.  They make occasional trips like these to get supplies and to buy livestock.

Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

At Ta Prohm, old trees have overgrown much of the temple site.  It makes for fantastic pictures.  Every year, this area has become more commercial and more boardwalks are erected.  If you want to see this stunning area in it’s original state, you should make the journey as soon as possible.  The longer you wait, the more that will be “fixed” for tourists and the less photogenic it will be.  This is one reason we offer this trip every year and encourage others to go soon.

Canon 5D MK III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

Many people have seen Monks in this region.  How many have seen female monks though?  We took our guests to this village where predominantly female monks gathered for their morning meal.  It’s a unique shooting opportunity for all our guests.   These female monks wear white gowns rather than the traditional saffron color wraps common to male monks.

Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

  

Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

This man was working to restore a part of the female monks village that was damaged.  He liked seeing the camera display with his picture on it and he posed for more pictures.

Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8,  Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

We visited a local market where folks can buy anything from clothing to fresh produce to cooked meals.  One of our guests Hal tried the fried grasshopper and said it was good.  “Like buttered popcorn” he said.  You can get great photos when you interact with the locals doing their daily work.  Here are some shots of the market.

Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

Do any of you who have gone with M&M Photo tours on this trip recognize this face?  Hint: local lady, eats grasshoppers with us, speaks fantastic English, fits in a suitcase… She’s on Facebook if you want to look.

Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8,Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

Making noodles at the market.  Great skill too.

Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8,Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8,Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express  

Canon 5D MK III, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8,Lexar Digital Film, Black Rapid Sport, Clik Elite Pro Express

This trip is all highlights.  As you can see from this and the previous 3 posts there are more photo opportunities per minute than just about anywhere in the world.  There is so much to shoot that some guests have chosen to do the trip twice just to get the great shots they were missing while getting a great shot.  You almost need 360 degree lenses to get it all.  On average, guests shoot at least 10,000 shots on the trip and most shoot many more.  Space is limited because of its popularity but remember that we also offer private tours.  If you are longing to see Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, give us a call and whether on a private group or a regular tour, we will make it happen!