The EVIL Cameras

WIRED's Gadget Lab blog has a fresh article titled 5 Reasons To Ditch Your DSLR, which essentially reaffirms my prediction as in my earlier post POV: Travel Photography Adjustment.

To paraphrase the WIRED article, the 5 reasons are smaller size, great quality of images, interchangeable lenses, speed of operation, low-profile, but are expensive.

By the way, EVIL stands for Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens. It also seems that with an adapter, these cameras can accept many DSLR lenses.

I am extremely interested in these cameras, particularly the Lumix GF1 (above), and will certainly look into on my return from India.

(Via the always informative The Click.)

On The Road: Rajasthan & Gujarat

I'm completing my packing today, cramming the last few items in my bags as best I can, hoping that my checked in luggage won't burst at the seams with all the cables, chargers, and photo paraphernalia that just won't fit my carry-on.

Tomorrow, I'll be on my way to meet up with the rest of the Tribes of South Rajasthan & Kutch Photo~Expedition™ group in Delhi (after stopping en route in London). I'll be in Delhi on January 20.

I'll be in Delhi for a couple of days before the official start of the photo~expedition, and will meet with some of my photographer friends (some alums of the Foundry Photojurnalism Workshop and others), as well as undertake a few personal projects. I plan to attend a qawwali evening in Nizzam Uddin, as part of my Sufi project.

I will try to update the blog whenever I get the chance...it won't be a problem in London and Delhi (where we will be staying in a posh hotel), however it may be difficult to find the time or accessible internet connections during the rest of the trip...so expect sporadic but entertaining posts.

POV: No To Walking Billboards?

Here's a lighthearted tongue-in-cheek post.

In the midst of packing my stuff for about 3 weeks on the road in Rajasthan and Gujarat, and at the risk of being tarred and feathered by the various manufacturers of photographic soft accessories such as Think Tank, Domke, Lowepro etc, I thought my readers would be interested in my alternative choice to the high priced pouches that are marketed and sold by these companies.

With the exception of my Domke camera bag (which I love dearly because of its ruggedness and quality), I prefer not to carry products that have prominent logos/names for a variety of reasons; some reasons are legitimate and others just silly and whimsical.

As an example of the logo-less products, I bought no-name pouches for less than $6 each from an Army Surplus Store in the West Village. They are made of rugged canvas, have belt loops, with metal fasteners, and are perfect to carry my sound recorder, mic & a small gorillapod, or a small lens and other stuff, while in the field. Sure, they're not as sleek or modular as those sold by any the above-mentioned manufacturers, but they're cheaper, and are certainly as resilient. At these surplus stores, one can find bags and pouches (easily adapted for cameras), apparel and a myriad of other stuff a quarter to one-half the price of logo brands.

With this in mind, why should I be a walking billboard for manufacturers who charged me top dollar for the product(s) anyway? Heck, I can even have these canvas pouches printed/embroidered with a The Travel Photographer logo. With my own exclusive line of photo pouches, I'd go in business and be a millionaire in no time!

The logo shown in the picture is photoshopped...so don't get too excited (yet).

But first, I'd better learn how to photograph products better. The picture above is so bad that I can't get myself to put my copyright notice under it!

WSJ Photo Journal: Magh Mela

Photo © Rajesh Kumar Singh/Associated Press-All Rights Reserved
The preponderance of religious bathing festivals in India is really confusing. The Wall Street Journal Photo Journal featured the above photograph of a Hindu holy man drying his clothes after a ritualistic bath in the River Ganges during the annual Magh Mela in Allahabad. However, the Ardh Kumbh is also being held in Haridwar from January 14 to April 28, 2010...so there are two overlapping religious festivals with the same rituals.

Magh Mela is observed during Magh and Falgun months (Hindu calendar) for nearly 45 days, and this year ends on February 12, 2010. The ritual of bathing at the Prayag Sangam in Allahabad has a great significance, and attracts millions of devotees to the confluence of rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.

It is believed that bathing in sacred rivers during these festivals breaks the circle of life & death, and liberates Hindus to attain moksha.

Personally, I'd much rather attend the Magh Mela over the Haridwar Ardh Kumbh. Of course, neither can come close to what I experienced during the 2001 Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, but Haridwar (despite the relative proximity of Rishikesh) is a pretty awful town, hence my bias.

Dialects at the ICP

Mansi Midha's photography work, along with that of 26 other talented photographers and photojournalists will be seen at the International Center of Photography in an exhibit running from January 15 to March 28, 2010.

The venue is held at the ICP's Education Gallery on 1114 Avenue of the Americas at 43rd Street with an opening reception on January 15 from 6:00–8:00 pm

Dialects presents recent work by the 27 photographers from What We Saw, the collective formed upon their graduation from the Documentary Photography and Photojournalism Program at ICP in 2008. The group is made of members from 15 countries including the United States, Mexico, South Korea, India, South Africa, Turkey, Australia, Germany, and Brazil.

I hoped to go see what promises to be an interesting event, but I've too much to do before traveling next day.

Mansi was the hidden (and frequently visible) energy behind all the on-the-ground arrangements for the Foundry Photojournalism Workshop in Manali, and I believe she's also involved in the one in Istanbul this coming summer.

Southeast Sulawesi

Sightseeing found in Southeast Sulawesi is generally a marine tourism are spread throughout Southeast Sulawesi region. This is possible because the geographical conditions of the region of Southeast Sulawesi consists of islands.

1. Wakatobi Marine Park, is one of the marine park with a class / quality numbers I species. One of the marine park has been managed and now many tourists especially interesting is mancanengara Tomia Marine Park with underwater objects (coral) is very beautiful.

2. Cultural tourism, among others Wolio Palace in Bau-Bau.

3. Scientific tourism and nature reserves, among others: Napabale Lake, City of Raha. is a salt water lake connected to the sea through underground tunnels.

4. The beauty and sunset beach Nirvana - City Baubau

5. Hunting areas in Roraya, the best time to hunt in the dry season (July-November) with the game is deer and wild boar.

6. Bird Sanctuary on the island Saponda

7. Cave Leabalano; Cave on the island of Muna is decorated various reliefs / ancient paintings.

8. Ship-shaped stone in Raha - Muna. According to the story that the stone came from a beached ship Sawerigading and stony.

9.Horse race on the island of Muna.

10. Buton Sultanate. - Kota Bau-Bau
-> Tomb of King Murhum (founder of the sultanate of Buton)
-> Stone and Stone Wolio papana.
-> The king's inauguration ceremony
-> The old mosque which was more than 250 years
-> 3rd floor pangka House, functioned as the center of government and royal residence.

11. The old flag in WUNDULAKO - Kolaka

Source by Bank Indonesia

Chilika

Tours to Chilika Bird Sanctuary is a journey to remember for ever.South of Puri the sea mixes with Chilika Lake to create the largest brackish water (slightly salt) lake in Asia, and a spot of enchanting beauty.Spread over 1,100 sq km of clean blue water, evergreen hillocks.These shallow waters enclose an immense area of marshes, lowlands, and islands.

Easily accessible by air from Bhubaneswar, the best way to explore the flora and fauna inhabiting the numerous islands on the Chilika Lake is on a boat ride from Balugaon, Barkul, Rambha or Satapada. Fishing, bird watching, boating and cruises are some of the activities you can indulge in upon your arrival in Chilika, on your tour to Chilika with Tourism of Orissa packages.

There are many islands popular with tourists for their specific tourist attractions. The islands of Chilika are best toured on a cruise. The Kalijai Island is a place of religious importance for its temple devoted to the worship of Goddess Kalijai and a must visit is the fair held in the island during the festival season of Makar Sankranti.The Nalabana Island in Chilika is the chief bird watching region and forms the core area of the bird sanctuary.Here, migratory birds are the biggest draw that seek asylum during the harsh winter season back in Siberia and Iran. The Satpara Island is popular as a dolphin-spotting site in Chilika Lake,Orissa.You took can marvel at the wonders of nature on your tour to Chilika Wildlife (Bird) Sanctuary.

Haiti's Tragedy: f/8 And Be There

Photo © Tequila Minsky /NYTimes-All Rights Reserved
The old adage (sometimes attributed to Arthur Fellig aka Weegee) of "f/8 and be there", meaning that being on the scene is more important than anything else, was borne out with the story in The New York Times that Tequila Minsky, a freelance New York City photographer, was in her hotel in Port-au-Prince when the horrific earthquake hit this capital city of Haiti.

Ms. Minsky transmitted some of the first photographs of the earthquake in Haiti, pictures that instantly conveyed the awful human toll.

The LENS blog of The New York Times bring us that story, along with its harrowing images, including Ms Minsy's own voice describing the scenes.

Kevin German: Mount Everest

Not many people have their 30th birthday at a base camp of Mount Everest, but Kevin German is one of them, and Luceo Images showcases his photo essay here.

Kevin German studied photography and journalism at Washington State University, and worked for newspapers from California to Florida. In 2008, he moved to Vietnam to focus on humanitarian documentaries, where co-founded the collective Luceo Images. He has won numerous awards, and his clients include Bloomberg News, CNN Traveller, Forbes, International Trucking, Monocle Magazine, National Geographic, Newsweek, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal Asia, Time, Vanity Fair, and others.

His photo essays on Vietnam such as In The Footsteps of Ghosts and Forgotten are particularly compelling. Also have a look at the short video Voice of Hope about the undocumented Vietnamese living in Cambodia.

jason depot

This is Jason, a funny cool dude serving Saggas as a trainee.....
He often smiles and laughs so guests under his watch enjoys every moment of their time with him.
He loves playing baseball and card..
Jason, is a resident of Demang

melecio abuan

Mr. Abuan, our trainee from Ambasing is probably the most motivated learning in guiding amongst the members of the organization. He is so interested, he easily adopts different guiding techniques from the regulars.
Melecio is a very helpful lad and has an overwhelming patience. He assists tourists the best way he can and talks to guests as much as possible.
Hardworking and intelligent, that’s how I know Mr. Abuan

Mr. Abuan and clients at the 2009 Bonfire at lake Danum

Brian Baaten

Mr. Brian Baaten our Trainee from Demang Sagada is a trainee in the organization..
he hardly does guiding though.. and mostly a part timer...
He is an electrician, so be careful of him he is just electrifyingly cute.. :D
hahaha

Harry Busoy

Harry is still a trainee of the organization.
Still a Student and a wonderful and interesting lad

Bonifacio edeg

Mr. Dilosen a native of Demang is a happy outgoing part time guide of the Organization.

He normally does guiding during rests from his jobs.

He laughs a lot and enjoy being with his guests always and is able to make friends easily.

POV: Travel Photography Adjustment?

As regular readers of this blog know, I'm using the final few days to organize my photo gear before flying to Delhi to lead my Tribes of South Rajasthan & Kutch Photo~Expedition™ which starts January 23.

Since the attempted airline incident on Christmas day, I've been fiddling with various options in order to maximize the amount of indispensable gear I can carry in one small bag on my international flights. Having gone through these hoops a few times already, I am convinced that travel photographers will have to rethink the amount and type of the photo gear they carry on international flights.

Apart from trying to limit the number of hardware we carry on our international flights traveling for assignments, or trying to cram the contents of two or three carry-ons into one, I sense that there's a ready consideration to migrate from our heavyweight DSLRs to smaller digital rangefinders. For instance, searching online for the new Panasonic GF1 at B&H, Adorama and J&R (the largest camera troika in New York City) reveals that the three stores are sold-out of this model; fact that seems to underscore the popularity of this particular model. Of course, there's always Leica, but investing in ten of thousands of dollars in a new system is daunting, even if money were no object.

It may be sooner than we think that these new rangefinders will become the cameras of choice for travel photographers; perhaps not as primary bodies at first but certainly as backup tools. I can see myself in the field using my Canon 5DII with a couple of lenses, and toting the Panasonic GF1, ideally with a 20mm lens...or its 14-45mm zoom.

Here are three examples of new digital rangefinders that may provide viable alternatives to carrying our massive Canons and Nikons and their lenses. None of those are pocket camera per se, unless we're talking about coat pockets, but they're small enough.

1. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 (About $900 in kit form) I handled this rangefinder-like (to be more precise, it's a Compact Micro Four-Thirds Camera System) camera at B&H for about 20 minutes, and found its handling to be quite comfortable. There were many menu quirks that I quickly found irritating or incomprehensible, but there's no doubt that this is one heck of an interesting camera. For a comprehensive review, Thom Hogan has written an exhaustive article about it here. I also liked Craig Mod's field report which reviews the GF1's performance during a 16 days trek in the Himalayas.

2. Olympus E-P1 Pen Digital Camera (About $660 in kit form) This is another Compact Micro FourThirds Camera System. I haven't had the chance to handle this camera yet, but it's only a matter of time when I head back to B&H. Once again, I like Thom Hogan's write-up on it, which can be found here. Another hands-on review is by Ken Tanaka and published on The Online Photographer.

3. Leica X1 (About $2000 with 24mm f2.8 lens) I don't think I've noticed this camera in any of the retail stores I've been to recently, so it's probably not yet available . A hands-on review on the Luminous Landscape is here. The price makes this camera a distant third in my line-up, but it's an option.

There's also the Canon G11 which some people like, but I've owned its predecessor and it was extremely disappointing, so for me at least, it's out of consideration. Sorry, Canon.

Massimo Berutti: Afghan Vaccination

Photo © Massimo Berutti-All Rights Reserved
The Wall Street Photo Journal has featured a photojournalistic gem on its Photo Journal titled Vaccination Diplomacy of black & white photographs by Massimo Berutti.

In my view, it's a singular gem because it's not an Afghanistan reportage of foaming-at-the-mouth wild-eyed hirsute mujahideen aka jihadists aka Taliban (or whatever the mainstream media's stereotype flavor of the day is), isn't about a bloody military offensive or counter-offensive, and isn't about showing dead and maimed people we don't identify with and frequently demonize. No, it's about how the Taliban, Karzai's central government (corrupt as it it may be), Unicef and the World Health Organization are partnering in trying to eradicate polio through a wide ranging campaign.

This uneasy arrangement recognizes the Taliban stranglehold over large areas of Afghanistan, and the anti-polio campaigners are only welcomed in the villages if and when they show a letter signed by Mullah Mohammad Omar, the leader of the Taliban, which requests the people to cooperate. It seems that Mullah Omar promptly issues a new letter for every vaccination round, and the World Health Organization staff print thousands of copies, distributing them to the anti-polio volunteers.

So the power of reason and dialogue works, and the trite cliche of winning hearts and minds is effective after all!

POV: To Pay or Not To Pay?

I've read a post on the Lightstalkers forum that a popular photo blog featuring documentary photographers will start charging photographers a review/publishing fee. The $50 fee is said to help cover the editing and administrative time involved.

The photo blog features an emerging documentary photographer every 2-3 days, and claims that as a result, a number of photographers have received assignments or made sales.

The reaction from the handful of photographers in the post's thread to this announcement has been understandably negative, especially in the current environment.

I can't really pass judgment on decisions of others, except to say that in the (very) hypothetical event that I decide to monetize The Travel Photographer blog, and need to defray administrative time et al, I'd do so by adopting the route many bloggers have done...either by using AdSense, or becoming an affiliate to the large number of online stores (Amazon, B&H, etc) rather than charging a fee to the already struggling photographers.

However, I will not monetize The Travel Photographer blog. I reject affiliations and commercial linkages of any type. I've said as much in an earlier post last year, and I will continue to welcome submissions from travel and documentary photographers whose work fit the DNA of this blog, without strings attached.

So is my blog totally altruistic? Not entirely. It serves to publicize my own work and my Photo~Expeditions™, but it also provides one more platform for the work of new, emerging and established photographers, adding a sliver of exposure for those photographers who want and need to showcase their work as widely as possible.

The formula has been working for the past two years, and my blog's readership and followers, as well as my mailing list membership, continue to grow exponentially. Why should anything change?

Noor & Nikon Workshop

Here's news I find uplifting, and which proves that altruism is not dead in the photo industry..

NOOR photo agency and Nikon have agreed to support documentary photographers from emerging markets all of over the world through the organization of annual motivational masterclasses.

The next program will take place in Saint-Petersburg, Russia, at the Foundation of informational and cultural projects FotoDepartament on 22-26 March 2010.

The masterclass will be accessible to young and aspiring documentary photographers from the Baltic countries, the former USSR countries (CIS), Belorussia, Russia and the Ukraine.

During the five days of the workshop, the 15 participants, together with the three member photographers of the NOOR agency, will share their experience, work on portfolios, improve their editing skills and learn how to pick up a story.

The workshop is free of charge; travel and accommodation costs will be reimbursed.

Central Sulawesi

Lore Lindu National Park
Lore Lindu National Park is one of the most important sites of biological protection in the island of Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi in particular. Lore Lindu National Park is located about 60 km south of Palu and the catchment area for the 3 major rivers in Central Sulawesi which Lariang River, River and River Gumbasa Palu. Size Lore Lindu National Park around 217,991 ha with altitude varying between 200 to 2610 meters above sea level.
Lore Lindu National Park has a fauna and flora endemic to Sulawesi and attractive natural panorama that lies in the Wallacea line which is a transition area between the zones of Asia and Australia. Fauna such as anoa, pig deer, deer, monkey ghost, possum marsupials and other unique animals live in this park. Lore Lindu National Park also has at least 5 species endemic squirrel, and at least 55 species of bats, and more than 230 species of birds including hornbills maelo and Sulawesi (or bird hornbill allo).

Megalit statues of the age of hundreds or even thousands of years spread in the region Lore Lindu National Park in the Valley as Napu, Besoa and Bada. These sculptures are among the best stone monuments statues kind in Indonesia. There are 5 statues based on shape classification:

1. Stone statues, sculptures usually have human characteristics, but only the head, shoulders and genitals.
2. Kalamba, a lot of relics found Megalit and resembles a large vase, probably where the water supply or where to put the bodies on the funeral.
3. Tutu'na, records from rock, most likely kalamba cover.
4. Dakon stones: the stones flat to convex shape which describes the channels, the holes are not regular and the other curves.
5. Others, mortar stones, poles and houses several other forms.

Tourism Tirta / Marine
-> Tomori Gulf marine park, North Bungku Sub-district, Morowali
-> Sea Park Tanjung Api, Sub Ampana, Tojo Una-Una
-> Siuri White Sand Beach Lake Poso, North Pamona sub-district, Poso District

Lake Poso in Tentena, North Pamona sub-district, Poso District is one of tourist objects in the belle of Central Sulawesi. Very strategic location in the heart of the island of Sulawesi and easy to reach by ground transportation (lane Trans Sulawesi). Lake Poso is a combination of mountain and lake scenery is beautiful and cool because berhawa located at an altitude of 650 meters above sea level. The water was clear throughout the year with white sandy beaches. At around Lake Poso there are still some other tourist objects of particular interest include 12-story water slide Saluopa, Sulewana Waterfall, Black Orchid Garden and Goa Bancea Pamona.

-> Togian Islands Marine Park, Tojo Una-Una
Togian Islands Marine Park is located in District WALEA Islands, is one of the many interesting areas of foreign tourists visit because of the natural beauty of the islands and underwater parks.
-> White Sand Beach Tanjung Karang, Donggala

White Sand Beach Tanjung Karang beach scene Donggala is a combination of white sand and panoramic mountain marine park is very beautiful and interesting.


Source by Bank Indonesia

Greg Constantine: Ardh Kumbh Mela

The Ardh Kumbh is being held in Haridwar from January 14 to April 28, 2010, and knowing that a number of photographers are making their way to attend it, I thought it opportune to post Greg Constantine's Ardh Kumbh Mela audio slideshow which was held in Prayag in 2007.

The main objective in attending the Kumbh Mela is to bathe in the Ganges. It is said that bathing in sacred rivers during Maha Kumbh or Ardh Kumbh breaks the circle of life & death, and liberates Hindus to attain moksha. Pilgrims & sadhus will descend in large numbers from India and elsewhere on Haridwar to bathe in the Ganges during these three months.

To underscore the importance of such events, it is estimated that more than 17 million Hindu pilgrims took part in the Ardh Kumbh Mela at Prayag over 45 days beginning in January 2007. On January 15, 2007 which was the most auspicious day of the festival, more than 5 million participated.

I attended and photographed the 2001 Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, which was attended by approximately 60 million people, making it the largest gathering in the world.

Greg Constantine is based in Southeast Asia since early 2006. His photo essays have been internationally published in various publications (IHT, The NY Times, CNN, Stern, The Economist and PDN to name but a few), and he also has been the recipient of a number of international awards.

My own slideshow of the 2001 Maha Kumbh Mela is here.

For the sake of completeness, there are a number of posts on the Kumbh Mela on The Travel Photographer's blog (do a search), but here's an outstanding one of the Ardh Kumbh Mela 2007 produced by BFC.

National Geographic Does Big

© Harikrishna Katragadda/Courtesy National Geographic-All Rights Reserved
The National Geographic Society's website been completely rejigged to present what its SVP Rob Covey describes as having a new, super-clean look with high-tech underpinnings.

Using well chozen buzzwords, the website is described as having "high impact visuals with uncluttered typography to provide a new standard in usability". I just love the wordsmithing used here!

What I'm pleased about, and what it really boils down to, is that the National Geographic’s photography can finally be seen in a large format, and it joins other print media such as the Boston Globe and the WSJ (among others) that have been bringing us larger pictures on their photography blogs for a while.

Here is the National Geographic's new, improved and larger Photo of the Day. The photograph I chose is by Harikrishna Katragadda, a photojournalist at Hindustan Times and a participant in the Foundry Photojournalism Workshop (Manali).

The photograph is of 10-year-old Savita holding her little brother, protecting him from rain showers in Uttar Pradesh in India.

NYTimes: 31 Places To Go In 2010

Photo © Tewfic El-Sawy -All Rights Reserved
The New York Times published a feature on the 31 places to go in 2010, as well as an interactive world map listing its readers' (and its own) top recommendations.

I suppose the results, which so far list Istanbul as the readers' first choice, will provide the editors with assignment ideas for its photographers and writers to work on this year. It follows that interested travel photographers may want to look at these results which could predict eventual gigs, or photo editors' interests.

I'm not at all surprised that Istanbul is the top readers' recommended destination, but I slightly puzzled by the following choice of Colombia. I've been to Istanbul a few times, and I can understand the choice...and as I haven't visited Colombia or any of the northern South American nations, I must profess ignorance as to its attractions.

As for Sri Lanka, which is one of the top 31 places to go to, I must say that I'm of two minds. In March 2004, I found Sri Lanka a little bland. Let me be quick to qualify this by saying that I'm referring to its visual blandness relative to the sensory overload that is India. This is patently unfair as few countries can compete with the colors of India. The country has also been in the throes of a nasty civil war between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority, as well as being badly hit by the tsunami, both events which have had a negative impact on tourists who visit.

Notwithstanding, the New York Times article on the island nation mentions a number of singularly attractive boutique hotels such as the Sun House in Galle. I can vouch that this small property is incredible, and seemed to be extremely well managed by a British expatriate. Its sister venture is The Dutch House, which is equally lovely.