Gone to See Cuba 2011 People to People Cultural Exchange. Day 6 of a Street Photography Workshop led by Steve Simon.
I spent some of the day using the Astro tripod head to do 360 degree images and 360 degree time-lapse videos. First stop was the Plaza de San Francisco (Saint Francis of Assisi). Later we did a walk along the Malecón (Avenida de Maceo) — actually across the street from the seawall since there were very large waves crashing against the seawall. Here I did a straight time-lapse video of the traffic and waves. At one point a woman walking along the seawall decides that the waves are too big and crosses the avenue.
Little Planet View of Plaza de San Francisco. Composite of 31 images taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and Zeiss 12 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 12 mm, f/16, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)
Little Planet View of Plaza de San Francisco. Composite of 45 images taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and Zeiss 12 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 12 mm, f/16, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)
Individual images from the slideshows can be viewed here.
Gone to See Cuba 2011 People to People Cultural Exchange. Day 3 of a Street Photography Workshop led by Steve Simon.
One thing you notice in Havana is that many/most of the taxis are vintage American vehicles imported into Cuba before the revolution. I did a time-lapse video of the traffic out my hotel room window with lots of the classic taxis. The group then went out for a morning photo shoot in three classic convertible taxis. Our local host told us that medical doctors in Cuba make more driving the taxis than they do practicing medicine.
Individual images from the slideshow can be viewed here.
Gone to See Hawaii. Big Island Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 1: Kailua Kona.
After checking into our hotel, a few of us walked down to the beach for sunset. I hoped to see the “Green Flash” like I did the last time I was in Hawaii. The conditions were not right, but I did get some good sunset images. I processed these images using newer, current tools. You can see earlier versions here.
Sunset at Kona Beach, Big Island Hawaii. Image taken with Nikon D2xs camera and 12-24 mm lens (ISO 100, 12 mm, f/9, 1/90 sec). (David J Mathre)Sunset and Sailboat off Kona Beach, Big Island Hawaii. Image taken with Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/8, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)Sunset and Sailboat off Kona Beach, Big Island Hawaii. Image taken with Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/8, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)Sunset and Sailboat off Kona Beach, Big Island Hawaii. Image taken with Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/8, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
Gone to See Portugal. Day 8: Crossing the Atlantic Ocean on TAP (Air Portugal) Lisbon to Newark.
I checked out of the Bessa Hotel and took a taxi to the airport. Check-in, Security, Customs & Immigration were quick. I didn’t need to remove my shoes, computers, or cameras — but did need to remove my belt with the heavy copper Philmont buckle. I spent some time at the lounge, but was warned when checking in to get to the gate early. At the gate we needed to go through a 2nd security check for carry-on luggage (only if your name was on a list for extra screening) which resulted in some confusion and long lines. They also checked the size and weight of carry-on luggage. If it was too large, it was gate checked. I was waved through. One group of tourists in front of me had small carry-0n luggage when they checked in but then loaded up with tax-free goods (many bottles of Portuguese Port and cigars) that put them way over the limits. They were not Americans, there is another country that has taken over the ugly & rude tourist award. For the international flights, we needed to take a bus out to the jet which also took more time. I ended up with a great seat with a window and extra space for my computer. The meals on TAP are excellent. I will definitely fly TAP again.
Individual images in the slideshow can be viewed here.
Gone to See Portugal. Street Photography Workshop with Steve Simon. Day 4: Sintra, Pena Palace, and Cascais, Portugal.
Miguel, our local photography guide hired a van for a road trip to Sintra, Pena Palace, and Cascais. We departed a little after 07:30. I was a bit late because I wanted to take a different camera kit for the day trip. We still arrived in Sintra at 08:30 before the big tour buses. A rainbow helped guide the way to Sintra. By arriving early we had time to wander around the town to see the locals at work before being overrun by tourists. I used a Fuji X-T3 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens while in Sintra. Afterwards, the van took us to the park entrance to Pena Palace. Just after leaving Sintra, I notices a photographer taking images of a model on the side of the road. We hiked the trail to Pena Palace. From a previous visit, I knew there was a bus that would drive folks up to the Palace for those that couldn’t make the walk — but it wasn’t running yet. I did the walk slowly since my left foot big toe still hurt. I also remembered to start the Garmin VIRB-360 camera. Since I visited Pena Palace twice before while on Semester at Sea trips, my main focus was the Triton guarding the entrance to the Palace. For this I used a Nikon D850 camera and 19 mm f/2.8 PC-E lens (Images for another post). Low clouds/fog covered the Fairy Tail castle as we arrived. I really liked the subdued lighting for the series of images I took of the Triton. Rather than tour the Palace, I sat in one place and enjoyed the view. I collected several images of other folks taking pictures of the Triton. After walking back to the van, we went to Cascias — a fishing and tourist village on the Atlantic ocean. We had a great lunch then walked down to the small harbor. Steve was able to find a doctor and pharmacy for his respiratory infection. I switched to my Nikon 1 V3 camera and 70-300 mm lens in Cascias. A great camera for working at a distance, and catching images of people in motion (and in focus) with its high-speed burst ability.
Rainbow Leading the Way to Sintra. Image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens. (DAVID J MATHRE)Model. Morning Street Photography in Sintra. Image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens. (DAVID J MATHRE)
Time-Lapse Video (360 degree Pano, Tunnel View and Little Planet View) of the hike up to the Pena Palace. Images recorded with a Garmin VIRB-360 camera.
Time-Lapse Video (360 degree Pano, Tunnel View and Little Planet View) of the the Pena Palace Entrance. Images recorded with a Garmin VIRB-360 camera.
Triton over the Pena Castle Entry. Image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens. (DAVID J MATHRE)
Time-Lapse Video (360 degree Pano, Tunnel View and Little Planet View) of the hike down from the Pena Palace. Images recorded with a Garmin VIRB-360 camera.
Cook Cleaning a Fish. Street Photography in Cascias. Image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens. (DAVID J MATHRE)
Time-Lapse Video (360 degree Pano, Tunnel View and Little Planet View) of the Fish Lunch in Cascias. Images recorded with a Garmin VIRB-360 camera.
Acrobatics on the Beach. Afternoon Street Photography in Cascias. Image taken with a Nikon 1V3 camera and 70-300 mm VR telephoto zoom lens. (DAVID J MATHRE)
Time-Lapse Video (360 degree Pano, Tunnel View and Little Planet View) of the Afternoon Walkabout in Cascias. Images recorded with a Garmin VIRB-360 camera.
Snapshot from the Van. Afternoon Street Photography in Lisbon. Image taken with a Nikon 1V3 camera and 70-300 mm VR telephoto zoom lens. (DAVID J MATHRE)
