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by **DanielA** on Sat Dec 02, 2006 9:49 pm

Well I'm back from a Travel Images photo tour of New Zealand. Two solid weeks of taking photos around the south island. Here's a small selection from the 3,400 photos totalling 19GB.

Lots more shots in my gallery.

Daniel

by **Alpha_7** on Sat Dec 02, 2006 10:54 pm

Lovely Photos, if you have some time can you relate your experience on the travel photo tour for us ? BTW my favourite image is the first one.

by Pa on Sun Dec 03, 2006 3:27 am

mmmm love nz,going over again next october.great photo's daniel
cheers pa

by **sheepie** on Sun Dec 03, 2006 10:05 am

Alpha_7 wrote:Lovely Photos, if you have some time can you relate your experience on the travel photo tour for us ?

Yes, please provide some more feedback on the tour - where it went, what you got out of it, etc.

Some nice images there. My favourite isn't chosen for technical merit or anything like that, it's chosen for character: http://dsa.smugmug.com/photos/114203518-M.jpg

by **macka** on Sun Dec 03, 2006 10:53 am

I had a look through your gallery - you've taken some incredible pictures. Must have been quite a trip. I'd also be interested to hear what it was like being on the photo tour.

Cheers

by **wendellt** on Sun Dec 03, 2006 12:13 pm

the 3rd one is a very special image with the figure in the doorway, but the pano is impressive too

would you rate going on a specialised photographic tour beter than an independent trip?

by **radar** on Sun Dec 03, 2006 12:21 pm

NZ is a great place to run a photo travel tour. Love the first and the third.

It was a great capture of the Keas that Sheepie pointed out. They can certainly be a pest :evil:

I'd also be interested on more feedback on the trip itself. I had found them a while back and it looked like a great tour, but for me, a bit too pricey. Let us know if you got your money's worth.

Looking at the gallery, you visited some great places.

Well done,

Cheers,

André

by **gooseberry** on Sun Dec 03, 2006 1:41 pm

Great panorama for the first shot. Thanks for sharing your captures of NZ.

by **Man Tripod** on Sun Dec 03, 2006 2:19 pm

Top work. Love the first image. Missed out on Milford when i was there a few months ago but would love to get back over there with a bit more time to see it at its best.

I'm also keen to find out more about these trips. Is the schedule flexible to cater for weather conditions. When i travelled the south island in September i hired a wagon and slept in the back. This gave me the flexibility to get where i needed to be for the right conditions. (ie. hit the west coast glacier region on a rare fine morning). I found you couldn't really go wrong in NZ anyway. It seems everywhere you drive over there you get presented with spectacular photo opportunities.

by **DanielA** on Sun Dec 03, 2006 2:25 pm

Thank you all of the kind comments.

sheepie wrote:
Alpha_7 wrote:Lovely Photos, if you have some time can you relate your experience on the travel photo tour for us ?

Yes, please provide some more feedback on the tour - where it went, what you got out of it, etc.

The major locations we visited are listed on their webpage. We covered quite a lot of locations, many you wouldn't see on a regular tourist trip. In fact the van would just stop whenever we came across a scene someone was interested in. There were so many stops that they all tend to blur together, but they made a list of each photo stop for the record (which I should get in a couple of weeks).

The photo tour is also better because of the smaller number of people (there were only 4 of us on the tour with John and Kathy as guides. Normally there would be 7). On only a couple of occasions we ran into a few buses spewing tourist, which made photography impossible. For example for the photo with the church I had to wait for the buses to leave as they park in front of it.

We spent about an hour there so I had time to do that. You can't easily do that on a regular bus trip.

wendellt wrote:would you rate going on a specialised photographic tour beter than an independent trip?

If you mean an independent trip where you hire your own van and do it yourself, then the benefit is in having someone there who knows there is a good spot on a little side track. Having someone who has found the best spots already means there is more time for photography. But we also followed new little farm roads because someone wanted to see what it was like from the top of a hill.

radar wrote:I had found them a while back and it looked like a great tour, but for me, a bit too pricey. Let us know if you got your money's worth.

I guess it is rather pricey, but that amount included accommodation, transport, a guide, technical advice, snacks and meals (meals aren't included in future trips). Value for money is subjective, but I think it was worth it. Put it this way I have had more expensive holidays.

My only warning would be not to expect this to be a relaxing holiday. To get the dawn and dusk light means long days. One day we had a 4:30am start so we could travel an hour to Milford Sound for dawn at 5:30am. And the setting sun gives interesting light at 9:20pm!

sheepie wrote:Some nice images there. My favourite isn't chosen for technical merit or anything like that, it's chosen for character:

Yes the Kea were very funny to watch, but you see them differently when they've destroyed two of your windscreen wipers. :shock:

Alpha_7 wrote:BTW my favourite image is the first one.

The Milford Sound area is well known for being very photogenic. It's somewhere you could keep going back to.

Thank you all

Daniel

by **DanielA** on Sun Dec 03, 2006 2:39 pm

Man Tripod wrote:Top work. Love the first image. Missed out on Milford when i was there a few months ago but would love to get back over there with a bit more time to see it at its best.

It takes a bit of travel time, but it really is worth it. Taking a boat cruise also gives you a different view. I still can't believe the number of waterfalls due to the melting snow.

Man Tripod wrote:I'm also keen to find out more about these trips. Is the schedule flexible to cater for weather conditions.

Some areas. For example we had a few days in Te Anau so we had lots of chances to see Mt Cook. The afternoon we arrived Mt Cook was clouded in so we couldn't see it. The next day it was still clouded in so we did other views. The next day we drove to Mt Cook even though it looked clouded in, and luckily it popped through in the afternoon. We still had one more chance the morning we left for Christchurch. So we had a few chances.

Other areas we didn't have multiple chances, but were lucky with good weather. (I was glad to see the D70 hold up against some light rain.) Since we were covering such a distance you can't hang around to much without dropping something else.

Daniel

by **radar** on Sun Dec 03, 2006 7:54 pm

Daniel,

thanks for the feedback. Let me expand on the "money's worth". Sounds like you got what you wanted which in my book is getting your money's worth

A few more questions, as I'm interested in going on some photo tours as well.

How did you find Travel Images - google, recommendation, magazine?
How did you find your guides?
Were they good teachers?
Did you learn some new techniques about landscape photography?

thanks,

André

by **Glen** on Sun Dec 03, 2006 8:07 pm

Daniel, both your posted images and gallery are inspiring

by **DanielA** on Sun Dec 03, 2006 9:59 pm

Hi André,

radar wrote:thanks for the feedback. Let me expand on the "money's worth". Sounds like you got what you wanted which in my book is getting your money's worth

True.

radar wrote:How did you find Travel Images - google, recommendation, magazine?

Travel Images were actually mentioned on this forum I believe (I can't find that post anymore). I think someone was going on an earlier trip, and I followed the link.
Update: I believe it must have been Frankenstein and his trip to the Canadian Rockies.

radar wrote:How did you find your guides?

John Baker is the owner/leader and is very well organised and knowledgeable. He has been running tours for years and been a photographer for much longer. His wife Kathy does pre-organisation and helps during the tour while taking lots of photos herself.

radar wrote:Were they good teachers?

I guess this depends on your existing level of knowledge. The four of us did not really seek out their assistance, but they would be very useful if you are new to photography or SLRs.
They did volunteer bits of information like not changes lenses with the wind blowing into the camera (doh! :oops:

) and removing the lens hood when it's very windy.

radar wrote:Did you learn some new techniques about landscape photography?

Not really. They did stress the good things to do like having interesting foregrounds and leading lines, etc. Common things mentioned everywhere. But they did encourage us to try shooting through flowers and using movement for more abstract shots. John did suggest the longer exposure of the bungee jumpers that worked well.

I think if you were looking for more ideas and wanted to learn how to do landscape photography this would be a great way of doing it. You certainly have lots of opportunities to try different effects and get feedback.

If you are looking for a world-class expert experience to get you to an elite level, this might not be one for you. But if you want to take photos in the best spots of a region and have the help of a professional photographer, then this was very good.
(Keep in mind that this is the first photo tour I have been on, and photo tours are highly dependant on the tour leader.)

Hope that helps.

Glen wrote:Daniel, both your posted images and gallery are inspiring

Thanks Glen.

Daniel

by **jammy2** on Mon Dec 04, 2006 1:06 am

All very lovely images..number 3 is especially powerful I thought...cool watermark btw =)

by **Laurie** on Mon Dec 04, 2006 9:10 am

I nearly dribbled the water from my mouth when i saw pic #3.
fantastic photo.

i would of liked the crucifix silhouette to be seperate from the persons silhouette.

other than that all great photos

by **Poon** on Mon Dec 04, 2006 3:12 pm

So beautiful!!!
Poon

by **ozimax** on Mon Dec 04, 2006 8:31 pm

Excellent stuff, love the Teakpo/Mt Cook area. I will now go and peruse your other photos.

by **DanielA** on Mon Dec 04, 2006 9:20 pm

Thank you all.

Laurie wrote:i would of liked the crucifix silhouette to be seperate from the persons silhouette.

I know what you mean. I was originally looking for a shot without anyone in it, just the cross in the window, but I think the guy adds something. I'm reluctant to go to that level of editing.

Daniel

by **Alpha_7** on Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:54 pm

Daniel did you consider inviting John Baker to visit the forums ? I'm not sure with him being on the road a lot if he'd have any free time, but he'd certainly have a lot of insight in to certain places, and the kit that suits these aventures etc.. It certainly wouldn't hurt him either, consider we have 2 members already returning with glowing reviews of his trips ??

Just a thought

by **DanielA** on Tue Dec 05, 2006 9:42 pm

Alpha_7 wrote:Daniel did you consider inviting John Baker to visit the forums ?

It just so happens that I mentioned the forums on a few occasions. I think I have raised his interest. It's also helped that the two Australians to do his tours recently both use this forum.

Daniel

by **fozzie** on Wed Dec 06, 2006 7:18 pm

Daniel - it would appear that you had a excellent time in NZ. Now for the homework of processing some 3400 shots.

#2 is the pick of the crop for me.

Also congratulations for being POTW.

fozzie

by **Frankenstein** on Wed Dec 06, 2006 8:37 pm

Hey Daniel,
another Travel Images survivor! How did you survive John's constant stream of bad jokes? And isn't Kathy just great? You're right when you say these photo tours aren't really relaxing, as the days are very long (I had the same experience in the Canadian Rockies - up at 5am most days and the bloody sun didn't set till about 10pm!). But the rewards are great, as your great set of images proves.

Frank

by **Oscar** on Thu Dec 07, 2006 7:05 pm

Hi Daniel, great pics and a wonderful gallery. You will certainly have some wonderful memories there. I'd love to get over to NZ again and try to get some good shots.
Could you let us know what your trevel kit was?
I'd be guessing D70 and maybe 80-400, 12-24 and maybe the kit lens?

Cheers, Mick

by **marcotrov** on Thu Dec 07, 2006 7:49 pm

Awesome images Daniel. #3 is superb. Great vision and execution here

cheers
marco

by **DanielA** on Thu Dec 07, 2006 9:50 pm

fozzie wrote:Now for the homework of processing some 3400 shots.
[...]
Also congratulations for being POTW.

Thanks Fozzie.
I've already spent days processing the images. I've done about 320 that I've done, but many of them are more like happy snaps.

I'm well and truly done... at least for now.

Daniel

by **DanielA** on Thu Dec 07, 2006 9:55 pm

Hi Frank,

John mentioned that you had been through not long ago.

Frankenstein wrote:another Travel Images survivor! How did you survive John's constant stream of bad jokes?

There were some really shocking puns. We just kept groaning.

Frankenstein wrote:And isn't Kathy just great?

Yes. I'm sure she took more photos than I did. :shock:

Frankenstein wrote:You're right when you say these photo tours aren't really relaxing

That's one of the downsides of this sort of trip.

Daniel

by **DanielA** on Thu Dec 07, 2006 10:07 pm

Thanks Mick,

Oscar wrote:Could you let us know what your trevel kit was?
I'd be guessing D70 and maybe 80-400, 12-24 and maybe the kit lens?

You were nearly spot on.
The 80-400, the 18-70 kit lens, and the Sigma 10-20DC. The shots of the Maori were the 50 f/1.4 with SB-800.

Both John and Kathy were using 18-200 (Sigma or Tamaron) lenses that is probably all you really need. I barely used the 10-20 and 50mm. Most of the time was spent with the kit lens. The 80-400 was great for mountain shots, but I always found myself wishing I had the other lens on.

Ideally I would have had two bodies with the 80-400 and 18-70. One of the other tourists had two Canon bodies with something like 28-105 and 80-200 (or sometimes a 300 f/4). That's probably a good setup.

An important part of the kit wasn't a lens, but a Gitzo 1325 tripod with RRS BH-55 head.

Daniel

by **Oscar** on Thu Dec 07, 2006 10:36 pm

Thanks for that Daniel. Looks like all I need to grab is a WA now and I'll be set too. Your shots turned out well so the choice of lenses was probably spot on. Cheers, Mick

by **TravelImages** on Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:09 am

Alpha_7 wrote:Daniel did you consider inviting John Baker to visit the forums ? I'm not sure with him being on the road a lot if he'd have any free time, but he'd certainly have a lot of insight in to certain places, and the kit that suits these aventures etc.. It certainly wouldn't hurt him either, consider we have 2 members already returning with glowing reviews of his trips ??

Just a thought

Notice how DanielA and Frankenstein were quick to invite me on?! Frank told me today, and here I are. :roll:

I'll help as much as possible, and promise to spell G'Day properly as per Daniel's Aussie lesson.

Daniel, I loved that first shot of Milford Sound. You do that with that lens through which you can see both yer ears, or did you stitch two images together?

By the way folks, I'm a Pom living in the US, but I ain't no whinger!

G'Day!

__________________

http://www.travelimages.com

by **Alpha_7** on Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:54 am

G'day John and welcome aboard, glad you could pop in for a visit.

Out of interest whats your equipment of choice when your out taking the photos and not guiding other fellow photogs ?

by **TravelImages** on Thu Dec 21, 2006 3:18 pm

Alpha_7 wrote:G'day John and welcome aboard, glad you could pop in for a visit.

Out of interest whats your equipment of choice when your out taking the photos and not guiding other fellow photogs ?

Hi Craig.

Same choice for both . . . a Black and Deck . . . erm, OK, Canon digital bodies, and the aforementioned 18-200mm. I also have a 200-400m zoom, and just today heard about a Tamron 18-250 that's on it's way.

Won't be long before I get my 10-700mm at this rate. All I gotta do is keep breathing!
__________________

http://www.travelimages.com

by **DanielA** on Thu Dec 21, 2006 4:46 pm

TravelImages wrote:Notice how DanielA and Frankenstein were quick to invite me on?! Frank told me today, and here I are.

Hey, I thought I dropped enough hints about the forum while on the tour.

TravelImages wrote:Daniel, I loved that first shot of Milford Sound. You do that with that lens through which you can see both yer ears, or did you stitch two images together?

That was actually 12 shots stitched together. Just taken with the 18-70mm kit lens.

Daniel

by **TravelImages** on Thu Dec 21, 2006 6:10 pm

Oooooh! 12 shots eh? That file must be big enough for a bathroom mural then. :roll:

Just remember to clone out those other photographers. It couldn't have been me because I would have blotted out half the scene. :roll:

By the way, I mentioned this forum and Frank[enstein] to you on the trip, and you looked back with a glazed expression that told me you didn't want to be associated with the fella.

__________________

http://www.travelimages.com

by **!~DeViNe~DaRkNeSs~!** on Thu Dec 21, 2006 6:40 pm

ARRRG YES

My HOme Isle

Beauty pics

Where did u store 19Gb worth?? laptop? or Portable HDD?

by **Frankenstein** on Thu Dec 21, 2006 7:28 pm

TravelImages wrote:Oooooh! 12 shots eh? That file must be big enough for a bathroom mural then.

Just remember to clone out those other photographers. It couldn't have been me because I would have blotted out half the scene.

By the way, I mentioned this forum and Frank[enstein] to you on the trip, and you looked back with a glazed expression that told me you didn't want to be associated with the fella.

__________________

http://www.travelimages.com

Oh dear God, what have I done? :cry: