Plaszow Memorial

By Nick Board

Congratulations to Nick Board for the photograph “Plaszow Memorial.” The editors of Photo Travel Review Magazine believe this to be an excellent example of minimalism to document a travel experience.

This is a photograph of the memorial at the infamous Plaszow Labour camp in the Podgorse area of Krakow Poland.  Now a nature reserve, little remains, although the Gestapo house and Amon Goth’s Villa overlooking the site are still there looking like they haven’t been touched for sixty years.

Anyone can enter the contest.  Details are here.

Travel Photo of the Year Contest

Sponsored by Essential Photo Gear

]]> http://www.phototravelreview.com/march-winner-travel-photo-of-the-year/feed/ 0 http://www.phototravelreview.com/random-articles/ http://www.phototravelreview.com/random-articles/#comments Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:50:36 +0000 Bill http://www.phototravelreview.com/?p=4146

Hover to stop slide show, click on photograph to view article.

by PTR Team Member Bill Lockhart

Photographs courtesy of Andy Biggs, copyright © all rights reserved.

This is the first in a series of recommended photographic seminars by the editors of Photo Travel Review Magazine.

Our purpose is to provide you with opportunities for photography and travel, ones which the editors of PTR believe are among the best offered.

We begin with Africa.  Africa, the ultimate dream of all photographers, whether it is opportunities for incredible wildlife photographs, or landscapes that fill the imagination.

So, what seminar is the best of the best?

The PTR editors have chosen Andy Biggs. When it comes to Africa, there is no other seminar provider who is better.

A photographic holiday in Africa is the ultimate dream of many photographers.  It is a once-in-a-lifetime holiday.  When one spends lots of money to experience the dream of a lifetime, one should only consider the best.

Andy Biggs is an avid adventurer, conservationist, teacher, and outdoor photographer whose photography celebrates the African landscape and its rich wildlife, people, and culture. With a deep respect and understanding for African wildlife, Andy unfolds the world of the Serengeti onto our doorstep with striking emotional depth. His photographic safaris allow the traveler to not only enhance their understanding of photography, lighting, and wildlife, but to develop a life-long admiration for Africa ’s beauty and culture.

In 2008, Banana Republic used thirteen of Andy’s photographs as the cornerstone of their Urban Safari campaign, and his images were seen in all 750 stores around the globe, as well as in their billboards, catalogs and annual report. Andy was also the winner of the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year in the ‘Wild Places’ category in 2008.

Andy offers you lots of different locations and opportunities for photography, all the while staying in camp sites that are among the best in Africa.

A photographic safari should be about freedom for one to shoot without worrying about how many other photographers are crammed in the same vehicle.  One of the single largest mistakes that many photographers make when going to Africa is booking travel with inexperienced operators who pack many photographers into an ill-equipped vehicle, go to the same spots that all others have photographed repeatedly, and then take one to an inferior campsite.  Not so with Andy Biggs.

Andy knows what a photographer wants and needs.  Each participant has a full seat row with the ability to move from one side of a vehicle to another.  Moreover, he brings along equipment that allows photographers to recharge batteries, view their shots of the day, and clean equipment for the next day’s shoot.  As an avid photographer himself, Andy knows what to expect in harsh field conditions.  He does all he can possible to make certain that your adventure is fulfilled.

It goes well beyond the basics of what a photographic holiday is about.  The big difference with Andy’s seminars is that he seeks locations off the beaten path.  There is nothing more frustrating on a photographic safari in Africa than to find yourself surrounded with other vehicles and an assembly of dozens of tour operators all vying for space while trying to photograph a single animal.

Andy offers seminars in Tanzania, Namibia, and Botswana.  Each destination planned superbly, with outstanding tour guides and accommodations that excel beyond what one might expect on such a sojourn.

One only needs to read the testimonials from his participants to understand just how well appreciated his offerings are.

My own experiences with Andy have been extremely positive.  Through the years as associates at Nature Scapes Net, and through numerous e-mails and telephone conversations, I have found Andy to be the consummate professional.  Friendly, helpful, positive, encouraging — all describe Andy.

Bottom line.  If you have always desired to go to Africa on a wildlife safari, there is only one person you should consider going with.  Andy Biggs is that person.

What will it cost?

It depends on where you go and when.

Currently, a 12-day safari to Tanzania will cost you $8,990 per person.

What does it include?

- All Game Park fees
- All accommodations, based on double occupancy
- All meals inclusive of restaurant staff tips
- Services of guides and drivers
- Land transportation in safari Land Rovers. Each of the three rear seat passengers has a complete seat to themselves, including access to windows on both sides of the vehicle and empty seats for photographic equipment.
- Airport transfers to and from hotels
- Internal airfare from Serengeti to Arusha
- Bottled water at all times
- $30 Tanzanian Airport departure tax, if KLM / NW ticket purchased through Andy Biggs.

What is not included?

- Additional tips for staff such as guides and camp staff
- Fees for passport, visas, immunizations, and insurance
- Hot air balloon flight of $475
- Alcoholic beverages while on safari
- Laundry, phone and other items of a personal nature
- Cost of hospitalization and evacuation if necessary

If you are concerned about the costs, consider that it cost me $9,000 per person to go to Tanzania in 2005!  And I did not go with Andy.

I met many others at camps who asked about my private vehicle.  Seems they were paying $7,500 per person and found themselves in cramped vehicles with guides who only wanted to rush from one spot to another.  I considered myself fortunate.  My entire trip was privately planned and executed.

I should have gone with Andy.

Next time I will.

Photo Travel Review Magazine Five Star Rating:  Andy Biggs

]]> http://www.phototravelreview.com/ptr-recommended-photo-seminars-africa-with-andy-biggs/feed/ 0 http://www.phototravelreview.com/february-winner-travel-photo-of-the-year/ http://www.phototravelreview.com/february-winner-travel-photo-of-the-year/#comments Sat, 30 Jan 2010 11:09:19 +0000 Bill http://www.phototravelreview.com/?p=4182

Prayer

By Sudip Roychoudhury

Congratulations to Sudip Roychoudhury as the February WInner of the Photo Travel Review Magazine Travel Photo of the Year.

Filled with rich colors in an unusual setting, the photograph evokes both interest and mystery.  Photographed at the Ghat (river bank of the Ganges) of Varanasi, India.

Anyone can enter the contest.  Details are here.

Travel Photo of the Year Contest

Sponsored by Essential Photo Gear

]]> http://www.phototravelreview.com/february-winner-travel-photo-of-the-year/feed/ 0 http://www.phototravelreview.com/canon-eos-7d-review/ http://www.phototravelreview.com/canon-eos-7d-review/#comments Sat, 02 Jan 2010 14:50:02 +0000 Bill http://www.phototravelreview.com/?p=4061 By Bill Lockhart

Click on photograph for a larger version.

Built around an 18MP sensor, Canon’s new EOS 7D has received both praise and criticism by professional photographers and reviewers.

Noteworthy is Darwin Wiggett’s Review that created a storm of controversy, mostly which centered around the ability of the camera to produce sharp photographs.  Much has been said about the necessity of calibrating the 7D with lenses, using some esoteric methods such as the Moire fringe technique.  DPReview highly praised the EOS 7D.

As Darwin said, this is a camera that we all want to love and use.  This is because it offers some features that wildlife and nature photographers especially want in a camera.  My own interests center around three capabilities:  its APS-C sensor which provides a 1.6x multiplier for telephoto lenses, meaning my 400mm f/5.6L lens is now a 640mm lens; its eight FPS capability which enables one to stop action at the same level of FPS offered by the pro series 1D Mark IIn; and, its HD video recording capability.  All of this is wrapped up in a solidly built camera that sells for $1,699.00 from a reputable dealer.  The much anticipated 1D Mark IV, on the other hand, is expected to cost $4,999 — three times the price of the EOS 7D, with nearly the identical features although in a professional body with a 1.3x multiplier.  The EOS 1D IV is nearly impossible to find and will not likely be widely available for months.

Canon EOS 7D

For me, the size and weight of the camera matters.  I have been looking for a camera kit that offers me portability, good construction, and image quality.  So, I went the route of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II as my primary landscape camera, and the Caon EOS 7D as my primary wildlife camera.  It is a good match, each offering unique capabilities that suit the kind of photography that I do. If interested, the full specifications of the EOS 7D are available at Canon’s website.

I have found the EOS 7D to be a pleasure to hold, with excellent ergonomics and easy to understand controls.  Its size and weight, when combined with lighter lenses, makes it a pleasure to use.

One of the features that greatly interests wildlife photographers is how well the camera will auto focus.  Wildlife photography is about capturing action and movement, a camera that will not provide fast AF is totally useless.  So far, from the shots I have done, I have found the EOS 7D is be remarkable in its ability to acquire and maintain AF on a moving subject.  It is phenomenal.

The feature set is a tad difficult to understand, there are so many choices!  Some help from Doug Brown was especially useful to me in the initial settings for the camera.  And a careful read of E.J. Peiker’s impressions were useful as well.

I especially like the convenient switch on EOS 7D that allows me to choose between still shots and video, it is far simpler than the arrangement on the Canon EOS 5D Mark II.  My hope is to do a great deal of video photography in the future and having two cameras that can produce HD video at 30 FPS is a great advantage.  I must admit, however, that getting critically sharp videos means, in most instances, that I have to use manual focus.  The results of auto focus in video mode are acceptable, but in my view not as sharp as I would like.

Choosing a good lens to match with the EOS 7D is something I have thought about a great deal. I have the Canon EF 70-300mm DO lens, a lens I love primarily because of its size. With this lens mounted I have an effective range of 112mm to 480mm — a wonderful range for doing wildlife photography. Combined, the result is an instrument that is easy to move, easy to pack, and wonderfully balanced.

And, I have found that I can crop the 18MP files produced by the EOS 7D and retain excellent details.  I can only imagine how good this camera will be when matched with superb lenses such as the 70-200mm f/4L or the 300mm f/4L IS.

Click on photograph for a larger version.

I am particularly impressed with the color rendition I am getting with the EOS 7D, as in this photograph done two days ago without filters, pretty much straight out of the camera.

Click on photograph for a larger version.

In today’s world of photography each one of us must choose equipment that we think matches our own way of shooting.  For me, the choice of buying the Canon EOS 7D was based on the idea that I really need two cameras that each have characteristics that fit what I typically photograph.  I have long since given up on trying to have one camera and a set of lenses do everything, it simply does not work for me.  The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is a perfect match.

Please understand, the EOS 7D and the EOS 5D Mark II are not professional grade cameras.  While both are well built, in my view they are not comparable to the rugged environmentally sealed 1D series cameras, which means I need to take extra precautions when shooting in severe weather and environmental conditions.  Zip lock bags are a good idea to keep out the dust and protect the cameras from moisture.

So, with two cameras and two lenses (the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II and the EF 70-300mm DO), I now have the capability to go from 16mm (Full Frame) to 480mm (APS-C).  And switching the two lenses between the two cameras means that I have lots more flexibility in what I am doing. And, the two cameras use the same battery, meaning I don’t have to pack an extra charger!  Thus, my camera kit is lighter.  Besides, one is crazy to trek half way across the earth without having two cameras, a backup is an absolute necessity for me, and I have the best of two worlds in this new kit.  I like that very much.

Not a bad choice as far as I am concerned.

I have not discussed noise, since most of my shooting is at ISO 400 or less.  In my view, most issues of noise are the result of poor exposures, not the camera.  And anyone who expects to get flawless smooth images at higher ISOs is begging for disappointment.  I will report that at ISO 800, noise does appear on my images, but such has been easy to process with Adobe CS4.

In the days ahead, I will be calibrating my lenses with my two cameras.  It is not an exercise that I look forward to, but one that is necessary to get all the gear matched.  And, hopefully, find extraordinary light that blesses my treks across the earth.

In sum, from my limited time with the Canon EOS 7D, I can recommend it to you.  For its price, size, ergonomics, capabilities, and image quality, I can’t think of anything out there that compares.  That is, unless one is a Nikon shooter, then the Nikon D300 is a logical choice and a strong competitor.

Pros:

Price

Build Quality

Size and Ergonomics

Image Quality

Auto Focus

Eight Frames Per Second RAW Shooting

HD Video

Controls

1.6x Multiplier for Lenses

Cons:

Tendency to overexpose in contrasty situations.

Poor White Balance in Artifical Light

No built in AF illuminator

Ladies Cycling

By Jean-luc
Personal Website

Congratulations to Jean-luc for the photograph “Ladies Cycling.”

The editors of Photo Travel Review Magazine like this photograph because of its spontaneity.  The rich colors create and interesting and dynamic photograph from an ordinary street scene.

Anyone can enter the contest.  Details are here.

Travel Photo of the Year Contest

Sponsored by Essential Photo Gear

Moonshine by Melanie

Click on Photograph for a larger version.

By PTR Team Members Melanie and Bill

Why go to Ireland?

1.  It is a fantastic place, filled with breathtaking landscapes.  It is remote and unspoiled.

2.  It is a travel bargain.  One can rent a well-appointed cottage for far less than other places in the world.

3.  Its people are friendly and accommodating.  There is nothing better than Irish hospitality.

4.  It is easy to get to.  Fly into Belfast or Dublin.  Rent a car.  Explore.

Where to visit?

Ulster and Donegal. Located on the North of the Emerald Isle.  Incredible natural setting, unspoiled, real, and peaceful.

Where to stay?

Best to rent a self-catering cottage or house.  Far less expensive than a hotel.  You then have the luxury of coming and going as you please, ready access to laundry facilites and room to spread out all camera gear, chargers, laptops etc.

What will it cost?

Self catering cottages of high caliber can be rented for about $1,000 per week.  Far less than one would pay for a hotel or a bed and breakfast.

Equipment

All photographs in this article were done with the Canon 1Ds Mark III and the Canon Powershot G10.

Things to know before you go.

The currency in the Republic of Ireland is the Euro with the exchange rate at the time of this visit making purchasing items in Donegal more expensive for UK visitors than usual. Petrol was a little less expensive but most food items, with alcohol in particular, far more costly.

Roads can be narrow and winding, take this into account when timing your arrival at a destination. Distances too can be more than you might expect.

Best Maps were the Ordnance Survey Ireland Discovery Series, good for picking out details that might be of interest.

Be prepared for the weather and make sure you have the means to access a decent weather forecast. If you plan to spend much time at the coast tide times can be downloaded in advance for a small price. This is especially useful for planning ahead.

Equipment: Lenses covering the range from 16mm to 200mm were used. The range of contrast between sky and land necessitates the use of graduated filters, unless you are going to resort to post- processing to merge different exposures. We use Lee filters. A sturdy tripod will be well used, both for keeping images sharp in the low light levels but also for use with long exposures. Kitchen paper is invaluable for cleaning filters of sea spray!

So, the PTR Team set about to visit Ireland.

On September 26, 2009, PTR Team members Melanie and Bill journeyed to Ireland, actually two separate countries, Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland.  It was an opportunity for them to explore the Northern coast of the island, hoping to find elusive, good light  and  to meet photographers with whom they had corresponded for several months.

On their arrival they were met by Ross Mckelvey a barrister who practices law in Belfast, who is also a member of the Royal Photographic Society.  Ross was kind enough to show them the way along the beautiful and changing coastline from Larne to Bushmills.  He had previously contacted others in Ireland who love photography and invited them to join the team for a afternoon photographing the Giant’s Causeway.  Melanie and Bill met both Stephen Dickey and Cathal Donnelly, at Bushmills and late in the afternoon ventured to the Causeway, a landmark site for photographers worldwide.

The Giant’s Causeway by Bill

Click on photograph for a larger version.

Melanie:

Giant’s Causeway had a real pull for me, especially after reading Claire’s experience at this location. I knew that the conditions were going to be difficult, with strong winds and crashing waves. I found shooting towards the setting sun an impossible battle against the seaspray. The waves were unpredicatable. Ross was engulfed by one such wave, he did well to stand his ground and apart from a soaking both he and camera came away unscathed. Nor was I prepared for the number of people out there, despite the late hour. After waiting for some length of time for the light to fall right, a shadow appeared across my foreground with the owner holding out his own camera for me to take a picture of himself and his companion

Giant’s Causeway by Melanie

Later we hoped to meet Bill’s colleague Peter McCabe a fellow moderator at Nature Scapes and Andy McInroy, who just published a new book about photography in Ireland, and is famous for his cave photographs. Unfortunately both were busy with business matters.  Peter had been extremely helpful to us in planning the itinerary.

It is always a great joy to meet people with whom we have corresponded through the Internet.  Ross, Stephen, and Cathal were wonderful hosts. It was great to to be in the company of people so enthusiastic about their countries, and to discuss our mutual joy for photography.  Hopefully, in the coming weeks,  the photographers we have mentioned here will be writing articles to be published at PTR. It is our plan to feature Ireland in the near future and we would welcome articles from any photography enthusiasts who might have knowledge and experience to share of the countries.   To put it simply, Ireland is a dream location for travel and photography, offering bargain prices for self-catering cottages, and more importantly, endless places to explore with majestic and rugged coastlines, small villages, and incredibly warm and interesting people to meet.

From Bushmills we travelled to Cruit Island, on the western coast of Donegal.  We were optimistic, our journey west through the changing light was heartening. Unfortunately as the week progressed we became more and more despondent due to persistent low cloud and a lack of  ‘illumination’. Our accommodation for this week was pretty basic, but set in a dramatic location, perched on granite boulders looking down over a red sand beach.

Donegal Thatched Cottages, Cruit Island

Despite the weather, the area offered wonderful subjects.

Returning to the Sea by Bill

Click on photograph for a larger version.

St John’s Point by Melanie

Beauty and the Beast

Melanie:

After seeing images of  The Poisoned Glen, in particular those of Gary McParland the spot was a must to visit. Sadly, despite two visits the light was not playing. On the other hand a friendly collie dog was.

The Guide to The Glen, By Melanie

He/she found us out on our first visit leading us round the old church at Dunlewy after crawling in beneath the gate. On our second trip he took the lead down the glen, doubling back when he saw us with our cameras poised, then sitting patiently and waiting. I spotted a collection of interesting stones and bless his heart, he posed in the middle, taking in the view.

The Lord Of The Ring, by Melanie

He may have been a little more than disgruntled when we got back to the car when all I had to give him was a couple of McVities Mini Cheese Cheddars! He made the day, unlike the day before when we encountered the Beast of Cruit Island – - – -

Bill:

While at Cruit Island, despite a windy and wet day, our team grew tired of sitting in the cottages awaiting a turn in the weather, so we set out for a long walk from the Thatched Cottages to the end of the island.  Along the way we met a pony and Melanie could not resist the opportunity to pet the animal.  BIG MISTAKE!

Melanie and The Beast of Cruit Island

Long story, short version.  The Pony bites.  Yep, it bites hard.  And it follows you, and keeps following you, and it keeps biting.  To think, Melanie has done photography of lions, leopards, and other wild animals all over the world, and this was the first time she had been attacked by an animal, and a Pony of all things!

It must of been the red jacket she was wearing.  Obviously, to the pony the jacket was a big apple.

True to form, the light changed the day we left Cruit Island. It was blowing up a storm, making it impossible to stand up without the shelter of a wall and making an image was but a dream. The conditions abated some for the journey east towards the Fanad Peninsula  where the light greeted us with fantastic opportunities for photography.

Melanie Considers the Morning Light by Bill

Click on photograph for a larger version.

Arrival by Melanie

The rugged coastline of Ireland is simply breath taking. What a joy it was to find this place just a short walk from our holiday house at Doagh Beg to our private beach.

The Gateway by Bill

Click on photograph for a larger version.

Perhaps our favorite place, while visiting Ireland was at Fanad Head. Long story, short version: to get to the spot where these photographs were made, one must walk along a wall on a footpath that is about two feet wide. Simple, except for the fact that the two foot wide walkway drops off about 50 feet into a water filled crevasse. In other words, if you are like us, it is best not to look down.

Fanad Head Lighthouse at Moon Rise by Bill

Click on photograph for a larger version.

Melanie:

Bill loves to exaggerate. It was a bit freaky on the fist trip we had to the lighthouse as the wind was gusting up to 60mph. It made for exhilarating conditions with the waves crashing high onto the cliffs and the wind whipping up the sea foam. How magical it was when, in amongst the noise and drama of the wind and waves, a full moon rose serenely out of the cloud to turn the evening  into something extraordinary.

Moonshine by Melanie

The conditions and the beauty we experienced on the Fanad Peninsula more than made up for the disappointment of the previous week. There was more than enough to keep a person and a camera occupied for a week just in this small area alone. Endless permutations of light and tides meant there was something different to find as each hour passed.

Rainbow by Melanie

It was with more than a little regret that we left Doaghbeg and the Fanad Peninsula, but we had just a little more to see before we were to leave Ireland. We retraced our steps back to the north Antrim Coast, this time staying in Portrush. Here again we were drawn to the sea, how hard it is not to be in a place of  such incredible, wild beauty. This time we avoided Giant’s Causeway and had a very enjoyable morning at Ballintoy and two evenings down on the beach at White Park Bay.

Having experienced just a small sample of what Ireland has to offer it will be difficult  not to return. It was a wonderful trip, I can still feel the force of the wind, smell the sea and if I close my eyes the light plays again before me.

Ballintoy by Melanie

View our Slide Show of Ireland by Clicking the Image Above

The Slide Show will open in a new window.  Enjoy!

Accommodation

The Bushmills Inn

An outstanding hotel with a wonderful pub and restaurant.  Superb, luxurious rooms with attention to detail and amenities.  Staff were at all times both helpful and discrete.

PTR Rating:  Five Stars

The Best Western Magherabuoy

A good hotel with inviting rooms.  An agreeable  pub and restaurant.  Staff were all helpful. Room information needed a little updating.

PTR Rating:  Four Stars

Donegal Thatched Cottages

Set in a remote location on Cruit Island, the cottages form a cluster of several individual cottages.  The rooms are small with the exception of the main living area. Furnishings while authentic were basic. Bathrooms were on the main floor and only accessible through the kitchen.  One was tiny, so small it was hardly usable.  Both bathrooms were dirty, with mildew growing throughout.  Kitchen was tiny and not well equipped.  Owners charge for electricity over and above cost for the cottage (added to which was that even when set the timer for the central heating would not switch off at the set time).  Peat fires are nice but one has to pay for peat used.  Cost was high considering what is offered.  Had it been summer and you were with a young family it might have suited well.

PTR Rating:  Two Stars (not recommended)

An Teach Illanmore

Imagine a modern well-equipped and meticulously well maintained house sitting above your own private beach!

The house is large with well appointed furniture.  Splendid views of the coastline are available from the master bedroom, dining/kitchen, and living area on the first floor.  There are three bedrooms upstairs with outstanding views.

Bathrooms are spacious, well appointed, clean and modern.

The kitchen is a delight. All equipment was in good working order with clear instructions for the user.  Any possible kitchen implements can be found in the well appointed galley.  Dishes, cups, silver ware, wine glasses, were all there together with coffee cups and coffee awaiting our arrival.

It is a short walk from the house to the beach below.  The area is very private with magnificent views of the bay.

The price included everything.  No extra charges for fuel or electricity.

PTR Rating:  Five Stars.  Actually Six Stars.  This house is highly recommended by Photo Travel Review.

]]> http://www.phototravelreview.com/ireland-ptr-seminar/feed/ 3 http://www.phototravelreview.com/photo-travel-review-magazine-our-100th-article/ http://www.phototravelreview.com/photo-travel-review-magazine-our-100th-article/#comments Sat, 05 Dec 2009 12:19:30 +0000 Bill http://www.phototravelreview.com/?p=3933

Fired with enthusiasm after a day spent in the striking beauty of the Isle of Skye in March 2008, an after dinner discussion by the founders led to the birth of Photo Travel Review Magazine. Our idea was to produce a web-based resource for photographers with advice and information about places to visit, with or without the help of dedicated tour organizers. We wanted to include ideas about interesting locations within an area, how to get there, where to stay, when to go, etc.

Over the course of the past 18 months, it has become apparent that there are many of you out there who want to share your own experiences of travel, photography and the search for light. Photo Travel Review Magazine now has articles about 32 different countries and six continents. To those who have contributed articles over this time we offer our gratitude for your time and effort and we hope that you continue to find joy in your art and your travels. To those who would like to contribute your own experiences we look forward to hearing from you.

In this our 100th article we wanted to revisit some of the highlights of Photo Travel Review Magazine since it began in April 2008.

From the remote regions of Alaska to the vibrant city of Hong Kong, from the incredible mountains of Patagonia to the heat and dust of an African safari and from Peru, with it’s relics of ancient civilizations to the ultra modern in the classic European capitals of Rome and Paris, we introduce you again to some of those stories now shared because of an after dinner conversation.

We start where the concept was born:

Scotland – The PTR Team Goes to Elgol

By the PTR Team

We begin this post, our 100th at PTR, with an article by the PTR Team.

One of the most photographed places in Scotland is located at Elgol on the Isle of Skye.  Early last year, the PTR Team (Bill, Claire, and Melanie) got together and spent a week photographing different locations, one of them was Elgol.  The article is special because it was at this location that the whole idea of Photo Travel Review Magazine came about!

This article is about how individual photographers interpret the same place in different ways.  How composition, the use of a camera for different effects, how different perspectives of the same scene result in totally different outcomes, and how experienced photographers often deviate from one another when capturing light.

Patagonia, that legendary place . . .

By Rafael Rojas

Before going there we had big plans for reflected peaks in glorious light. Once we arrived, we understood they are very difficult to get, due to the strong and frequent winds. The only solution is to be patient and perseverant. I still remember going to the very same spot in Fitzroy range waiting for a morning without wind. It happened once in a week…but it was worth it. Anyway, normally absence of wind means very clear skies and stable weather…and that is a perfect recipe for dull and un-moody photos of this place.

China, Yunnan Province

By Alister Benn

The world is getting smaller; half a day and we are half the world away. We can check our e-mails on our mobile phones or even watch the mid week sports on the commute home from work. Increasingly we talk about getting away from it all, finding our inner peace, challenging our minds and bodies outside of our comfort zones.

My wife and I elected to take the “get away from it all” seriously and live now in a quiet corner of Yunnan Province in South West China. Located at 2400m (7874 feet), the town of Lijiang is a World Heritage Site with a wonderfully preserved Old Town (Dayan) and the looming giant of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain rising to a height of 5,596 m (18,359 ft) to the north. The unique Naxi (Na-shee) culture and the scenery attract hundreds of thousands of Chinese and overseas tourists every year; all of them “getting away from it all.”

England – The Lake District

By Melanie M

The English Lake District has long been associated with tourism. Since the earliest days visitors have strived to convey the images from their minds’ eye to others. Some in words as with the Lakes Poets, some by painting including Turner and Constable, and as the process developed more latterly with photography. George Abraham and his sons were perhaps the earliest photographers of renown in the area (circa 1887). They recorded landscapes and mountaineering images, some of which can be seen in their old premises the now George Fisher store in Keswick.

Tourism is now the primary source of income to the area, but it is not difficult to escape the crowds in pursuit of images to take home with you.

France – La Défense, Paris

By Jure Kravanja

I won’t tell you anything new if I say that Paris is a unique city. Each and every street has its splendor. However, what I am trying to seek in an urban photography is the feeling of loneliness. In my opinion, the encompassing loneliness brings out the best of the cityscape photography, especially if the architecture is more on a minimalist side. This is indeed the case with La Défense. Large squares with little detail are surrounded by glassed business and administration buildings with almost geometrical shapes, making it an ideal setting for the sense of loneliness.

Wales – Llynnau Cregennen, Snowdonia

By Claire Carter

It was the second morning visit that everything came together. It is worth noting that nothing on the drive up had suggested that it was going to be a fruitful journey. The sky seemed too clear. It wasn’t especially still either but as we rounded the last turn we saw that the dip the lake is in was full of mist and clouds were hugging one peak. We had struck gold – we were in the right place and probably the only place in miles where the conditions were showing any drama.

The next hour was a delight. We struggled as the mist came and went causing condensation on lens and grads. The rising sun gave exposure challenges and lenses had to be changed to make the most of changing conditions.

Editor’s note:  The photograph shown was made by Claire during this trip, and was selected by the prestigious Landscape Photographer of the Year Take a View Competition as the Awards Book Cover Image published by the competition.  The competition is regarded as among the best in the world.  The PTR Team is especially proud of Claire’s distinction.

Siberia, Land of Snow, Sky, and Space

By Herman Cater

I was very impressed with the infinity of the country. The beauty is in the space. I found many subjects from landscapes to portraits and covered themes ranging from people at work to religion.

Pit-Jah being an oil town has some wealth but as yet no hotels. I stayed in what can be described as a container that the workers are housed in. It was warm and functional but not accessible to tourists. It is not a place where a visitor can just turn up; you really need the help of someone who knows the locality who can organise accommodation in advance for you. There are some agencies that do tours within Siberia but as you can imagine it isn’t really on the main tourist map.

The Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda

By Mike Johnson

We flew from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Kigali, the capital in Rwanda.  We spent a night in Kigali at the Hôtel des Mille Collines, originally famous as Dian Fossey’s home base and later made famous by the movie Hotel Rwanda.  It was an interesting night with open windows, strange sounds and the excitement of being in Africa for the first time.

The gorillas live among five volcanic peaks called the Virunga Mountains.  The countries of Rwanda, Uganda and Congo intersect in the mountains.  Here is an image from our lodge the first night.  You really get the feeling of “Gorillas in the Mist”.  There are reported to be fewer than 1,000 mountain gorillas remaining, and none in captivity.  Our group was impressed with the apparent concern over preserving these wonderful animals.  Subsequent news from the area hasn’t been as happy as the biggest threat continues to be human encroachment of the gorillas natural habitat.

Photographing the Big Island of Hawaii

By Rick Decker

You’re going to Hawaii and spending a week on the Big Island.  You’ve seen those pictures of beautiful beaches with white sand, blue skies, and lush greens, classic waterfalls and girls in hula.  You probably think taking photographs on the most diversified of the Hawaiian Islands is a piece of cake. After all, the guidebooks say that it has something like 23 or 25 the world’s 28 microclimates.  It has huge mountains towering over 13,000 feet, gorgeous blue water, beautiful sand beaches, rainforest jungle, ocean cliffs, grasslands, spectacular tropical flowers, orchids, a smattering of deserts, and an active volcano that is pouring lava (much of the time) into the ocean.  Voila – National Geographic here you come.

South Africa – Self-drive safari?

By Neil Burton

To see the most famous of Africa’s inhabitants, including the Big Five, people often spend a small fortune for specialty tours and safaris. But here is how you can do it on a budget, and at all times be in complete control of where you go and how long you stay in any given spot.

Your accommodation within the park needs to be booked prior to entering, this was formerly done by ringing the SANparks office or through a travel agent, but thankfully South African National Parks now have an internet booking system. The system is completely up-to-date and is a brilliant way to plan and book your trip, it took me ten minutes!

Alaska, Silver Salmon Creek Lodge

*****

In addition to the articles summarized above and many more, Photo Travel Review Magazine has also enjoyed the contributions of photographers in our Featured Photos Page.  Some of the best photographers in the world have contributed to this page.  We hope to see it grow in the months ahead.  Here are three especially compelling images.

The Fireball
(Alvord Desert, Oregon)

By Marc Adamus

Personal Website

The Gift
(Khumbu region, Nepal)

by Michael Anderson

Michael Anderson Gallery

The Power of One
(Moeraki, New Zealand)

By Kah Kit Yoong

Personal Website

Website:  http://www.giannigalassi.com/

Article and photographs copyright © 2009 Gianni Galassi, All Rights Reserved

There is a lot we can learn from modern architecture. As citizens: 20th Century buildings represent the deep relationships among society, institutions, culture and technology. As eyesighted human beings: they force us to perceive their plastic value before their function (museum, parliament house, theater, airport). As photographers: the patterns produced by the dialogue between their shape and the dance of light and shadow are always tempting when we see them through our viewfinders.

Ara Pacis Museum, Rome

Everybody believes he is familiar with Rome. As schoolboys, novel readers or film-goers we all have a general idea of its history and looks. Subsequently we all visit Rome with an a priority list of what we must see, which often coincides with the list of what we already know. This is why the monuments and the remains of the Roman Empire are always crammed with people. But there is more to enjoy.

EUR Arcade, Rome

During last century’s first twenty years, Rome, as many important cities all over the world, experienced a deep renewal process. In the southern area of the river banks a power supply plant was built, along with port facilities, an iron bridge (called Industry Bridge, not by chance), gasometers, a modern slaughterhouse and many factories. Most of these structures are still there. The old power plant (Centrale Montemartini) has become a museum, where roman and greek sculptures are displayed among the old engines and generators. The sloughterhouse (Mattatoio) has been converted for contemporary art exhibitions and the former docks are now apartment blocks.

EUR Porch, Rome

Later came the Rationalist Movement, with Architect Marcello Piacentini and his pupils. They worked during Mussolini’s dictatorship, so their buildings have been dismissed as fascist for a long time. A rash judgment, in fact. Besides a number of Government buildings –some of outstanding beauty- we can still admire post offices (Via Marmorata and Ostia), railway stations (Stazione Termini South Wing) and bridges witnessing an era of modernization (notwithstanding the regime), mostly based on the rapid growth of the transport and communication system. All of them share the same stylistic features and inspiration of the Futuristic art.

MAXXI Museum, Rome

The EUR, a huge development plan for the 1942 Expo, would have been the highlight of the Piacentini School, but WW2 stopped it. Yet it has been finished during the Fifties, and IMHO travelers should be obliged to visit (and take pictures of) this marvelous three square miles contemporary version of the Roman Forum, with its Square Coliseum (Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana), the Congress Center (Palazzo dei Congressi), the State Archives (Archivio di Stato) and a wealth of museums and public office buildings.

Millennium Church, Rome

As far as the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties are concerned, it’s a decadence season. But in the Nineties a sort of shy Renaissance begun. Two works by the American Richard Meier, the Ara Pacis Museum (Teca dell’Ara Pacis) and the Millennium Church (Chiesa di Tor Tre Teste), have marked the roman cityscape along with Renzo Piano’s Auditorium (Parco della Musica) and Zaha Hadid’s 21st Century Art Museum (MAXXI) which is going to open (behind schedule) in early 2010.

Railway Water Tower, Rome

*****

Born in Milan in 1954, Gianni Galassi makes his debut as a still-life photographer at 16. His second love, the movies, lead him to Rome in 1979. He is hired as spots and documentaries director, and later as features’ screenwriter and assistant director. He is now involved in film and TV post-production, as company owner, dubbing director and dialogue writer. Besides he lectures at the Bologna University the Fondazione Cini in Venice, at the Lazio Terra Summer School. He never stopped taking pictures. His works have been exhibited in Rome at the Luxardo Gallery in 2009, and at the International Photography Festival and at the Palazzo Venezia National Museum in 2007. Previously in Milan, Viterbo and Athens.

Lost in a Warming World

By Dennis Bromage
Personal Website

Congratulations to Dennis Bromage for his photograph “Lost in a Warming World.”

Dennis describes his work:

“Polar bears on an ice flow around 60 miles off the coast of Svalbard, in the high arctic summer. The Cubs are around 6 months old and face an uncertain future in a word that is fast changing around them. LOST?

“I hope the image illustrates the vulnerability of these stunning creatures struggling for survival in the most fragile environment on the planet. The title is intended to ask a question rather than make a final statement as hopefully there is still time to make a difference.”

The editors of Photo Travel Review Magazine agree.  All of us should be asking questions about what is affecting our world.  This image speaks loudly of the affects of Global warming and the changes that are occurring world wide.

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