Jet Lag Journal

Taking Better Travel Photos

2012-01-03T17:15:00.001-05:00

Want to take better travel photos? You need to be equal parts traveler and photographer. Learn more by attending my presentation at the Columbia Camera Club in Columbia, SC, on February 7, 2012. The fun starts at 7pm. Hope to see you there.

Letting Elephants be Elephants

2011-12-09T14:08:00.001-05:00

Elephants have been an integral part of Thai culture for centuries. Their likeness can bee seen everywhere from temple statues to eating utensils to hotel bed spreads. In the past elephants were employed as beasts of burden by logging companies. However, after losing much of their jungles, the King of Thailand has banned the timber industry. This is good news for the remaining wild areas of the country, but what is the fate of the now unemployed elephants?

The tourist industry has taken in many of the extra animals and now "farangs" (foreigners) have the opportunity to ride these gentle giants. Most of these places do a good job of caring for the elephants, but not all do. Fortunately, there is one special place that does not allow riding and instead focuses on the health and welfare of the elephants. That place is the Elephant Nature Park, where an elephant can be an elephant.

The park was founded in 1996 by a hilltribe woman named Lek. From simple beginnings the herd has now expanded to 35, seven of which were born at the facility. That's a pretty good indicator that Lek and her staff have created a happy environment for the elephants.

I will be returning to the Elephant Nature Park in January of 2012 while I am leading a photo tour in the region, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to post some of my favorite photos from my last visit.

Monkeys of Angkor

2011-11-04T14:50:00.000-04:00

The monkeys that live at Angkor Wat, the massive complex of thousand year-old temples in Cambodia, are cute and funny. But watch out -- they are also crafty thieves.

When they are not swiping food and lens caps from tourists, they are fun to photograph. I really like how the "faux-hawk" on their heads matches the shape of the temple towers.

Laos Panoramas

2011-10-21T12:37:00.000-04:00

Here are a few panorama images from the area around Luang Prabang, Laos. The broad Mekong and Nam Khan river views are a perfect spot to practice stitching together multiple images to create larger vistas.

Life on the Mekong

2011-10-11T18:02:00.000-04:00

In Laos, the main highway running through the heart of the country is the Mekong River...

The Dingle Peninsula

2011-09-09T14:44:00.001-04:00

This summer I arrived in Ireland a few days before leading a photo tour and explored the Dingle peninsula with my camera.

Join Me at the 2011 Worldwide Photo Walk in Raleigh

2011-08-08T21:32:00.000-04:00

I will be leading a 2011 Worldwide Photowalk on October 1st in my beautiful city of Raleigh, North Carolina. If you live in or near Raleigh, this is a great way to take some photos of our city and meet fellow local photographers. You can find more information and sign up for my walk at:

http://worldwidephotowalk.com/walk/raleigh-nc-united-states-downtown-raleigh/

If you don't live in Raleigh, chances are there is another Photowalk near you. Just click on "Find Walks" to get started.

Hope to see you there!

Ireland Photos

2011-08-03T12:01:00.001-04:00

I have updated my web page with new photos from my recent trip to Ireland.

I was in Ireland leading a photo tour for Strabo Tours. The group consisted of seven students, our local guide, and myself as the photo instructor. We were based in the town of Westport in Counrty Mayo, on the West coast of Ireland. We spent each day exploring the country side and small towns in the area. The landscapes were beautiful, the towns were clean and charming, and the food was always fresh. But, what really impressed me were the people of Ireland. Every day without fail they won us over with their genuine warmth and clever wit.

As an example, take the gentleman pictured above. I was walking through Westport one morning when this man approached me with his hand extended and a smile on his face. "Welcome to Westport, lad," he said as he shook my hand and placed his other hand on my shoulder. "Where are ye from?" He continued to shake my hand for several minutes as we talked about where I was from, my family's Irish roots, and, of course, the weather. No conversation in Ireland is complete without talking about the weather and your relatives. When I finally asked about him, he said that he woke up that morning and decided to walk around town saying hello to people. Imagine that. Your plan for the day is to walk around your town and say hello to people you don't know. When's the last time you ever did that? In Ireland, it happens every day.

Is a Photo Tour Right for You?

2011-07-21T22:28:00.005-04:00

Many amateur photographers are choosing to travel on a photo tour.  But, how do you know if a photo tour is right for you?  If one or more of the following apply, I recommend that you take a closer look at photo tours.

 
1. You have mastered the basic controls of your camera and you are ready to learn more about creating unique photographs.  Photo tours provide the perfect opportunity to hone your skills and take better photos.  Rapid advancement is possible thanks to in-the-field personalized lessons from the instructor, learning from your fellow photographers, and group critiques of your work.  You can also learn about more specialized areas of photography, like improving your composition, photographing people, or shooting in low light.
 
2. Your usual travel companions are growing impatient with the length of time you spend taking photos.  When you make the transition from taking snapshots to taking photographs, you often move slower and take more time. This can cause friends and loved ones to grow impatient since they would rather move on quickly to the next attraction.  Traveling with fellow photographers, however, means that everyone shares your passion for photography and understands that sometimes you need to spend a little more time to really see your surroundings and make the best possible photos.
 
3. You are interested in photographing another culture, but you are not comfortable traveling in an exotic destination all by yourself.  Photo tours are designed with photographers in mind.  The schedule, itinerary, locations, activities, local guides, and instructors are all selected based on creating the best possible photo opportunities.  All of the logistical details are taken care of, so you can spend more time capturing those perfect moments that will reflect the essence of your destination.
 
Once you have decided that a photo tour is right for you, you will still need to find the right one.  You can begin your search on the internet, but don't stop there.  Take a step further and call the photo tour company. Speak with someone to get a better feel for the company.  Ask about the pace of the trip, the instruction you will receive, and the locations you will visit.  Try to find the right fit for you.  Take a look at the tour leader's web page to see if his or her style of photography is interesting to you. Speak directly with the tour leader and make sure that your personalities mesh and that the tour will provide you with what you are looking for.  Take your time, do the research, and you will find a photo tour that matches your own style.

Where to Start Your Search:  Strabo Photo Tour Collection  (I lead photo tours for Strabo.)

Treasures of Thailand and Angkor Wat

2011-06-15T22:47:00.001-04:00

I am pleased to announce my newest photo tour...

Treasures of Thailand and Angkor Wat

January 7-21, 2012
(Click here for more details)

Thailand and Angkor Wat are an irresistible combination of breathtaking natural beauty and inspiring temples. Travel from bustling Bangkok with brightly decorated temples, wander through traditional Thai markets, and trek through the hill tribes from Chiang Mai, where you will interact and feel at home in the local villages. Fly to Cambodia, walk amidst the fascinating jungle clad temples and mysterious stone carvings of Angkor Wat, along with lesser known visited ruins, and photograph the unique floating fishing villages. Return to Bangkok and take part in the optional extension to tropical Koh Lanta Island for photography and relaxation, with gorgeous beaches, mangroves, and limestone rock formations rising from the sea.

For more information about this photo tour, please visit Strabo Photo Tours.

Travel Photography in Southeast Asia

2011-06-08T18:48:00.004-04:00

I recently wrote an article for the Journeys Within blog about photography in Southeast Asia. I have republished the article below...

Southeast Asia’s intoxicating combination of ancient temples, colorful markets, beautiful landscapes, and friendly people make it one of the most exotic places in the world for travel. The area is also the perfect destination for the photographer who wants to improve their travel photography skills and capture outstanding images of a unique culture. To make the most of your journey, here are some tips to help improve your travel photos:

Pack Light – When traveling abroad, especially in a warm and humid climate, nothing slows you down more than a giant bag full of photo gear. Bringing less equipment means that you are lighter and more agile, increasing your odds of finding and capturing great photos. Carrying less gear also means that you will be less tired and less sore at the end of the day, letting you relax and enjoy your vacation.
Be Ready – Carrying less photo gear also means that you don’t need to make complex decisions about what equipment to use when a photo opportunity suddenly presents itself. If you spend half of your day digging through your camera bag looking for a specific gizmo, there’s a good chance that you will miss some great shots.
Go Slow – Choose a trip itinerary that lets you spend more time in fewer places. This allows you to take your time and immerse yourself in the culture. Having more time also allows you to return to a favorite spot in case you missed a shot the first time or if you just want to capture it again in different light.
Get Closer – There are actually two meanings here. The first is physical proximity. Standing closer to your subject and filling the frame will often yield stronger, more engaging photos. The second meaning of “get closer,” however, is much more important for taking great photos, especially when taking portraits. When you find someone or something that is interesting, take the time to establish a closer relationship with your subject. Learn about your subject and make a connection. The resulting photos will be much more powerful and intimate.
Ask Permission – When taking a person’s portrait, it is always important to ask permission first. It’s easy to do, even if you don’t speak the local language. Just point to your camera, smile, and ask “Photo OK?” Most people you meet in Southeast Asia are happy to pose for your camera. Photography is especially loved in Thailand, in part because the King of Thailand is an avid photographer. In fact, he wears a camera around his neck in many of his official royal portraits.
Share Your Photos – The LCD screen on the back of your camera offers a great way to share your photos with the people you photograph. Instantly showing your results establishes trust between you and your subject. Small children are especially excited to see photos of themselves. In many parts of Southeast Asia you can quickly find yourself surrounded by happy, smiling faces when you take the time to share your photos.

I hope that these tips will help you in your journey toward becoming a better traveler and a better photographer. For more specific photo instruction, I hope you will join me on one of my upcoming photography tours with Strabo Tours and Journeys Within, for more information you can see the full itinerary and description of our upcoming January tour here.

Give and Take

2011-03-14T14:54:00.001-04:00

We often talk about "taking" a photo. But, that sounds a bit selfish, doesn't it? What if there was a way to "give" a photo, too?

It would be great if my camera could print small images so I could give them out to people that I meet and photograph while traveling. I would really love this feature. But, until that becomes reality there is another way to share your photos. One of my favorite features of today's digital cameras is the LCD screen on the back. This screen lets me view my photos instantly, but it's also a great way to engage my subject(s) and "give" something back to them.

Below is a video of me photographing on the banks of the Mekong River in Laos. Watch the children's expressions as I turn my camera around and "give" the photo back. This is a great way to build trust and enthusiasm with your subject, even if you do not share a common language. Give this a try the next time you photograph someone. Involve them in the process of taking their photo. You'll get better photos and you'll give them a little something, too.

Here's the HD version: http://vimeo.com/21026994

A Month in Southeast Asia

2011-03-05T14:59:00.000-05:00

I have recently returned from a month traveling and photographing in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. I was there to scout destinations and activities for an upcoming photo tour that I will lead for Strabo Tours. There will be more details available soon. For now, here is a photo that I took in Ayuthaya, Thailand:

Barbados Photo Tour Announced

2011-01-21T11:16:00.002-05:00

Barbados: The Essence of the Island
December 10 -17, 2011
Click here for full trip details

I have blogged before (click here) about one of my favorite Caribbean islands, Barbados. I'm trilled to announce that I will be leading a photo tour there in December of 2011. This tour was designed with the photographer in mind.

Do you think Barbados can be fully seen and understood via a cruise ship of a few days spent at a resort? Think again. On this photo tour you will have the creature comforts of a Caribbean resort, yet see Barbados in a different light. The light as seen through your view finder, the light shown by means of the real Barbados, from the traditional life of its people, hidden natural beauty of the landscape, undulating rhythms of its innovative music, or Bajan cuisine, a unique belnd of old and new.

Please contact me if you have any questions. I hope you can join me!

St Maarten Photo Tour Announced

2011-01-21T10:48:00.001-05:00

St. Maarten Carnival
April 25 - May 1, 2011
Click here for full tour details

I will be leading a photo tour to the Caribbean Island of St. Maarten this Spring to photograph the colorful island and the energetic Carnival celebrations. We'll be staying at a great beach resort and we're offering reduced rates for your non-photographer travel companion. So, grab your camera and your favorite travel buddy and let's go!

New Business Cards

2011-01-20T10:08:00.001-05:00

I just received my new business cards from MOO. They allow you to print a different image on the back of each card. I ordered 15 different images for my cards. They look great!

New Web Page

2011-01-11T12:31:00.001-05:00

I'm excited to announce that Joel Collins Photography now has a completely new web page with lots of new images: www.joelcollins.com Be sure to use the "full screen" viewing mode!

Speaking in Richmond

2010-11-29T17:25:00.001-05:00

I will be speaking about travel photography to the Camera Club of Richmond in Virginia on Wednesday, March 9, 2011. The meeting is scheduled from 7pm to 9pm. Hope to see you there!

The Best of Barbados

2010-10-22T07:54:00.001-04:00

I recently travel to Barbados on assignment for a new client, Divi Resorts. I was totally blown away by the beautiful island, friendly people, and amazing beaches. It's a photographer's dream come true. I've created an HD video slideshow of some of my favorite images from the trip. (Be sure to watch it full screen!)

Barbados from Joel Collins on Vimeo.

Updated Web Page

2010-09-13T07:55:00.000-04:00

I recently updated my web page with new images that are grouped into new categories. Enjoy!

Sunsets in St. Lucia

2010-08-16T13:39:00.000-04:00

Here are some sunset photos from the Caribbean Island of St. Lucia. I visited this Spring and stayed at the Jalousie Plantation Resort, which is situated right between two pitons (mountains) that rise straight out of the ocean. It's a very beautiful setting, but unfortunately the island was experiencing a severe drought at the time and most of the tropical vegetation was turning brown. Still, it's a lovely island.

One Year to Ireland

2010-07-09T09:40:00.016-04:00

My Ireland Photo Tour begins one year from today. I'm pleased that there are already several people signed-up. Please note that the trip is limited to just 10 participants. If you're interested in joining the group, you can contact me or Jacque at Strabo Photo Tours for more information.

A Letter from Skoura

2010-06-24T11:28:00.000-04:00

I'm happy to report that I have received a letter from Driss, my friend in Skoura, Morocco. He says that he is doing well and the kids in Skoura are still enjoying the soccer balls that my friends and I bought for them a few months ago. (Click here for more about that story.) It's nice to know that our small gesture of friendship has made such a lasting impression. (Photo of Driss and me taken by Kathy Hornsby. Thanks, Kathy!)

Ireland Photo Tour

2010-06-18T09:50:00.000-04:00

Ireland Photo Tour
July 9-19, 2011
Tour Details

Travel to Western Ireland with Strabo Photo Tours and professional photographer Joel Collins, photographing the unspoiled villages, dramatic coastline, and friendly people that make Ireland so unique.

Joel is pleased to provide customized photography instruction for tour participants, ranging from hands-on lessons in the field to stepping in only if asked for assistance, depending on the skill level and preference of each particpant. There will also be two evening group critiques of your photos during the trip.

Your local Irish guide, Olcan Masterson, has spent many years exploring the hills and back roads of the area. He is a living embodiment of Irish charm and hospitality, and he will show you the spirt and soul of Ireland as few visitors will ever experience it.

Escape to Scotland

2010-06-16T17:13:00.000-04:00

I just returned from a week in Scotland. While the main purpose of this trip was golf with my father, brother, and uncle, I managed to sneak out one or twice and take a few photos. Here are some of my favorites...

Web Page Update

2010-05-27T22:03:00.000-04:00

I just updated my web page today with 18 new photos from Morocco. As an added bonus, all of the images in all portfolios are now significantly larger and automatically resize based on your browser window. And, I've added a few new photos to every other portfolio. Enjoy.

Kasbah Ait Ben-Haddou

2010-05-19T22:26:00.001-04:00

A panorama view of the Kasbah Ait Ben-Haddou in Morocco. (Click for a larger version.)

Marrakech

2010-04-23T21:54:00.000-04:00

Marrakech is a city of one million people at the base of the Atlas mountains. In the heart of the old city is the Djemma el Fna, a giant square and open-air market that is a great place to photograph the variety of Moroccan life.

Soccer in Skoura

2010-04-21T21:28:00.017-04:00

For the last two days I have been in the small town of Skoura in South Central Morocco. A small river runs through the area, creating an oasis where the local people grow crops like wheat, date trees, and palm trees. The snow covered peaks of the High Atlas mountains can be seen across the river to the North.

The people in Skoura live a modest life. Most of them have a small plot of land in the river bed where they grow their crops. There is an empty field near my hotel where the local kids meet after school to play soccer. I joined the kids yesterday afternoon for a game and noticed that they were using a piece of foam for a ball.

I eventually met one of the fathers, a friendly man named Driss. He invited me to his house for tea and, after I asked, sadly explained that real soccer balls are too expensive. They cost 30 dirhams, about US$4. I told him that I would try to help out.

The next afternoon I was happy to return to Driss' house with a few friends. We were received warmly, invited inside, and offered Berber tea and peanuts. I then presented a bag of three new soccer balls. Driss was thrilled and said he will take care of the balls for the kids, ensuring that they are properly inflated and replacing each one with a new one when they wear out.

Below are photos of Driss (on the right) and his brother Hassan having tea with their sons outside of their home in Skoura, Morocco.

Driss pouring tea for his guests:

Faces of the Desert

2010-04-20T22:11:00.007-04:00

Here are 4 of my favorite portraits that I shot today in the Sahara Desert region of Morocco:

Tuareg nomad:

Sun, Sand, and Wind

2010-04-19T12:13:00.001-04:00

Sahara. The name conjures images of sun and sand. Camels and turbans. Heat and wind. Thirst and hunger.

The Berber people have lived here longer than anyone. They are experts in surviving in the harsh conditions and thus are the perfect guides when traveling in this region. The Sahara may be one of the world's most unforgiving environments, but it is also one of the most beautiful.

The Heart of Fes

2010-04-17T12:55:00.005-04:00

Fes is the cultural heart of Morocco, beating to an ancient rhythm. The oldest section of Fes (Fes el-Bali) is the largest medieval Islamic city in the world. Founded in the year 789, Fes el-Bali has 15,000 streets but no street signs. Many tourists who explore this area without a guide inevitably get lost and resort to paying children to lead them back out.

Fes is well known for high quality leather. The hides are still tanned by hand in open-air vats. The men who work in the tannery coat their legs in olive oil to protect their skin from the strong chemicals and dyes.

Rock the Kasbah

2010-04-15T14:06:00.006-04:00

Sure, everyone's heard the song by "The Clash," but how many people actually know what a Kasbah really is? I have come to Morocco to find out.

Ok, I actually came here to take photos of this amazing country and its people for the next two weeks, but I am proud to inform you that I now know that "kasbah" means "fort." There is a kasbah in the capital city of Rabat positioned right next to the Atlantic ocean. Inside the fort's walls is a maze of narrow winding streets that are home to several hundred people.

Architectural Diversification

2010-02-08T13:32:00.000-05:00

Just a few short years ago, the consensus in the photography industry was that photographers wanting to be more successful should become specialists. Specializing in one type of photography (for example, jewelry or food) meant that all of your marketing efforts were more unified and you would eventually be "the man" (or "the woman") when it came to your niche.

Then came 2009. The year that most photographers were struggling just to survive. Fortunately for me, 2010 is looking much better because I'm diversifying in an effort to find new clients.

One example of this diversification is my hockey photography, which I have blogged about before. Another example is two recent photo shoots I did for modern architect Kenneth Hobgood. Kenneth asked me to photograph some architectural models of his current projects. I'm a big fan of modern architecture and I enjoy studio photography, so I jumped at the chance to shoot these cool designs.

The first residence is designed for a steep wooded lot. The house is entered via a bridge that leads to the public level of the house. Bedrooms occupy the floors above and below. The exterior surfaces are covered in a glossy material to reflect the surrounding trees and thus partially camouflage the house.

The second project was for a very different site -- a flat wheat farm. The materials and design of this home are intended to mimic the surrounding farm buildings.

Copyright on Ice

2010-01-20T14:04:00.008-05:00

I was at the local hockey rink a few days ago for one of my son's hockey games. I picked up the latest issue of Carolina Hockey Magazine and (surprise!) there was one my photos on the cover. It's a photo of a young hockey player celebrating after scoring a goal. Usually having your photo on the cover of a publication is a good thing -- except when it is published without your knowledge or permission (or credit or compensation). Then it's called copyright infringement. (The photo is shown here. You can click to view it larger, but please don't use it without my permission!)

This blog is usually about my travel photos, but I also shoot other subjects. Over the last few years I've been spending a lot of time in ice rinks watching my kids play hockey. So, I decided to start taking photos of the games. It's been a lot of fun and I've taken a lot of great photos.

After each game I sort through the hundreds of photos I've taken and send the best ones to the coaches and parents of the other players. I provide these photos for their personal use for free. The parents love the photos and often order prints from me. A few of the photos were uploaded to the team web page, which I allowed because the team page is password protected and is only for the parents and coaches. Somehow my photo was copied from this web page and used in the publication. (It's interesting to note that the article was about a training event that the kid in the photo didn't even attend.)

The publisher of the magazine could have contacted me for permission to publish the photo. My full contact data is embedded in the photo's metadata, but I never got a call. And no one ever called the team's coach or manager, either.

I looked through the Carolina Hockey Magazine for a way to contact the publisher and discuss the issue, but there was no contact information in the magazine. I searched the internet for his web page, but none exists. How do people get in touch with him if they want to run an ad? (or complain about copyright infringement?) I went back to the rink and asked a few of the employees about the magazine and finally found someone that could give me a name: Dwight Shellman.

I've contact Mr. Shellman and explained that my photo was used without my permission and offered some solutions to the problem like a small payment for usage of the photo or free ad space in his next issue. So far he has not been easy to deal with, but hopefully he will agree to one of these solutions and we can avoid legal action. Just in case, I have already begun the copyright registration process, which is the first step to suing for copyright infringement in federal court. Stay tuned for more...

National Geographic Adventure Magazine Folds

2009-12-08T18:05:00.004-05:00

After a 10-year run, National Geographic Adventure, one of my favorite travel magazines, has announced it is closing its doors. The last regular issue will be the December/January release, which is on news stands now. Seventeen people will loose their jobs, not to mention all of the freelance photographers that will no longer contribute to each issue. Read more about it here.

Shadow Study

2009-11-15T13:21:00.000-05:00

A study of shadows in Istanbul...

Great Adventure Travel Books

2009-11-05T10:46:00.004-05:00

When I'm not traveling, I love reading adventure travel books. I recently created a list of my favorite travel books using Amazon Listmania. Read one and let me know what you think. They're a great way to explore the world without the jet lag, bug bites, and intestinal parasites.

Broadreach Bike Day

2009-09-20T14:30:00.001-04:00

My friends at Broadreach invited me over the other day for a special event. Every employee received a new Electra bicycle. I brought my camera along and captured the fun.

Afar Magazine

2009-08-17T11:42:00.006-04:00

I just discovered a great new travel magazine this weekend called Afar. Their focus is on cultural immersion. They realize that travel is a chance to learn about the world, not just escape from your office for a few days. Their premier issue is on news stands now.

Playing With Fire

2009-08-11T12:37:00.003-04:00

A firedancer performing on the beach in Honduras. He told me that he used to perform in the Mexican circus.

Summer = Beach

2009-08-03T15:59:00.002-04:00

Foggy Photos

2009-07-17T16:09:00.006-04:00

Photos from a foggy day on top of Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina.

Roatan Revisited

2009-06-22T11:40:00.012-04:00

When I'm traveling on a personal vacation, I don't usually choose to return to a place that I have already visited. The way I see it, the world is such a big place that each trip should be devoted to seeing something new. Someone with permanent wanderlust, like me, is always dreaming of someplace new. I don't like to walk in my own footsteps.

However, there are some places that deserve another look. One such place is the island of Roatan. Located about 35 miles off the coast of Honduras, Roatan is an interesting mix of the Caribbean islands and Central America. Its jungle-covered hills are blessed with friendly people, good food, natural beauty, and great scuba diving.

Below are some underwater photos taken with a cheap point-and-shoot camera in a cheap underwater housing. I'm ready to upgrade to some better underwater photography equipment.

A large grouper feeding on a school of jacks:

Brittle star on a sponge:

Swimming through Mary's Place, one of the most spectacular dive sites on the island:

A fish living on a shipwreck:

Fans waving in the current:

A tiny seahorse hiding under a ledge:

Doing my 3-minute safety stop in a giant school of jacks:

An octopus found during a night dive:

A mother and son diving together:

The Outer Banks

2009-04-15T15:25:00.002-04:00

I just spent a few days in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Icoon Offers Wordless Translation

2009-04-02T11:25:00.008-04:00

Here's a must-have book for travelers -- Icoon:

The book has hundreds of icons to help you communicate when you don't speak the language. Just flip to the icon you need and point. I have installed the electronic version of the book on my iPhone. Here are some icons from the "Health"page:

Carolina Raptor Center

2009-02-19T17:03:00.001-05:00

In the Spring of 2008 I shot a photo assignment for Our State Magazine that focused on wildlife rehabilitation efforts in North Carolina. One of the places I photographed was the Carolina Raptor Center in Huntersville, just North of Charlotte. The Center helps care for injured birds of prey and releases them back to the wild if they make a full recovery. Two of the most common causes of injury are being hit by cars and flying into fences. Birds that cannot be released (for example, if they are unable to fly or see) are on public display at the center - be sure to to bring the kids.

Here are some photos:

Linda Engelmann prepares a baby owl for an eye exam:

Mathias Engelmann, the director of the Carolina Raptor Center, inspects the x-ray of a hawk with a broken wing:

The hawk shown in the x-ray above awaits a checkup:

After the birds have healed, they are moved to outdoor flight cages where they regain their strength and practice flying:

Birds that cannot return to the wild, like this owl, are used to educate the public about raptors:

A fully-recovered red-tailed hawk is released back into the wild:

The newly-released red-tailed hawk perches in a nearby tree:

Chicago Sunrise

2008-12-19T16:36:00.000-05:00

I was in Chicago recently. This was the sunrise that greeted me from my hotel room.

This image is 5 vertical photos merged together in Photoshop. The full-sized version is 3715 x 11,535 pixels.

A Close Shave

2008-11-20T10:08:00.004-05:00

On my last night in Istanbul I went to the neighborhood barbershop for a shave. The barbershop is one of the hubs of social life for the men of Istanbul. There were as many men in the shop talking and drinking tea as there were men getting a trim. My good friend and great photographer Leo Redmond was there to record the moment. (And help translate!)

OK, it's pretty clear that I took that last shot. As you can see above, when I travel I cover the logos on my camera with gaffer's tape. (It's a Nikon D700.) I try to attract as little attention to myself as possible.

Captivated by Cappadocia

2008-11-17T12:14:00.009-05:00

I just spent a few days exploring one of the most amazing places I have ever seen. Cappadocia (pronounced kap-ah-doe-key-ah) is a large area in Central Turkey (about half-way between Istanbul and Iraq) that is famous for incredible natural formations and ingenious cave houses that were carved into the soft rock many centuries ago by early Christians. You've heard about wisemen becoming hermits and living in caves? This is where that legend began.

Every valley in the area offers an astounding view.

There are miles and miles of hiking trails in Cappadocia.

It's possible to climb up to some of the caves, if you're not afraid of heights...

The interiors of the cave houses are usually small and cozy, with many built-in features like seats, tables, shelves, and niches for candles.

Some of the caves were used as churches and thus are decorated with early Christian paintings. Many of these were defaced by Muslims when they took control of the region around the 11th or 12th century, but there are still a few that are relatively undamaged.

The sunsets in Cappadocia are spectacular, primarily because the surrounding formations and hills glow in the late day sun.

This sunset panorama is three photos merged into one.

Several weeks would not be enough time to explore all of the valleys and hidden caves in this area. Cappadocia is officially on my "Must Return" list.

If you go...

Getting There:
Turkish Airlines has a 1 hour flight from Istanbul to Nevsehir. Then you'll have to take a 20 to 30 minute taxi or bus ride to your hotel.

Lodging:
Most hotels are in either Göreme or Ürgüp. I stayed at 4 Oda, a cave hotel. Highly recommended.

When to go:
Spring and Fall are the best times to visit. Summers are hot and dry. Winters are brutally cold with heavy snow and temperatures reaching -40C.

Lunch with a View

2008-11-13T12:19:00.000-05:00

I ate lunch today in the small mountain village of Şirince (pronounced Shu-rin-jay) in South Eastern Turkey. The Artemis Resturant features open-air dining with wonderful views.

I ordered Saç Kavurma, which is small pieces of lamb roasted with onion, pepper, tomato, mushroom, parsley, and dill; served on a special iron plate that includes a flame below to keep the meal hot. Delicious, and the stray cats will help you finish those last few bites...

In the village I encountered this woman with stunning blue eyes.

Another view of the village from the other side. This shot is two photos merged into one.

Epic Ephesus

2008-11-12T05:54:00.000-05:00

The Roman city of Ephesus (pronounced ef-uh-sus) is generally regarded as the best preserved ancient city in the Eastern Mediterranean. The most famous structure to be found here is the Library of Celsus, built in the year 114. The building is spectacular.

Also in Ephesus is a huge amphitheater that holds 25,000 spectators. Some modern performances have been held there, but these have been temporarily halted due to ongoing restoration work.

In nearby Selçuk (pronounced sell-chuck) I met a man who had worked for over 15 years excavating the many archeological sites in and around Ephesus.

Also in Selçuk are the ruins of the Basilica of Saint John. I recommend timing your visit to enjoy the excellent views of the sunset.

Strolling the Bosphorus Straights

2008-11-10T10:53:00.011-05:00

I awoke this morning to another beautiful day in Istanbul. After breakfast I took a bus headed North and rode for over an hour to the last stop on the line, then I spent the next 7 hours walking back along the Bosphorus Straights. (As always, click any image to enlarge.)

The Mecidiye Mosque is perched right on the edge of the water.

School children play below an image of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey and the first President of Turkey. Today (November 10, 2008) was the 70th anniversary of his death.

Arabic verses from the Koran inscribed on the side of a mosque. Is there a more beautiful written language?

Today's lunch was a grilled lamb kebab on a bed of pita bread soaked in a tasty tomato sauce.

After learning that I was an American, these two asked me to take their photo. "America good!" they smiled.

The traditional and the modern live in harmony in Istanbul.

A street vendor sells honey-soaked donuts. They are incredible.

Motionless guards keep watch at an entrance to the Dolambahce Palace.

Waiting for the bus.

Grand Bazaar and Spice Market

2008-11-08T15:57:00.007-05:00

Few things can compete with the sights, sounds, and smells of the markets in Istanbul.

Three Names, Two Continents, One City

2008-11-08T10:04:00.013-05:00

Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul. Europe and Asia. I arrived yesterday at one of the world's great crossroads. Istanbul is massive. It's the largest city in Europe, even if you exclude the population that lives on the Asian side of the Bosphorus Straits.

I've wanted to visit Istanbul ever since I took an Art and Architectural History course in college and learned about the Hagia Sophia (pronounced "aya sofia," the letter "g" is silent in Turkish). The Hagia Sophia was the largest building on Earth for almost 1000 years.

A photographer has several challenges when trying to photograph this building beacuse it is so famous, so large, and the lighting is difficult. The interior photo below is actually three separate images merged into one in an attempt to convey the scale of the building.

The country of Turkey is 99% Muslim, so there are mosques all over the city. Five times a day the city echoes with the call to prayer, which is blasted over loudspeakers positioned atop the minarets. Perhaps the most famous and most beautiful mosque in Istanbul is the Blue Mosque.

The mosque is named for the blue tile that decorates the ceiling of the dome.

In the streets of Istanbul you will encounter people from all parts of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, such as this hat salesman that I met outside the Blue Mosque.

New Web Page

2008-11-06T08:44:00.002-05:00

I'm happy to announce that I have just published a new web page. Please take a look and let me know what you think.

50 Rolls in One Hand

2008-10-14T20:03:00.004-04:00

I just bought a 16 Gb compact flash storage card. When shooting with my Nikon D700 camera in RAW mode, it can hold 806 images. That's a lot of photos.

To put 806 photos into perspective, I used to get 16 shots per roll with my Bronica RF645 medium format camera. So, my new card can hold the equivalent of 50 rolls of 120 film. Also, I don't have to worry about X-Ray machines at the airport, I don't have to pay to have the images processed, and the D700 takes higher quality photos than the Bronica.

Is there anyone out there that still thinks film is better than digital?

The Reefs of Roatan

2008-08-25T13:28:00.009-04:00

Where does a travel photographer go on vacation? I just returned from the island of Roatan in Honduras, where I stayed at Anthony's Key Resort (link). While my kids were having fun in the dolphin camp (see the previous post below), I dove the reefs. Here are a few photos from my dives:

And here's a rare shot of me, just back on the boat after diving the West End Wall:

Dolphin Camp

2008-08-25T10:57:00.010-04:00

Looking for the ultimate summer camp for your kids? Check out the week-long dolphin camp offered by the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences and Anthony's Key Resort (link). (Roatan is an island about 40 miles off the cost of Honduras.) My two sons (ages 6 and 9) just returned from the camp. Here are some photos I took while they were there:

During the week the kids learn about dolphin anatomy and behavior, they help feed the dolphins, and act as junior dolphin trainers. They also get to spend a lot of time in the water with the dolphins and by the end of the week they were able to identify several of the dolphins by name.

The Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences currently has 19 bottlenose dolphins. One of the females is pregnant, so the number will soon increase to 20.

Dolphin shows are performed twice a day for the public. These shows are a great way for the public to learn more these friendly and intelligent creatures.

Roatan Island

2008-08-21T22:07:00.002-04:00

I'm on the island of Roatan in Honduras this week. I have some great photos to share, but due to internet connectivity problems I'm unable to post photos from this location. I'll upload the photos as soon as I return home next week. Please check back soon...

The Orphans of NPH

2008-07-18T12:25:00.002-04:00

On my last day at the NPH orphanage on Isla de Ometepe, I setup an outdoor studio at the school building and took a portrait of every child that was willing to pose for my camera. I took over 120 portraits. Here is a small sample of the resulting images. (As with all images on this blog, click it to view a larger version.)

Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos

2008-07-15T13:25:00.007-04:00

I'm currently at Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos (or NPH, which means "Our Little Brothers and Sisters"), an orphanage on the island of Ometepe, which is in the middle of Lake Nicaragua. The orphanage sits in the shadow of Volcan Conception, a large active volcano. After the volcano caused a strong earthquake in 2005, the orphanage began building a new facility on the mainland. They hope to start moving children off the island in early 2009.

There are just over 200 kids here at NPH, ranging in age from about 10 to 18. One of the children I have become friends with is Luisa, pictured below.

The boys and girls live in separate buildings, but eat their meals together and attend the same school, which is located on the orphanage's grounds.

The children study in classrooms in the morning. After lunch they return to the school to learn vocational skills, like carpentry or sewing, which they can use later in their lives as adults.

The NPH charity is actually a group if nine orphanages located throughout Latin America. They help thousands of orphaned and abandoned children. None of the children at the orphanages are available for adoption. The idea is that these kids have had too much change and turmoil in their lives and need a stable, unchanging environment in which to grow. They are told when they enter NPH that they will never be asked to leave.

Isla de Ometepe

2008-07-13T08:34:00.002-04:00

The island of Ometepe is in the middle of Lake Nicargua (aka, Lago Cocibolca), the largest lake in Central America. The island is formed by two large volcanoes that are joined by a narrow sliver of land, creating a "figure 8" island. The volcano in the photo above is Volcan Conception, which is still active. The most recent activity was was in 2005, when the volcano created a 6.2 magnitude earthquake. It has been smoldering ever since. Volcan conception is almost perfectly symetrical, and therefore looks very much like Mount Fuji in Japan. The other volcano on the island, Volcan Madera, is now extinct.

I took this photo from the ferry that runs between Isla de Ometepe and the town of Rivas, on the mainland of Nicaragua. This shot is actually two different photos -- one of the left half of the volcano, one of the right -- that were merged into one image in Photoshop. The upper sections of the volcano are almost always obscured by clouds, so it is quite rare to see the entire volcano.

Granada, Nicaragua

2008-07-10T10:11:00.005-04:00

Today I'm in Granada, Nicaragua. Granada is the oldest colonial city on the mainland of the Americas. I will be in Nicaragua for the next 10 days on assignment for Academic Treks.

Michael, one of the teens in our group, decided to visit a local barber shop.

On the streets of Granada you're just as likely to see a horse drawn cart as a car or bicycle.

Nearby is Volcan Masaya, the second most active volcano in the world. It is estimated that it releases 900 tons of sulfurous gas into the air every day. This volcano is so unpredictable that all cars must be parked facing the exit, in case a rapid evacuation of the area is required.

More from Orosi, Costa Rica

2008-07-09T09:49:00.002-04:00

Here are a few more images from Orosi, Costa Rica. My assignment here is to photograph a group of teens that are on a language and cultural immersion trip to Centeral America. Yesterday we hiked to a nearby waterfall.

The teens are living with host families during their stay here. They are served three meals a day by their host mothers. This is a great way to learn about the daily lives of people in this part of the world. Here is a photo I took of two Amercian teens, Elena and Sarah (standing), with their host family in the kitchen of the family's house.

Hola de Costa Rica

2008-07-07T09:34:00.001-04:00

Today I'm in Orosi, Costa Rica, on a photo assignment for Academic Treks. Orosi is a small town in a beautiful valley about 2 hours from San Jose, the capital city. The people here are very friendly and relaxed. It's the rainy season, but so far we haven't had much rain. I woke this morning to a blue sky and the sound of parrots flying by my window.

I'm here until Wednesday, then I'm headed to Nicaragua for 10 days.

Duomo de Milano

2008-03-23T16:37:00.000-04:00

The next time you're in Milan, Italy, be sure to explore the roof of the Duomo de Milano (Milan Cathedral.) The stairway to the roof is not accessible from inside the cathedral. Instead, enter via a small door on the left side, pay a small fee, and climb the narrow, twisting steps to the roof. You emerge in a stone forest of pinnacles and spires.

The Duomo de Milano is my favorite cathedral in Europe, and it seems that Mark Twain agreed: "They say that the Cathedral of Milan is second only to St. Peter's at Rome. I cannot understand how it can be second to anything made by human hands." (From Innocents Abroad)

The Evolution of Flight

2008-01-23T21:11:00.001-05:00

While my plane was taxiing across the tarmac at the Houston airport the other day, I took a look out the window and started thinking about the evolution of commercial aircraft. Well, actually, the lack of evolution.

With the exception of the up-turned wingletts at the end of the wings, all of today's aircraft look remarkably similar to the planes that were flying 50 years ago. Don't believe me? Check-out this photo of the Douglas DC-8, which started service in 1958.

Unfortunately, modern aircraft have few performance improvements, too. The DC-8 had a top cruising speed of 588 MPH. The new, yet-to-be-released Boeing 787 will have a top cruising speed of 587 MPH. The only significant improvement is the range of the newer craft. The DC-8 had a range of 7,000 km. The 787 will have a range of 14,000 km.

Why have there been no significant advancements in passenger aircraft in 50 years? My theory is that airline design has been stagnant because 90% of passengers buy their tickets based on price, not how fast or slow the plane flies. (Hence the demise of the Concorde.) So, basically, today's airplanes are the airborne version of the Ford Taurus. You'll get there, but it will take a while and you won't arrive in style. And you can forget about ample leg room, a decent in-flight meal, and a larger over-head storage bin. What would an aircraft look like, and how would it perform, if it was designed by BMW or Porsche?

Fortunately, there is a new project underway that may finally move the passenger aircraft into the future. The future is traveling at a speed of Mach 5. The future is a hydrogen-based no-emissions propulsion system. The future is flying from Europe to Australia in less than 4 hours. The future is LAPCAT.

Funded by the European Space Agency, the LAPCAT (Long-Term Advanced Propulsion Concepts and Technologies) project has the potential to change air travel. The Europeans have perfected high-speed rail service (which doesn't even exist in the USA), and now they have their sights on high-speed air travel.

I'm very excited about this, but will it fly from a financial perspective? Will there be passengers? How much faster does the flight need to be before people will pay more? More importantly, will companies pay the increased fare to send their employees on this type of aircraft? What if it costs the same to fly business class in a conventional aircraft as it does to fly coach in the new super-sonic aircraft? Which would you prefer?

Traveling at Mach 5 sounds great, right? But wait a minute. Scroll back up and take a look at that rendering of the LAPCAT again. Where are the cockpit windows? Where are the passenger windows? Would you want to be on a plane with no windows, being flown by a pilot with no windows, even if it's four-times faster? Hopefully there is still some time to rethink some aspects of the design.

Windows or not, I sincerely hope that LAPCAT leads to real improvements in air travel. It's time for the future to begin.

Going with the Flow: The Rio Cangrejal

2008-01-13T13:10:00.001-05:00

In July of 2007 I went to Honduras on a photo assignment for Broadreach Summer Adventures. Broadreach offers global high-adventure trips for teenagers. Think of it as the ultimate summer camp. My assignment was to photograph the teens on the trip as they engaged in various adventure sports, learned about the jungle environment, worked together as a team, and interacted with local Hondurans. My photos were later used on the Broadreach web page and in their printed catalogs.

My favorite portion of the trip was two days of white water rafting on the Rio Cangrejal, one of the best whitewater rivers in Central America. The Cangrejal flows North out of the beautiful jungle of the Pico Bonito National Park, reaching the Caribbean at the town of La Ceiba. The river valley is lightly populated by a few small villages of homes, but is largely undeveloped. As we passed the villages we waved at the women washing their laundry in the river as their children played on the rocks.

Our first day on the river started with a safety lesson from our guide and naturalist, Jorge Salaverri. Then we spent the rest of the day on the lower section of the river, where we rafted class III and IV rapids. The second day we moved to the more difficult upper section which was mostly class IV and a few class V rapids.

To take photos of the action, I was placed in the first of three rafts. After clearing a set of rapids, my raft would pull over to one side and I would jump out, scramble over the rocks to find a good vantage point, and shoot the other two rafts as they ran the rapids. Then I would scramble back to my raft while the entire flotilla waited. Rinse and repeat as necessary.

There were two big risks to my camera in this environment: water and rocks. There was no way I could have taken a whole camera bag with multiple lenses in the raft with me, so I had to use one zoom lens for the whole day. I put my camera in a large zip lock bag, then in a padded camera wrap, and then inside a dry bag. The dry bag has an air valve on it, which allowed me to blow air into the bag, making it float. I clipped the dry bag to a strap on the floor of the raft so that if I was thrown from the raft my camera would still be safe. When I got out of the raft to take photos, I clipped the dry bag to a strap on the chest of my life jacket so I could use my hands to climb on the rocks. Several times the fastest way to return to the raft after shooting photos was to jump off the rocks into the river and float downstream. This was no problem with the dry bag clipped to my life jacket.

The river offers several places to pull over and do some cliff jumping. The largest cliff jump was toward the end of the lower section. Below is a photo of Nick Alsofrom, one of the trip participants, jumping off the cliff. This image is six different photos that I stitched together in Photoshop.

At the end of the day we went for a swim in the river and did some more cliff jumping. One of the guys on the trip, Lewis Coleman, found a young iguana swimming in the river, which he caught and named "Gypsy."

The river also provides some great rock climbing terrain. As demonstrated below by Greg Grieco, one of the Broadreach trip leaders, no protection is need for many of these climbs since the river will catch your fall.

Special Equipment used...
Domke 19" Protective Wrap
Dry Bag

If you go...
Rafting Guide: La Moskitia Ecoadventuras

Kayak.com Travel Search

2008-01-12T22:17:00.001-05:00

There's a great travel search web page, Kayak, that offers several features that are useful to the frequent traveler:

1. Meta-searching -- Search over 140 travel sites, including Expedia, Hotwire, Priceline, and all of the major airlines.

2. Fare tracking -- Tracks the fare to a specific destination on a specific date, so you can determine if the fare is rising or falling over time. (Should I buy now, or wait?)

3. Alternate Date Pricing -- Shows the fare to your destination on days before and after your specified travel date. Helpful if your travel dates are flexible. The graph below shows the fluctuations in the airfare from Raleigh NC to Paris in the Month of January. In this example, the original date I had selected for travel, Saturday the 26th, is highlighted with a purple line.

Gemütlichkeit at the Nuremberg Christkindelsmarkt

2008-01-12T11:46:00.002-05:00

Perhaps the best Christmas festival in the world is the Christkindelsmarkt (Christ Child Market) in Nuremberg, Germany. The market is held each December and features 150 vendors selling holiday decorations, hand-made toys, traditional crafts, fresh gingerbread cookies, grilled bratwurst, and mugs of warm spiced wine. The market has grown too large for the central square and now spreads up and down the adjoining streets for several blocks.

I first learned about the festival as a young boy when I lived in Nuremberg for about 4 years. Returning recently as an adult I was pleased to find the festival just as much fun as I had remembered. There is now a new children's market a few blocks from the main square that features rides and activities for younger visitors.

Many of the vendors at the market are family-owned businesses that have been in the same spot each year for over 100 years. The city imposes strict regulations regarding what can be sold and how the stalls are decorated, keeping the market as authentic as possible. There is also an award given each year to the most attractive stall.

The traditional Christmas tree decorations offered for sale are often hand-made from wood or straw.

Another popular decoration unique to Nuremberg are small figurines made from prunes that are dressed in traditional German clothing.

The local Nuremberger bratwurst is much smaller than you would expect, about the size of your index finger. They are usually served two or three at a time on a hard roll and eaten with spicy mustard. Delicious! Below is bratwurst chef Ladu Giovanni greeting customers at his stand on Konigstrasse.

The Christkindelsmarkt is a great place to see locals dressed in their best traditional costumes. These two men are Gesellen or Journeymen. They are apprentices learning a trade such as masonry, roof building, or plumbing. As part of their training, they are required to walk the country for a year and work as apprentices before they can return home to open their own business. Their clothing dates from the middle ages. The eight buttons on their vest symbolize an 8-hour work day, and the six buttons on their coat symbolize a 6-day work week. Their belt buckles bear the symbol of their profession. As they travel, charms from each town they visit are hung from their silver chain. These Gesellen were walking in what used to be the moat that surrounds the old section of Nuremberg.

If you go...

Useful links: City of Nuremberg, Nuremberg Christkendelsmarkt
Hotels: Hotel Drei Raben, Hotel Victoria
Restaurants: Heilig Geist Spital
Note: There are two ways to spell the city's name -- Nuremberg and Nürnberg

Jet Lag Prevention

2008-01-12T10:00:00.003-05:00

If your next trip will take you to another time zone, chances are you will experience jet lag. The best method I have found for preventing jet lag is described in the book Overcoming Jetlag by Dr. Charles F. Ehret and Lynne Waller Scanlon.

[Update: There is a newer version of this book: The Cure for Jet Lag.]

The program works by controlling "zeitgabers" (time givers) -- things in the environment that give your body time cues. Zeitgabers includes things such as exposure to daylight, meal times, social interaction, and looking at your watch or a clock. In the laboratory Dr. Ehret discovered that caffeine makes your body more sensitive to these time cues, and thus speeds the acclimation process if consumed at specific times.

The book has very specific recommendations depending on which direction you are traveling (East or West) and how many time zones you are crossing. Here are the recommendations for a East-bound six-hour time change (for example, New York to Paris):

On the morning of the flight, get out of bed early.
Eat small portions at every meal today, and do not drink alcohol.
At 6 PM, drink two to three cups of black coffee. (I know this sounds crazy. I never drink coffee, so black coffee might as well be poison to me, but this works. Trust me.)
As soon as you board the plane, reset your watch to the destination time zone and do what people at the destination are doing. It's Midnight in Paris, so as soon as you can, go to sleep. If you are unable to sleep, keep your eyes closed and rest. Do not eat the in-flight dinner, speak to fellow passengers, or watch the in-flight movie. All of these are time cues that tell your body it's still time to be awake.
Wake up on Destination time and eat a high-protein breakfast. Eat large meals today.
When you arrive at your destination, continue following your new time schedule. Most flights from the USA to Europe arrive in the morning. When you get to your hotel, DO NOT NAP! Instead, go outside and stay active. Expose yourself to sun light. This will help your body clock reset.
Go to bed by 10 PM.

Most people are skeptical about this program, especially the black coffee at 6 PM part. I was, too but trust me, this works. On one trip a few years ago I traveled around the world in 10 days. Using the methodology in the book, I had no jet lag.