Trip to Argentina

<p>I am going to Argentina for 3 weeks and will be spending most of my time in Buenos Aires. I plan on taking many photos and my main concern is storage. I am wondering what type of SD cards, what size, and what to back them up on. I currently have my camera set to RAW-JPEG. I have 2 Li-ion batterys which should be sufficient. I am debating on taking a Tri-pod or not I feel like it will just be too much to carry and i already have more than i know what to do with that i have to take. And if anyone has any recommendations of places to go that would be excellent. Also places to avoid.</p>

 

<p>Why do you shoot RAW and JPEG? You may convert any raw file rapidly into a jpeg! Be more economical, get plenty of 4-8 GB cards (I typically had calculated 1 GB per day, which has changed since I've acquired a different camera which not only takes more MBs but provides more fun...) - 100 pics per day, I'd say. Go calculate. I don't back up, but stow away full card carefully somewhere in my luggage.<br>

2 batteries are OK - I take it that in Argentina, electricity is everywhere and you can charge at your discretion overnight.<br>

And DO take a tripod. It needn't be heavy, but you'll regret not having one when sunset arrives. I use a light manfrotto travel tripod which is lightweight but solid enough to handle my camera in average circumstances; if there is too much wind, I simply hang my backpack on it to stabilize. Also, it's short enough to carry in any luggage, and light enough for my husband to schlepp ;) while I carry all the rest of my equipment (that's what you call fair share...) He can use it if he wants to.<br>

I recently read an article about Buenos Aires in a very good travel mag - I have it at home and might scan it for you - it's in German, but I'm sure you can figure out what is a museum and what is a restaurant within the reference list, which I can mark up as well. Send me an eMail if that's OK with you.<br>

Monika</p>

<p>The magazine would be wonderful and thanks for the info i think i might invest in another lighter tripod as well</p>

<p>If you have the time, go to Iguassu Falls up on the border with Brazil. They are perhaps the most magnificent waterfalls in the whole world, only rivaled by Victoria Falls in Africa. You can arrange a tour through agencys in BA rather cheaply. You may need a Visa for Brazil on order to visit both sides of the falls. I didn't have one so they "smuggled" me through customs anyway. I did use a tripod there, but could have gotten along without it. In BA spend some time on La Florida where all the fancy shops are with great people watching. There are so may great places to go in Argentina it's difficult to be explicit on suggestions. There are magnificent glaciers in the Patagonian Andes. Also, the wine country around Mendosa in the west deserves mention. Generally speaking, I felt safer in Argentina than almost any other country I have visited.</p>

<p>Thanks do you have any recommendations on how to travel around the country, car, train?</p>

<p>Michael,<br>

send me an email, please! I cannot upload you a pdf file here...</p>

<p>My wife and I love Buenos Aires. Be sure to visit San Telmo. You can walk almost anywhere, but taxi fares are very inexpensive. Walk from the top of Calle Florida down to Avenida Corrientes, then turn right to the Obelisk, then up Avenida Nueve de Julio. Get a travel booklet on Buenos Aires and it will list places to see and suggestions for transportation. It's generally safe but use the normal precautions. I can't wait to go again.</p>

<p>Hi,<br>

Dont you think that is not a good time to visit south america due to flu ?<br>

I'm from brazil and to be honest the things is getting worst here and in other countries from south america (chile, argentina) due to H1N1A.<br>

Just be aware.<br>

Regards,<br>

Fraja.</p>

<p>Dont worry about the flu<br>

Just be sensible in what you do. There is very little risk of the flu.<br>

Take some Purell and wash your hands often.Be aware its winter in Argentina. There will be grey days and it will be chilly and humid. Grey chilly days make for good photo oportunities too.<br>

You will be in an urban setting, so the typical scenes of buildings , churches, squares will be evident everywhere.<br>

But the best thing about Buenos Aires is the people.<br>

Also, dont be flashing too much equipment. Its generally safe , but the more reserved you are the safer you will be (there and anywhere)<br>

Station yourself in a specific place and take pictures of the people , the faces , the gestures.<br>

They are an expressive, elegant population . Im sure you cant go wrong capturing the essence of Buenos Aires.</p>

<p>Just came back from 18 months in South America, where over a year of it I was based in Buenos Aires. Buses in argentina are first class. From BA, you have several destinations to visit. Iguazu Falls, at the triborder of Brasil/Argentina/Paraguay is 18 hours by bus. If you can make it to Patagonia, you will surely shoot some amazing landscapes, but it is quite far, so maybe you can fly. Luckily, the Argentine gov't just lifted their absurd 40% tourist tax on domestic flights, so you can fly semi-affordably now. Hands down my favorite place in Argentina was Salta. The mountains are beautiful, and if you are into folklore culture this is the place to go, but it is almost a full day and night on bus. If you are interested in short trips, I would suggest heading to Colonia, Uruguay for the day, it's a very photogenic waterside town. Check out the websites for Buquebus.com.ar and Coloniaexpress.com.ar for boat trips from BA, its like an hour. If you can, check out the gauchos in San Antonio del Areco (even better if you are there in November as there is a great festival). Lastly, be careful in BA with your camera. There are plenty of touristy places where you will be safe with your camera outside of the bag (Cementerio de Recoleta, Caminito en La Boca...), but trust me, if there for long enough, you'll realize why BA isn't exactly the "Paris" of South America ;o)<br>

I never had any bad experience, I like to think us NY'ers have a 6th sense, yet I've heard tons of stories, and seen plenty of people just putting themselves out there, so just take care.</p>

 

<p>I should add that while there for two weeks, twice I was loosely surrounded by street gangs, and made direct eye contact with one leader. Had my camera hanging around my neck each time. I escaped by melting into the crowd and by ducking into the Metropolitan Cathedral, which was a great place for pictures btw. A store clerk also warned me not to carry my camera in plain view. After that it was tucked inside my jacket most of the time. Don't be afraid to take pictures, but be careful as in any city. Oh, and these occurred while I was walking alone, it's better to have someone with you. One more thing, you have to try the Solo empanadas, yum.</p>

<p>Hope you had a good timein Argentina - give us a report or post some photos. i REALLY hope you made it to Patagonia:<br>

<a href="http://www.flickriver.com/photos/phil_marion/sets/">http://www.flickriver.com/photos/phil_marion/sets/</a></p>