Special Places

[chris_chen]

This is my list of the special places that inspire multiple rolls of film being exposed in a somewhat ordered way:

 

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1. Angkor Wat near Siem Reap, Cambodia by far is in first. A MUST see.

 

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2. The Grand Canyon

 

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3. Granada, Spain (Al Alhambra, Sacramonte)

 

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4. Segovia, Spain (Roman Aqueduct)

 

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5. Rome, Italy (Roman Ruins)

 

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6. Djemila and Timgad, Algeria (Roman Ruins near Constantine)

 

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7. Paris (people, places and THE Tower)

 

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8. NYC (The Brooklyn Bridge, skyline, and people)

 

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9. Bilbao, Spain (The Guggenheim Museum)

 

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10. The Great Wall (Badaling and Mutanyue)

 

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11. Hong Kong Skyline (especially from Victoria Peak and the ferry)

 

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12. In and Around San Fransisco

 

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13. Last But Not Least, Auschwitz

 

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On The List:

 

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1. Machu Pichu

 

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2. The Great Pyramids

 

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3. Chichiniza (sp?)

 

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4. Greece

 

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5. Turkey

 

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6. Tunisia

 

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7. The National Parks in southern Utah.

 

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I like people (street), landscape, architecture, particularly ruins (history of great civilizations).

 

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Any More Ideas?

[alec1]

And this has WHAT to do with Leica, Chris. Can't you take your

travelog somewhere else?

[anon_terry]

Couldn't help but notice that most (all?) of the places you list are

on that list simply because they're "photogenic". Also couldn't help

but imagine the resulting pile of "gee, nice pic" postcard shots. OK

I admit I'm a DAH brown noser but one of the things he emphasized

when I took a workshop with him was to start in your own backyard.

When the ordinary and everyday begin to inspire multiple rolls, then

you're ready to go out into the world.

[anon_terry]

And no, I don't think I'm ready to go out into the world...

[chris_chen]

WHY the Aggressiveness?

 

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It has to do w/Leica because it's what I use. Leicas make a great

travel kit because of its compactness, if not light weight.

 

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I just wanted to add some nice places that are not out of the reach

of most of the people within this forum to consider when nearby, and

wanted similar recommendations.

 

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Thats All.

[chris_chen]

Also, I have little choice wrt to my employer on where/when/why to

go "into the world" w/o changing companies. I find myself

particularly lucky for the opportunity. Exploring the world forces

one to explore themselves.

 

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And, exactly what is wrong about photogenic places? Yes, I admit to

looking at the postcards even if I have a local along with (friends

worldwide and am better for it) for ideas, but I NEVER try to

duplicate them.

 

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You are missing a lot, cultural differences are photogenic within

themselves.

 

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The post was not to brag, I was requesting other DON'T MISS

photogenically places other people have been because I'm bound to be

nearby.

[chris_chen]

Anon,

 

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This really surprises me considering my previous posts.

 

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I DON'T have a "permanent" back yard, and I did go cycling around my

current back yard to find photogenic opportunities. It was nice, but

I didn't finish a roll, so it didn't make the list.

 

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I could've shot much more, but I try for ALL "keepers".

 

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I'm flabergasted.

[chris_chen]

Another point,

 

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It's definately NOT a travel log; one would need a great deal of time

to go through MY travelog. It's just the hightlights.

 

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Never a flame from me.

[chris_chen]

Sorry Gang, a Small Flame Please,

 

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What's **** got to do with Leica, as well. As I remember, he/she

abandoned Leica recently.

 

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So Sorry Folks, but I thought the comments hostile, not knowing

anything about me and my experience.

[james_.1]

Well...some here are so hung up on equipment, rather than going on

adventures and capturing some of it photographically, that they

would rather not hear it. Anyway, Machu Picchu sounds nice. How

about Ireland? Kauai? Big Island. And, why do some criticize

others' choices for what to photograph? To me, one should

photograph that which interests them, not what others would like to

see. Throw my Leica into a hole when I worry more about what others

want to see on my photos. A means to an end, remembering where

we've been on this planet with a Leica.

[glenn_travis]

Chris, do yourself, and the rest of us a favor, and shutup.

[james_.1]

*boohoo* NO you SHUT up hahaha...wooooo am I in grade school now?

rofl

[raymond_tai]

Chris, I tried e-mailing you privately but it bounced. I will be in

Angkor Wat in two weeks and have been struggling with

lenses/format to bring. Do you recommend more on the wide

angle side or the tele side? My choices are either a Rollei 6008i,

645 back, 50mm and 90mm lenses, or R8 with 19mm,

28mm, 50mm and 100mm. Tripod of course. Thanks.

[chris_chen]

Thanks for your support James, I almost ran out of

tissues "boohooing". 8*)

 

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Still waiting for productive suggestions.

[james_.1]

Maybe on the forum in photo.net you will find more (and more well-

rounded perhaps) suggestions on places. Not all Leica users are as

dashing or adventuresome as others.

[anon_terry]

<i>What's **** got to do with Leica, as well.</i>

 

<p>About as much as your post does. So we're about on even ground,

no?

 

<p><i>As I remember, he/she abandoned Leica recently. </i>

 

<p>So, what... that disqualifies me from posting in this forum? That

is elitism at its worst.

 

<p><i>not knowing anything about me and my experience. </i>

 

<p>How is the air up there on your high horse?

[fotografz]

Chris,

I agree with you that Leicas make excellent travel partners.

Carried mine all over the world. Carried not lugged. As far as

the "gee wiz post card" comment made, it'll look that way if you

shoot it that way. Leicas do make you think a bit more, and often

lead to a new take on a cliche' subject. One idea that's led to just

such an unusual look at overly exposed sites for me has been

going there when its off season or shooting at unusual times. I

photographed in the Arizonia desert in 122 degree heat , and in

the Sedonia area mystic mountains in the rain. The Ranger said

it hadn't rained there in 120 days! Waterfalls gushing down red

rock into pools near tribal caves. I don't know about you, but that

ain't in my back yard. The point is neither trip resulted in "Post

Card" images. I also went into Yellow Stone mid-Winter. The

river was steaming against the cold air, with eagles flying

through it. The mist from "Old Faithful" turned the nearby forest

into a crystal fantasy. When working in NY I get up before dawn

and shoot the city during the few minutes that it sleeps. Or just

as it wakes up. Leave the color film at home and shoot Miami in

Black and White ( that takes dicipline). Oh, and I love shooting

around the house also. But given the choice of, say, LA during

Oscar Weekend like I just experienced, and staying home to

photograph Fluffy for the 10 millionth time, I'm on a plane pronto.

Hmmm, I wonder how many airline points I have for use now...

[chris_chen]

Thanks for the suggestions,

 

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BW is not in the cards because I cannot self-process, read homeless.

I used to when there was a down-the-street photo school/workshop

club/rentable darkroom at 213-1/2 S. Main St. from our restaurant at

311 S. Main in Ann Arbor; probably already gone before you invaded

my 'hood. I'd love to, though.

[marc_williams]

Chris,

Try one of the C41 B&Ws. While a bit harder to work with in a

darkroom situation, they seem to scan very well and make

excellent ink-jet prints or web files for posting. Just a thought.

[chris_chen]

Marc, Thanks for the Idea,

 

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I did try the B&W C41 process film, but the local lab (I don't

remember the country) did not give satisfactory results; the prints

appeared all soft focused when the color they were able to deal with

better. I always hope that they get the film processind right.

Then, someday, I'll be able to print them on my own.

 

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It's quite a pity travelling so much; I'd love total control over the

final product developing my own B&W and color. But, it's just I love

what I do - getting paid to travel "into the world" w/all expenses

paid and "living in the local economy", working with the local

people, not judging, just asking questions and absorbing a different

culture.

[wilhelmn]

Damn it, this is supposed to be a Leica forum. This is as bad as

the "Critique my baby pictures" post, and those multiple posts of

people with bipolar disease who stop taking their Lithium, and

believe that every thought they have is of paramont interest to

everyone who visits the forum. I used to enjoy sharing my limited

knowledge and extensive ignorance with others of similar interests.

I note that even Tony rarely posts any more, and I used to always

enjoy his attitude and what he had to say.

[chris_chen]

This forum is: "Leica Photography", of Leica AND photography - of

objects living or otherwise photogenic to oneself - presumably of

photographing these using Leicas, but as is obvious within this

forum, the use and comments of Leica compatable equipment as well

(Contax, Voit., Konica, Kiev, etc), is and has been acceptable.

Paramount being photography.

 

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And, this being a free forum, constructive answers are always

welcome; as for the offensive or irrevalent, let's let the moderator

determine that, as we are mere visitors.

 

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In the end, if it offends you, ignore it and wait for the "gems" that

WILL appear on sublects that are important to YOU that you didn't

know before, or go someplace else.

 

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Please continue to point out specific (not generalities) comments

that are offensive/irrevalent to you such that I may rephrase my

question/comment in the present and in the future.

[ray_moth]

Chris,

 

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Don't forget the southern hemisphere! From my limited experience, I

would say that the most photogenic place I've ever seen is Sydney,

Australia and its environs. One of Sydney's magical properties is the

light. I emigrated there from England, a long time ago, in 1976 but I

still remember vividly how I was overwhelmed by the difference from

an amateur photographer's point of view. I think one could spend a

lifetime photographing Sydney and still not run out of subjects and

inspiration. I now live in Jakarta, which is not at all like that.

However, one day I hope to return.

[zoeica images]

My 2 cents on Leica travel photography: Best place in the world, IMHO-

-Ireland. The westcoast is my favorite-Galway,Connemara, Westport,

Roundstone, the Burren and the small southern town of Cobh. As long

as you don't mind getting your Leicas wet(and they will get wet!), I

recommend the Irish countryside, color or black n white.

www.zoeicaimages.com

[ralph_barker]

My suggestion, Chris, would be to relish where ever you can go, and

shoot what speaks to you about that place. Every place and every

culture has something great to offer - if we pay attention. If your

job takes you to these places, all the better.

 

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My additions to your list would include Japan, Taiwan, New Zealand,

and almost anywhere in Europe. All good targets for your Leica.