japan_photo

<p>Amy, I was there (in Zambia) last year during the dry season in October - although the "smoke that thunders" is not that huge at that time of the year, it does offer many photo opportunities. If you get re-entry visa while entering Zambia, you may cross the bridge to Zimbabwe on foot and photograph the falls from both sides. If you have a chance, take the helicopter flight over the falls (100US for 15 min ride).<br>

Re safety, the area around the falls is pretty safe.<br>

Feel free to take a look at my website for many pictures from Namibia and Zambia.<br>

Enjoy your trip! Frantisek<br>

<img src="http://www.photostaud.com/img/fotogalerie/victoria-falls-destination/zambia-victoria-falls-002.3.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="454" /><br>

<img src="http://www.photostaud.com/img/fotogalerie/aerial-landscape-of-zambia-destination/zambia-aerial-landscape-027.3.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="454" /></p>

<p><img src="http://www.photostaud.com/img/fotogalerie/victoria-falls-destination/zambia-victoria-falls-001.3.jpg" alt="" width="454" height="680" /></p>

<p>A landscape photo sample from the western fjords:</p><div></div>

<p>Brien, if you stay in Reykjavik, you can easily cover the nearby spots such as the Geysir, Gulfoss and Reykjanes peninsula by car. For other, and probably more photogenic, locations (Jokurlsarlon, Myvatn, Snaefelsnes to name a few) - you will need to stay out of town.<br />Western fjords are definitely worth it - fantastic place for landscape photography. It is also great place to photograph puffins, although in September, they might be away on the sea. If you go northwest, consider taking the Baldur ferry. In general, driving around western fjords is ok.<br />I also recommend driving the ring route (Road 1) – many nice spots to see all along. Have a great trip.</p>

<p>For accommodation, try this website - it features online booking system and helped me a lot for my trip to SA: <a href="http://www.sanparks.org/">http://www.sanparks.org/</a></p>

Answering my own question - for archive purposes:<br>

I stayed one night in Hlane National Park and Two Nights in Mkhaya Game reserve - what an experience for wildlife photography! The guides of both parks bring you right to the animals - lions, rhinos B&W, elephants..... Kruger NP does not compare!<br>

If you want to see some sample photographs from this trip, take a look at <a href="http://www.photostaud.com/africa/swaziland">www.photostaud.com/africa/swaziland</a><div></div>

Dear all, on my trip through South Africa, I will have 4 days/3 nights to spend in Swaziland. I would appreciate any

first-hand information on good locations for landscape-wildlife-people photography in this country. I am planning to

drive from the Kruger Park through Mananga gate and leave for Johannesburg, most likely through Oshoek. The

places I am looking at at the moment are Hlane NP, Mkhaya Reserve, Mantenga cultural village. Any other must-

sees/best-avoid? Thank you, Frantisek

Tanya, you should seriously think about bringing a tripod with you, especially if you are staying one week in Luxor. The temples out there are gorgeous at twilight and you will need a solid support to take decent pictures. As for film choice, I would not experiment much on an abroad trip - bring those films you are familiar with. Enjoy your trip, Egypt is fantastic.<br>

Frantisek<br>

Per,<br>

In august, you can drive all around the island in normal car; 4x4 are necessary only for winter months and/or inland

drives.<br>

Western Fjords are definitely worth the trip (mostly dirty, but safe roads). If you are into birds, than you cannot beat

Latrabjarg at the very end of the fjords. You do not need a telephoto lens to make frame-filling pictures of the puffins

resting here.<br>

Drive slowly and keep your eyes open, the scenery is stunning, too.<br>

Have a good trip, Frantisek<br>

Some Iceland photos for your inspiration:<br>

<a href="http://www.phototravels.net/iceland">http://www.phototravels.net/iceland</a><br>

<a href="http://www.photostaud.com/europe/iceland/">http://www.photostaud.com/europe/iceland</a><div></div>

I would second to James - get a car and go anti-clockwise. However, Geysir, Gulfoss and even the Blue Lagoon are interesting places to photograph, too. You can basically shoot all day (and night) long and cover much of the southern shore in two days. Here are some photographs from my trip two years ago: <a href ="http://www.photostaud.com/europe/iceland"> http://www.photostaud.com/europe/iceland/ "</a>

If you go in February, do not forget to place the Venice Carnival on your list - it is a very photogenic event.

If you are into coastlines and mountains, I would suggest Inner (and if time permits Outer) Hebrides. Accessible from Skye. Beautiful places, not crowded at all. I was hiking on the isle of Rum for a few days, meeting only two or three backpackers (none of them Japanese :o)) Applecross peninsula is a scenic place as well.<br>

You may want to take a look at some photos from these areas I took 8 years ago.

<a href="http://www.phototravels.net/scotland/photo-gallery"> http://www.phototravels.net/scotland/photo-gallery/</a>

I was hoping to see an October photo of the falls to make sure there is some water left :o); thank you Garry. Did you approach it from Zambia or Zimbabwe? Can you compare? Also, where would you recommend to base myself for a night or two?

I will be travelling/photographing South Africa and Zambia this September/October.

I will mainly concentrate on wildlife in national parks but since my itinerary guides

me around Victoria Falls in early October I am curious to know what the falls

might look like at this particular time of year. Is it worth stopping there? Are they

photogenic without water? How many days will do the place justice? Would you

recommend going form Zambian or Zimbabwean site? I will appreciate any first-

hand information.

Thank you all for your valuable inputs, Frantisek

Hi everyone, I would like to hear your suggestions regarding laptop choice for

a travel photographer. My priorities are weight/size, durability, long battery

life: screen 12" minimum, weight 2kg/4pounds maximum, HDD 120GB or more, RAM

2GB or more, OS Windows. It will run mainly PSCS3 and Bridge for basic photo

selection/editing/keywording while on the road. In particular, I am looking at

models such as Dell XPS M1330, FSC Lifebook S6410, Lenovo Thinkpad X61s. All

comments and clues appreciated, Frantisek Staud

I purchased one in January 2006 and....it broke down in February in the middle of my trip to Kenya! Very frustrating. I emailed hyperdrive.com twice over the last two weeks but they do not seem to care. Anyone else having bad experience with that product?<br>

Frantisek Staud/www.phototravels.net

Both cameras are great toys, you won't regret buying either one. Nevertheless, if you like shooting with FM2, like I do, you might appreciate that many Nikkor lenses are compatible with both cameras (FM2 and D200). I currently use D200 and FM2n for my travel photography and got rid of F100. I think this is a very powerful combo. Also, the new flash units (SB600/800) work fine with both bodies. As for sturdiness, I had these two bodies with me on my recent trip to Northern Kenya and both survived the sandy-dusty-windy-heat conditions without any hiccups.

You can see some low-res samples from D200 at <a href="http://phototravels.net/kenya/">http://phototravels.net/kenya</a>

Frantisek

I will be travelling to Vienna next week, can someone direct me to a

shop to buy Fuji Velvia (50) film so that I do not have to carry it

with me. Website address would be perfect. Thanks, Frantisek

Can anyone give me a hint about good spots to photograph active

(smoking) volcanoes in Japan? I have covered Aso, Sakurajima and

Asahi in the past - this time I would prefer northern Honshu. Many

thanks for any clue.

I am searching for a company/individuals that organize aerial photo-

shoots in Japan. Any link highly appreciated, Frantisek

I am heading to Japan in a few weeks and would like to know current

street prices of Fuji Velvia 50, Fuji Provia F100 and F400 films

(35mm). Thanks for any info, Frantisek