john_hughes4

<p>Well from Manressa go on to Cardona,Solsona,and then you hit the Segre river.Depends on your time,but there is some very nice scenery either way.North towards Andorra,or south towards Lerida.Gets a bit flat towards lerida,but north of Balaguer there is the Pallars Jussa,fabulous gorges.The Costers del Segre is a very good local wine,which you can find everywhere.If you go up towards Andorra,and come back say via Berga,the roads are very sinuous,so it takes sometime,not to mention that you will be stopping every 3 seconds to take a photo..its that good. John</p>

<p>Hi Dylan, honestly if you have time, for real Spanish life,plus unique landscape,go inland.Towards Manressa,and the south of the Pyrenees,and if you go South of Barcelona,the Ebre Delta,and then again inland.A week is not a lot,as you know,so dont over do the long tedious coast drive.Unfortunately the whole Costa Brava is a hyped up tourist area,but inland its a whole new world.I live 5 hours away,and go there as often as possible,but thats just my opinion.Kit sounds okay,keep it light and multi-purpose,otherwise you will miss THAT shot.Good trip John.</p>

<p>Anders,the motivation behind this law project ,has produced exactly what it was supposed to do,proof contained in your answer.But French or Swahila attitudes are completely off topic.Everyone is responsable for there photos.If we need to cheat to give an esthetic result...just to please.Then its all down to personal convictions.The problem is when photos are used,and abused, on a larger scale to promote things which are far beyond the control of someone who is simply,or is supposed to be,an objectif witness. PS I live in the Lot,If you want to shoot down here,there is room to stay.Cheers John.</p>

<p>Just as a matter of interest, in France(where I live) the doctored image issue has become topical mostly due to the fact that the French president Sarkozy,has insisted on many occassions that photos of him published in private magasines,should be more....flattering.So the paradoxe is that it is not the law-makers that want the law,but the people who want things to be clear for everyone.If the French king..oops sorry..president orders his fat belly to be shown differently,then why cant I take of a few wrinkles off someone who needs a photo for there book cover?</p>

<p>Hi, Guilin and Yangshuo have been allowed to open up for tourists since 1981,the first time I went there.The shopkeepers you see now all have large houses in the hills nearby,and all the holes that you will see in those marvellous rock peaks,are or were tombs that the locals broke into to take and sell the statues in there.In other words they're waiting for you,and why not,people who go to China to eat pancakes,which I'm sure is not your case, deserve all they get.So avoid guides(no point),wander around the hills a bit(no danger) and grab yourself a Chineese hotel,so that you are more in harmony,important for photography, with a place that for centuries has inspired painting and poetry that has always been an integral part of Chineese culture.</p>

I got a D300 for the low light issue, but my D200 is still giving me otherwise total satisfaction.Have a look at the photos of Ronnie Gaubert taken with a D200,I think it answers the Question.And confirms it's ability with good lenses. John.

Well I was just passing through,as I'd given up on photo sites,and low and behold someone had asked the question,to which the answer is yes for materials, and not enough for the technique.Basic technique I mean.Lets face it boys, we are all ageing school-kids.And those crafty salemen know it.You're not going to tell me that people still believe,that what in two years time will be proclaimed as the new revolutionery super- dooper technology, is not already here.I would just love to go on a forum that talks about content,composition(yes I'm an ageing Hippy, and so what?)Where people ask about culture in a travel question,not just 'will my 400 dollar bag fit on an aircraft'.The carrot in front of the Donkey will always work,as long we think (as I have done)that a lousy photographer can 'buy'ability.Photography takes time,effort and concentration.And in the end you've got it, or you ai'nt.Good question Arthur,it's reassuring for a thicko like me to hear that other people wonder why photo talk reminds me often of Turbo car tuning discussion,totally incomprehensible for the non -initiated,almost like a sort of chamanistic ritual.But as I say ,I was just passing through.

The 'occasional traveller'has been going to China since 1981 when individual travel was allowed again.When visas were needed for different city's.When kids ran away screaming ,scared of a 'big nose'.Oh I'm sure you dont believe that.Before people used to be amazed that I went to a 'terrible place' like China, simply because I was fascinated by the culture.Now its full of cowboys who are amazed that I'm not there for the money.You just keep your head in the sand mate, and play the leaders game.The Chinese are not vindicative people, but when they do blow a fuse, it changes the world. And when that happens(cause its gonna happen) you and your buddies will run like hell, because you did'nt see what it was inconvieniant to see.I've just come back from a meeting concerning forced prostitution in Tibet,and the next one(using my photos)will be about the millions of poor peasants who are infected with Aids because they give blood to make money,one needle...one village.But of course you know nothing about that...or do you?

We are all photographers on this site,whether we earn money with it or not.Not having the right equipement to take THE shot;is just as frustrating for all of us who have a passion for photo.If it pays the bills,or simply gives great personal satisfaction (or both) fundamentaly its the same.Personaly when I go on an Ethnological mission on my own I take as much as possible because I know that I will kick myself for not taking such and such a lens.If I'm with my familly I travel 'light'because I know that waiting all day for the sun to be in the right place might be my idea of excitement, but not theres.I think between a small compact, and 16 tons of hardware, there is a compromise.A reflex without a grip is not that cumbersome.Add a couple of lenses which give you a reasonable range, and its gotta be better than a compact.On top of that limiting your equipement means that you have to be more dependant on your own abilitys, which is never a bad thing.Forget laptops,and complex tripods.The world is still populated by a vast majority of honest people, so dont worry about being a 'target', most of the thieves are in Politics . John Hughes.France

Monopod,lots of uses for it(walking stick, weapon, fishing rod...).Voice recorder,dont have to bother writing your thoughts and experiences.

I've used a Lowepro phototrekker for 15 years.I wont tell you what its been through,mostly in Asia(Mongolia, Tibet, China, horseback,walking,trucks etc)and my main concern has nothing to do with jets, but that things dont get crushed,and bad travellers sitting next to me dont throw up on it.Thats why I always put a grotty nylon cover over it.Makes me look like a Salvation Army client,which suits me.That not withstanding,its easy to cart around,and just as solid as its price.If you really travel in Asia,like you know sit on a bus for 3 days not being able to move, you're gonna be doing a lot of walking as well, so its gotta be a backpack.Just as a matter of interest, why do you all take so much gear?Was there life before laptops?

Spot the odd one out.1 Adams,2 Socrates,3 Art,4 computer screens.

Just remember James, if you're gonna travel with real people, and not tourists, your bag is going to suffer like everybody elses.Buses in Asia get as many people as possible on board,they are not booked seated Greyhounds.Your bag is going to get(inadvertantly) kicked, crushed,and covered in quite a few things that you wont really no what it is.So the solidity and protection are more important than a very unlikely theft.So....and I dont have shares in Lowepro,a Lowepro backpack, with a nylon cover,carry a spare one if you like. John Hughes

Just to get non- fox news facts right.I've lived in France for 30 years.Photographic equipement is the most exspensive in the world,because of taxes, which as someone who is self-employed contributes to making it very difficult to be enthusiastic.The problem in France is wealth distribution,not the abscence of it.World economy is suffering, partly because the US has for decades blindly lent money to people to make them believe that everything is fine,and now they cant pay back...everything is not fine is it?Luckily there are still people in France who do not want people to have money problems?and if they do have a tendancy to over-react,to be over protective,the proof is world-wide.Personal bank loans in China have existed for sevan years.....there are already millions of Chinese in great financial trouble.I have a photo of an old mongolian Nomade who told me that the best hunter always gave some of his catch to the old, the infirmed,or just someone who was a lousy one.The French are arrogant,I married three of them,so Ihave some knowledge,but I dont mind paying taxes when I know that everyone in this country has medical care guaranteed,and is free for people far less fortunate than myself.And if someone thinks that certain things on E-bay are a bit dodgy,and can lead to problems, then I can handle that.This is not philantropy, or Communisme, just being part of whats called Society. John Hughes

I'm a six foot Welshman so everywhere east of Venice I'm conspicuous.For 15 years I've carried my gear in a grey Lowepro(sorry for the ad but its really unbeatable)rucksack,covered with an extremely faded yellow, never been washed nylon backpack cover, which also helps to make it waterproof.Who needs AW for twice the price?No problem.Sometimes I evan feel like giving myself a euro for a coffee.If you like using a monopod, carry one in your hand, in dodgy areas it does provoke a certain respect.You will always stand out, so there.If you ever have a problem it will be in a city.Dont worry you've got more chance of being mugged in our marvellous society than elsewhere.Mind you if you are carrying all that gear I might have second thoughts about picking your bag up .As the French say 'dont tempt the devil 'John Hughes

The Li minority on the Li river are amongst the last people to continue fishing with cormorants,and are well known for there pig carrying baskets, interesting photos.They have no written culture,everything is oral.You wont need to saturate your colours as the greens are better than anything than PS can do.Reminds me of Fujichrome Velvia(but then thats prehistorical)You'll see lots of Water Buffalo ploughing.The holes that you will see in the majestic lime-stone peaks are not caves,but whats left of extremely old tombs that were dug out,and sealed off ,only to be smashed open in the eightys to recuperate objects buried with the dead,and sell them to tourists.Dont bother with a tripod,as by the time you've set it up there will be about 250 people wanting to look through your lens.In China there is always someone.A Monopod is good,but will never really stand up as a serious walking stick.I've used one also as a fishing rod, and a good deterent for a group of drunken Mongolians who thought that my saddle was available.Wear a paper mask in Beijing,you wont look weird because the Chinese know that its an intelligent thing to do.If you do ,take a look at the state of it in the evening and you'll realise why.In March the Gobi wind starts coming through with sand, so take some cleaning gear.Nothing can beat Air plus Vaccum cans.If you send a mail home, dont say anything bad about China as it wont get anywhere.Part of the Google- China contract.John Hughes

Mary

I know that this is not politico- net,but as an ageing Bolshevik and Ethnologue, I believe that understanding cultures is an important part of photography.The Chinese(especially what they call the minoritys)are polytheist,in other words unlike our society,they do not believe in the total superiority of man.Something which we are telling them is good.The first time I went to China,the kids ran indoors screaming when they saw me, I'm not that ugly.Now they ask me for a dollar in English.Does that mean that human greatness is financial?What the Chinese are doing in Tibet,the English, and the French and the Japanese did the same to them...we taught them everything we knew.I have photos of villages and monuments that dont exist anymore,so when I tell people to use there photography as a witness, its because quite simply places like Tibet will become just like Inner Mongolia,emptied of all culture,and peopled by a deliberate mixture which is a very cunning form of genocide.

Just come back .Been going there for 25 years.If its for school, and you want a professional approach,go to Lhasa and take photos of tibetan girls forced into prostitution.Hang around train stations and shoot some of the 100 millions peasants who wander around aimlessly after being kicked off there land.Go to Yangshuo, but dont bargain, as that place has been selling pancakes and false Ming statues(in the beginning they were real)for 20 years under officiel rip off permission.So when next year the whole world talks Olympiques and economical miracles, you'll know its not true, and the proof to show.Take equipement thats good in bad light,that's where the real China is.

Seeing as you asked Clive...I came on photo net as I was told it was the most interesting.As an ethnologist, photography for me became a necessary part of explaining and alas sometimes preserving the last elements of condemned cultures.The arty part was never my style.I've been amazed to see beginners make basic questions on photo net,and be answered immiediately by 'veterans'who can still take there time to help,thats what its all about.Unfortunately I wandered blindly into the Philosophical and Casual Forums which are often anything but that.People like myself who try to minimise post-treatment are treated as 'Purists'who have no Ps knowledge etc.If there is one thing that I cant tolerate ,its intolerance.A forum is an exchange not a personal ego outlet.In fact the 'i'm the best' forum will create itself.Those who consider themselves the cream '(you know the thick stuff on top)will eventually isolate themselves, as I am about to do in China, to take interesting photos.Sorry Marko this has nothing to do with your question, but as I was asked.

Fortunately,unlike the self-righteous Mister Todrick (whose doubts about my parents marital status are totally unfounded)I live in a civilised society where photographers dont get beat up.Such behaviour we regard with the same comtempt as the courage of being agressive on an internet forum with people who live ten thousand miles away.Which seems to appear more and more on this site.For my next trip to Tibet'(I work with an NGA who wants to stop forced prostitution amongst Tibetan women).I will be only to pleased to share it with fearless Rambographers.In the meantime, might I suggest that certain people buy themselves a f 1:2 sense of humour,whilst waiting for an 'I'm the best forum'on which evan after only a few weeks on this site I know who will be on it.'And some fell on stony ground'.

Pom pom pom pom ...ici la France... the Newsletter has arrived safely, repeat the Newsletter has arrived safely...and 'Merci' its a great idea.

I will add that in my many travels to China, my big nose and curly hair have been photographed god knows how many times, and has often allowed a first contact with people (verbal not physical).Doisneau was a case of what, and what not to do.He used to sit for hours in Parisien bars, so as to become part of the furniture, an ordinary client, part of the scenery, and eventually pull out his discret Leica (not 26 tons of alloy and a lighthouse flash)and take his photos.Whereas the famous 'Baisers de l'hotel de ville' was a retake.He asked the kissing couple to do that again, and I believe that decades after they are still fighting over the copyright money.

I suppose the question is 'would you mind someone sticking a camera in your face'?Personally I use my 70-200 for portraits because 1/ I'm a hypocrite 2/You catch natural expressions 3/the background can be completely detached, and of course 4/Nobody knows you're a peeping Tom, except yourself.

Antonio, I looked at your portfolio, so if this guy is famous in Italy,you're the pope right?

Never!! For the weight,have the hand luggage weighed without the lens,and put them in afterwards,nobody checks.If you are on your own, stick them in a locker while you're checking in.An insurance policy, evan well rolled up, still makes a lousy lens.