Category Archives: Travel

Showtime!

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Put this in your calendar: 16-17-18 October, come to the Henry’s Imaging Show, at The International Centre in Mississauga. Details here:

www.henrys.com/show/

This show features just about every major manufacturer and importer, and as you see when you click on “Presentations” and scroll down, features free seminars with the likes of Michael Gilbert, Gary Fong (himself) and indeed also features yours sincerely:

“Travel and Photojournalism
Join Michael Willems, an award winning, experienced traveler and photojournalist as he shares his ideas on traveling and photojournalism and how to get “the shot.””

I really enjoy presenting at these shows. The only drawback for me is that when I am teaching constantly, I never have enough time to walk around. Believe me, this show is worth the time and having several days is no luxury. A must-see, so do bring out those iPhones and add these dates.

Sensuous

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Every Woman wants it her way?

Every Woman wants it her way?

Tip: when you are shooting in cities and wondering what to shoot, there are many things you should not forget. If you take one of my courses, I’ll tell you all about them – or at least about some of them, since there are quite a few.

One example here, in the picture above. Or rather, two examples. I took this picture on a recent “Get Out and Shoot” outing, where I was helping students with some of these techniques.

One: shoot people. (Only with your camera.) Do not be intimidated: either use a long lens and smile happily, or walk up and chat, and then confidently ask for permission.

Two: look for juxtapositions. That is a complicated word for “contrasts”. Opposites next to one another. Like the tough policemen and the word “SENSUOUS” behind them (followed by “Every Woman Wants it Her Way”. and horses thrown in for good measure).Enough to at least capture our attention.

When you see a picture like this, be aware of these momentary opportunities, and be ready to shoot. Tough and sensuous. Old and new. Green and red. Yellow and Blue. Large and small. Whatever the juxtaposition you see: chances are it’ll make a picture. Shoot it!

Newton's Fourth Law. And his fifth.

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MVW_9805

One of Newton’s lesser known laws of motion is his fourth: weight doubles hourly if carried on a shoulder.
And then there is is fifth, the law of increasing weight with age.
You can see where I am headed with this. When you are traveling with a camera, you need as little weight as you can carry: any excess will seem to weigh tons by the evening.
So when I am shooting things like Stockholm’s Gamla Stan (below, in April 2006), I tend to not pack too much into my bag.

Gamla Stan Street, April 2006

Gamla Stan Street, April 2006

My current favourite bag, by the way, is my Domke waxed water-resistant journalist bag (above). Soft, molds to my body, and repels water; and a nice in-between journo’s size. And the beaten-up look is not only cool: it no doubt also slightly discourages theft. Not cheap, but the best bag I have owned.
So what’s in that bag?
Not a camera. That hangs over my other shoulder.
Instead, at a minimum, my bag contains camera stuff:

  • A flash (a 580EX II, or a 430EX II if I want to save even more weight: every gram counts).
  • A 16-35mm lens or a 24-70 lens (one on the camera, one in the bag); with lens hoods.
  • A spare camera battery.
  • A spare set of flash batteries.
  • Spare memory cards.
  • a 35mm f/1.4 or 50mm 1f/1.4 lens.

And the essential gizmos:

  • Honl flash modifiers: grid, snoot and gels.
  • A small, foldable Lumiquest softbox.
  • A Hoodman “Hood Loupe”.
  • Filters for rain etc, and perhaps a polarizer.
  • Plastic bags and lint-free cloths.
  • Business cards and model releases.
  • Tylenol, ear plugs, perhaps a pocket knife.

You see how most of the latter items are small, or very light, or both? That way I maximize utility: I have what I need, without going overboard and being victimised by the laws of the universe.
Carry whatever you think you may need if it is light; but hesitate twice if it is heavier than a few grams.