My Round the World Trip

[pupuce]

New series - ISRAEL​

#1 Israel - Jerusalem, Protection
Arrived in Jerusalem full of excitement.. its normal to be seeing guns and soldiers everywhere this enigma place. Makes one feels tense and I was also felt claustrophic by the Christains, Jews and Arabs cluttered into the Holy City. During its long history, Jerusalem has been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times​

 

[paapoopa]

Israel - Jerusalem, Protection
Arrived in Jerusalem full of excitement.. its normal to be seeing guns and soldiers everywhere this enigma place. Makes one feels tense and I was also felt claustrophic by the Christains, Jews and Arabs cluttered into the Holy City.
During its long history, Jerusalem has been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times

this is a very nice shot..
looking forward to more stories and photos

 

[pupuce]

I can't remember when and how i did for JPEG, it was years ago. =( nonetheless, it seems doable with ur pics, as they re not grossly off. hmm, if i didn't recall wrongly, i used filters when i was still dealing with jpegs (i was a photoshop hopeless back then, even now too. lol)

FallenPhoenix, filters are only for certain conditions, right? i own a polarizer and I rarely use that.
Thanks for compliment - the thing I like about photography is that it open up my eyes in ways i never thought of. Before, i look, now I see! Composition is something that I still struggle with.. and on top of that still must work it together with the technicalities.. not easy!

 

[pupuce]

You are truly amazing and inspirational! Hats off to you. With family commitment and the usual debts that comes along with it, I really cannot imagine myself doing this. I can only hope:thumbsup:

Dreams can take you a long way.. never say never

 

[pupuce]

i am sure in your next trip.. u will have images that will wow us even more.. cos i think you have the talent for photography.. cheers

Will03, thank you so much for encouragement.. i certainly hope that my images will be as powerful as yours one day. My next trip is round the corner - next week i am suppose to leave for Yogja, dont know what is the situation right now as the travel warning is till 18th november. I am still thinking of going ahead.:devil:

 

[pupuce]

Mind sharing with us how much you spent for the trip? Also, did you fall sick due to differences in climate,hygiene etc? How did you deal with those?

I spent about 45000 for the 15 months. Some places cost less, some places cost more especially if there is some specific activities involved such as safari, diving, cruises (which i took to antarctica) . there are lots of activities which are free too - trekking in Patagonia and volcanoes hike.. so, it was pretty much about balance between frugality and luxury.

I was lucky as only one case of bad stomach in Tanzania which lasted for a while. Fell ill due to extreme hot weather and rough travelling conditons in jeruselem and Fez, Morocco. Either I self medicate or go to he pharmacy.
Bed ridden once for a few days in Patagonia when I fell face down like a pole.. left me with a cracked bleeding lips, swollen like angelina Jolie, brusied nose and cuts over the face.. self pity seeped in and was so miserable, really wish to have friends and family around at that time
Hygiene wise - honestly, i dont think of it.. eat first then worry later
Last thing - Like our mums always say " drink more water"

 

[gnohz]

Gnohz, one note - train/bus stations are probably the most vulnerable place for backpackers. Lots of the petty theft and snatch jobs happens here. Never never take out your guide book to decide where you want to stay over here. Decide where before you arrive in a new city, write your address down on a piece of paper and upon arrival, grab your bags from the bus and just walk out from there to get a taxi/bus. just dont linger in there for anymore time then needed.. this is especially after a overnight bus when you are tired and not so alert. If you take out your guide book ,leave your bags down for a second.. its like saying to the thieves.. "COME SCAM/SNATCH ME!!!!!!"

I always stick to my this rule "walk as if you know where you are going, even if you dont"
(although sometimes you do get more and more lost..hahahha)

its always good to have an idea where to stay before arriving but in some cities, there are limited hostels, have mid range hotels and might be running full. I remember in Quito, I had to walked about 4 hotels before I found a room.. and on those uphill cobblestone streets *sob sob*

As for the places I've slept in... let's see.. airport benches (more than once) roof tops (more than once) courtyards with goats and chickens, hammocks, bed bug mattress, boat deck, buses...(I've lost count) just be prepared to see a chiropractor when you get home after the journey:devil:

Hey, think I'll be bend-over by the time I am 50 years old if I continue to travel and with this kind of bag weight

Thanks for another great advice pupuce! I need to note down all the things that you said as I'm certain they'll be invaluable to me!

But wow, sleeping on airport benches, boat deck and buses must have been quite dangerous (and exciting!). Weren't you afraid that you'll be more vulnerable in those places, compared to roof tops? ;p

There was once I reached my destination around 12am, and was about to join someone sleeping on a bench outside the train station, but decided against it as I had made a reservation...I had to continue my trip at 4am the next day so in the end I only slept on the hotel bed for 3 hours for SGD50!! Waste of money lol...

I would say...people generally won't bite on what they can't chew. Cos other photographers suffer the similar frequency on confrontations

wow...the composition in ur pics is not like fr someone who just start on photography.

I agree with Fallenphoenix. It's hard for me to believe you're a beginner! Your pictures look more like a seasoned travel photographer!! :thumbsup:

 

[Fallenphoenix]

FallenPhoenix, filters are only for certain conditions, right? i own a polarizer and I rarely use that.
Thanks for compliment - the thing I like about photography is that it open up my eyes in ways i never thought of. Before, i look, now I see! Composition is something that I still struggle with.. and on top of that still must work it together with the technicalities.. not easy!

oh...i was refering to digital filters. I remembered how I did it in the past. U need to determine the brightest pt and the darkest pt and the whitest (supposedly white) and the blackest (supposedly black) pts in the pic. That's all i could remember. =( sorry
the polariser may remove the glare for the satellite dishes, do use try them if u ve issues with glare

 

[davidtkl76]

May cost 45 grand but as they say,the experience is priceless!

I spent about 45000 for the 15 months. Some places cost less, some places cost more especially if there is some specific activities involved such as safari, diving, cruises (which i took to antarctica) . there are lots of activities which are free too - trekking in Patagonia and volcanoes hike.. so, it was pretty much about balance between frugality and luxury.

I was lucky as only one case of bad stomach in Tanzania which lasted for a while. Fell ill due to extreme hot weather and rough travelling conditons in jeruselem and Fez, Morocco. Either I self medicate or go to he pharmacy.
Bed ridden once for a few days in Patagonia when I fell face down like a pole.. left me with a cracked bleeding lips, swollen like angelina Jolie, brusied nose and cuts over the face.. self pity seeped in and was so miserable, really wish to have friends and family around at that time
Hygiene wise - honestly, i dont think of it.. eat first then worry later
Last thing - Like our mums always say " drink more water"

 

[fudoushin]

hi TS, IMO, the amount of 45,000 you spent was well worth the experience of your lifetime. just how many people out there in this day and age are able to take that huge leap of faith and just go live their dreams like the way you did? absolutely amazing! thank you so much for sharing it with us. probably the coolest, anti-status quo, unconventional advices coming from a fellow Singaporean in a highly structured society.

i myself am gonna work hard, make my monies and prepare for my time to come to achieve my own RTW trip someday...

on a side note, i really thought your images were pretty good, it's not about what expensive equipment you used, nor the technicalities that you shot at because at the end of the day, all that matters are your images and how they turned out; i believe you've already achieved that in the sense your photographs told a story and painted it well. That's something that belongs solely to the vision of the photographer that no one can take it away from you.

Perhaps, you can spend sometime learning about some technicalities and post processing and perhaps shoot RAW the next time so that you can turn your images from good to great! (If you were to publish a photo book )

Separately, if i were you, i'd start a facebook fan page, update my blog and write a book! lol, i believe you would have an incredibly huge audience out there.... just unrealized for the moment - all the best and keep shooting!

Cheers!

 

[alantkh]

I agree with Fallenphoenix. It's hard for me to believe you're a beginner! Your pictures look more like a seasoned travel photographer!! :thumbsup:

Hellooo... she SPENT 15 MONTHS travelling and taking photographs....

I bet she is more seasoned than 99% of the people here.

The pics are great but the digital editing is a bit weird sometimes..

 

[alantkh]

Syria - Homs, Krac de Chevaliers
During the Crusades of the 11th - 13th centuries, the massive towers and ramparts of Syria's krak de chevalies were the site of many fierce battles and sieges. The enormous castle has 13 towers, and could hold nearly 5,000 soldiers and their provisions for as long as five years in a siege. Today it's one of only a few places where visitors can see frescoes from the time of the Crusades.

This is also where I sent some postcards to friends. My friend in paris received his card 1months after I FINISHED my trip.. meaning nearly 12 months from the day I sent it:devil:

^^ Anyone feels that this photo's composition is strange with the chop-off?^^
From the so many photos, you can probably tell that Syria is one of the few favourite countries I've visited.. Next stop.. Israel

The chop off does not look as strange as the color in this picture. Is it on purpose?

BTW, have you calibrated your monitor? It is really important if you want your colors "right".

All our monitors have different color reproduction so usually people calibrate it to a consistent standard by using things like (spyder from colorvision) so that at least we can be sure that our pics will look the same on other people's monitor provided theirs is calibrated too.

 

[pupuce]

The chop off does not look as strange as the color in this picture. Is it on purpose?

BTW, have you calibrated your monitor? It is really important if you want your colors "right". All our monitors have different color reproduction so usually people calibrate it to a consistent standard by using things like (spyder from colorvision) so that at least we can be sure that our pics will look the same on other people's monitor provided theirs is calibrated too.

Hi Alantkh,
I have never heard of calibrated monitor till 10mins ago thanks as i have google it and learn more. My lap top is about one week old and was using a netbook before (which is really tiny for images)A few days ago I downloaded lightroom 3 for my learning curve and started tweeking the photos, so I guess you can say it is deliberate! Honestly, I am having lots of fun with the editing software, maybe I over did it!
Most of the others are minimimal editing, mainly sharpening, cloing for dustspots and crop.
Remember i have one photo titled the "little Yellow cabs" that has a purplish blue tinge? That was unedited, original copy and I have since used the software to change the WB.

I was a new phtographer with a new equipment when I left and these images are my trial and errors along the way. I need more technical knowledge and this area I need to work on. Within this short time with this forum, I have learnt plenty - that i am wondering if I should be cast back to the beginner's group as there is so much stuff i dont know.|
:dunno:
here is a copy of the original - which i thought was too bright at the castle on the hill
Dear all, please share your thoughts on the original ( can also share how the edited version to your eyes?)

 

[gnohz]

Hellooo... she SPENT 15 MONTHS travelling and taking photographs....

I bet she is more seasoned than 99% of the people here.

The pics are great but the digital editing is a bit weird sometimes..

Yup, I was aware of that, thus my comment. She's definitely more seasoned than many people here

 

[gnohz]

here is a copy of the original - which i thought was too bright at the castle on the hill
Dear all, please share your thoughts on the original ( can also share how the edited version to your eyes?)

To me, the original looks too bright, but the edited version appears a little too dark. I think just a bit brighter from the edited version would be a good choice

 

[pupuce]

Yup, I was aware of that, thus my comment. She's definitely more seasoned than many people here

Gnohz, if these are good at the beginning of my trip then you have to stay tuned till I get to the end of the journey :devil:
Lots of trial and errors , sometimes i take a few (if its landscapes) in different exposures and see how i like them. But i realise seeing them on the viewfinder and seeing them on screen is so different. I didnt have time to assess my photos while on the road and after I got back to Singapore, I got caught up with too many things and have not scrutinise my photos till now. Whatever I post on Facebook while travelling, picked my favourites and put in there (but that's size down so no one can really see and its more to tell a story of the enviroenment i was in then)

Now, I know why I heard that some people can spend 20 hours post processing just a few photos.. it is hard work. I read on forum that there is a Lightroom course in Nov - i'll go !

 

[pupuce]

hi TS, IMO, the amount of 45,000 you spent was well worth the experience of your lifetime. just how many people out there in this day and age are able to take that huge leap of faith and just go live their dreams like the way you did? absolutely amazing! thank you so much for sharing it with us. probably the coolest, anti-status quo, unconventional advices coming from a fellow Singaporean in a highly structured society.

Separately, if i were you, i'd start a facebook fan page, update my blog and write a book! lol, i believe you would have an incredibly huge audience out there.... just unrealized for the moment - all the best and keep shooting! !

$45000 sounds like a lot but if one sit down and count how much they spent yearly living in Singapore, including food, accomodation, transportation and hobbies, holidays, the amount might knock you off your chair:sweatsm:

Write a book maybe, start a fan page on facebook.. too much advertisment for myself.

 

[pupuce]

though i have only been to serengeti and ngorongoro.. and not the rest.. i have to agree that these 2 places are amazingly great...

You went to the best ones already I saw a smaller version of the wildebeest migration - its so amazing that they just go in single file for miles..
My lens were insufficient and they were so small and the plains too green. Can you share what lens you were using? where can we see the photos?

 

[gnohz]

Gnohz, if these are good at the beginning of my trip then you have to stay tuned till I get to the end of the journey :devil:
Lots of trial and errors , sometimes i take a few (if its landscapes) in different exposures and see how i like them. But i realise seeing them on the viewfinder and seeing them on screen is so different. I didnt have time to assess my photos while on the road and after I got back to Singapore, I got caught up with too many things and have not scrutinise my photos till now. Whatever I post on Facebook while travelling, picked my favourites and put in there (but that's size down so no one can really see and its more to tell a story of the enviroenment i was in then)

Now, I know why I heard that some people can spend 20 hours post processing just a few photos.. it is hard work. I read on forum that there is a Lightroom course in Nov - i'll go !

Pupuce, thanks for your reply. I'm already looking forward to photos at the end of your trip! With all the practical, I'm sure you improved leaps and bounds! I also hope that you can go on and on nonstop about all your stories and experiences!

I think you might also have realised that the images look different in camera and on your screen. This might be because of the resolution of the lcd screen on the D80. I think the resolution is 230,000 dots on the D80 compared to 920,000 dots on the higher end models Not only the clarity, but the colours look much better too!

I hope you keep a copy of your originals, so you can always go back and process it again in the event that you want to re-do it after learning more about post processing techniques.

 

[alantkh]

Hi Alantkh,
:dunno:
here is a copy of the original - which i thought was too bright at the castle on the hill
Dear all, please share your thoughts on the original ( can also share how the edited version to your eyes?)

The original looks right to me. It is a sunny day. Maybe your monitor is too bright?

I dunno maybe other people can comment on which ones looks natural.