Joe El - Canadian photographer. He has a lot of traveling around the world and makes stunning photography, as well as making movies. And these trips are not always safe for hiking trails. Because only after seeing a real life without tinsel and induced specifically for the "white people" gloss can convey the soul of the country or the people inhabiting it.
And who, if not a traveling photographer, know the rules of conduct and safety rules during such travel here? When you lose your head of what he saw, and with his head may lose documents, money and equipment. And even if you're just too curious tourists, some of these rules will be useful to you.
Make your camera like an old, shabby equipment with a bunch of small breakdowns
Thieves have in all countries and they never miss their opportunity. An experienced thief can in just a few seconds to assess your hardware and figure out how much he could get for it on the black market. Therefore it is better not to shine a brand new camera, and make of it something that absolutely will attract hunters for good stranger. This can be done with the help of adhesive tape and adhesive.
Also make sure that all markings that can give the value of the camera (the brand name and model), also securely hidden from prying eyes. Also completely new camera with multiple lenses can bargain to attract the attention of airport staff. "Why do you need such a camera?" "Perhaps you - a spy ?!" "And how much it costs ?!" "Where did you buy it?" "She's completely new! You need to declare it! "And other incredible pretexts under which the valorous customs officers (or guards) can take you to more conversation. And even if you know all their rights, why once again spoil your nerves?
Brand new fashionable carrying case or bag for the camera can also attract attention, so it is better to use old, worn blankets or bags.
Take care not to let your card or hard drive with pictures stored in a safe place
For photographers valuable not only their equipment, but also the results of their work. Therefore, every photographer (or journalist) reinsured and stores footage on a laptop not only, but also separate hard drives. The standard trip, Joe usually two such disks, and each disk is an exact copy of the other. And it stores them in different places, so that in case of theft of a backpack or bag at least one drive was the host. If the photos are very valuable and can be used to store their Dropbox.
And even if you do - not the photographer and the pictures are not your primary means of making money, better to err and to periodically bleed photos on a laptop or to get a few cards. Sometimes, even such photographs are much more important, since it does not work, and the lives and memories of the places where people have visited, and the people with whom he shared his journey.
Reinsure, even if you take a picture phone, as the phone will have lost the property to fall and break, or performs in water (tested on my own experience). Photos can always send yourself an email. If not all, then at least the most-best. At the same time learn how to filter the captured and leave the really best and most emotional pictures. And not to make out of the computer store pictures in the style of "And this is me near the fountain, trees, flower beds, sofa in the lobby (and so on to infinity)."
Hire human guides from the local population
Of course, this does not mean that you can take any man in the street and ask them to be your guide for the money. So you can remain not only without a camera but without a purse, and sometimes - no life. If you really want to know how people live in this country, or to see the most interesting and beautiful places, not marked on the tourist map, a better guide than the local resident, you will not find. And look for these guides is better in the tourist office or on the advice of trusted friends. And this applies not only to the local beauties, but also cafes to restaurants.
For example, in Kiev, in the old town there are so many interesting places, which you will not find in the tourist brochures. And for those who do not like the standard tours, there are special routes to unknown places and interesting courtyards. For example, in the yard of one of the old streets of Kiev there is a huge open-air cages with wild crows, which can feed bread and scratch behind the ear, if they are, of course, in a good mood. And there are places in Kyiv are many. Who will tell you about them better than the locals? With tales and legends into the bargain?
And there are patios in all the cities. There comes the most interesting and only there you can see the life of local residents without the tourist glitz.
And a few more tips about traveling with camera gear from Joe Ale:
- Always carry any with a special voltage converters with fuses. This will allow you to stay connected anywhere in the world where there is a power outlet.
- Also does not hurt to take with you on trips external battery, which you can charge the phone at least. They are of different sizes and for different devices. And the price range is broad enough so that you can choose yourself what is right for you.
- Amplifier Wi-Fi signal will not be superfluous. In life there are different situations, and this antenna will cost you a maximum of $ 100.