If you are returning home to the US after a trip abroad, take notice! Under certain circumstances, you may be charged a duty on your photography gear if you are unable to prove that you were in possession of the gear before leaving the US. You are thinking that sounds crazy. With the price of camera equipment today it could happen to any of us, particularly if your equipment looks or is new. US Customs and Border Protection When you re-enter the U.S.you are allowed a duty-free exemption for the total value of merchandise purchased abroad, … [Read more...] about The Traveling Photographer: Returning to the U.S. After Traveling Abroad
Susan Kanfer
A San Diego-based travel photographer, Susan loves to share the world with others, bringing subject matter from far-away places to life. Her images have been seen in numerous publications, both print and web-based, and have been exhibited in several galleries. To learn more about Susan's work visit her website at www.kanferphotography.com.
Latest posts by Susan Kanfer (see all)
- The Traveling Photographer: Returning to the U.S. After Traveling Abroad - August 22, 2017
- Photographer of the Day: Carlos Manchego - July 31, 2017
- Photographer of the Day: Joan Manel Zamora Muñoz - July 24, 2017
Photographer of the Day: Carlos Manchego
Category: Travel Photographer: Carlos Manchego "Sunset at the Lighthouse" Photographer of the Day Carlos Manchego has artistically captured this colorful sunset at the Arecibo Lighthouse in Puerto Rico. It appears that Mr. Manchego has used a neutral density filter to slow the shutter speed of his camera, which resulted in a softening of the water and the clouds. I like the intensity of his colors and the fact he has maintained details in the shadows while keeping the sky dark and deep. Very nice Originally shared on the Photofocus … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Carlos Manchego
Photographer of the Day: Joan Manel Zamora Muñoz
Category: Travel Photographer: Joan Manel Zamora Muñoz "Climbing Aqulles d’engolasters Andorra-Pyrenees-Europe" Photographer of the Day Joan Manel Zamora Muñoz has created a striking black and white photo of a climber silhouetted against the sky. There is symmetry, a feeling of balance, between the different elements of the scene, and the climbing robe pulls us from top to bottom. A triangle is formed between the climber, the bush, and the rock face. The pose of the climber is perfect, with the bent knees and head, all forming triangular … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Joan Manel Zamora Muñoz
The Traveling Photographer: Planning for a Laptop Ban
There is a lot of buzz about the “laptop ban,” a general term used to describe a requirement that electronic devices larger than a smartphone be placed in checked bags for flights into the US and UK from certain countries in the Middle East and North Africa. The ban includes laptops, iPads, and camera equipment. Travel Plan It appears the current ban will not be expanded to include all international flights flying into the US, as had been previously contemplated, if airlines implement stricter security measures. However, it is still important … [Read more...] about The Traveling Photographer: Planning for a Laptop Ban
Photographer of the Day: Prabhu Shankar
Category: Travel Photographer: Prabhu Shankar "Women working on agricultural fields" Photographer of the Day Prabhu Shankar’s use of a wide-angle lens gives us an up-close perspective of women working on agricultural fields. We can feel how hard the work is, particularly with the exaggerated pick-ax and hands in the foreground. Originally shared on the Photofocus Group on Flickr here. To learn how your work can be featured on the Photofocus, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Prabhu Shankar
Focusing on Birds
I do not consider myself a “bird photographer”. I just happen to photograph birds now and then. Usually the birds are relatively big shore or sea birds, and occasionally eagles. Usually they are fast-moving. My cameras, a Fuji X-T2 and Fuji X-Pro2, serve me well for most of my photographic pursuits, but not necessarily for fast-moving birds. Perhaps many of you have experienced similar frustrations with your camera. The focusing works well for most of what you photograph, but at times it doesn’t. Focus Tracking Problems The problem I have … [Read more...] about Focusing on Birds
Newfoundland: A “Bucket List” Destination
I just returned from a couple of weeks on the island of Newfoundland. What an exciting photographic destination! It seems to have a little of everything, depending on your interests. Diverse wildlife, inspiring landscapes, urban flair, historical landmarks, enchanting people, and of course the icebergs you have been recently hearing about in the news. Definitely consider adding the island to your travel photography "bucket list". Icebergs Let's start with the question many of my friends have asked me. Why icebergs? Due to its location, … [Read more...] about Newfoundland: A “Bucket List” Destination
Photographer of the Day: Stephen Holmes
Category: Travel Photographer: Stephen Holmes "Super Hero" As we travel near or far from home, it is important to look for special moments to photograph. Photographer of the Day Stephen Homes has captured one such poignant moment in his image of a little boy dressed as a super hero. The details are what makes the image, as well as the photographer’s use of shadow and light. The eyes behind goggles looking out, the untied shoe lace, the brick wall the boy sits on and even the smoke….every element works together to create the … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Stephen Holmes
Photographer of the Day: Jeffrey Newcomer
Category: Travel Photographer: Jeffrey Newcomer "Foggy Stonington" Photographer of the Day Jeffrey Newcomer has created a feeling of quiet and calm through his photograph of small boats on a foggy day. There is balance in the composition, between the foreground boat and the smaller boats in the background. The color red flows between the different elements of the photograph, taking our eye through the scene, and adding greater interest. In a sense, the weather is the subject of the photograph, the boats elements in the … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Jeffrey Newcomer
Photographer of the Day: Prabhu Shankar
Category: Travel Photographer: Prabhu Shankar "Catching Expectations" Photographer of the Day Prabhu Shankar catches the perfect moment when a fisherman walks into the water, his hands over his head, and throws his net out to the sea, at sunset. Notice how the fisherman's fingers take the shape of the posts from the pier in the background, and how your eye creates a triangular shape as it flows from the sun, to the center of the net, to the man's head, adding a sense of balance to the scene. Originally shared on the Photofocus Group … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Prabhu Shankar
Vello White Balance Disc
The Vello Universal White Balance Handheld Disc is a hand-held disc placed in front of a camera lens to manually set white balance. It is very simple to use. Just hold the disc up to the lens, pointing your camera to the light source, and take a custom white balance measurement per the instructions in your camera's user manual. Why Use It Light can be tricky. It can be made of light from different sources, such as the sun, a light bulb, or your camera flash. Skin tones can also be very tricky. The skin reflects colors around it. If the … [Read more...] about Vello White Balance Disc
Custom White Balance
Light has color. The low angle of the sun at sunset creates warm tones. A cloudy day, with the lack of sun, creates cool tones. The color of light is also affected by objects reflecting the light. So, if you are photographing a little girl standing under a tree in the forest the girl’s skin tone may have a green cast due to the light filtering through the leaves of the tree. When you adjust your camera for white balance you are compensating for the color of light that is affecting your photograph. White Balance Options If your camera has a … [Read more...] about Custom White Balance
Photographer of the Day: Andrian Bonnington
Category: Travel Photographer: adrian bonnington "Women in hat montage" Just the right tip of the hat and the amount of face showing underneath can make all the difference in a photograph. Even the bright red lipstick. Small details can be so important. Photographer of the Day adrian bonnington is taking us back in time. We know because of the woman in the foreground and by the signs on the building in the background—a perfect juxtaposition. Originally shared on the Photofocus Group on 500px here. To learn how your work can be … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Andrian Bonnington
Photographer of the Day: Manol Z. Manolov
Category: Travel Photographer: Manol Z. Manolov "The Odd Couple" Photographer of the Day Manol Z. Manolov describes his photo as a meeting of generations, at the Kambanite Monument in Vitosha, Sofia, Bulgaria. What a fun interplay between the two men. The “generations” are not just about age, but clothing, hairstyle, body language, and expressions. Originally shared on the Photofocus Group on Flickr here. To learn how your work can be featured on the Photofocus, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Manol Z. Manolov
Visiting the National Parks | The Traveling Photographer
The National Parks in the United States provide excellent opportunities for stunning landscape, wildlife, nature photography, and Americana. Here are a few travel tips for those unfamiliar with our parks, and those in need of a refresher. Where and When Try to plan as far ahead as you can. Inside the parks accommodations and campgrounds typically book quickly and early, particularly for the popular parks in the busy seasons. I booked Grand Canyon nearly 13 months out, prior to my last visit, to get the room I wanted in October. If the … [Read more...] about Visiting the National Parks | The Traveling Photographer
Photographer of the Day: Paul Krippler
Category: Travel Photographer: Paul Krippler "Thiên Hậu Temple, Ho Chi Minh City" Photographer of the Day Paul Krippler has captured the pots of burning incense in a temple in Ho Chi Minh City. Travel photography is all about photographing the smaller details, such as the incense sticks which are so important to the temple, as well as larger details. Mr. Krippler has nicely composed the image, using vertical lines throughout to add balance and to take our eyes up and down through the scene. The yellow and red incense sticks contrast with … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Paul Krippler
Photographer of the Day: Naf Selmani
Category: Travel Photographer: Naf Selmani "Life Me Up" This image by Photographer of the Day Naf Selmani does not look real to me. The man flying in the air with outstretched arms; the yellow sunglasses; the interaction with the crowd. But the crowd certainly is reacting to the man seemingly tossed in the air. And the color is also real. Bright dye was tossed in the air as part of the celebration. What fun! Originally shared on the Photofocus Group on Flickr here. To learn how your work can be featured on the Photofocus, please … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Naf Selmani
Photographer of the Day: Ilja Vostrikov
Category: Travel Photographer: Ilja Vostrikov "Ancient Amphitheater" What a fun perspective Photographer of the Day Ilja Vostrikov has used for photographing these ancient ruins. The fish-eye lens view gives us a good feel for what it is like sitting on top looking out and down. I like the placement of the woman in the center. The hat with the circular motif mimics the seats of the amphitheater, and adds a nice touch. It forms a triangle with the woman and her shadow. Originally shared on the Photofocus Group on Flickr here. To … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Ilja Vostrikov
Headshots on Location
Headshots can be tricky when shooting on location, near home or when you are traveling. The light can be all wrong. Lighting equipment can be bulky or heavy to carry. An “assistant” may be needed to help hold reflectors. There may not be a lot of time to “set up the shot”. Using a Ringbox A ringbox flash adapter similar to the Vello Ringbox is a convenient, easy to use lighting alternative to traditional soft boxes, reflectors, and umbrellas. It is also a good choice for photographers inexperienced with the nuances of photographic lighting … [Read more...] about Headshots on Location
Photographer of the Day: Nic Taylor
Category: Travel Photographer: Nic Taylor "81 LTD Cocktail Launch Party" Photographer of the Day Nic Taylor has certainly captured the spirit of the vocalist in this image. I can almost hear her belt out the song. I love the fact she is wearing a red dress, adding a splash of color to the left edge. There is good balance in the composition, with the bass player almost parallel to the singer. I always find it a challenge to take a good picture of musicians in a small, cramped space , with difficult lighting, and to get all the facial … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Nic Taylor
Gear Review: Vellos Ringbox Flash Adapter
I am slowly getting hooked on my new Vellos Ringbox Flash Adapter. Not only do I get beautiful on-location headshots and portraits with my flash when using the Ringbox, but it makes my life a lot easier, and I like things easy. I use to carry around a light stand and softbox when I knew I needed more than natural light. Not anymore--I just take the Ringbox. I am also looking forward to trying it out on my next trip. It is very light and will not take much room in my suitcase. What is a Ringbox Flash Adapter A Ringbox Flash Adapter is a … [Read more...] about Gear Review: Vellos Ringbox Flash Adapter
Photographer of the Day: Peter Meretsky
Category: Travel Photographer: peter meretsky "mermaid parade_DSF2313" I look at this gritty black and white image by Photographer of the Day peter meretsky, specifically the facial expressions and body language of the three women, and I want to know more. More about the women, their costumes, their relationship, and about the mermaid parade. Kudos to Mr. p for clicking his shutter release at a perfect moment, and creating an intriguing photograph. Originally shared on the Photofocus Group on Flickr here. To learn how your work … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Peter Meretsky
The Traveling Photographer: Photographing the Unknown
Travel photography, by its nature, is full of unknowns and new experiences. It crosses many genres of photography such as street, portrait, landscape, nature, wildlife, food, and architecture. Differing skills and equipment may be necessary to get the photos you envision taking while on your trip, depending on circumstances. It can be overwhelming to someone just getting started in photography, and even at times for those of us who have done it for a while. Recently I found myself embarking on such a new adventure, to photograph … [Read more...] about The Traveling Photographer: Photographing the Unknown
Photographer of the Day: Arvind Balaraman
Category: Travel Photographer: Arvind Balaraman "Bharathanatam" Photographer of the Day Arvind Balaraman’s photograph of the Bharathanatam performer is elegantly executed, mixing the use of color and black and white. The curvature of the woman’s body, the expression on her face, and the repetition of the image of the dancer, give us a sense of the beauty and symmetry of this dance. Originally shared on the Photofocus Group on Flickr here. To learn how your work can be featured on the Photofocus, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Arvind Balaraman
Photographer of the Day: Paul Krippler
Category: Travel Photographer: Paul Krippler "Carrière de lumières" I love the bold, abstract, painterly quality of this image by Photographer of the Day Paul Krippler. To me, it is as much about the Carrière de Lumières as it is about lines, shape and color. Originally shared on the Photofocus Group on 500px here. To learn how your work can be featured on the Photofocus, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Paul Krippler
Photographer of the Day: Mark
Category: Travel Photographer: Mark "Yellowstone" Photographer of Day Mark’s photo of men fishing in Yellowstone National Park brought back memories of one of my past trips to Yellowstone. The silhouette’s of the men in the mist and the quality of the orange light make for a lovely image. Originally shared on the Photofocus Group on Flickr here. To learn how your work can be featured on the Photofocus, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Mark
Photographer of the Day: Lauri Novak
Category: Travel Photographer: Lauri Novak "The Modern Wing Art Institute Chicago" Photographer of the Day Lauri Novak has a great eye for architecture. I love the symmetry of the lines, the unusual perspective, the reflections, and even the softness of the color tones. Thanks for sharing, Lauri! Originally shared on the Photofocus Group on Flickr here. To learn how your work can be featured on the Photofocus, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Lauri Novak
Gear Tips for the Traveling Photographer
I am always looking for new ways to save space or weight in my baggage, or to ease the challenges I face with my camera gear. I am sure many of you are just like me, so I put together this list of "Gear Tips," in hopes that some of these tips may prove helpful. None of the photos accompanying this post would have been possible without one or more of the items listed below. Gear Tips I travel with camera battery chargers that are smaller and lighter than the chargers that came with my cameras. I bought my chargers on Amazon, and … [Read more...] about Gear Tips for the Traveling Photographer
Photographer of the Day: Christophe Brutel
Category: Travel Photographer: Christophe Brutel "travel" Photographer of the Day Christophe Brutel has created a serene, subtle image of a wintery day on the water. The photograph is carefully composed with ice framing the subject, symmetry formed by the circles in the foreground together with the rock in the background, and the soft glow of the sun low in the sky yet high in the image. Nicely done! Originally shared on the Photofocus Group on Flickr here. To learn how your work can be featured on the Photofocus, please read this … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Christophe Brutel
Photographer of the Day: Mary Hulett
Category: Travel Photographer: Mary Hulett "Grand Teton sunrise" Photographer of the Day Mary Hulett ‘s image of the Grand Tetons has captured a picture perfect sunrise in the national park. This image contains every landscape photographer's dream..interesting clouds, good color, and a great reflection. I feel like planning a trip to experience it for myself. Originally shared on the Photofocus Group on 500px here. To learn how your work can be featured on the Photofocus, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Mary Hulett
