 By the time you read this post, I should be high in the sky on my next travel adventure. In the past, I've been fairly reticent about revealing where I travel until after I have safely returned home. However, for this next trip/adventure, I am going to be fairly open and transparent. So, where am I headed this time? I am flying from Atlanta to Zurich, Switzerland and proceeding on a train to Vienna, Austria. In Vienna, my cousin will meet me, and I will be spending about seven days at his place (there's also a family event that will take place during this time). I haven't been planning this trip for a long time, perhaps about a month. I just responded affirmatively to an invitation. This would be my first trip to Austria. Last year, around this time, I was traveling around Spain (see my favourite images here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here). As I don't foresee updating this photoblog while traveling, the image in today's entry will be static for nearly a month; I plan to be back on July 22. I am still undecided whether I will update this photoblog retroactively (since it takes so much work to do so), but I will definitely be posting photos when I return. If you want to follow my adventures along the way, I will be posting updates via twitter (@eugenephotoblog), so follow me here. If you think I should post retroactive posts (which basically means posting the the image of the day to the day it was captured), then do let me know, either by email or by leaving a comment on this post. Since this is going to be a static page for a long time, there are a few things I thought I would write prior to my departure. So, grab your favourite drink, sit back, and enjoy the rest of this post. My travel schedule For the most part, I figured out my travel schedule. I should spend about seven days in Vienna. From Vienna, I plan to go to Budapest (Hungary), Prague (Czech Republic), Salzburg (Austria), Munich (Germany), and perhaps even Paris, France. If you live in any of these cities or you are passing by, do drop me a line and perhaps we may meet (if you meet me along the way, do ask me for one of my 'business' cards, which are seen in today's entry). Also, if you have suggestions on sights to see in the cities I mentioned (Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Salzburg, Munich, and Paris), definitely leave a comment and let me know. So far, my schedule is entirely flexible. Photography Gear I'm Bringing Of course, I am going to bring a camera with me to document my travels. I am bringing my trusty Canon 5D and an assortment of lenses. First of all, I am bringing the Canon 17-40 f/4L, which is most likely to stay on the 5D for 90% of the time or more. I've been shooting with that lens for years, and it's still probably my favourite. I'm also bringing my Canon 100mm macro for detail and some portrait photography. It's not a terribly bulky lens, and there are moments when this lens absolutely shines. I am also bringing in the Lensbaby Composer, another recent acquisition. I've only posted two shots on this photoblog taken with the Lensbaby Composer (the two images are here and here), so we'll see if I can put it to more use. I am also bringing my Canon 580EX flash, most likely for indoor flash photography and some outdoor portrait photography. Perhaps the lens I am most excited to bring - and the one I haven't yet disclosed on the photoblog (until now, that is), is the brand new Canon 35mm f/1.4L lens! (Here is the link for the lens on B&H). I've only used the lens for about a week so far, but I'm already loving it. In fact, I shot exclusively with the Canon 35mm f/1.4L in the recent engagement photoshoot (see the three images I posted here, here, and here). Finally, I am bringing the three stop neutral density filter with me, so that I can take long exposure photographs in the daytime. For examples of what I mean, see this image of the fountain in Savona and this image of the 'Sea Cauldron' in the Mediterranean Sea. Of course, I am bringing my tripod to do some HDR photography. Have you seen my HDR gallery? If not, check it out here. What am I not bringing? I'm not bringing my other dSLR, the Canon Rebel XT. I am also leaving the Canon 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 at home. Perhaps most importantly, I am choosing to leave the newly acquired Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS (which I discussed in yesterday's entry) at home, simply because it is just too big and too heavy to carry. Prints I have recently made some changes regarding how I sell prints on Erudite Expressions. The method that has been in existence for years is purchasing via the 'purchase a print' link located at the bottom of most posts (some images are not available to be purchased as prints, for various reasons). That option is still available, and the purchase is done via PayPal. If you choose to purchase prints that way, you'll have a more direct interaction with me, where I will prepare the print to be shipped to a lab (I use an amazing external lab called Mpix to do print fulfillment), and then the print will arrive safely to your front door. The other option I have recently implemented is the ability to purchase through a provider called Fotomoto. Ordering a print through Fotomoto is very straightforward (just click on the 'purchase a print' link above a given photo), and then select the size of the print you would like purchased. You can purchase from Fotomoto with confidence. I have also set up a system whereby you can order limited edition prints for the larger print sizes. You can order prints on Kodak Endura glossy or lustre paper when choosing to purchase prints via Fotomoto; if you want to order metallic prints, then you should purchase via the 'purchase' button at the bottom of the photo. When you purchase a print, you are directly supporting me and my work. Photography is definitely an expensive hobby: purchasing prints can help defray the cost of my recent purchases (the Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS for ~$1600 and the Canon 35mm f/1.4L for ~$1250). That said, since I am traveling for an extended period, any print purchases made between June 25 and July 22 won't be processed until the end of July. Alternatively, you can always get in touch regarding hiring me for engagement, wedding, or event photography. Prints Giveaway Every once in a while I give away free prints. It's something I do to thank the readers/viewers of this photoblog. Currently ongoing is the 4'x6' prints giveaway (click here to read about my previous free prints giveaway). The FAQs about the current free prints giveaway may be found here. So far, two of the six prints have been claimed (Nithya won 'Toledo' for her correct response to the question: 'Where was the picture of the Mermaid captured?' and Dylan won 'Spanish Bridge' for leaving a comment on this post about a favourite book, which is James Salter's The Hunters). The print giveaway is going to continue, perhaps even while I am traveling (say hello to twitter). There were some excellent book recommendations (in the question I posed for the second print), some of which I described in this post. Speaking of books, check out my Shelfari page for some books I've read in the past six to eight months. Links If you've made it this far, then consider checking out the following links: 1) My review of Imagekind prints and customer service. I am still considering using Imagekind for print fulfillment, since they have amazing options for choosing mats and frames to go along with your print. However, read my review to find out why I am holding off using their service just yet. 2) Check out VFXY Photos for weekly themes and links to other photoblogs. 3) My 1,000th entry on Erudite Expressions. I made a post every single day from April 24, 2006 to January 17, 2009 (with a handful of retroactive posts when I was extremely busy with school). Since my 1,000th consecutive entry, I have still been posting every day, except for that one week in May when I had final exams in school. 4) My favourite non-photography related blogs to read are: Freakonomics at the New York Times and Seth Godin's excellent blog (about marketing and business). My favourite photography related blogs are Photopreneur, The Big Picture, The Lens at the New York Times, and Scott Kelby's Photoshop Insider. 5) My page at the 2009 Photoblog Awards. If you've made it this far, then you probably spent at least five minutes reading this post, right? In one minute or less, you can register your name and vote for my photoblog (that is, if you like the photos I post). Here's the link. If you've read this post in its entirety, congratulations! I would love to hear from you. Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email. Bye for now, as I probably have a train to catch! |
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