Alessandra Meniconzi: Nenets Of Arctic Siberia

Photo © Alessandra Meniconzi_All Rights Reserved

“I prefer remote and rugged places, mountainous terrain and desert."

Yes, Alessandra Meniconzi prefers to travel to areas many other travel photographers wouldn't think of going because they're truly remote and inaccessible. An excellent photographer, she's also extremely versatile, and her updated website features new galleries that cover most of the globe's regions.

Alessandra's galleries range from the Arctic Siberia to Ethiopia, from Lapland to the Silk Road, and from Greenland to Tibet and the Himalayas. She worked extensively for more than a decade in the remote areas of Asia, documenting minority people and their traditional cultures. More recently, she focused on the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions that are threatened by climate change, development, and resource extraction.

I chose to feature her Nenets of The Arctic Siberia gallery, as it's one of her most recent work. The Nenets are an indigenous people in northern arctic Russia. According to the latest census in 2002, there are 41,302 Nenets in the Russian Federation. They have a shamanistic and animistic belief system which stresses respect for the land and its resources.

Her photographs have been published widely in magazines, as well as in books for which she was the sole photographer: The Silk Road (2004), Mystic Iceland (2007), Hidden China (2008) and QTI -Alessandra Meniconzi, Il coraggio di esser paesaggio (2011).

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Ranveli Resort In Maldives

Ranveli - literally that means Golden Sand within the native language, the island with its stunning sandy beaches, the tall palm trees and mirror-like clear water, could be a self-contained paradise. one in every of its most distinguishing options, and conjointly its most stunning, is that the long white beach that stretches aloof from the island. sort of a deliberately made road to the sting of the ocean, this naturally created stretch of white sand permits you to perceive the true that means of “a walk on the beach”.

To allow you to create the foremost of the sweetness even whereas you're in your space, all of the superior fifty six rooms on Ranveli are designed to present you a read of the beach and therefore the ocean. All facing the beach, the rooms are air-conditioned, and contains a minibar, piped in music and IDD phonephone among its several fashionable amenities.

The loos are ethereal and spacious and every one contain bathtub tub and shower with recent hot and cold water. 

Accomodation:

To allow you to create the foremost of the sweetness even whereas you're in your space, all of the superior fifty six rooms on Ranveli are designed to present you a read of the beach and therefore the ocean. All facing the beach, the rooms are air-conditioned, and contains a minibar, piped in music and IDD phonephone among its several fashionable amenities.  

The loos are ethereal and spacious and every one contain bathtub tub and shower with recent hot and cold water.  

Activities:

Faced with the wide alternative of things to try to to in Ranveli, you'd be onerous place decide what's best. except for the diving and water sports, Ranveli encompasses a big selection of activities that you simply will value more highly to do.   

Island Hopping is favorite among several. Here you get to go to nearby inhabited islands to catch a glimpse of life during a ancient Maldivian fishing village. The expertise could be a lesson in life itself - the friendly nature of those folks, their real smiles, the simplicity of their lifestyle and their general contentment with life - is one in every of the simplest experiences that you simply will have within the Maldives.  

Fishing, the normal Maldivian occupation, is an integral a part of the Maldives. to own sustained a nation for hundreds of years there surely should be lots of fish in these seas. you'll be able to strive your luck at catching a number of them by joining the morning and night fishing expeditions that Ranveli arranges for you on a daily basis.    

Water Sports:

The Water Sports Centre in Ranveli offers you the opportunities to create the foremost of the ocean by giving you the prospect to require up windsurfing, as a beginner or perhaps knowledgeable. And after all, snorkelling has to be tried out - even the whole novice would feel snug within the calm and clear waters of Ranveli.    

Sports - If water sports still leaves you wanting for a lot of activity, strive beach volley. Get your own team along from among the guests, the workers would be quite willing to require you up on the provide.  

Scuba Diving:

Scuba Diving for the whole novice or for the professionals would be an expertise at Ranveli. The Momo Marine Club with experienced instructors offers the chance for you to realize a PADI certificate, from the beginner level to Masters.  The Momo Instructors may lead you to a number of the simplest dive spots  - they understand each coral and each fish in those sites. you're in smart hands all the means.

Foundry Photojournalism Workshop: My Multimedia Class: The Quick And Easy

I thought I'd post the description of the class I'll be teaching at the forthcoming Foundry Photojournalism Workshop in Chiang Mai. And in so doing, I'm also encouraging those interested in photojournalism and photography to join this event, in which all the instructors are amongst the best photojournalists available.

This will be the 5th time I am to teach at the Foundry, and I'm thrilled to have been included since its inception in Mexico City in 2008.

I will teach a multimedia class that allows its participants to concentrate on their stories, rather than on the application. The purpose and aim of the class is to show photojournalists how to make quick work of slide show production, using their own images and audio generated in the field, to produce a cogent photo stories under the simulation of publishing deadlines. Most of the class’s time will be spent photographing in the field, while indoors time will be devoted to weaving the material into photo stories.

This class will require participants to produce two short (about 3 minutes -or less- each) photo stories: one of human interest (narrative and preferably in monochrome), and the other thematic
(travel-documentary for example, and in color).

Participants will be required to use Soundslides (or iMovie) software, and Audacity for audio. Participants must have Digital Audio Recorders (such as the Zoom H1). Soundslides can be downloaded in its trial format, while Audacity is a free sound editor.

Fuji X-Pro1 Goes Globe Trotting

How could I have I missed this?

Fujifilm and British luxury luggage manufacturer Globe-Trotter have joined forces to create an exclusive travel case and X-Pro1 camera package that takes the "limited edition" tag to its extreme.  It's restricted to Harrods, and only 12 are available for sale at £5,695 ($ 8800 or so). Since all of the camera hardware can be bought from B&H for about $3800, the travel case on its own probably costs in the vicinity of $3000 (adjusted for VAT).

Each travel case contains a Fujifilm X-Pro1, its three lenses, a flash and a filter. No mention of a handful of SD cards thrown in.

Since Britain is celebrating the Queen's Jubilee this week, here's another bit of useless trivia for you: Queen Elizabeth II purchased her Globe-Trotter suitcases for her honeymoon from Harrods. She probably still uses them.

This is a page out of Leica's playbook. Targeting the very wealthy who seek status symbols, while probably knowing very little of photography. I bet we'll be seeing more of this luxury "packaging" in the future for both Leica (as it usually does) and the upstart X-Pro1.

Chico Sanchez: The Dresser

Photo © Chico Sanchez-All Rights Reserved

To break the recent string of India and Asia related posts, here is The Dresser, an audio slideshow by Chico Sanchez, a freelance photographer based in Mexico City.

The Dresser is Cesar Diaz, a professional dresser (el vestidor in Spanish) of religious icons, from Jerez de la Frontera, Cadiz, Spain. In this audio slideshow, Cesar demonstrates how he prepares Our Lady of Sorrows for an Easter Holy Week celebration in the village of Prado del Rey, in Andalusia, Spain.

I've featured the work of Chico Sanchez, a freelance photographer based in Mexico City, on a number of occasions. Chico worked in Venezuela, collaborating with Reuters, European Pressphoto Agency, Agencia EFE, and currently freelances for various newspapers and magazines.

Taj Exotica Resort and Spa

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives, is an exclusive, non-public and romantic island resort lush with tropical plants and encircled by clear blue waters of 1 of the most important lagoons of the Maldives. The resort could be a Member of The Leading little Hotels of the globe.

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa spreads idyllically along a pristine beach and serene lagoon. The award-winning resort seamlessly extends the magic of the island's blessed natural beauty in its style whilst it offers the best in up to date luxuries and services. Jiva Grande Spa, an authentic Indian spa, offers a spread of signature wellness experiences. A alternative of connoisseur cuisine, water sports, and recreation build for a whole and exclusive destination.

Location:

The resort is found on the exotic Emboodhu Finolhu Island, within the middle of 1 of the most important lagoons within the Maldives. This tropical isle, once referred to as the 'Three Coconut Island', is surrounded by crystal blue waters and coated with lush tropical flora. The resort is simply eight kilometers from Malé International Airport, and quarter-hour by a personal luxury speedboat, offered twenty four hours.

Accommodation:

Sixty two villas, designed to supply the last word in luxury and privacy.

24 Lagoon Villas 

These villas have a personal sundeck and loungers, providing infinite views of the Indian Ocean.

31 Deluxe Lagoon Villas with Pool 

Stand alone villas providing complete privacy. that includes a personal sun deck with contemporary water plunge pool, providing spectacular panoramic views of the Indian Ocean.

4 Deluxe Beach Villas 

Located simply five meters from the pristine lagoon, the Deluxe Beach Villas are luxuriously styled with an outsized plunge pool, non-public verandas with sun beds, tropical outside showers, and an Infinite read of the lagoon.

2 Villa Suites with Plunge Pool 

2-Bedroom Villa Suites are situated on the beach simply five meters off from the pristine Lagoon. Luxuriously styled with designer fittings and furnishings, every Villa features a lounge, a personal courtyard and an outsized private plunge pool. The 365 sq. meter space includes 2 bedroom verandas with sun beds, a tropical outside shower in a very walled garden and a personal Spa sanatroium. The master suite with connected non-public balcony on the higher storey, offers breathtaking views of sunsets on the lagoon. This Suite comes with a number of additional amenities and services.

1 Presidential Villa Suite 

The Rehendhi Presidential Suite could be a specially appointed 450 sq. meters, 2-bedroom Villa that's engineered over the Water. It offers the last word expertise in luxury, privacy and luxury. Tastefully appointed, the Villa options a lounge, master suite with connected his/hers loos and personal balcony, a guest bedroom with an infinite read of the Indian Ocean, a contemporary water pool suspended over the lagoon with a personal sundeck and 2 salas for relaxing and dining or for your own private spa treatment. This Suite comes with a number of additional amenities and services.

Taj Spa:  

The all new Taj Spa is found on its own non-public spa island sanctuary. With its tropical-inspired interiors and splendid ocean views, the Taj Spa provides the proper setting for locating your inner self. The spa provides complete rejuvenation for body, mind and soul through holistic Indian therapies and coverings. It options Yoga and Meditation Pavilion, a VIP Spa Suite, 2 luxurious over water Couple Spa Suites, Heat, Hydro and Relaxation Pavilion, a singular Royal Indian Mud & Bathing Pavilion, a semi-outdoor suite with luxury 'Hammam', couple expertise showers, outside bathing expertise, and relaxation enclosures. A special Ayurveda Sanctuary Pavilion offers age-old therapies in consultation with our resident Ayurveda physician.

Recreation:  

Contemporary water Infinity pool, PADI recognized Dolphin Base Dive and Water Sports Centre, football, beach volleyball, library, billiards and a range of indoor games.

 

Services:  

Butler service, lifestyle boutique, laundry service, library lounge with web connectivity, 24-hour luxury speedboat service and currency exchange and travel desk.

POV: Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died (and in my view, also those who were wounded and maimed) while serving in the United States Armed Forces...

It also ought to be a day when we shame the old men who sent and still send young men and women to senseless wars...wherever and whenever.

As Herbert Hoover said:

Older men declare war.

 But it is the youth that must fight and die.

Foundry Photojournalism Workshop 2012 Contest!!!

Eric Beecroft just circulated this amongst the instructors, so here is the fresh news!

You can win ONE FULL FREE TUITION TO THIS YEAR'S FOUNDRY PHOTOJOURNALISM WORKSHOP in CHIANG MAI, THAILAND. 

Winning=ONE  free tuition AND an invite to the pre workshop faculty and staff private dinner. 

HOW TO PLAY: (read and keep the rules or you'll be disqualified)

1. You may post ONE PHOTO TOTAL on the Facebook Foundry Workshop Page. Thats one photo, over the 10 day span of the contest. 

2. The theme is 'Home.'  You can interpret that however you wish. There is no trick or secret, we aren't looking for abstract or concrete here. Just good photos. 

3. The winner will be decided by who gets the most votes/likes on their image on the Foundry Facebook page at the end of the 10 day period.  YOU MAY NOT LIKE OR VOTE FOR YOUR OWN IMAGE. 

4. Anyone and everyone can vote, invite your friends and family to visit the page and like the best photos they see.  This is open to the public.  You can come back and vote multiple times for different people's images.

5.  The voting is not meant to be a popularity contest.  We think that the best photographs will rise to the top of the entry pile. At least thats the plan. 

6. CONTEST BEGINS SUNDAY MAY 27 at 12AM MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME.  AND ENDS JUNE 5 2012 at 7 PM MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME. 

7. One winner will be announced within 3 days of contest ending. 

8. EVERYONE WHO ENTERS CAN TAKE 10%  OFF FULL FOUNDRY TUITION FOR THIS YEAR WORKSHOP! WE ARE SO GENEROUS! - THATS $100 dollars for internationals/westerners, and $50 dollars for locals/regionals. JUST BY ENTERING!

Those who enter can get this reduction in price by paying the reduced amounts via Paypal (for internationals- $875; for locals- $375) directly to:info@foundryphotoworkshop.org or pay via Western Union if you need to. 

9. Already registered/paid tuition ? Students already registered can enter but if they win they get free tuition to Foundry 2013. Where will it be held ? thats a surprise until end of Foundry 2012….

SMALL PRINT: READ IT!!!! 

We reserve the right to exclude photographers who don't fit the criteria of:

international/western photographers:  3 years working as a professional photographer or less 

locals- no restrictions on length of time worked as a photographer

We reserve the right reject entries that we feel are too manipulated, photoshopped, etc- its a photo contest not an illustration contest.

We will reject images that you steal from others. We don't even want you at the workshop if you do this. 

We reserve the right to reject entries that have multiple likes from the same person, should you figure a way to do this. 

We reserve the right to be the boss of the contest, and that means if anything else comes up, we reserve the right to reject and award the winning photograph based on principles of fairness, ethics and good old fashioned sportsmanship. We reserve the right that no one else has this right but us, since its our party. 

Cheaters never prosper. 

Sacbee's The Frame: Kevin Frayer's Urs Festival

Photo © Kevin Frayer-All Rights Reserved

I've been waiting for coverage of this event! Just look at this flamboyant character!!!

The Sacramento Bee's photo blog The Frame features Kevin Frayer's remarkable photographs made during a major Sufi Muslim Urs festival in Rajasthan.

It starts off the series of these 36 photographs telling us that thousands of Sufi devotees from different parts of India annually travel to the shrine of Sufi Muslim saint Hazrat Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti, in Ajmer, in the Indian state of Rajasthan for the annual Urs festival observed to mark his death anniversary.

Along with other photographers, I've been photographing the Sufi traditions in South Asia for a while, especially trying to underscore the syncretic elements of this tradition with Hindusim, but to my chagrin I haven't been to this festival as yet...although I was in Ajmer a number of times.

Moinuddin Chishti is the more famous and revered Sufi saint of the Chisti order of the Indian Subcontinent. He was born in 1141 and died in 1230 CE, and is believed to be a descendant of the Prophet Muhammed. He interpreted religion in terms of human service and exhorted his disciples "to develop river-like generosity, sun-like affection and earth-like hospitality."

I cannot help but to piggyback this feature by adding my own work on The Possessed of Mira Datar; an audio slideshow of black & white photographs made at one of the most famous shrines (or dargahs) in Gujarat. The still photographs of this audio slideshow were presented at the Angkor Photo Festival last November.

And for those who follow my posts for clues to my future photo expeditions-workshops, this may well be one for 2013. It'll be as intense as the Oracles of Kali's festival, the focus of my most recent photo expedition in Kerala this past March.

Anthony Pond: Ginger Godowns (Mattencherry)

Anthony Pond is certainly prolific. His multimedia piece Ginger Godowns is the fourth audio slideshow I feature on my blog, and the second of his photographs and audio recordings made during The Oracles of Kerala Photo Expedition/Workshop™.

And I know he's got a few more up his sleeve.

This time, he focuses on the area of Mattencherry with its ancient warehouses, or godowns, of ginger, pepper, turmeric, rice and other spices which are hand-sifted, bagged and marketed, filling the air with pungent, sharp aromas, which you can almost smell from this audio-slideshow.

The area of Mattencherry dates back to the Arab, Portuguese and Dutch traders before British colonial times, and its streets are lined with old dilapidated warehouses which can be easily imagined as having been in use even much before the 1500s.

Elissa Bogos: Afghan Tea House Poets

"Let all the infidels become Muslims"

Here's a wonderful short (too short!) video made by Elissa Bogos in a tea house in Afghanistan on 11.11.11 for One Day on Earth.

I describe it as wonderful, not because of the unfortunate intolerance expressed by the old man towards the end of the clip, but because it's beautifully filmed, because of its ambience and because of the music. I wished the clip had been much longer, and that it tarried longer with the "poets" who recited traditional verses (and expressed their gripes), and that it lingered around the corners of the tea house.

Elissa Bogos is a freelance photojournalist and videojournalist based in Kabul, Afghanistan. She was the editor-in-chief of The Sakhalin Times, an English language weekly in the Russian Far East.

Her photographs and videos were published in The New York Times, BBC, The Guardian, EurasiaNet, The Huffington Post, The Montreal Gazette, Reuters, New York Daily News and in other media. In Afghanistan, she freelances for a variety of NGOs and private companies and has worked with the Associated Press, Tolo TV and Channel One TV.

NYTimes: Moises Saman's Egypt's Choice

Presidential election fever has been gripping Egypt for months, and it'll perhaps come to a conclusion in the coming few days...or in another few weeks, if a runoff is the case.

Along with many millions of Egyptians, I couldn't believe my eyes when watching the first ever presidential debate in the Middle East took place earlier this month. Yes, it was flawed...yes, the two frontrunners went overboard in hyperbole and off topic attacks one each other... but nowhere else in the Arab world, has such a spectacle ever been seen before.

Yes, Egypt's political transition has been farcical, messy, bizarre, chaotic, violent, unpredictable, and serious, ....however after centuries of Pharaonic kingdoms, various foreign occupations, colonialism,  royalty and dictatorships, Egyptians were now experiencing the teething pains of democracy. I raise my hands in wonder when I read articles by educated journalists and pundits who claim that after 30 years of Mubarak's regime, Egypt is experiencing democracy. It's not 30 years...but over 2500 years!

In recognition of this critical milestone in Egypt's (and in the world's) history, I feature Moises Saman's Egypt's Choice as published in The New York Times.

Halaveli Holiday Village Resort Maldives

Imagine yourself walking on an exquisite white sandy beach, barefoot, where the sole sound is that of palm leaves swaying within the breeze from the ocean and also the waves dashing to shore. Imagine obtaining up within the morning with the sun and beginning your day with one in every of the simplest scuba dives you’ve ever experienced in your life. Imagine all the fish you’ll meet, all that exotic marine lifetime of the tropics.

With sun-kissed beach, trendy amenities, easy accessibility to in style dive sites, flourishing flora, crystalline water, tropical weather, friendly workers and wonderful resort facilities, Halaveli vacation Resort in Maldives captivates tourists coming into Maldives.  Halaveli vacation Resort is sixty two kms from Male International Airport. it'll take twenty minutes from the airport by kaleidoscopic seaplane ride to achieve the resort and seventy five minutes by speedboat.

Accommodation

Halaveli vacation Village in Maldives offers spacious accommodation in fifty beautifully furnished beachfront bungalows. All the bungalows replicate ancient Maldivian vogue and complement the tranquil natural great thing about the island. All bungalows come back fitted with trendy amenities and also the décor matches with that of the eu era. every bungalow has air-conditioning, international direct dial phonephone, mini bar, hair dryer and en-suite rest room with hot and cold water provide.Enjoy your morning tea or low in veranda overlooking the shimmering sandy beach. each bungalow enjoys its beachfront.

The veranda outside every area faces the beach. Beyond the tall palm trees and thick tropical shrubbery growing in front of the space lie the beach and also the stunning lagoon - a panoramic read right in front of your own restful beach bungalow.

Dining

The main restaurant in Halaveli vacation Village serves scrumptious buffet meals to guests. The skilled chefs prepare delectable Italian and native cuisines with wealthy and authentic flavors. The bar in resort is that the hub of all live action and entertainment. The bar has no walls and has thatched ceiling. together with refreshing drinks, it conjointly plays live music for the entertainment of guests.

Recreational Activities

With water all round the place is best fitted to world-class water sports activities in Maldives. snorkeling and wave surfing offers the chance to tourists to expertise the colourful color of the water. From Halaveli resort it's straightforward to achieve a number of the popular dive sites in Maldives like Halaveli wreck. Dive equipments and varied different equipments are provided to guests by dive faculty of the resort on rental basis. 

Scuba Diving: 

A number of the simplest dive sites within the country are inside straightforward reach of Halaveli. In fact, Halaveli’s own dive website, referred to as the Halaveli Wreck, is one in every of the foremost famous dive sites within the country, with divers travelling from way and just about get pleasure from the exciting dive. several Marine Protected Areas famous for his or her wealthy marine life also are inside some minutes’ boat ride away.

Shark purpose and Maaya Thila, that are protected areas, and which supply a number of the simplest dives within the country - or maybe within the world - also are inside straightforward reach of Halaveli, creating the island a premium selection for scuba diving enthusiasts. Visit the highest Dive Sites to ascertain out the foremost in style of the sites accessible from Halaveli.

My Work: The Art of Kathakali

One of the highlights of my Oracles of Kerala Photo Expedition-Workshop this past March was spending half a day at a Kathakali school near Thrissur, and documenting the preparations and performance of this ancient art. It was totally distinct from the usual superficial performances shown at the various tourist hotels, and the professionalism of the performers was breathtaking. Apart from the talent of the performers, I was especially struck by the singing which you hear on this "photo-film".

Kathakali is one of the oldest theatre forms in the world, and originated in Kerala. It's a group production, in which actors-dancers take various roles in performances based on themes from Hindu mythology, such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

The elaborate make up sessions often take longer than the performances themselves, and follow a certain ritual.

I chose to process the photographs in sepia (DxO Labs), which were made with a Canon 5D Mark II and a Leica M9, with the ambient audio recording on a Tascam DR40.

You can also watch it in HD on Vimeo.

POV: Will QR Codes Be Useful?

I've been seeing these QR codes for some time now....some airlines offer them as an alternative to printed boarding passes, banks have them to facilitate mobile banking, and even cars have them painted on their sides. I've used them to download my boarding passes on a couple of occasions.

The QR codes are sort of barcodes that can hold thousands of alphanumeric characters of information, and their ease of use makes them practical for businesses. When you scan or read a QR code with your iPhone, Android or other camera-enabled Smartphone, you can link to digital content on the web; activate a number of phone functions including email, IM and SMS; and connect the mobile device to a web browser!

Cool! So my quick search revealed there are many free QR Code generators such as Kaywa and others, and naturally I immediately filled in my The Travel Photographer website's URL, and voila!!! The square barcode you see above is the QR Code for it. You scan it with your iPhone/Android and your browser will immediately log on to my website.

This is the QR of for my blog, The Travel Photographer's Blog:

And finally, here's the QR Code for The Leica File:

Is it useful for photographers? I have no idea.  For the time being, I can only think of one use for it (apart from how the airlines and banks do), and that is to have it printed on one's business card. The recipient would scan it into his/her device and would be immediately logged on to your website.

NYC's United We Dance Parade With The X Pro-1

All Photos ©2012 Tewfic El-Sawy (Click To Enlarge)

Serendipity was the reason I stumbled on New York City's 6th Annual Dance Parade yesterday.

Barricades and police presence around St. Marks Place can portend a lot of things these days, but when I was handed an announcement for United We Dance, I suspected I'd have a good time. This was corroborated by a woman standing besides me who predicted I'd also get fantastic photographs.

I only carried my Fuji X Pro-1 fitted with the Fujinon 18mm f2.0, and since the barricades had been erected along the route of the parade, I wasn't sure it'd work with such a short range lens. I was on the verge on hurrying back home and get my Canon 5D MarkII and the 70-200 f2.8 that serve me well in such events....but as the police seemed to not be in the mood to restrict photographers, press affiliated or not, I chose to stay and ignore the barricades.

 It worked.

Naturally, I had to compete with other photographers who had the "appropriate" gear,...DSRLS mostly with long zoom lenses, but I had reasonable access to the dancers as they performed. I chose a spot on 8th Street that was in the shade (the other side of the street was very sunny), took a reading off the asphalt, and kept my camera's setting at 1/500 sec and an aperture of f2.0 (for a shallow DOF).

In a way, it was both frustrating and liberating to shoot with the X Pro-1. I was frustrated in not having the 70-200 lens (or even a 24-70mm) with me for some close portraiture of the gorgeous dancers...and frustrated that the X Pro-1 seemed to 'oversleep' sometimes. I probably missed about 4-5 photographs because the X Pro-1 didn't respond as quickly as I wanted. Its AF also seemed to be confused  in some situations.

The liberating aspect of having the X Pro-1 is that it forced me to be close and personal with the dancers.   Its size makes it so much easier to be unobtrusive, although the dancers were eager to be photographed, so stealth was a little difficult.

The JPEG photographs were processed (minimally) in Photoshop.

POV: TIME Magazine Cover Of Netanyahu

The drivel featured by TIME-Lightbox in relation to its magazine cover of Netanyahu is nausea-inducing on many levels.

But let's stay on what the cover seeks to tell us. In my view, it tries to tells us that Netanyahu's stare is that of a politician,  tough, steely and unwavering...that line may perhaps get swallowed in New York City, but in Europe and the Middle East (yes, TIME magazine will feature the same covers on all its international editions), it'll be construed as a stare of arrogance, zealotry and defiance.

Then, it tells us that he's a "King"...presumably because he has "conquered" Israel by convincing the centrist Kadima Party to join a coalition...and then the cover uses Netanyahu's nickname as a baby (or whatever Bibi is). Is the purpose of infantilizing the name to familiarize him vis-a-vis the American public? Make him one of us...since we have the rather unfortunate habit of nicknaming everyone? 

For crying out loud, the fellow's name is Binyamin Netanyahu...use it.

Drivel.

8th Angkor Photo Workshops: Applications Open

The Angkor Photo Workshops is back for the 8th year, and has now announced that it is accepting applications.

I can't emphasize strongly enough that it is a phenomenal opportunity for all photographers, emerging and established, and this comes from personal experience following my attendance and participation last year. It was a delightful experience to meet all those concerned with the workshop, and co-mingle with the hundreds of photographers who joined it.

The Angkor Photo Workshops is held annually in Siem Reap, and is offered free to selected young photography talents from Asia. The week-long professional photography workshop provides participants with firsthand training, invaluable exposure, and a chance to develop their personal photographic style and vision. Over the years, the workshop has highlighted emerging talent from the region, and many previous participants are now pursuing successful photography careers.

Gumroad: Selling For Photographers?

I saw a post about Gumroad on Pixiq, and its premise piqued my interest, as it may do for my readers.

Gumroad claims that it serves to democratize the ability to sell stuff online, and 'stuff' obviously includes photographs, or songs, albums, videos, and other products. It does so by creating a link to your photograph(s) so that your fans, friends, and followers who want to buy it, can do so, and no store set up is needed.

Gumroad's fee structure is states as 5% + 25¢ of each transaction.  If you sell a photograph for $100, the fee is $5.24 and $94.75 is deposited into your bank account. According the Gumroad's FAQ, it supports Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB, and Diners Club cards.

It may be worth one's time to try this service out.

Royal Island Resort And Spa In Maldives

Close your eyes and visualize - A dream of Paradise, a setting of tranquility and splendor within the heart of the Indian Ocean. A Maldivian Island with stunning Banyan trees protruding amongst the luxurious inexperienced shrubs and vegetation. An Island surrounded by crystal clear blue lagoon encompassing spectacular tropical marine life with an array of vibrant colours. A prestigious discovery in your terribly own idyllic little world. this is often in fact Royal Island Resort & Spa ‘From dream to Reality’.

Unique Maldivian Hospitality 

Experience the distinctive Royal hospitality, a legacy of many years of proud history. The grandmother of the good Maldivian hero of all time, Boduthakurufaan, created this island her home and is buried here. The remnant of this wealthy historical heritage is preserved for its symbiosis with the native social and natural atmosphere, epitomizing the Maldivian hospitality. Today, Royal Island may be a vibrant reality, a wedding of ancient traditions and fashionable living, dedicated to make sure that guests expertise the center and soul of Maldives at Royal Island. 

Welcome To Royal Island    

  

Commonly called Horubadhoo, Located in Baa atoll, 118km North West of Malé, the capital town of the Maldives. Of a complete of fifty islands within the Baa atoll, just one fifth of them conjure the population of this atoll. The remaining islands are deserted with unspoiled wildlife and barely trodden-on beaches. a number of these neighboring uninhabited islands are ideal picnic spots for guests of the Royal Island and Spa. as a result of the placement of Baa atoll it's influenced by the southwest monsoon, particularly from could to July, bringing in giant quantities of nutrients from the encompassing ocean which magnetize whale sharks and manta rays. the most occupation of the folks of this atoll is tuna fishery. a number of the islanders are renowned for his or her skilled craftsmanship. Lacquer ware may be a significantly distinctive creation of the folks of Thulhaadhoo and is sold in several memento outlets and resort boutiques. Eydhafushi, the capital island of Baa atoll is known for ‘feyli’ weaving – a traditional-style wraparound skirt for girls.  

How To Get There 

Is a swish journey by seaplane from the most airport to Baa Atoll. The Trans Maldivian Airways twin-otter float plane takes thirty five minutes to achieve the Royal Island platform. Before departure, Trans Maldivian Airways provides guests with the comfort of waiting within the Royal Lounge owned and operated by Royal Island. Once the seaplane reaches the Royal Island platform, a neighborhood boat can choose the purchasers from the platform to Royal, that takes regarding 3-5 minutes to achieve Royal Island. 

Accomodation:

Beach Villa

Amidst this tropical paradise are your classically designed superior quality beach villas. Every villa is supplied with all the amenities you'd expect from a 5 star resort for your comfort and relaxation. From the minute you step into your luxurious area you'll fell likeroyalty. Every villa is rigorously made from Merbau wood, that is extremely distinctive during this a part of the globe. The upholstery and decor you'll agree has been designed in a very actually elegant vogue.

The breathtaking views from your villa of the Indian Ocean will definitely cause you to feel as if you have got found the foremost idyllic place for your vacation.

Presidential Suites

Sanctuaries amidst the vast Indian Ocean, the Han'dhu and Iru Suites of Royal Island are indeed magical in their suites are spacious and boast all fashionable comforts presented harmoniously with the natural charm of the tropical splendor. Built, decked and furnished elegantly in wood and different natural materials, each adjoining talc white beach and crystal clear lagoon. 

For the true romance of a true island depart, each suites provide the privacy and luxury of a loved home with options of highest-class suites.