Eyes For The Road - Places & Travel & Photography Podcast

Jeff Foliage aka Jeff Folger- the source for all about  New England Fall Foliage Photography joins me today to discuss some of the basics on New England and Fall Foliage Photography one of our favorite topics on this podcast Eyes For the Road.

His site www.jeff-foliage.com  gets a quarter million hits a year, thousands of comments asking questions on where to go and what to photograph in New England!

New England Fall Foliage on FB- follow for giveaways-information

https://www.facebook.com/NewEnglandFoliage/

http://www.foliageforum.com/forum/index.php?- the place to ask questions publicly

When to go- late September thru October.

Where to go- what are your interests- Antiques, covered bridges, farms, waterfalls

Website has an Archives which is searchable by topic such as covered bridges, scenic drives, etc.

Forecasts on the color- backed by information from the National Weather Service, the US Forest Service and using sites like the Old Farmers Almanac

https://www.fs.fed.us/fallcolors/2016/index.shtml

http://www.almanac.com/

Scenic Drives: the Kancamangus Highway and Route 100

What to see according to state- Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine have the most information

Festivals:

Planning A Trip to New England- 8.2 million visitors to NewHampshire alone in 2013

“the biggest mistake I think people make is trying to do too much with too little time”

Reservations-

Hotelscombined.com / www.hotelscombined.com

Bed and Breakfast

www.bedandbreakfast.com

Highland Games- Franconia Notch- https://nhscot.org

Columbus Day Weekend

Salem MA for Halloween

Do’ and Don’ts during Fall Foliage- Yankee Magazine

GPS- A Gazeteer if you plan to do backroads-

DeLorme – http://tinyurl.com/llc48vu

http://photoephemeris.com

Hidden Gems-

Blacksmith Covered Bridge- which is near the Windsor Cornish Covered Bridge- no road goes to it

There is a nice flag- one of 2 Covered Bridges which has an American Flag hanging on it!

Beaver Pond- Kinsman Notch-Route 112 – be there at dawn for a Wall Worthy Image

Jenne Farm- be sure to buy some Maple Syrup, donate to the box, be RESPECTFUL- iconic POSTCARD IMAGE

What’s IN YOUR CAMERA BAG-

Canon 80D-

24-105 lens, ImageStabilized. 77mm size- my standard go to – 99 % of my images were shot with this lens

100 macro lens

11-18 wide angle – great for dramatic skies

Circular Polarizer

10 stop- the big stopper- for SUNSETS and milky water images

http://leefilters.com/index.php/camera/bigstopper

Tripod-

Jeff’s Fine Art Images: http://tinyurl.com/kweys7p

What’s in Your Bag- April Bielefeldt

Join us as we find out what’s in host/tour guide April Bielefeldt’s photo bag- what is in her bag and why!

What kind of bag-

Camera Backpack- Canon- size- padded compartments

http://tinyurl.com/kvprkme

Will hold 2 bodies (DSLR) – or a mirrorless body (Sony A6000) and a DSLR (Canon)

Canon 60D or the Canon 7D

Lenses –possibly more important than the bodies

Canon 10-18mm lens- wide angle for postcard scenics- good also for architectural interiors- stabilized and auto focus

Worth the money for me!

http://kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/10-18mm.htm

(Ken Rockwell writes some good reviews)

Canon 70-300mm – good for details- leaves that are a distance away-stabilized- anywhere from the older model $500 to the newer one $1500.00

Tamron- 16-300mm f3.5 =great all around travel lens- if you had to take just one lens- make it this one-

Canon 24mm prime- good for landscapes-

Nifty 50mm- portraits

http://tinyurl.com/lg7lu2u

Also for lens comparisons check out –

https://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/lenses

Filters-

ND graduated split – (I like the large piece of glass with a soft line so you can darken the sky if need be and lighten the foreground.)

Tony Sweet- Singh Ray –Soft Ray Diffuser- 4×4

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-SINGH-RAY-FILTER-TONY-SWEET-SOFT-RAY-DIFFUSER-Z-PRO-4-x4-/332183266228?hash=item4d57aa63b4:g:f98AAOSwzaJX9mH9

http://tinyurl.com/kxz35ls

Circular Polarizer:

http://tinyurl.com/losqsq6

Spudz – lens cleaner cloth- with clip to go on each camera! Comes in 2 sizes 6×6 or 10×10

Tiffen or any other inexpensive UV or 0 filter in the size to fit each lens I own:

http://tinyurl.com/lctj7zl

Another resource for price comparison on lenses:

www.pricegrabber.com

Also good to have the manual for each camera body you are carrying.

Extra batteries – 3rd party batteries will be cheaper on the front end when you purchase them but in most cases will NOT hold a charge as long-

Always good to have extra batteries-

Wasabi is a 3rd party source if you don’t buy the Sony, Canon or Nikon to match your gear

OpTech makes some great little pouches for your memory cards that will slide onto most camera straps

https://www.amazon.com/OP-TECH-USA-4701002-Holsters/dp/B00011CS0S

Tamrac Adjustable Camera Strap with Media Pouches- hard to find- some of them have been discontinued – check eBay or

BHPhoto:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Camera-Straps/ci/283/N/3656173706

Tamrac – N5053 (model number) but there are many other straps you may like as well

http://tinyurl.com/mdlwm2f

What’s in Your Bag- April Bielefeldt

Join us as we find out what’s in host/tour guide April Bielefeldt’s photo bag- what is in her bag and why!

What kind of bag-

Camera Backpack- Canon- size- padded compartments

http://tinyurl.com/kvprkme

Will hold 2 bodies (DSLR) – or a mirrorless body (Sony A6000) and a DSLR (Canon)

Canon 60D or the Canon 7D

Lenses –possibly more important than the bodies

Canon 10-18mm lens- wide angle for postcard scenics- good also for architectural interiors- stabilized and auto focus

Worth the money for me!

http://kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/10-18mm.htm

(Ken Rockwell writes some good reviews)

Canon 70-300mm – good for details- leaves that are a distance away-stabilized- anywhere from the older model $500 to the newer one $1500.00

Tamron- 16-300mm f3.5 =great all around travel lens- if you had to take just one lens- make it this one-

Canon 24mm prime- good for landscapes-

Nifty 50mm- portraits

http://tinyurl.com/lg7lu2u

Also for lens comparisons check out –

https://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/lenses

Filters-

ND graduated split – (I like the large piece of glass with a soft line so you can darken the sky if need be and lighten the foreground.)

Tony Sweet- Singh Ray –Soft Ray Diffuser- 4×4

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-SINGH-RAY-FILTER-TONY-SWEET-SOFT-RAY-DIFFUSER-Z-PRO-4-x4-/332183266228?hash=item4d57aa63b4:g:f98AAOSwzaJX9mH9

http://tinyurl.com/kxz35ls

Circular Polarizer:

http://tinyurl.com/losqsq6

Spudz – lens cleaner cloth- with clip to go on each camera! Comes in 2 sizes 6×6 or 10×10

Tiffen or any other inexpensive UV or 0 filter in the size to fit each lens I own:

http://tinyurl.com/lctj7zl

Another resource for price comparison on lenses:

www.pricegrabber.com

Also good to have the manual for each camera body you are carrying.

Extra batteries – 3rd party batteries will be cheaper on the front end when you purchase them but in most cases will NOT hold a charge as long-

Always good to have extra batteries-

Wasabi is a 3rd party source if you don’t buy the Sony, Canon or Nikon to match your gear

OpTech makes some great little pouches for your memory cards that will slide onto most camera straps

https://www.amazon.com/OP-TECH-USA-4701002-Holsters/dp/B00011CS0S

Tamrac Adjustable Camera Strap with Media Pouches- hard to find- some of them have been dis

Join your host April Bielefeldt as she interviews Nick Smirnoff Photojournalist-man with a mission!

Photojournalist Nick Smirnoff “Shaken Not Stirred”

Today we were lucky to catch up with Photojournalist Nick Smirnoff.

Nick Smirnoff is usually busy chasing news stories for the Bakersfield, California or the Tehachapi Newspaper

After many years of being Production Manager for tv shows like Felicity, Miami Vice and others he is currently now living in Tehachapi, California and working as a freelance photojournalist.

Today he shares tips on what it takes to be a photojournalist and what’s in his camera bag!

https://nppa.org/- legal protection and more for Photojournalists!

https://www.ppa.com/- professional photographers group

http://www.theartcareerproject.com/become-photojournalist – great information on wages-photographers working in the business

https://www.flickr.com/groups/48514070@N00/discuss/72157622985706803/- a great thread on finding events to photograph-tips etc for getting started!

www.glasseyephotos.net- Nicks Website

What’s in Nick Smirnoff’s Camera Bag- Gear-

Nikon D750

A Tokina 10-22mm wide angle lens

A Nikon 28-300mm lens

Lots of 0 or neutral filters on every lens-5 or 6 extra he mentioned

External flash- Nikon-

You can see some of his additional work at http://bakersfieldnow.com or http://www.tehachapinews.com/news/

Join your host April Bielefeldt as she interviews Nick Smirnoff Photojournalist-man with a mission!

Photojournalist Nick Smirnoff “Shaken Not Stirred”

Today we were lucky to catch up with Photojournalist Nick Smirnoff.

Nick Smirnoff is usually busy chasing news stories for the Bakersfield, California or the Tehachapi Newspaper

After many years of being Production Manager for tv shows like Felicity, Miami Vice and others he is currently now living in Tehachapi, California and working as a freelance photojournalist.

Today he shares tips on what it takes to be a photojournalist and what’s in his camera bag!

https://nppa.org/- legal protection and more for Photojournalists!

https://www.ppa.com/- professional photographers group

http://www.theartcareerproject.com/become-photojournalist – great information on wages-photographers working in the business

https://www.flickr.com/groups/48514070@N00/discuss/72157622985706803/- a great thread on finding events to photograph-tips etc for getting started!

www.glasseyephotos.net- Nicks Website

What’s in Nick Smirnoff’s Camera Bag- Gear-

Nikon D750

A Tokina 10-22mm wide angle lens

A Nikon 28-300mm lens

Lots of 0 or neutral filters on every lens-5 or 6 extra he mentioned

External flash- Nikon-

You can see some of his additional work at http://bakersfieldnow.com or http://www.tehachapinews.com/news/

San Francisco Photographer Brian Simuro

Join host April Bielefeldt as she interviews Professional Wildlife and Nature Photographer Brian Simuro: http://privateguidesf.com mention EYES4THEROAD and get a discount!

Facebook FanPage- PrivateGuideSF

Began as a Digital Nikon Photographer who got his “bug” in Vancouver Canada

He has photographed animals around the globe and has had his work featured on National Geographic. He shares how you can also share images of animals to save these beautiful creatures. Giving back is part of his being and he gives tips on how you as well can get involved!

Elephants, eagles oh my- join me as I interview Brian and share other ways to take your photography to another level!

Brian is also available to share his city of San Francisco- 415.810.7676 contact him.

PBS- http://www.pbs.org/about/producing-pbs/proposal-process/

Nature Photographers wanted: http://www.naturephotostore.com/photogs.htm

Marine Mammal Center: http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/Get-Involved/volunteer/

Elephant Sanctuary- Volunteer- https://elephantsanctuarythailand.com/

What’s in Brian’s Bag?

4 different bags – Lowepro-

Go Pro:

Lenscloth-Nikon 8072 Microfiber cleaning cloth or Spudz makes one also

Lens:

200.-500mm lens

20-70mm

70-200 mm

Lenswipe: Nikon 7072 Lens Pen Cleaning system about $10

UV filter for our lens-

Headlamp= red light/white lamp-

Model release-

Favorite places:

San Francisco, USA

Lake Como, Italy

Vancouver/Victoria Island-

Baja-Cabo

Kancamagus Highway- A Classic Fall Foliage Driving and Photography trip

Join photographer and travel writer and guide April Bielefeldt as she shares one of her favorite Fall October drives, full of photography opportunities or just enjoying for good foliage colors. This road is featured in National Geographic’s Driving Guides to America New England edition- page 44 in most editions.

This is one of my favorite drives- it includes a covered bridge, waterfalls, lots of trees, overlooks and a possibility for reflections and scenics that grace my walls- maybe you will feel the same once you take a day and explore it!

How long- the Scenic Portion= 32 miles

How much time- can drive it probably with a couple of hours but to stop, take the waterfall walk and take some photos allow a good 6 hours.

Due to the trees- light sometimes does not get into this area right away so in the fall I would advise get a good breakfast and then start your drive. Stop at the Ranger station as you turn onto Route 112 for maps or any questions you may have. There are also flush toilets at this location. The rest of the drive to Lincoln there are limited facilities- some toilets are not flush- you may want to have toilet paper and hand sanitizer with you.

No food anywhere along the route- between Conway and Lincoln.

Water-drinks- and things like a roll of toilet paper

There is traffic – buses and big trucks – so be aware of these vehicles – pull off at one of the many gravel areas if you start to stack traffic behind you.

The route follows the Swift river:

Elevation – does hit a high point at 3000feet- sometimes in October you will get snow at this elevation. Wear layers or keep that coat handy.

Best to wear a hiking boot to walk some of the uneven paths – trails to Sabbaday falls.

Lens suggestions- wide angle, zoom for close-ups of leaves, close ups of forest scenics such as mushrooms, bark, or other details. Filters such as a graduated ND to create milky waterfalls. Polarizer to intensify the reds- blue skies- define the clouds.

Working from Conway to Lincoln – highlights listed below:

Covered bridge – parking pass

http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/road-trips/articles/kancamagus-scenic-byway

http://www.kancamagushighway.com/

Tripod – for long exposures= a must for getting a good waterfall photo

Polarizer– define the clouds- intensify the colors like a pair of sunglasses for your lens

Lee Filters- http://leefilters.com/index.php/camera/bigstopper

Big Stopper– 10 stops –slow exposure time to create images that have a timeless quality- slow moving water-waterfalls-passing clouds- even crowds of people

Rain gear– either a plastic bag with a hole for your lens or op-tech makes these or movo – go to Amazon:

New England Itinerary Planning 101:

Today we will discuss how to begin planning your own trip to New England.

There are 6 states in New England- Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts

These states cover about 62,000 square miles vs California which is approx 164,000 square miles

What to consider when planning your trip to New England

April Bielefeldt has been leading tours in New England specifically focusing on Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts during the prime Fall Foliage Fall Colors season each year since 2003.

The internet is full of sites like Tripadvisor.com, Yankee.com, Newengland.com, jeff-foliage.com for input.

How many days are you able to spend in New England- is it a weekend, 7 days or 2 weeks.

Prime time to go is the first couple weeks of October.

Average road speed when you get off the interstates is about 50miles per hour max.

Daylight- sunrise/sunset – use sunrisesunset.com for accurate times. On average sunrise October 1 is about 6:50am and sunset 6:15pm and will vary slightly as the month progresses.

What types of activites do you want to participate in- train rides, boating, any hikes, maple syrup tastings- tours etc.

Make a list of must see or do for all individuals going on the trip so you can plan in hours for historic homes, money or days they are open or closed.

How much driving do you want to do per day?

Transportation – where are you flying into- renting your own car?

What type of budget?

What kinds of lodging? The first few weeks of October in New England is considered high season, there will minimums, or black out dates for one nights. Rooms that may go for under $100/night may increase to double that during “Fall Foliage season”

**Columbus Day weekend is usually a 3 day minimum on bed/breakfast lodgings and sees high occupancy

(Be aware of small towns- weekends may have small colleges with homecomings, events, other visitors etc.)

Interests: Vermont still has 106 covered bridges in 1996 count. Places like Hildene- a Lincoln Historic home- many locations to see and visit.

About 7 million visitors to Vermont in 2015 – important to plan ahead-

Use sites like Tripadvisor.com for lodging suggestions, VRBO for longer rentals, bedandbreakfast.com, hotels.com

Regional magazines to use – Yankee Magazine, DownEast, Vermont Life, New Hampshire, Boston, Connecticut Magazine, Portland Monthly.

Jeff Foliage- jeff-foliage.com

Priority: Dates first, itinerary for getting your lodging reserved, fill in itinerary with must sees = parks, historic homes, etc, map it out and then make sure to leave some time to do nothing or edges – for unexpected finds- or weather delays!

Try not to overbook your days.

**IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A CUSTOM ITINERY. LET ME HELP YOU PLAN YOUR NEXT TRIP! CLICK HERE

Tripods:

Height of tripod- measure how tall you need it to be –eye level

Length: under 24” to fit in a suitcase for travel

Weight:-

How much does your Camera Weigh

Canon 7D= 1.8pounds without lens or flash attachment

Lens: Tamron 18-300mm= 1.7pounds

Travel tripods:

Manfrotto – BeFree-aluminum tripod-collapses down to 15.7 inches in length can hold up to 11 pounds

Joby- gorilla pod- small-packable-bendable

http://joby.com/

Slik: Slik Sprint Pro II- affordable-compacts down to 19inches and goes up to 63inches –weighs about 2 pounds- more casual photographer

Podcast- Eyes For the Road with Landscape Photographer Dan Holmes

Today we travel to Ventura, California to interview Dan Holmes and chat about his lifelong passion for photography and his interest in sharing unique world destinations such as Bolivia, Namibia, Nepal, Bolivia and Chile.

How he scouts this exotic locations straight out of fiction to real life places and what tools he uses to capture his award winning images.

PPC Landscape Photographer of the Year 2013

PPC Nature Photographer of the Year 2009

Multiple gallery shows, Museum of Ventura County.

Face to Face- Camera Club lecturer

Facebook: Dan Holmes photo Ventura, California

http://www.danholmesphoto.com

[email protected]

Ventura Art Shows: Ventura California Art Festival September

Outdoorphotographer magazine- https://www.outdoorphotographer.com/

What’s in Your Bag Dan Holmes:

Canon 5D Mark IV-

Filters: Polarizer- always on my camera- saturated colors

Split Grad ND filters

4 stop and 10 stop ND Filters

28-300mm Lens-

16-35mm Lens

No prime lens

Tamron 28-300mm for backpacking.

Induro Tripod #3- Carbon fiber-twist legs-

Induro small ballhead-