How to distribute your weight during travel photography.
The weight on him and the weight on me.
(Young boy at Dhobi Ghat, Mumbai, India)
Being a landscape and travel photographer, one of the most challenging part of my journey is to know how to plan my route well. Knowing what is needed to bring and yet not to over load my bag. I used to carry films and now I have to carry laptop and hard disk. Camera and lenses are the essential stuff and yet they are the most heaviest to carry with me on a long journey, whether it is climbing up the mountain or down the valley.
Many photographers often not very sure what to bring for their trip and they tense to bring too many equipments during their journey. Here is a short take away line for you, “Pack all you need for your journey into your bag…. remove half and that’s all you need”. Imagine with me if you have to climb up Huangshan, China and it is 15 km of steps in one day, what will you bring? Think about what you are going to see along the hike and what gears will be the essential. Or if you are driving through Scotland what can you bring with you behind your car? Or it is 40˚degrees celsius hot sunny afternoon out there in the street of India? What will you take with you? You need to plan, wear and bring the right stuff.
Recently I have decided to retired my LowePro lightweight belt system which has follow me all over the world for at least the last 15 years. It has served me very well from not having me to carry a bag with all my heavy lenses on my shoulder. With all of these great new sharper Nikon lenses I am having now it has made me think of another way to distribute the weight on my body. Knowing how to distribute the weight on my body will definitely help me to walk the extra mile.
Here is a photo of me shot yesterday walking by the fishing village along the coast of Mumbai, India. With me is the new system LowePro S&F Deluxe Belt & Vest Kit along with the lens cases which I have recently picked up from CathayPhoto. Depending on the weather and condition of my journey, I could either use just the belt or belt with vest. While, with the vest on it really helps to take away a lot weight from my waist and distribute to my body, I like it! This belt system allow my hand and shoulder to be free to move and shoot around. Changing my lens is easy and fast to reach with no time wasted as I walk closer to my subject. Not having to carry a bag has been my practiced for the last 15 years of my professional photography journey and I am so glad to have this new system now.
Hope you guys enjoy this new update on my journey.Cheers
www.alexsohphotography.wordpress.com (Blog)
www.twitter.com/alexsohphoto (Twitter)
I AM NIKON DAY Speaker’s Schedule 28-29 April 2012
I hope you guys had already gotten your seats, because all the seminars has been fully booked. And here is the speaker’s schedule.
I AM NIKON DAY
To all photographers out there. Come join me for I AM NIKON DAY weekend! This event will be held over 28 (Sat) – 29 (Sun) April 2012, and will consist of a series of talks and workshops brought to you by Nikon Professional Photographers and I will be one of the speaker on 28 April, check out the link details below. I heard that the respond was overwhelming and Nikon have to closed the registrations and will reopen tomorrow for registration again. I hope to see some of your faces. Oh yes! There will also be the Big Shot Season 3 Audition! Come join us for a time of fun with all my other fellow Nikon Professional Photographers!
http://www.nikon.com.sg/en_SG/pagearticle_full.page?DCRPath=templatedata%2Fen_SG%2Ffree_format_content%2Fdata%2Fcustompages%2Fpromotion_events%2Fiamnikonday.xml
May my bad experience be a lesson to you.
To all photographers,
Photography is becoming more complicated in this digital age.
I remember in the early days, we are more worried about our films being over-exposed as we walk through scanning machines at the custom checkpoint or losing our 50 rolls of film during the shoot. But these days, we expect to view our shots instantly from our camera LCD (as if photography is impossible without an LCD screen). Similarly, we can’t wait to show our pictures to our friends on Facebook instantly (I am talking about myself too). We are busy capturing pictures, as well as updating our blog or Facebook during our journey.
In the old days, we shoot with our basic lenses. We carry at the most 2 to 3 lenses, but today we carry more than what is needed. We bring our latest F/1.4 brightest, bigger and heavier lenses (some bring as many as 5-6 lenses and 2 camera bodies), 2x converter, cleaning kit and all the expensive filters, and a tripod. Oh yes I forgot to mention the laptop, portable hard disk, and many SD/CF cards. We have so many sophisticated gears today, that some photographers are at a lost as to what equipments to bring for each trip. What do you think? Have I hit the bullseye? 
What will you bring with you for a one-month photography trip? Just think about the clothes you will pack into your luggage and all your photography gears. Wow! Do you think your body is able to take it? With so many stuff with you, are you still able to react fast enough to capture that photo moment? Or will you misplace a few lenses or gears in your journey? Or, perhaps, you may say that backpack photography journey is impossible today.
I would like to share with you a few tips on what to bring with you when you embark on a photography trip.
What should be in your bag?
Pack all that you need and remove half of it. For that is all you really need. Don’t forget: You can buy, use and throw many items along your journey. Many backpackers learn not to buy too many things during their trip, because they know that whatever they buy, they have to carry that additional load. We have to differentiate between needs and wants. You have to ask yourself: Without this item, can I still shoot? Is it your skill or the gears that makes a difference in your photography? Is it your eye and creativity or the equipments? You would be surprised at how creative you can be with just simple gears.
I believe in basic and simple gears. Carry only what is necessary: 3 lenses, 2x converter, and just one camera body. You may ask: what if my camera breakdown? Well, I would just pack my bag and go home. Just kidding. You see, I use my own equipments. So I would know whether they are working well or not before a trip. And I know with certainty that it will not breakdown during my journey, for I have always carried only one camera body in my last 15 years and my camera has served me well. Think about it, I have protected my physical body from unnecessary wear-and-tear in the last 15 years by not carrying excess weight. It allows me to climb mountains and walk longer distances for my landscape photography. If I have carried extra load, I don’t think I could have climbed that 15 kilometers of steps up Huangshan during one winter day or hiked the mountain in Chile to capture the breathtaking scenes.
Think of it this way: If you have to let go of some gears along your journey, what would you take with you in your bare two hands?
When travelling alone.
Bring as little as possible. The lesser you carry, the lighter your load, and you avoid loosing your stuff.
When travelling as a group.
Big group attracts attention. It is harder to book last minute accommodation or rearrange your route. Photographers travelling as a group should look out for one another’s belongings. Avoid updating your Facebook when you are at busy places, watch out for your bags. Keep a lookout for each other when on the road. Be extra alert when people come close to you. Each one should take good care of your own stuff. Do not carry too many pieces of bags.
A final note:
With many years of traveling experience, for the first time I lost my laptop bag right in front of me at the airport check-in counter in Chile. I am very careful with my stuff and my laptop bag is just right in front of the counter next to my feet. I would think that it would be impossible for any thief to come close to the counter. Besides, fellow photographers are standing right behind me while I was doing the group check-in. But in less than a few minutes, my laptop bag was stolen. None of us saw anyone coming close to the counter. I would think that if anything were stolen, it would not be me… in this case I was wrong, because the thief always has a better view. He knows when is the best moment to act. So be careful.
Just as we know when to capture the best moment, the thief knows it too.
Alex Soh
Inspired by my stolen laptop on 15 March 2012 Time: 12.20-12.30pm
The stolen pictures
It’s really sad that after my 15 days of shoot in Chile my laptop was stolen at the check-in counter at the Chile airport coming home.
These pictures are taken from Valparaso, Santiago, Calama North and Patagonia South of Chile.
These are some rare pictures that I shot. The eagle taking off, Vicuña standing on the mountain, the beautiful grafitty found in the city of Valparaso from the characters of people to the coincidence poster on the wall that reflect the people sitting around they are hard to come by and I am going to miss them. It would be a waste if it is not published and exhibited. I only have these low resolution JEPG which I have port over into my iPhone to show you.
To the thief out there, remember not to steal a photographer’s work, because there are too many pictures that could eventually become an evidence if you happen to post them somewhere and if you trash it away, you must be a fool to delete some of these treasures found in the eyes of many. And if you return them back to me whatever happen is not important anymore and you will be rewarded!
In my laptop, the desktop image is my website address www.alexsohphotography.com
and my email one@alexsohphotography.com
my mailing address:
5 Pereira Road #07-01, Asiawide Industrial Building Singapore 368025
Hope someday these images will return home to me. Do pray with me.
Alex Soh 18 March 2012
Follow my facebook to view great pictures of Chile!
Hey guys I will be flying off tonight, wish me best! This trip to Chile is going to be a very exciting photography journey, as we will be traveling from the North to the South… basically all over Chile. We have 4 flights within Chile and together with me are 5 other photographers.
Do follow my Facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/alexsohphotography for updates and all the beautiful pictures taken during my journey. Leave your comments or click like on my post yah!
My traveling schedule is going to be really crazy from now and here are where am I going to be:
2-17 March – Chile, South America
19-24 March – China
26 March – 4 April – India
5-15 April – Sri Lanka
Stay in touch on my Facebook post! Cheers!!!
Amazing quality and details!
Wow! Look at what is in my hand!
The latest Nikon D4!
Chile Photo Expedition 28 Feb – 15 March 2012
Journey with Alex Soh – by invitation and to selected people only
Hey Guys,
Moreover I am there with you to guide you through. Your journey is going to be fun, exciting and full of life experiences. We will self drive into the country side, camping on the foot of the mountain Torres Del Paine, a boat ride journey to have a close encounter with the massive glaciers and majestic mountains of the Glacier Gray, Lake Pehoé scenic landscape, into the desert of North Chile and overlooking at the amazing Valley Of The Moon (See picture below), witness the Central Valley Grape Harvest Festival, capture the city of Santiago and have meal that cook by my friend’s mom in their chilean home. It is never better than to capture the real life living of the Chilean family and that’s what I love about … not even talking about all the wild animals in the mountains yet and many more! These are the special places where I shot before and I believe you are going to love it!Places includes visit to Valparaíso, National Park Lauca, San Pedro de Atacama, Valley of Moon, Torres del Paine and Fjdors. Flight within Chile —Santiago- Arica, Arica- Calama, Calama- Punta Arenas, Magallanes- Punta Arenas, Punta Arenas- SantiagoFebruary 28 – Singapore to Santiago
February 29 – Santiago- Valparaíso (tradicional market and restaurant, arquitecture and port)
March 1 – Santiago- Arica (National Park Lauca) Santiago- Arica: Departure: 01:30 hrs. Arrival: 04:10 hrs.
March 2 – Arica- Calama (San Pedro de Atacama) Sky Airline Departure: 18:00 hrs. Arrival: 22:10 hrs.
March 3 – Valley of Moon
March 7 – Torres del Paine (Glacier Gray, Lake Pehoé, Lookout lake)
March 8 – Magallanes (Fjdors)
March 9 – Fjdors
March 10 - Magallanes- Punta Arenas- Santiago (Lunch with Soto Family) Departure: 05:35 hrs. Arrival to Santiago: 09:00 hrs.
March 11 – Central Valley (Grape Harvest Festival)
March 12 – Central Valley (Grape Harvest Festival) to the airport head home.
March 13 – Santiago to Singapore (Arrive SIN on March 14)
All the way we go!!! 
Just did a shoot for Adobe in Hong Kong
Some friends was asking what did I shot in Hong Kong for Adobe? Here you go… just to give you an idea. Cheers
Very Exciting!!! Another magazine in London has published my work and there are other great photographers as well.
You could sign up for this online magazine and download your free PDF copy online.
Good stuff with very little words and let the pictures speaks to you. Please leave me a note or click like if you have enjoy it
Please go to: http://camerapixo.com/photographymagazine/ and download Issue No.15
http://photographymagazineontablet.com/camerapixo/online/issue15/#/174/
I was recently interviewed and published on SIM magazine. Topic on- Putting Your Money in Support of Art
Do leave your comment on my blog, tell me what’s your view on putting your money in support of art.
Black & White photography on the people who has journey with me to Sri Lanka 2011
http://www.alexsohphotography.com/SriLankaB&WAugust2011/index.htm
My work has been published on PROFIFOTO, a German reputable photography magazine
Interesting to see my work published on a German reputable magazine-PROFIFOTO. please share my joy. Cheers!
My work has been published on “PROFIFOTO” a photography magazine in Germany
Here are two pieces of my work has been published with datacolor on a German Magazine “Profifoto” in Germany. A Dreaming Moment, Angkor Wat, Cambodia (Left) Lotus Flower (Right) A kid sitting by the pond at Angkor Wat, awaiting his catch for the day. What a way to enjoy life. And the lotus flower was actually shot in Bail, Indonesia. I love it even more when these two pictures are placed side by side, together they share a moment of tranquility and beauty.
PROFIFOTO–http://www.profifoto.de
Datacolor–http://www.datacolor.com
Kandy Esala Perahera 2011 in Sri Lanka
Click the image/link to view the Perahera festival which I shot during my Sri Lanka photo expedition in August 2011. http://www.alexsohphotography.com/Perahera_SL2011/Kandy_Perahera.html
Please follow my blog to look out for more great pictures coming up! You could sign up to follow my blog by adding your email on the EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION box on the right
Cheers!
Check out my work published on datacolor newsletter
Heres an article of my work published by datacolor, you may check out the link to read the rest of the newsletter. http://www.datacolor.eu/en/news/newsletter/index.html
By the way…
Do you know whether your monitor colors is correct before you edit your photos? I think most of the people did not realize that you actually need to calibrate you monitor screen before you make any color correction to your images. How do you know your monitor color is the same as the photo lab who print or process your pictures?
You may want to check out the Spyder3Elite: Display Calibration for Professional Photographers and Studios. http://www.datacolor.eu/en/products/monitor-calibration/spyder3elite/index.html
Busy busy busy!!!
Sorry guys I was so busy right after my trip to Sri Lanka. I was busy from projects to moving house and shooting for Adobe and I have yet process my images from my Sri Lanka trip, could you believe it! Here’s two pictures of a lady I met in Ella and me having fun talking to new friends. I thought I should just quickly drop a note to you all and would be great to hear from you if you really like to view the Sri Lanka presentation on my website. Let me know! Cheers Alex
Officially Retired
He is a piece of art… speaks a thousand words.
He is a visionary… who has met thousands of people.
He is well-traveled . . . probably more than most people.
He is a great travel partner for the last 3.5 years and never failed before.
He is my amazing Nikon D3.
I recently sent him for a check up as the auto focus connector wasn’t working well after my Bali trip. Nikon staff serviced it and to their shock the camera shutter has long worked beyond its life span and the rubber are all coming apart. Other areas were all badly abused by me as well. Nikon came back to me and told me that I need to retire my D3 and they would replace it with a D3s. At that point, my face turned cold and I was really sad. I will miss him tremendously.
I realized that I’ve become sentimentally attached to my D3. So I went forward to ask Nikon to return me the D3. I would like to take pictures of him and to share this story with you. D3 has shot all these pictures you see here and indeed it is an amazing piece of art. He has gone into the hot desert as well as up the mountain into the winter cold. From the – 20˚ snow-peak mountain of Huangshan to the 50˚ hot sun in Arizona, D3 has weathered sun and rain–once it was even caught by a big fat wave.
Salute
Alex Soh Photo Exhibition 14-17 July 2011 @ Centrepoint Orchard
Dear Friends,
Thank you for coming down to the exhibition @ Centrepoint Orchard. I am glad you have enjoyed the pictures on the wall.
For friends from oversea here is a little video clip to show you the exhibition together with Nikon roadshow. May God continue to show me His creations and allow me to continue to bring you these beautiful pictures. To God be the glory.
Alex Soh
Photography is part and parcel of our life. What do you think? Yes or No?
Photography plays a big part in our life today. It is no longer a hobby; it is a lifestyle. One photographer shared, “It is better to have less pixels than to have no pixel.”
Almost everyone have a camera in his or her hand . . . your mobile phone! When you see information that you hope to note down, what do you do? Did you write it down or did you take out your phone to snap a picture? (more…)
Project Road Update!
Many of you may have already know about the photo exhibition—Project Road. Using photography to create awareness in helping the needy was my primary objective. Through it I hope to build a road for the people who lives in Cham Resh, Cambodia, a place that was forgotten. I could still recalled sitting on an OX cart in a raining day to visit the poor village. The road was cover with water as high as my waist level. Now I have a good news for everyone! The construction of a 3.7 km road has just started! It is my joy to share with you that through your donations, helps and the support from Lions Club Singapore, we are able to raised more than 70 thousand dollars to build this road. Below are some of the pictures taken during the road opening ceremony and report from Cambodia.
The Life and Hope of the People in the Cham Resh Village— Road Construction Progresses
April 20th – May 09th, 2011. Project managed by BFT/MECC-Cambodia
With strong enthusiasm and sympathy from Mr. Alex Soh, our Singaporean professional photographer, and Dr. King Gan, founder of MECC the dream of the people of Cham Resh village have become true. On April 20th, 2011 It was an amazing and excited day and event as the history of the people in Cham Resh village. The Ground Breaking ceremony was held successfully. The ceremony started from 9:00 till 11:30 a.m. There came and presided by the Chairman of Provincial Council of Siem Reap. There were over 500 participants from the community people and leaders, students, government officials, military, NGOs, Mr. Alvin Goh and Mrs. Violet Lee, representatives from Lions Club and generous people of Singapore.
We understood and noticed that all the people especially the villagers of Cham Resh were smiling full of hope and they were so thankful and appreciative to all the compassionate assistance from Lions Clubs and people of Singapore. They believed that the road will help them to walk out of their extreme poverty and hunger.
A big THANK YOU to everyone!
Road Construction Progresses at Cham Resh May 20th through June 6th
The road has been done about 1300 m. At this time the road construction has been stopped almost 10 days so far because the tractor and bulldozer were broken so many times.
The ditches along the road sides are filled with rain water at this stage.
alexsohphotography
