Katin Images Travel Photography

Travel Photos, Travel Photography Tips and Software

Tag: India

  • Photo tip no 7 – its not the camera dummy!

    How many times have you heard either “you must be a good photographer to have a good camera like that” or “what a picture! You must have a really good camera”. Wrong and wrong! A good camera doesn’t make you a good photographer any more than a great shot can only come from a good camera. I know it’s a cliche but it’s not about the camera! It’s about the picture maker – you! How you see the world, What story you want to tell. What beauty (or not) you want to capture. Yes buy a great camera if you can. It gives you more options to create great images. But it doesn’t mean you will. A few years ago I did my first wedding for someone close to me. I did an OK job with my Canon EOS5 (the film forerunner of the current 5D) and after taking the necessary shots of the reception I put all my gear away ready for a good time. I did however have a little Olympus compact film camera with me. It had a fixed lens and virtually no adjustments. But I couldn’t help myself and took a few shots with it and discovered later (remember this was the film days, the instant gratification of digital was still in its infancy) that I had taken by far the best shot of the day of the bride and groom. So remember its not the gear that makes great art but the person behind the camera.

    Pilgrims on the Ghats. People on the Ghats or steps on the banks of the river Ganges in Varanasi, India
    Pilgrims on the Ghats. People on the Ghats or steps on the banks of the river Ganges in Varanasi, India

    Want to put this on your wall or licence or share this photo email or contact us

  • Photo tip no 6 – using a tripod

    Firstly I have to say that despite having five tripods, I have a love/hate relationship with them! Its not just the carrying but the time taken to set up and get it positioned correctly and I’m quick! But it is worth it! There are lots of tripods on the market and they range from $10 to $’ooo’s and come in all sorts of shapes and sizes but ultimately you get what you pay for. Lightweight aluminium are fine for small compacts but they will vibrate in the wind. Carbon fibre are much more sturdy. Rule of thumb is buy one that has load capacity of your camera’s weight (preferably with the heaviest lens) plus 50%. Tripods used to come with the head fixed. Nowadays you can mix and match legs and heads. Talking of heads, I use a ball head but some like the tilt and pan which is probably better for video and action. Once on the tripod you have to remember that the act of your finger pushing the shutter button will make the camera vibrate, which kind of defeats the purpose of having it on tripod. Ideally you should use a shutter release cable but you can use the camera timer. Just set the timer for its shortest duration and away you go. Of course if the subject is moving then a cable is best so you can choose the moment and not wait 10 seconds. Ciao for now and go get a tripod!

    Humayun's tomb. The tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun which dates back to the 16th century and is in Delhi, India
    Humayun’s tomb. The tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun which dates back to the 16th century and is in Delhi, India

    To buy a print of or licence or share this photo email or contact us

  • The Barber of Bikaner, India photo

    In Rajastan there is small town (if any town in India could be considered small) called Bikaner. Its main claim to fame is its many deserted and decaying Havelis (private mansions) that reflect a bygone age of some posterity. They were closed in from the rest of the town and had many a beautiful frescoes. I did a shoot there and managed a few good street shots. This guy was taking a breather between customers.

    A barber resting between clients, Bikaner, Rajastan, India © 2009 Nick Katin
    A barber resting between clients, Bikaner, Rajastan, India © 2009 Nick Katin

    To buy a print of this photo go to Barber of Bikaner, India photo to licence this photo email or contact us