Phoreign Photo Hols question...

trooney

How many folk here take (or have taken) a holiday specifically for the sake of photography?
I can't say I've ever done so. Its always been incidental to climbing or whatever else I've been away for. Although I'm considering it at the mo, as I'm still injured out of the aul climbing game and will be for a bit
There was a thread not so long ago with destination suggestions. Has anybody been to China or Russia or places with similar political affiliations? If so, had any problems/issues/recommendations?

magicbastarder

recommendations? don't help prop up the economies of countries with dubious human rights records.

Thirdfox

Well I'm going to Tunisia soon and have been told not to photograph their government buildings...but the same advice applies to photography in the US (I'd almost be more worried there!)

Having lived in China a camera is very normal and people/police will not give you hassle. In fact they do not have the (in my opinion) ridiculous notion that photography of children in a public area is bad/criminal/immoral. I have heard that in India people are very eager to pose for the camera and love the attention

Just as long as you're not been seen to try and document sensitive issues (Taiwan, Tibet, Falun Gong etc.) you should have no problems and have a great time (there's such a wide selection of scenary in China - from deserts to jungles...)

Thirdfox

magicbastarder wrote: »

recommendations? don't help prop up the economies of countries with dubious human rights records.

This forum is for the discussion of photography, if you want to have political debate there is a politics forum too. I could write a very long response to this but that would be an off topic post and a waste of time both for me and the OP.

Regards

trooney

Thirdfox wrote: »

This forum is for the discussion of photography, if you want to have political debate there is a politics forum too. I could write a very long response to this but that would be an off topic post and a waste of time both for me and the OP.

Regards

BURN

magicbastarder

Thirdfox wrote: »

This forum is for the discussion of photography, if you want to have political debate there is a politics forum too. I could write a very long response to this but that would be an off topic post and a waste of time both for me and the OP.

Regards

if i responded in the politics forum, he wouldn't see it there!

magicbastarder

anyway, i've been on two holidays where i deliberately made photography a big part of the holiday, but not to the point where either became a 'photography holiday'.

mainly because i was interested most in landscape photography, and to get the best out of landscape photography, you should know the area like the back of your hand.

trooney

The whole photo-ing of airports/certain buildings etc has always been an issue to keep in mind. Have been hassled in Cairo by the local police while doing the touristy thing. Wasn't sure if they were looking for a bribe or what. After three weeks in a cell I decided they must've been. Nah, didn't give them any cash and went on my way. When you're from a country where bribery isn't very prevalent it’s easier to be on the defensive and walk away.
I would’ve thought China would be a place you’d have to be on your toes for this sort of thing, not just with the authorities but with the ordinary Joes too maybe. Great if not.

Borderfox

Went to Prague in September mostly for photography, lovely looking place but the people and service was -5 even though I had learned some of the language. I would never go there again but the buildings and bridges are fantastic to shoot.

Covey

Went to Syria a couple of years ago. No problems taking photos of practically anything. Had great craic, very friendly people, and hope to return again next spring.

Don't always believe the western press take on things. Herself was a bit apprehensive at first and she's dead keen to return.

Thirdfox

magicbastarder wrote: »

if i responded in the politics forum, he wouldn't see it there!

You could always post a link

or thunderdome

(I know you're not a troll at all but I really don't think that it's right to discuss these very serious matters on such a thread).

trooney wrote: »

The whole photo-ing of airports/certain buildings etc has always been an issue to keep in mind. Have been hassled in Cairo by the local police while doing the touristy thing. Wasn't sure if they were looking for a bribe or what. After three weeks in a cell I decided they must've been. Nah, didn't give them any cash and went on my way. When you're from a country where bribery isn't very prevalent it’s easier to be on the defensive and walk away.
I would’ve thought China would be a place you’d have to be on your toes for this sort of thing, not just with the authorities but with the ordinary Joes too maybe. Great if not.

My parents were invited to attend a conference in Egypt and got detained by the police there...we suspect the conference co-ordinators had to pay a gratuity to get them released :mad:

Crime against foreigners in China (except for being "ripped off" - but still great prices compared to Ireland ) is very rare since people are punished more heavily for stealing from a foreign person than Chinese. Just beware of taxi drivers who decide to take you on a scenic route Great bargains to be found for camera equipment too if you can find someone who speaks Chinese. Remember to haggle for everything (as a general rule the cost price of item you're haggling for is 1/10th the 1st price they give you).

Spots that I've been to and found breath-taking would be:
九寨沟 - jiu zhai gou
http://images.google.ie/images?q=%E4%B9%9D%E5%AF%A8%E6%B2%9F&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi
西安 - xi'an (terracotta warriors)
哈尔滨 - harbin - great for the ice festivals in winter (could be -25 degrees though!
http://images.google.ie/images?svnum=10&um=1&hl=en&safe=active&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=%E5%93%88%E5%B0%94%E6%BB%A8+%E5%86%B0%E7%81%AF&btnG=Search+Images

and I've heard great things about
三亚 - San Ya islands - where the Miss World competitions take place - sandy beachs etc.
http://image.baidu.com/i?tn=baiduimage&ct=201326592&cl=2&lm=-1&pv=&word=%C8%FD%D1%C7+%C3%C0%BE%B0&z=0
西藏 - Xi Zang (Tibet)

magicbastarder

the places i can remember hearing of people getting hassle in the airport - from security - were israel and saudi arabia; the latter more due to having to go through about eight layers of censors.

bernard0368

In Tunisia it is illegal to photograph the police and official buildings which is similar to most closed countries Saudi, Dubai. However the people love been photographed and have a great sense of humour.
China: In the big cities ie Shanghai and Beijing there is no problems taking photographs the police and military will happily pose for you. However in the poorer areas of the city the locals if at work can take a dislike very quickly to a camera. If you ask they might allow you.
If you go out of the tourist areas the people love to be photographed but stay way clear of the police and military.
As for the bargins in Shanghai they are to be got The electronics stores are huge, haggle and haggle more. (best if you can get a chinese lady to do the haggling)

nilhg

I was in Tunisia last year and as the others have said pointing a camera at anything official will get you a telling off straight away, (and there are police everywhere, I never saw anything like it in my life). Its strange in places like the Roman ruins at Carthage because the presidents house is on a hill literally next door, with cops with sub machine guns watching your every move.Not the place to try out your monster telezoom:eek:
No problems taking pictures anywhere else though.

Trooney, if you are interested in doing a "photography holiday" Leinsterman is a good man to ask, he was telling me on Tuesday about his upcoming trip to Africa, and I got the impression he had done a fair bit of research into other options.