Keeping with our countdown theme to our latest Maui trip (11 days), I thought I’d list off some of the many photography projects I have planned. As you can see here, we already have quite a collection of photos from our two previous trips, and with so many wonderful and inspiring photos of Maui being added to Flickr every day (Maui is still no ka ‘oi), more ideas are coming to me all the time.
1: More stars over Maui
If I had to pick one photo project that I’m most excited about, it would have to be adding to my collection of photos of the stars over Maui. Last year was pure luck and little skill and knowledge. However, this year I’ve done quite a bit of reading and research and am ready to have a more educated approach. I have more gear to bring with me, and have setup the software on my Dell XPS to connect to my camera and use it for controlling my Canon 20D by taking multiple 30 second exposures over a set time and combining (aka stacking) them with software afterwards. Here’s one of my favorites from a source of my inspiration on Flickr.
In addition to combining those single exposures into one composite shot, I also plan on importing the entire sequence of photos as a time lapse clip, since those stars (actually the earth) will be moving through the setup. It should make for quite a view in the end. Lastly, I was planning to try out a few longer exposures with my remote switch and do some star trail photos, too. Boy, nights on the beach are going to be busy for me.
2: Road to Hana Photo Tour
This is something I tried out last year with the Ka’anapali Beachwalk and had a lot of fun with. By using my GPS Travel Recorder
Since we’re going back to Hana, I’m going to attempt the same thing on even a grander scale.
3: Time Lapse Sunset
I already mentioned creating a time lapse clip above with the stars in the sky, but I also want to setup my laptop and camera on our lanai at the Sheraton looking out into the horizon and Molokai. We often see sail boats and catamarans drift on by, too, so that should add nicely to the effect.
4: Motion Blur Photos
One of the photos I see a lot on Flickr when looking at Hawaii photos are waterfalls with a motion blur effect (examples). I understand the concept, yet for some reason have not quite stopped to try it out. From what I figure, I have the waterfall in front of the Sheraton to get my feet wet (pardon the pun) and once I get the hang of it, I can test it out at the Westin waterfalls while Cindy is at the spa there. The real test will be on the Road to Hana, so I want to get as much practice in as possible.
The other place I want to try this out on is Front Street at night, trailing the tail lights of cars against the street lights and signs in front of the shops. I saw a few of these done on Flickr a while back, and instantly wanted to give it a shot.
5: Whales in the Distance
Since we are doing a whale watch with the Pacific Whale Foundation (on my birthday, I might add), I wanted to test out my reflex and reaction skills to snap a few breaches at least. I know it’s late in the whale season, but I have a my trusty 300mm telephoto lens (with stabilizer) and by throwing the camera into sports action mode, I could just get something worth sharing.
Those are going to be my main projects as it stands now, although with over a week left to plan, it could change. There are also the usual suspects, like the unbeatable Maui Sunsets. I also want to get back to the Maui Ocean Center and snap a few more (aka better) shots of the sharks up close in their Open Ocean exhibit. Last year, the large tiger shark managed to elude my lens and now its time for another chance.
Lastly, and I think the most optimistic on my part, would be photos from the luau at the Sheraton. I know seating will be a big part of it, but the low light of night and the variations between the spot lights and the dark reek havoc on my not-so-quick camera setting skills and my trial-and-error approach to capturing the right settings. I will say this, whenever I see someone’s luau pictures and they have one of those shots with the fire dancer and the rings of fire just come out so perfect, I truly appreciate the art of photography and the magic of Hawaii.
(not necessarily using it for astrophotography)
(might still upgrade here)
