tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90386122024-03-12T21:13:31.124-07:00Karl GroblPhotojournalist
www.KarlGrobl.comKarl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.comBlogger131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-6633544212795405582010-06-27T08:49:00.000-07:002010-06-27T08:54:19.250-07:00Please Visit My New Blog.....www.KarlGrobl.com/blogPlease Visit My New Blog.....<a href="http://www.karlgrobl.com/blog">www.karlgrobl.com/blog</a><br />
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My new, improved blog (link above) has replaced this older blog.<br />
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The new blog has been up and running for almost 3 weeks now, and it's working well. <br />
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See you at <a href="http://www.karlgrobl.com/blog">www.karlgrobl.com/blog</a><br />
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Thanks for following.Karl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-81142271797518201602010-06-09T18:27:00.000-07:002010-06-10T08:10:30.158-07:00My New Improved BlogAfter a ton of help from my good friend <a href="http://www.marcoryanphotography.com/">Marco Ryan</a>, I'm happy to announce the arrival of my new and improved Wordpress blog!<br />
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I'll be leaving this existing blog in place for a while, but from now on, all new postings will be at <a href="http://www.karlgrobl.com/blog">www.karlgrobl.com/blog</a>.<br />
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Here's what it looks like<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TBA8TCYETLI/AAAAAAAABKc/yDhCKDq9RC4/s400/new+blog.JPG" width="400" /></div>I sincerely appreciate all of you for taking the time to follow my blog. Your comments, participation and encouragement provide me with the desire and motivation to continue posting.<br />
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There will likely be a few bumps in the road as I learn to work with my new blog, but I'm confident that it's going to provide you with a better visual experience and easier navigation. So, please hang in there, these next few weeks may involve a bit of a learning curve for all of us.<br />
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Thanks again and I'll see you over at my new blog. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.<br />
<a href="http://www.karlgrobl.com/blog">www.karlgrobl.com/blog</a>.Karl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-48934220616884230752010-06-09T12:46:00.000-07:002010-06-09T12:46:37.799-07:00EDC Update Magazine Wins Beacon AwardCongratulations to Daphne Northrop and here communications team!<br />
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EDC Update, the quarterly print magazine of Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC), has received the prestigious Beacon Award for Excellence in Education Marketing. This top prize is bestowed annually by the Association of Educational Publishers (AEP), a national association whose members include publishers, schools, universities, researchers, and both for-profit companies and nonprofit organizations.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TA_uzpSQGDI/AAAAAAAABKE/MgSLrNlkZSU/s1600/edcupdate1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TA_uzpSQGDI/AAAAAAAABKE/MgSLrNlkZSU/s320/edcupdate1.JPG" /></a></div>The Fall 2009 issue of <a href="http://www.edc.org/sites/edc.org/files/pdfs/EDC-Update-Fall-2009.pdf">EDC Update entitled “What a Catch”</a> was selected in the Magazine/Newsletter category. The cover story, “Building Opportunity Around the World” describes EDC’s work to develop job skills and employment opportunities for youth in Timor-Leste, Bangladesh, and the West Bank.<br />
The award was announced and presented to EDC Director of Communications Daphne Northrop at a luncheon ceremony June 8 at AEP’s Annual Summit in Washington, D.C.<br />
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According to the AEP website, awards honor outstanding resources for teaching and learning “and aim to identify products that exemplify the highest standards of professional, quality educational content, and set benchmarks to which the rest of the industry can aspire.”<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TA_vRVWBn9I/AAAAAAAABKU/gNVjl_5jWno/s1600/edcupdate2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TA_vRVWBn9I/AAAAAAAABKU/gNVjl_5jWno/s320/edcupdate2.JPG" /></a></div>The Beacon Awards recognize marketing products in 13 categories, including annual reports, brochures, catalogs, and e-mail marketing. Beacon winners, which have included The Wall Street Journal, Scholastic Inc., and Pearson Education, are judged on design and editorial quality, efficacy in reaching intended audience, and overall cohesiveness. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>In addition to its international cover story, EDC’s winning entry also featured examples of domestic work, including programs focused on elementary science teaching and suicide prevention.<br />
For more than four decades the AEP Awards have honored outstanding resources for teaching and learning. The EDC annual reports “Tangible Results” (2007) and “Portraits of Learning in Action” (2004) were previous Beacon Award winners.<br />
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Personally, I'm delighted to have shot the images for the cover story for EDC, it's nice to know that one's photos are making an impact.Karl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-3685829931326043902010-06-05T09:09:00.000-07:002010-06-05T13:53:43.159-07:00Returned from the Philippines.I have just arrived home from the Philippines scouting trip, it was a great success. There are so many great photo opportunities there, I'm really excited get down to the "nitty gritty" and pull it all together. Over the next few weeks I will be putting the final touches on an itinerary together and contacting the folks I met with while there, to hammer out the logistics and pricing for a 2011 tour!<br />
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It's sometimes funny how little coincidences seem to pop up. Like last night while going through some mail that had accumulated during my absence. Here I was, just returning from the Philippines, and on my desk I see Education Development Center's 2009 Annual Report. On the cover was an image I shot for them in Mindanao and on other pages, shots I took in Afghanistan and Guinea.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TAp1wv4qCAI/AAAAAAAABJM/Kh4_7tgTnwY/s1600/EDCannualReportForBlog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TAp1wv4qCAI/AAAAAAAABJM/Kh4_7tgTnwY/s320/EDCannualReportForBlog.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://www.edc.org/ar09_slideshow"> Education Development Center (EDC)</a>, one of my NGO clients, is a global nonprofit organization that designs, delivers and evaluates innovative programs to address some of the world’s most urgent challenges in education, health, and economic opportunity. Working with public-sector and private partners, EDC harnesses the power of people and systems to improve education, health promotion and care, workforce preparation, communications technologies, and civic engagement.<span class="caps"> They have </span>350 projects in 35 countries around the world with programs and services which include research, training, educational materials and strategy, with activities ranging from seed projects to large-scale national and international initiatives.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TAp1yR7_NhI/AAAAAAAABJU/yBi06MKEaZM/s1600/EDCannualReport2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TAp1yR7_NhI/AAAAAAAABJU/yBi06MKEaZM/s320/EDCannualReport2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>So often in the news we only read about tragedy and conflict, so please, have a look at <a href="http://www.edc.org/newsroom/annual_report/2009">EDC's Annual Report</a> and perhaps explore their website for a few moments. It's refreshing to see the wonderful and amazing things being done around the world by a committed group of individuals like those at EDC.Karl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-1225691488152774732010-05-29T21:50:00.000-07:002010-05-29T21:56:16.108-07:00Stranded on Boracay Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TAHsPLZrFVI/AAAAAAAABH8/9TFiV5z-Km0/s1600/kjg_1855_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TAHsPLZrFVI/AAAAAAAABH8/9TFiV5z-Km0/s400/kjg_1855_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The island of Boracay, just off the coast of Panay was originally home to the Ati tribe. Boracay is part of Aklan Province which became an independent province in 1956.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-panublion_4-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boracay#cite_note-panublion-4"></a></sup> Formerly undiscovered, it wasn't till the 1970s that tourism began to develop in Boracay,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-5"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boracay#cite_note-5"></a></sup> and the island became popular with backpackers in the 1980s<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-panublion_4-1">.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boracay#cite_note-panublion-4"></a></sup> They tell me that years ago, Boracay Island was a well-guarded secret, but then in the 70s a foreign movie crew accidentally "discovered" this island paradise. Since then Boracay has become one of the major tourist destinations in the Philippines.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TAHsRwQ2gdI/AAAAAAAABIE/WjXCJyARkX0/s1600/kjg_1861_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TAHsRwQ2gdI/AAAAAAAABIE/WjXCJyARkX0/s400/kjg_1861_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TAHsTQGLu6I/AAAAAAAABIM/hL3ZnYHumy8/s1600/kjg_1863_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TAHsTQGLu6I/AAAAAAAABIM/hL3ZnYHumy8/s400/kjg_1863_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I came to Boracay Island in an attempt to find a tropical island get away for our possible 2011 photo tour; a kind of retreat, a place to recharge our batteries, review our portfolios and take in a little bit of Philippine beach culture. This kind of R&R is not usually a part of any of our other photo tours, but with the beauty of the Philippines, I am reluctant to exclude it from our tour.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TAHv4dD-YZI/AAAAAAAABJE/bm3XMXqazlU/s1600/kjg_4230_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TAHv4dD-YZI/AAAAAAAABJE/bm3XMXqazlU/s400/kjg_4230_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TAHscpw_2GI/AAAAAAAABIc/LKOfRyYr0Es/s1600/kjg_1934_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TAHscpw_2GI/AAAAAAAABIc/LKOfRyYr0Es/s400/kjg_1934_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I hadn't planned on spending this much time here, but after arriving I was informed that flights off of the island were fully booked. Anyway, as beautiful as it is, it's a bit too touristy, so tomorow I'm off to try and find another, less traveled island, one that can be our little slice of "undiscovered" paradise. Of course, there could be worse places to be stranded, so I'm not complaining. In fact, I took advantage of the time and yesterday, hired a guide Anthony, and his boat, for a circumnavigation of the island...Boracay <i>is</i> truly a stunning place!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TAHseDGcpYI/AAAAAAAABIk/oeENk5TLEaU/s1600/kjg_1975_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TAHseDGcpYI/AAAAAAAABIk/oeENk5TLEaU/s400/kjg_1975_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TAHsg7OBIyI/AAAAAAAABI0/m1A8V3pmkcE/s1600/kjg_4354_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TAHsg7OBIyI/AAAAAAAABI0/m1A8V3pmkcE/s400/kjg_4354_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Paalam! (Tagalog for good bye), <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TAHsZOBixXI/AAAAAAAABIU/8_YmfdlVooc/s1600/kjg_1929_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/TAHsZOBixXI/AAAAAAAABIU/8_YmfdlVooc/s400/kjg_1929_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Karl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-55922681423262179512010-05-27T22:06:00.000-07:002010-05-27T22:36:41.484-07:00Leaving Sagada, the long haul to Baguio<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just prior to leaving, I came across a small group of people, preparing food in a forested area near town, they were dismembering chickens. I was not able to communicate with them but everyone got a kick out of me being so interested in photographing the scene.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_9Pxz4bJlI/AAAAAAAABHs/C1X9jPA9ryw/s1600/kjg_1834_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_9Pxz4bJlI/AAAAAAAABHs/C1X9jPA9ryw/s400/kjg_1834_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The main bus terminal (actually just an intersection with a small sundries store) in town was buzzing with action. Travelers and families waiting for the buses to fill before the drivers would proceed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_9QD-fUIeI/AAAAAAAABH0/j_zooTl4VvA/s1600/kjg_1845_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_9QD-fUIeI/AAAAAAAABH0/j_zooTl4VvA/s400/kjg_1845_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>While waiting for my local bus to Bagio, I noticed a group of Filipino photographers ane we started a conversation. Several of them were carrying Think Tank bags, so I grabbed a few shots before the bus took off for Bagio. I think the folks at Think Tank will be happy to see that photographers the Philippines love their Thnk Tank bags! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_9NrMwXZCI/AAAAAAAABHc/X4q0kUQpIDE/s1600/kjg_4214_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_9NrMwXZCI/AAAAAAAABHc/X4q0kUQpIDE/s400/kjg_4214_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>It was a long 7 hours to Bagio and it was raining heavily on arrival. The road between Sagada and Bagio is an amazing engineering feat. The trip is not for the squeemish or those who tend to get motion sickness, but the scenery along the way is totally amazing. This stretch of road is considered by many to be the most beautiful section of road in the Philippines and I wouldn't disagree. The road passes through countless small villages and provides views of rice terraces, nearly the entire way.Karl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-71388785281397305942010-05-27T21:58:00.000-07:002010-05-27T21:58:02.329-07:00Rice Terraces and Hanging Coffins at SagadaSorry for not posting in such a long time, I was under the impression that this post had already been uploaded, but when I checked the blog a few days later, I saw that this post was not successfully loaded. Anyway, here it is again...<br />
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The amazing rice terraces of Echo Valley, Sagada. Absolutely stunning and they are everywhere! I will be hard to choose the ones to photograph. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_9L3oOHmoI/AAAAAAAABG8/ziYggTXXWLA/s1600/kjg_4183_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_9L3oOHmoI/AAAAAAAABG8/ziYggTXXWLA/s400/kjg_4183_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> My local taxi driver guy said that the day before the fog was looming above the terraces!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_9L7ZnothI/AAAAAAAABHE/E0Jm5eRkEjU/s1600/kjg_4185_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_9L7ZnothI/AAAAAAAABHE/E0Jm5eRkEjU/s400/kjg_4185_std.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Below you can see the cliffs near Sagada, where locals "bury" their dead. The coffins are actually suspended on the cliff face!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_9MzRyPaNI/AAAAAAAABHM/F-f9RThCb1g/s1600/kjg_1837_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_9MzRyPaNI/AAAAAAAABHM/F-f9RThCb1g/s400/kjg_1837_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Here's a close up showing a skull and bones clearly visible.<br />
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</div>Karl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-82765904986614548922010-05-23T03:06:00.000-07:002010-05-23T19:08:03.828-07:00Oh what a difference one vowel can make!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_j7JoyesEI/AAAAAAAABFM/0Ai80ICRyH8/s1600/kjg_1528_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_j7JoyesEI/AAAAAAAABFM/0Ai80ICRyH8/s400/kjg_1528_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>After a short flight and a long bus ride, I arrived in Vigan, hot and dry, stepping off the bus I reached into my pocket for my Chapstick (probably laboratory tested on animals) and applied it to my parched lips. Wearing my leather flip flops, (made from genuine cowhide), I set off to find my holel. Along the historic cobblestone streets of this UNESCO World Heritage City, I passed vendors selling the Philippine's famous balut (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balut_%28egg%29">boiled egg with embryonic chick inside</a>) and restaurants selling Vigan's famous Longanisa sausage, (a delicious concoction of all things carnivorous). It appeared, at least at first glance that there were few <a href="http://www.vegansociety.com/about/who-we-are.aspx">Vegans</a> here in Vigan. Like I said....what a difference one letter can make. Now, let me go on record as saying that I have nothing against Vegans, or vegetarians for that matter, and I do spend quite a lot of time in parts of India where meat is difficult to come by. Although I enjoy a nice vegetarian curry dish now and then, when it comes down to my eating preferences, I do prefer a 100% beef burger over a McVeggie or a tofu sandwich any day. For example, tonight, I stopped for some street BBQ, it was delicious!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_j_Wh18KuI/AAAAAAAABG0/oyXMfJMG9ic/s1600/kjg_1565_stdps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_j_Wh18KuI/AAAAAAAABG0/oyXMfJMG9ic/s400/kjg_1565_stdps.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_j7ZgoRG_I/AAAAAAAABFc/mG80S27jeZE/s1600/kjg_1536_stdps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_j7ZgoRG_I/AAAAAAAABFc/mG80S27jeZE/s400/kjg_1536_stdps.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>After checking into my hotel I set out for a quick twilight shoot of the historic district of Vigan, the heart of which is Calle Crisologo, with it's crumbling Spanish architecture. Vigan kind of reminds me of Havana, but without all the music, nightlife and partying! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_j70vYJ30I/AAAAAAAABFs/XdR6ERxA6x0/s1600/kjg_1543_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_j70vYJ30I/AAAAAAAABFs/XdR6ERxA6x0/s400/kjg_1543_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>All around the historic heart of Vigan, horse drawn carriages were plying the streets past shops selling antiques and handicrafts. There were even a few shops selling cigars made from local tobacco and Vigan's own mango wine.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_j7L02HpzI/AAAAAAAABFU/tQxZw2rmxF4/s1600/kjg_1534_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_j7L02HpzI/AAAAAAAABFU/tQxZw2rmxF4/s400/kjg_1534_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_j7zFfP34I/AAAAAAAABFk/1vG1jPAI19o/s1600/kjg_1540_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_j7zFfP34I/AAAAAAAABFk/1vG1jPAI19o/s320/kjg_1540_std.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_j-pFUJZMI/AAAAAAAABGc/r_BM9FOB-0Q/s1600/kjg_1744_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_j-pFUJZMI/AAAAAAAABGc/r_BM9FOB-0Q/s400/kjg_1744_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Today I did a thorough exploration of the town and discovered some photo locations, including a weaving cooperative and a pottery factory.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Karl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-78638126966670102962010-05-21T05:59:00.000-07:002010-05-21T05:59:19.144-07:00Last Day in ManilaIt's been an amazing three and a half days in Manila and I think that there will be plenty of options, if we decide to run a tour here. Between the bustling markets, the street scenes and all the photo-friendly folks, Manila has much to offer for photography. Here are a few "parting shots" from Manila. Tomorrow I head up-country to Laoag and Vigan. I'm told that the Vigan lives up to its reputation of being the most well preserved Spanish Colonial town in the Asia. UNESCO lists it as a World Heritage site, so it's probably going to be excellent. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_YviLFlEQI/AAAAAAAABEc/uxsrBVWZU7U/s1600/kjg_1406_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_YviLFlEQI/AAAAAAAABEc/uxsrBVWZU7U/s400/kjg_1406_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Water front promenade, Manila Bay, Ermita. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_YvjLXr8mI/AAAAAAAABEk/zv_EheAc7jI/s1600/kjg_1475_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_YvjLXr8mI/AAAAAAAABEk/zv_EheAc7jI/s400/kjg_1475_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jeepnies plying the streets at sundown.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_YvgxB0ePI/AAAAAAAABEU/9sQ_zKfphns/s1600/kjg_1383_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_YvgxB0ePI/AAAAAAAABEU/9sQ_zKfphns/s400/kjg_1383_std.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Motorcycles in front of old door, on Mibini Street</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Yvm0bxhUI/AAAAAAAABE8/CSSFniCZwwA/s1600/kjg_4098_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Yvm0bxhUI/AAAAAAAABE8/CSSFniCZwwA/s400/kjg_4098_std.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Man with shopping bag, waterfront, Manila Bay</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_YvlGA7jPI/AAAAAAAABE0/pk2nWEAshGs/s1600/kjg_4075_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_YvlGA7jPI/AAAAAAAABE0/pk2nWEAshGs/s400/kjg_4075_std.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Child scavenging through flotsam and jetsam on the beach, Manila Bay</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_YvoT9UmmI/AAAAAAAABFE/pcuryOhoIMM/s1600/kjg_4099_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_YvoT9UmmI/AAAAAAAABFE/pcuryOhoIMM/s400/kjg_4099_std.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sunset over the guard tower, United States Embassy, at Manila Bay, Ermita, Manila.</div>Karl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-8013544249191888862010-05-20T18:54:00.000-07:002010-05-20T18:55:36.739-07:00Manila Day 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Yesterday was spent mostly in traffic, commuting around Manila meeting with travel agencies and checking out a photography gallery in Makati. Despite all that time sitting in taxis and jeepnies, I couldn't help but take a few snaps along the way.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Xlr6_UpZI/AAAAAAAABDk/0sLhfm-yR58/s1600/kjg_3966ps_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Xlr6_UpZI/AAAAAAAABDk/0sLhfm-yR58/s400/kjg_3966ps_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>CocaCola logos can be found in all the remote places on the planet, and they are a great backdrop for photos. Whenever I see a Coke logo with someone or something interesting in front of it I grab a few shots.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_XltNQZ4PI/AAAAAAAABDs/F4VX9F_Lazk/s1600/kjg_3969ps2_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_XltNQZ4PI/AAAAAAAABDs/F4VX9F_Lazk/s400/kjg_3969ps2_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This guy saw me walking along, and lit up with a great smile and a thumbs up, I quickly raised the camera and snapped off two frames.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Xlu8WHzdI/AAAAAAAABD0/_hDumyjRY2A/s1600/kjg_3973_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Xlu8WHzdI/AAAAAAAABD0/_hDumyjRY2A/s400/kjg_3973_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Xlvx4H5_I/AAAAAAAABD8/s4UReeHTLTU/s1600/kjg_3975_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Xlvx4H5_I/AAAAAAAABD8/s4UReeHTLTU/s400/kjg_3975_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Xl45eYiwI/AAAAAAAABEE/leNq1b2kV84/s1600/kjg_3976_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Xl45eYiwI/AAAAAAAABEE/leNq1b2kV84/s400/kjg_3976_std.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Xl_kOpbWI/AAAAAAAABEM/8EizkuHbPH4/s1600/kjg_3977_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Xl_kOpbWI/AAAAAAAABEM/8EizkuHbPH4/s400/kjg_3977_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I share the four shot sequence above to point out the importance of staying with a subject long enough to capture the unfolding emotions or expressions. I often shoot sequences like this for my NGO clients, so that when they put together a piece, they are able to use the image that fits best. Moral of the story...stay with it, don't put the camera down and start chimping until the action is over! My favorite is frame number three, what's yours?<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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KarlKarl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-38536195539375926822010-05-19T19:55:00.000-07:002010-05-20T03:59:20.537-07:00Manila: a lot more here than envelopes and file folders... (bad pun)Day two in Manila and there is so much here, I would put it on a parallel with Bangkok in terms of photo opportunities.<br />
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Red Santos and I started out by exploring and shooting around the railroad tracks in Manila, about 40 minutes away from the Ermita area, where I am staying. Just getting to a destination in Manila, provides plenty of visual stimulation. Jeepnies are a favorite of mine, with their color and adornments!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Sh2QDmyII/AAAAAAAABB8/iFEqhBkQSC0/s1600/kjg_1242_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Sh2QDmyII/AAAAAAAABB8/iFEqhBkQSC0/s400/kjg_1242_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Sh3pfAt3I/AAAAAAAABCE/bVCbmBn3m_c/s1600/kjg_1246_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Sh3pfAt3I/AAAAAAAABCE/bVCbmBn3m_c/s400/kjg_1246_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Sh4iTPfUI/AAAAAAAABCM/5OsX2iFuCf4/s1600/kjg_1250_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Sh4iTPfUI/AAAAAAAABCM/5OsX2iFuCf4/s400/kjg_1250_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>There are quite a few men who operate small human powered trains, that will transport people along the tracks from point to point for a small fee. The "train" consists of a bamboo platform with seating and an umbrella. Underneath small wheels and a braking system can be found. The whole rig is powered much like riding a skateboard, pushing with one leg. If a real train comes along, everyone just jumps off and the driver removes the rig from the tracks, the ride is resumed after the train passes. Red and I took a ride and it was quite amazing! It reminds me of the "bamboo train" in Battambang, Cambodia. I've tried to upload a Flash video that I made with the D3s. I converted the AVI file to Flash using Proshow Producer. I have no idea how to do this, so there is no guarantees but if you are on broadband, <a href="http://karlgrobl.com/PhilppinesTrain/PhilsTrain-show0.mp4">you might try this link</a>..and then wait for 4 megs to download...good luck <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Si-lpvvyI/AAAAAAAABCk/BI5uFwHlLWQ/s1600/kjg_1291_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Si-lpvvyI/AAAAAAAABCk/BI5uFwHlLWQ/s400/kjg_1291_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Si_ULPN4I/AAAAAAAABCs/w-GN-1nILhg/s1600/kjg_1301_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_Si_ULPN4I/AAAAAAAABCs/w-GN-1nILhg/s400/kjg_1301_std.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_SjBJXS3gI/AAAAAAAABC0/ScM1Zlk_mBE/s1600/kjg_1305_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_SjBJXS3gI/AAAAAAAABC0/ScM1Zlk_mBE/s400/kjg_1305_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Next we got back on the "real train" to get across town to our next photo shoot at a large marketplace. En route, the train hit a pickup truck at a train crossing. No one was injured but it caused quite a commotion.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_SjiVaD0qI/AAAAAAAABC8/Xs30RBLv354/s1600/kjg_1331_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_SjiVaD0qI/AAAAAAAABC8/Xs30RBLv354/s400/kjg_1331_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_SjjX7yhOI/AAAAAAAABDE/PpIXxTiwp6k/s400/kjg_1333_std.jpg" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_SjkYGh-nI/AAAAAAAABDM/6txYqcY4rXk/s1600/kjg_1340_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_SjkYGh-nI/AAAAAAAABDM/6txYqcY4rXk/s400/kjg_1340_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_SjlbakVeI/AAAAAAAABDU/4tF6inwuXGA/s1600/kjg_1345_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_SjlbakVeI/AAAAAAAABDU/4tF6inwuXGA/s400/kjg_1345_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>After a long, hot, productive day of scouting, I bid farewell to my new found friend Red Santos. Thanks for all the help Red!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_SjvVMNZsI/AAAAAAAABDc/XAXFXHCzlBY/s1600/kjg_1367_std+%282%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_SjvVMNZsI/AAAAAAAABDc/XAXFXHCzlBY/s400/kjg_1367_std+%282%29.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>Karl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-75579652017145572632010-05-18T17:49:00.000-07:002010-05-20T04:05:41.273-07:00Manila: Day One of the Scouting TripRed Santos met me at my hotel, the Grand Prix (see photo below) at around noon and we set out for Obando, a suburb about one and a half hours away from here to see and photograph Obando's famous Fertility Festival. (please note: if you're coming on the photo tour, don't worry, we'll be staying at the Hyatt down the street rather than the Grand Prix!). <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_MyKQMf8oI/AAAAAAAAA_s/DjFYJ--Me7o/s1600/kjg_0934_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_MyKQMf8oI/AAAAAAAAA_s/DjFYJ--Me7o/s400/kjg_0934_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Manila's traffic is legendary, so Red and I used a combination of cabs, taxis, moto-cabs and Jeepnies in an attempt to get to Obando as quicky as possible.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_MyLSENNQI/AAAAAAAAA_0/6bb2gtKhK1U/s1600/kjg_0936_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_MyLSENNQI/AAAAAAAAA_0/6bb2gtKhK1U/s400/kjg_0936_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Red knows his way around town, and with his expert guidance, in no time, we were standing on the platform of Manila's intercity rail system. The ultra modern, comfortable, air conditioned cars are clean, economical and efficient.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_MyMVKePgI/AAAAAAAAA_8/btZtc8ZkudY/s1600/kjg_0953_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_MyMVKePgI/AAAAAAAAA_8/btZtc8ZkudY/s400/kjg_0953_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">photo by Red Santos</span> </div>We took the rail system as far as we could and then caught a local Jeepnie for the last leg of our journey to Obando.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_MyNlvc82I/AAAAAAAABAE/GtIUJwqG3uk/s1600/kjg_0968_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_MyNlvc82I/AAAAAAAABAE/GtIUJwqG3uk/s400/kjg_0968_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On the ride there, Red spoke to the locals, asking some specifics about the location and activities surrounding the Fertility Festival. One man in the Jeepnie was a wealth of information!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_MySlFKtpI/AAAAAAAABAs/k81ivpNKpF4/s1600/kjg_3916_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_MySlFKtpI/AAAAAAAABAs/k81ivpNKpF4/s400/kjg_3916_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>After about an hour and a half we arrived in Obando, and headed to the large church where the parade and mass takes place. Locals told us that there was a mass at 5:00 followed by a procession at 6:00. With time to kill Red and I wandered around making pictures in the area. We decided not to wait around until the procession, choosing rather, to visit one of Manila's largest flower markets.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_MyPiR60UI/AAAAAAAABAU/sTGhbO-h8cY/s1600/kjg_1084_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_MyPiR60UI/AAAAAAAABAU/sTGhbO-h8cY/s400/kjg_1084_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>With amazing color and a mix of fragrances, the flower market was fantastic! If we end up doing a photo tour in the Philippines, this will be on our list of shoots.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_MyQtxv9nI/AAAAAAAABAc/oC_NsZISQvc/s1600/kjg_1104_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_MyQtxv9nI/AAAAAAAABAc/oC_NsZISQvc/s400/kjg_1104_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_MyRl3kOEI/AAAAAAAABAk/-e2Se_fw84Y/s1600/kjg_1118_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_MyRl3kOEI/AAAAAAAABAk/-e2Se_fw84Y/s400/kjg_1118_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>As the afternoon went on, my jetlag started kicking in, so Red grabbed a Jeepnie back home, and I, took a cab back to my hotel.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_MyO24lPhI/AAAAAAAABAM/-G274XGKb5s/s1600/kjg_1048_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_MyO24lPhI/AAAAAAAABAM/-G274XGKb5s/s400/kjg_1048_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Quite an amazing first day here in Manila. This Philippines photo tour is looking like a good idea!<br />
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Stay tuned,<br />
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KarlKarl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-46492268462277659962010-05-17T16:50:00.000-07:002010-05-17T16:52:32.533-07:00The Philippines, a new photo tour destination?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After 17 long hours I arrived in Manila, to a spectacular sunrise. The flight seemed long, especially with a refueling stop in Guam, but I had time to read parts of the Nikon D3s manual, which by the way, is like slogging through Tolstoy's War and Peace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_HV82DQMcI/AAAAAAAAA_k/GJfwi0dWM5w/s1600/kjg_0925_2std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_HV82DQMcI/AAAAAAAAA_k/GJfwi0dWM5w/s400/kjg_0925_2std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I'm here in the Philippines to evaluate the potential of offering a photo tour here. I've worked in the Philippines extensively for my NGO clients, and throughout my travels I have discovered that it's a place full of friendly people, great food, beautiful scenery and some very unexpected photo opportunities. Jim and I have been looking to expand our <a href="http://jimcline.com/PhotoTours/tours.htm">photo tour offerings</a> into some of the less visited areas of the world and the Philippines seems like the perfect spot.<br />
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During the long flight here, I gathered some great information and recommendations about traveling in the Philippines from my seatmate Jay, and his friend Andre. Jay and Andre are Filipino businessmen, they were returning from a motorcycle tour through Chile and Peru. Both were a great source of information about overland travel in the Philippines due to the fact that being part of a Manila based motorcycle club, they have traversed much of the Philippine road network, including both paved and dirt roads. We poured over maps and books and Andre and Jay filled me in on road conditions, travel distances and travel times.<br />
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I'm now sitting in my hotel lobby, unable to check in because it's only 8:00 am. I should try to get some sleep, but I'm to pumped up about getting out there to shoot some images. At noon, there's a Fertility Festival in Obando calling my new Nikons.<br />
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Take care, and stay with me...I'll try and provide a bit of info on my travels, along with a photo or two everyfew days.<br />
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Cheers,<br />
<br />
KarlKarl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-12250412437450754362010-05-16T14:36:00.000-07:002010-05-17T16:04:00.555-07:00RTFMI'm not looking forward to tonight's long flight from LA to Manila. A coach seat isn't exactly what you'd call comfortable, especially with an expected fly-time of about 17 hours. But that doesn't have to be time wasted..not when I have a new "novel" to read!<br />
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With the arrival of the new Nikon D3s's, it's time for me to really familiarize myself with these new tools. Having shot Canon for the past 6 years, I'm actually looking forward to learning something new, and getting my hands back on some Nikons. If there's one thing Nikon excels at, it's ergonomics. Nothing feels quite as good in your hand as that sculpted Nikon grip and the way the shutter release button is canted at just the right angle to meet your finger. Ahhhhh!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_BiUpxDroI/AAAAAAAAA_U/uEA087SrzrI/s1600/dscn0363_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_BiUpxDroI/AAAAAAAAA_U/uEA087SrzrI/s400/dscn0363_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Time to RTFM (read the * manual)....my gosh, it's three quarters of an inch thick and contains over 430 pages! Today's camera manuals are a whole different story from what we were used to seeing back in the film days. <br />
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Upon arrival in Manila, I'm meeting freelance Filipino journalist, Red Santos. We're heading north of town to shoot the Obando Fertility Festival, so tonight will be my last chance to have an in-depth look and the D3s manual and make any last minor tweaks.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_BgQQsh7jI/AAAAAAAAA_M/lv0WL6dTYVI/s1600/stenhouse_magnoliahs__295_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S_BgQQsh7jI/AAAAAAAAA_M/lv0WL6dTYVI/s400/stenhouse_magnoliahs__295_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On Friday, I shot the D3s's in Los Angeles during an assignment for an old friend, Dan Tobin. Dan previously headed up the communications department at <a href="http://edc.org/">Education Development Center</a>, an NGO with prorams world wide. Dan now runs <a href="http://www.stenhouse.com/">Stenhouse Publishers</a> and he needed photos of high school students reading, learning and interacting with teachers. One of the classrooms I was photographing in, lacked a window, so I shot most of it at ISOs over and above what I could have, with my 6 year old Canon Mark II's. Everything with the D3s's was great, except that I felt like the focus was a bit slow. I think I'm going to have a look at reducing the number of available focus points, and see if that speeds things up.<br />
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So, on the plane tonight, it looks like I'm going to get a chance to test the effectiveness of the D3s owners manual. Let's see if it is as potent as an Ambien and a Bud Light.<br />
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Sweet dreams all.<br />
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Ciao.<br />
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KarlKarl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-3681533158186579552010-05-07T09:59:00.000-07:002010-05-07T09:59:06.667-07:00Reach GlobalToday I would like to highlight one of my clients: Reach Global. I shot for Reach in India, documenting their activities and programs. <a href="http://www.reach-global.org/reachglobal/index.cfm">Click here to visit their website</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S-RGqYd3-wI/AAAAAAAAA80/KOGO-jw7fio/s1600/ReachGlobal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S-RGqYd3-wI/AAAAAAAAA80/KOGO-jw7fio/s320/ReachGlobal.JPG" /></a></div>Reach designs life changing education on health, livelihoods and family finance and replicates its delivery in the world's poorest communities. They are an amazing group of dedicated individuals, out there making a difference. They are the quiet heroes that you probably have never heard of, so I'm introducing them to you. Have a look, I think you'll be quite impressed with the work that they are doing. Cheers, KarlKarl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-79190701633006595422010-04-30T08:04:00.000-07:002010-05-01T08:24:02.807-07:0010 QuestionsHeber Vega is a humanitarian worker and photographer. He's originally from Chile but now based in northern Iraq doing humanitarian work. Heber has a very informative blog and website. Currently, he's doing a series of interviews called "10 Questions", it's about photographers who shoot for NGOs (non-government humanitarian organizations).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S9rwucHUyTI/AAAAAAAAA70/MbcNhxWZC2A/s320/heber.JPG" /></div><br />
He has interviewed several different photographers, and last week interviewed me. He just posted the text and pictures on-line, this morning. If you would like to see the interviews and learn more about photographers who shoot for NGOs <a href="http://www.hebervega.com/2010/04/30/10q-interview-karl-grobl/">click here</a>.<a href="http://www.hebervega.com/2010/04/30/10q-interview-karl-grobl/"><br />
</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S9rw0BKebQI/AAAAAAAAA78/TP1iN99gzqY/s1600/Cambodia2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S9rw0BKebQI/AAAAAAAAA78/TP1iN99gzqY/s320/Cambodia2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Have a great weekend.</div><br />
KarlKarl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-81282395774224360122010-04-29T10:27:00.000-07:002010-05-03T09:40:40.874-07:00The Nikons arrived, my Canons are for Sale<div style="text-align: left;">Well, as much as I hate to do it, I'm selling my Canons. It's been 6 years that I've worked with them, but it's time to let 'em go. These two workhorses have done an admirable job for me and I have enjoyed making images all around the world with them, but the new Nikons were expensive, and it's time to recoup whatever is left of my original investment of $12,852 in May of 2004. </div><br />
So, without further ado, here is the technical info and some images of my <a href="http://www.karlgrobl.com/EquipmentReviews/ThrashedCanons.htm">"legendary" Canons</a>. If you, or anyone you know needs these, I'll be auctioning them off with a starting bid for the <b>whole system</b> of just $3500 USD (plus shipping). Please note that I will not be selling individual components of this system, it goes as a package deal. If you're interested just send me an email with your bid and when I get back from my assignment in Ecuador on May 8th, (if there are any bids) I'll contact the winner. My email is karl@karlgrobl.com <br />
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In the case of a tie, I'll go with the person who's email came first. Please don't call my house, as my wife knows nothing about these cameras. I'm really hoping that by offering them up to you guys, my friends first, that the cameras will go to a good home....if nothing happens here, then they go to an Ebay auction and will probably end up being purchased by a re-seller who will clean them up, split up the set and sell the pieces individually for more.<br />
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The complete system includes the following:<br />
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2 Canon EOS 1D Mark II bodies<br />
1 Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS Lens (USM)<br />
1 Canonm EF 16-35 f/2.8L Lens (USM)<br />
1 Canon EF 2x Extender II (mint condition..never used)<br />
1 Canon Speedlight 580EX Flash<br />
4 batteries Canon NIMH Battery Pack f/EOS 1D (they hold about 40% of their original longevity after a full charge). In other words, when I start a day with a fully charged battery and shoot 300-400 frames per camera, they would burn through one battery each.<br />
All original boxes, lens cases, cables, software disks,1 like-new charger and 1 "thrashed" but repaired charger. <br />
No lens caps, no straps, no UV filters <b>(UV filters were always protecting the lenses but now I'm transferring those filters to my Nikons).</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S9m2cfIw2_I/AAAAAAAAA7A/-AEXDtA-Pvs/s1600/KJG_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S9m2cfIw2_I/AAAAAAAAA7A/-AEXDtA-Pvs/s400/KJG_0011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> click on image to enlarge, then click again to see full size</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>As you can see by the pictures in <a href="http://www.karlgrobl.com/EquipmentReviews/ThrashedCanons.htm">this link</a>, the bodies and lenses are pretty "rough" on the outside, but they are in excellent working order. The lenses have no scratches on the front or rear elements. My buddy Ken Rockwell tested and reviewed the 70-200 after I dropped it a few years ago, see that review <a href="http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/70-200mm-f28-is.htm">here</a> . Ken commented... "Not only does this dropped lens still work, it's one of the best lenses I've tested for real-world use".<br />
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I recently slipped and fell on wet pavement while working in Hanoi...the body with the 16-35 lens hit the ground, but it's still working just fine. That story <a href="http://karlgrobl.blogspot.com/2010/03/ouch.html">here</a>. <br />
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Both bodies have over 160,000 shutter releases. One had a defective shutter which Canon replaced free of charge after about 40,000 and it's now at 126,051, the other shutter is at 162,611. These shutters are rated for 200,000, but often work well beyond those predictions. So, even if the shutters die at 200,000 frames, you still have a combined total of over 70,000 shots left, or the equivalent of 1,944 - 36 exposure rolls of film before taking them in to Canon to have new shutters installed. <br />
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I have tried to answer any and all possible questions here but if you need to know something else about the cameras, please email me rather than leaving a comment on the blog, as I won't be looking at comments nearly as often as checking my karl@karlgrobl.com email. And, again, I'm going to be in Ecuador until the 8th, so emails won't necessarily be replied to quickly either. Sorry.<br />
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Again, please don't call the house, my wife has no info on the cameras. <br />
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Anyway, I would love to see these bodies continue to be used, they would be great tools for someone who's on a budget, and needs or wants a professional system. I was making a living, selling the images that I was shooting with these cameras just last month, perhaps you can too.<br />
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If you are new to this blog and you would like to know a bit more about me, here's <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1771501169">a</a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1771501169"> link to a recent interview I did about my work</a><a href="http://www.hebervega.com/2010/04/30/10q-interview-karl-grobl/"> as a humanitarian photographer.</a><br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
<br />
Karl<br />
karl@karlgrobl.com<br />
<br />
see more photos below, click on each image to expand <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S9m-bX3_qlI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/xm8iAO20pqc/s1600/kjg_0013_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S9m-bX3_qlI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/xm8iAO20pqc/s400/kjg_0013_std.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S9m-aWKi8EI/AAAAAAAAA7I/cRHV7543iEc/s1600/kjg_0012_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S9m-aWKi8EI/AAAAAAAAA7I/cRHV7543iEc/s400/kjg_0012_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S9m-c-IB26I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/te0Nzc7or7U/s1600/kjg_0014_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S9m-c-IB26I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/te0Nzc7or7U/s400/kjg_0014_std.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S9m-eILnq1I/AAAAAAAAA7g/9kvcLdmAitw/s1600/kjg_0015_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S9m-eILnq1I/AAAAAAAAA7g/9kvcLdmAitw/s400/kjg_0015_std.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S9m-fM0yrwI/AAAAAAAAA7o/vrUoMppSTis/s1600/kjg_0016_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S9m-fM0yrwI/AAAAAAAAA7o/vrUoMppSTis/s400/kjg_0016_std.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Karl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-45521184782036878222010-04-19T09:53:00.000-07:002010-04-19T12:52:17.529-07:00It’s official, I’m announcing retirement:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8Nf7Hb3WdI/AAAAAAAAA4w/c6Ku7hlfPXU/s1600/ThrashedCanon_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8Nf7Hb3WdI/AAAAAAAAA4w/c6Ku7hlfPXU/s320/ThrashedCanon_03.jpg" /></a></div>The retirement of the two Canon Mark II bodies and the 16-35 and 70-200 lenses that have served me so well over the last 6 years. These two workhorses have been the tools which have helped me earn a living. They have been by my side through thick & thin, and then some. I’ve lived with them and enjoyed them as friends. I’ve slept with my head resting on them during train rides across India, I’ve protected them from would-be robbers in Haiti, and hid them under beds in Kabul, Cotabato and Cali. I've been tossed out of Cuba with them when I couldn't convince immigration officials that I was a vacationing tourist who just happened to have worn-looking professional cameras. My Canons have been locked up with my PackSafe in countless five-dollar-a-night hotels around the globe. I’ve shot them, unprotected, in heavy downpours in East Timor and in the dust storms of Southern Sudan. I’ve made images of Rajasthani rickshaw drivers and watched their eyes light up as I showed them their picture on the screen. I’ve handed them to novice monks in Burma and watched in delight as they discovered, wide-eyed, about the magic of digital photography.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8NZKDFjS7I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/hjk4SsP0ypU/s1600/NiviceMonkWithCanon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8NZKDFjS7I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/hjk4SsP0ypU/s320/NiviceMonkWithCanon.jpg" /></a></div>Although I have mishandled them, including one incident when I dropped my 70-200 nine feet down, off of an elephant, (that story <a href="http://www.karlgrobl.com/EquipmentReviews/DropTests.htm">here</a>) and Ken Rockwell's review of the amazingly undamaged lens <a href="http://kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/70-200mm-f28-is.htm">here</a>), only once did these Cameras ever let me down; that was in Sri Lanka, back in 2006 while shooting one-year anniversary of the Tsunami when a shutter broke (<a href="http://www.karlgrobl.com/EquipmentReviews/BrokenShutter.htm">story here</a>). <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8NZiA1fY6I/AAAAAAAAA4Y/D_JBNdmLdoM/s1600/BrokenShutter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8NZiA1fY6I/AAAAAAAAA4Y/D_JBNdmLdoM/s320/BrokenShutter.jpg" /></a></div>But alas, technology marches forward in this new age of building faster, lighter, better, sharper cameras every 6months. In “digital camera years” these Mark II bodies are dinosaurs. In order to serve my clients well, and provide them with the best images I can deliver, it’s time to replace them with upgraded technology. So, a few days ago I pulled the trigger and ordered two Nikon D3s’s from Adorama…..Nikon you gasp…yep, that’s right, Nikon. After much thought and a thorough analysis of the costs, I have decided to switch back to Nikon. You may remember my story in 2004 when I was robbed of my two trusted D1X’s while in a really bad neighborhood in Lima Peru (<a href="http://www.karlgrobl.com/EquipmentReviews/cameras.htm">story here</a>). <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8Nah5NvXwI/AAAAAAAAA4o/zuph2qM8IpU/s1600/Jaipur_3638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8Nah5NvXwI/AAAAAAAAA4o/zuph2qM8IpU/s320/Jaipur_3638.jpg" /></a></div>The debate that many photographers have over Nikon vs Canon, is something that has never really interested me, and I’ve always said that which camera you’re using doesn’t make a difference (see my quote in the last paragraph <a href="http://www.karlgrobl.com/EquipmentReviews/ThrashedCanons.htm">here</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8yOD_Pl_UI/AAAAAAAAA6o/eiTtWrLBCOE/s1600/zzkarlgrobl_0004_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8yOD_Pl_UI/AAAAAAAAA6o/eiTtWrLBCOE/s320/zzkarlgrobl_0004_std.jpg" /></a></div>My decision to “upgrade” is based on the improvement in picture quality at high ISO’s which I believe to be the most significant advancement in recent years, and my decision to switch from Canon to Nikon is based mostly on economic reasons....Let me explain: The way I see it, at this time, Nikon offers a full frame pro body with high ISO capability for $5000 while Canon’s full frame Mark IIIs is $6,115 and lacks high the newer, cleaner, high ISO settings. Since I have to buy two bodies, the math is simple. I can get 2 Nikon bodies, the 2 new lenses I need (the17-35 f2.8 and the new 70-200 f2.8), one extra battery and a flash (SB-400) for $14,609, while with Canon, it would cost me $12,229 for 2 full-frame 1Ds Mark III bodies, (old technology with max 1600 ISO), plus another $2499 for the new improved 70-200 2.8, for a total of $14,729 . (Replacing the 16-35 2.8 would add another $1,520, but of course, I could just keep using my existing 16-35, 2.8).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8yMT4m0ymI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/8xGYJbhyoKg/s1600/KidsWithMyCameras_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8yMT4m0ymI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/8xGYJbhyoKg/s320/KidsWithMyCameras_0001.jpg" /></a></div>Perhaps some would say, “but you can get the 5D Mark II for $2,500”…..I know, I know, but I need the toughness of professional bodies which can withstand the rigors and abuse that I will be subjecting them to, as well as ergonomics that don’t allow dials to be accidentally rotated when bumped (this is a problem I see with the command dial on the 5D Mark II). And then there was the option to get the new Canon Mark IV but I really wanted to get back to a full frame, for the little bit of extra wideness rather than stay with the 1.3 crop factor.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8yMVkha4rI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/EsSSi2XE7Ro/s1600/KidsWithMyCameras_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8yMVkha4rI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/EsSSi2XE7Ro/s320/KidsWithMyCameras_0002.jpg" /></a></div>So; soon, I’ll be shooting Nikon again. Frankly, I’m looking forward to something new. Change is good, that’s one of the reasons I love my job so much…whether it’s traveling to a new country, covering a new story or in this case, getting new camera gear; change offers me an opportunity to learn something new.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8yMXT-CF3I/AAAAAAAAA6g/-OeN3RvHiOc/s1600/KidsWithMyCameras_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8yMXT-CF3I/AAAAAAAAA6g/-OeN3RvHiOc/s320/KidsWithMyCameras_0004.jpg" /></a></div>Sure, I’ll have to get used to lenses that mount and zoom in the reverse direction, and yes, I’ll have to read an owner’s manual the size of an encyclopedia, but hell, why not, I need something to do on my next 16 hour trans-pacific flight.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8NZyqoXYuI/AAAAAAAAA4g/A9G4EirKzmU/s1600/ThrashedCanon_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8NZyqoXYuI/AAAAAAAAA4g/A9G4EirKzmU/s320/ThrashedCanon_01.jpg" /></a></div>As for the future of my 2 “gently” used, near “mint condition” Canons (ha ha), I’ll be selling those in order to help defer the cost of the new Nikons. So, if you know someone who might be interested in buying them, let me know, I’ll give them a great deal.<br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
<br />
KarlKarl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-52762300087015686552010-04-14T10:30:00.000-07:002010-04-14T12:30:03.813-07:00Model Release?I get a ton of questions regarding model releases, and to tell you the truth, I rarely if ever get them because most of the images I create are for editorial use. That being said, there are occasions when I want or need to obtain a model release.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8X61JmPnUI/AAAAAAAAA54/z3JpA4aOuYI/s1600/sudan__01_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8X61JmPnUI/AAAAAAAAA54/z3JpA4aOuYI/s320/sudan__01_std.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Woman, Wad Shamam, Sudan (no, I did not get a model release)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>It's always a pain digging through the camera bag (which is usually back at the hotel, or in the vehicle, too far away to get at) for a paper copy of a model release. So, when I learned from my friend Matt Brandon (The Digital Trekker) about Easy Release, available as an iPhone App, I went ahead and grabbed it for $9.99. It's an amazing tool which just eliminated another piece of paper that I had to worry about carrying around. Wow, every time I am away for a few months I come back and something newer, faster, easier has come along!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8X4PRBrsVI/AAAAAAAAA5w/7ypI9MW6Uos/s1600/eastrelease.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8X4PRBrsVI/AAAAAAAAA5w/7ypI9MW6Uos/s320/eastrelease.JPG" /></a></div>Easy Release works like this...you download it onto your iphone or ipod touch, fill in the "photographer details" and next time you need to get a release you follow the on-screen instructions, and have the subject of your photo sign right on the screen of your iPhone. When it's all done, you email yourself, and the model a copy (including a PDF with a photo if you like) and you're done!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8YXErp6VQI/AAAAAAAAA6A/luZlx7-40ts/s1600/MoroIslamic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8YXErp6VQI/AAAAAAAAA6A/luZlx7-40ts/s320/MoroIslamic.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Moro Islamic Liberation Front Fighters, Cotabato, Mindanao, The Philippines 2009</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(no, I did not get a model release)<br />
</span></div>Be advised, it does take a bit of time to fill in all the information using the tiny screen on your iphone, as you stand there, in the field with the model, but in the long run, having a digital copy makes a lot of sense, and the time and effort is probably worth it.<br />
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Here's the link to the App Store page for <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/easy-release/id360835268">Easy Release</a><br />
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Below please find and exerpt from the American Society of Media Photographers about model releases. (<a href="http://asmp.org/tutorials/property-and-model-releases.html">full tutorial here</a>)<br />
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"A release is a written agreement between you and the person you are photographing, or the person who owns the property you are photographing. The purpose of the release is to protect you from any future lawsuits the person might file for claims such as defamation and invasion of privacy.<br />
<br />
A model release says the person being photographed has given consent to be photographed and to the use of the images you capture. It doesn’t just apply to professional models or situations where people know they are posing for photos. You should seek to get a signed model release any time that your photos contain recognizable images of people, unless you are certain that you will never want to use them for anything other than editorial purposes.<br />
<br />
A property release says that the owner of a certain property, such as a pet or a building, has given you consent to take and use images of the property. You don’t need one for public property, such as government buildings (although you may run into problems just from photographing them, for security reasons). But for images of private property — and particularly of objects that are closely identified with specific people — you are safer if you get a release.<br />
<br />
The releases you obtain should be saved forever and should be linked in some way with the photographs to which they relate. You can expect to be asked to produce them whenever you license an image, and you will need them if you ever have to defend yourself in court."Karl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-1375819033037136412010-04-13T08:30:00.000-07:002010-04-13T08:52:43.373-07:00Coke, Color and CopsCoca-Cola, or "nectar of the gods" as I call it, is the one thing that you can usually find, no matter where you are in the world. Zambuanga, Mindanao, the Philippines was no exception. I liked the combination of texture, color and shape in this scene, which I noticed on the side of the shop were I had just purchased a cold Coke.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8QA-EePoeI/AAAAAAAAA5I/tNagR6xIiL4/s1600/coke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8QA-EePoeI/AAAAAAAAA5I/tNagR6xIiL4/s320/coke.jpg" /></a></div>I'm always on the lookout for great color combinations, and this mixture of blue with a dash of red caught my eye. The image was shot from the back window of the vehicle I was traveling in while stopped at a stoplight in Koronadal, Mindanao, the Philippines. Waiting for the boy to notice me as he peered out of the garage, I squeezed off a frame at the very moment our eyes met.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8QA_66zvjI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/0AuKMtuI0Lk/s1600/ffh_philippines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8QA_66zvjI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/0AuKMtuI0Lk/s320/ffh_philippines.jpg" /></a></div>Cops are usually the guys you want to be friendly with, especially in dicey areas. While in Cotabato, Mindanao, the Philippines, I got to know the policeman who was in charge of the checkpoint on a bridge on the outskirts of town. On the day that I left, I asked to make his photo, he happily complied.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8QBD7lUKRI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/12KfFuH1nTc/s1600/theasiafoundationphilippine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8QBD7lUKRI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/12KfFuH1nTc/s320/theasiafoundationphilippine.jpg" /></a></div>Karl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-30981073775404927322010-04-12T11:54:00.000-07:002010-04-12T11:57:19.696-07:00Back in San Diego<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8Np1gvtmrI/AAAAAAAAA44/au8cwkvxdlU/s1600/TAF_SriLanka_SlideShow_0147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8Np1gvtmrI/AAAAAAAAA44/au8cwkvxdlU/s320/TAF_SriLanka_SlideShow_0147.jpg" /></a></div>I can't believe that it's been over three months since my early January departure for Sri Lanka to cover a story about <a href="http://asiafoundation.org/in-asia/2010/01/25/sri-lankas-presidential-election-the-suspense-builds/">post-war peacebuilding for the Asia Foundation</a> . That assignment, followed by other NGO jobs, and my work leading 2 back-to-back photo tours in <a href="http://jimcline.com/PhotoTours/Southeast%20Asia.htm">Thailand, Laos and Cambodia</a> as well as a new photo tour to <a href="http://jimcline.com/PhotoTours/Vietnam.htm">Vietnam</a>, has kept me pretty busy.<br />
<br />
I'll be home for a while, catching up on correspondence, re-supplying, recharging and enjoying the comforts and conveniences of San Diego.<br />
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It's always nice to come back and see some of the mail that has accumulated, including publications that have come in, from clients who have used some of the images that I shot for them.(below <a href="http://www.edc.org/newsroom/update/2009/fall">EductionDevelopmentCenter's</a> use of an image I shot for them in East Timor)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8NrO0nvkkI/AAAAAAAAA5A/nRcvyxn1dAQ/s1600/EDCEastTimeor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S8NrO0nvkkI/AAAAAAAAA5A/nRcvyxn1dAQ/s320/EDCEastTimeor.JPG" /></a></div><br />
It's also my opportunity to catch up on reading and get inspired...mostly by my magazine subscriptions including NPPA and National Geographic.<br />
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Once I dig out from under tons of correspondence and catch up on phone calls, I'll have a surprise announcement for you gear-heads, so please stay tuned, and as always, thanks for following the blog.<br />
<br />
Cheers, KarlKarl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-36247884588869667062010-03-27T23:06:00.000-07:002010-03-27T23:08:42.584-07:00Participant's ImagesNow that the Vietnam Trip is finished, I would like to showcase some of the participant's images. Everyone captured some truly amazing photos. It's always exciting to see how each person "saw" a particular scene. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S67xQmVe1qI/AAAAAAAAA4A/PDy_6hkGvKE/s1600/Gulf-of-Tonkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S67xQmVe1qI/AAAAAAAAA4A/PDy_6hkGvKE/s320/Gulf-of-Tonkin.jpg" /></a></div>This outstanding image shot by Steve Chan was made during out boat trip on Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin, north VietnamKarl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-12581305137542021002010-03-21T23:26:00.000-07:002010-03-21T23:26:02.361-07:00Vietnam Tour & Angkor Wat extension finished!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6cNELDSRrI/AAAAAAAAA34/XQNxbaNB2tU/s1600-h/hq8v2751_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6cNELDSRrI/AAAAAAAAA34/XQNxbaNB2tU/s320/hq8v2751_std.jpg" /></a></div> Well folks, it was a great trip...our first, annual Vietnam photo tour! I know everyone who came along had a great time and I hope that all of you following the blog enjoyed all the updates and images. Now I would like to point you to a blog written by Anientra Hamper (daughter of Robbie Hamper, who's been on almost all of my tours, and a few of Jim's). Anietra was a first tim Jim Cline tour guest. She's a news anchor for 10 TV in Ohio. If you have a moment, have a look at what a real writer can do with a blog! I was blown away by her descriptions of the tour. <a href="http://www.10tv.com/live/content/station/stories/2010/02/26/story-blog-anietra-in-vietnam.html">Here's the link</a> Enjoy!Karl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-67958553774579315252010-03-18T07:53:00.000-07:002010-03-18T21:42:37.822-07:00Photo Tour Extension to Angkor Wat Cambodia:<div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">We have arrived in Siem Reap, home of Angkor Wat. It's been a non stop photo shoot!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">No time to write anything, but I wanted to share a few images.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Cheers, Karl </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6I9ov-6opI/AAAAAAAAA1g/wMWv7Ldndsk/s1600-h/hq8v2189_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6I9ov-6opI/AAAAAAAAA1g/wMWv7Ldndsk/s320/hq8v2189_std.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6I9u1vvG-I/AAAAAAAAA2I/Qo5zydSo0KU/s1600-h/hr2l2031_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6I9u1vvG-I/AAAAAAAAA2I/Qo5zydSo0KU/s320/hr2l2031_std.jpg" /></a></div><div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Apsara Dancer and Huge heads at Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom Above, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Below: Tour guests Steve and John exploring Beng Mealea temple.</span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6I9pRCjbaI/AAAAAAAAA1o/pANh3Djw4o4/s1600-h/hq8v2341_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <br />
</a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6I9tcVepLI/AAAAAAAAA2A/bdXcnysT48M/s1600-h/hq8v2726_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6I9tcVepLI/AAAAAAAAA2A/bdXcnysT48M/s320/hq8v2726_std.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6I_InfbSTI/AAAAAAAAA3g/Cl8EMBtS_II/s1600-h/hq8v2707_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6I_InfbSTI/AAAAAAAAA3g/Cl8EMBtS_II/s320/hq8v2707_std.jpg" /></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6I-pWyBruI/AAAAAAAAA24/7lllaB4E0cI/s1600-h/hr2l2837_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6I-pWyBruI/AAAAAAAAA24/7lllaB4E0cI/s320/hr2l2837_std.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6I-uxY3BdI/AAAAAAAAA3A/0eyqXjxj6uo/s1600-h/hr2l2643_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6I-uxY3BdI/AAAAAAAAA3A/0eyqXjxj6uo/s320/hr2l2643_std.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6MAkb9LYSI/AAAAAAAAA3o/66L77NXItl4/s1600-h/hr2l2448_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6MAkb9LYSI/AAAAAAAAA3o/66L77NXItl4/s320/hr2l2448_std.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Kompong Kleang fishing village on the Tonle Sap Lake</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6I-z8T0vBI/AAAAAAAAA3I/I0kkq7nJvlQ/s1600-h/hq8v2562_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6I-z8T0vBI/AAAAAAAAA3I/I0kkq7nJvlQ/s320/hq8v2562_std.jpg" /></a></div>Mother with children Kompong Kleang<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6I-9ul_z0I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/9013TjyKgSg/s1600-h/hq8v2341_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6I-9ul_z0I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/9013TjyKgSg/s320/hq8v2341_std.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6I-_Pd_VbI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/x0d55PpToRE/s1600-h/hr2l2143_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6I-_Pd_VbI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/x0d55PpToRE/s320/hr2l2143_std.jpg" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Kids having fun playing with my cameras.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6MAmLLP0dI/AAAAAAAAA3w/jjWkUco7sgg/s1600-h/hr2l2428_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S6MAmLLP0dI/AAAAAAAAA3w/jjWkUco7sgg/s320/hr2l2428_std.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"> Sunset Angkor Wat</span></div></div>Karl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9038612.post-42376035524507631682010-03-15T02:04:00.000-07:002010-03-15T02:47:22.234-07:00Ouch!Drizzly conditions make for slick pavement, which is great for photos but dangerous for walking. While photographing this flower vendor on the streets here in Hanoi about an hour ago, I stepped on a wet curb, slipped and fell, dropping my Mark II with the 16-35 f2.8 as I went down.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S533ajTpSbI/AAAAAAAAA04/EUmnADmeKOM/s1600-h/hq8v2051_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S533ajTpSbI/AAAAAAAAA04/EUmnADmeKOM/s320/hq8v2051_std.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I saw the camera leave my hand, and watched its trajectory in slow motion, then heard that nasty shattering sound and saw some glass flying out past the lens hood as it hit concrete. All the Vietnamese sidewalk vendors gasped and frankly I feared the worst too. Picking up my camera, which had landed with the lens facing away from me, I was thinking to my self; this could be expensive, As I turned the camera towards myself I noticed that it was only the UV filter that had been obliterated. The lens’ front element was intact. I did a quick examination of the camera body as I picked the last chunks of remaining glass out of the bent filter ring.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S5347jA041I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/Ua-E39Dt3c8/s1600-h/hq8v2053ps_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S5347jA041I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/Ua-E39Dt3c8/s320/hq8v2053ps_std.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I snapped off 2 frames; one of the crowd that looked on in horror (above) and one of the noodle shop guy who was standing next to me (below). Everything seemed to be working fine, so I showed the noodle guy the back of my camera, he broke out in a huge smile, the crowd cheered and I breathed a sigh of relief, raised my camera up high, smiled back at everyone and went on shooting. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S533edc8txI/AAAAAAAAA1I/KQmQN1iJtbI/s1600-h/hq8v2054_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S533edc8txI/AAAAAAAAA1I/KQmQN1iJtbI/s320/hq8v2054_std.jpg" /></a></div>Damn, these Canon Mark II bodies, and the pro quality lenses are built tough! I'm not so sure that a lesser quality, cheaper built camera and lens could survive this type of accident. Just another chapter in my <a href="http://www.karlgrobl.com/EquipmentReviews/ThrashedCanons.htm">"Thrashed Canons"</a> story. Cheers, Karl<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S533gL-Y2fI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/6hN3dQMBAgY/s1600-h/zcanon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YDfGGOSO8bI/S533gL-Y2fI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/6hN3dQMBAgY/s320/zcanon.jpg" /></a></div>Karl Groblhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00865425215858448973noreply@blogger.com7