Shooting in India's extreme conditions ~ an ongoing dialogue

chinaphotographer · May 25th, 2009, 21:23

As I have written in other posts, I am presently traveling across India on a long-term photo excursion. I have been here for three months thus far and expect to be here at least another year. I normally do not have a chance to get online or write posts on IndiaMike, but I am on a brief visa run in Kathmandu and taking advantage of the free WiFi.

Therefore I would like to initiate the following discussion: shooting in India's extreme conditions and how to protect your camera.

Example 1) I first arrived in India during Holi Festival and was blown away (literally) by the sheer volume of dust and dye. Luckily I had this rain guard to protect my d700. However, some dust still penetrated my body and lenses. To this day I can still see pink in the crevises. So while I am on my break I have ordered via UPS this high-quality (and much more expensive) rain guard, which I now plan to use during the monsoons. Any other advice for shooting in the monsoon?

Example 2) I spend about 10 hours per day every day walking around different cities shooting India street photography. My camera is a d700 with a battery grip, and I like to keep my 70-200mm 2.8 VR attached most of the time. However, because of the sheer size and weight of the lens, I have to cradle it in my arms like a baby while walking around. The side-effect of this is that because of the heat and humidity and dust, my arm sweat gets under the zoom ring, and has now left salt residue which causes the ring to stick, making rotating the zoom ring very difficult.

I will ultimately get all my gear cleaned and serviced, or maybe replaced under warranty, but for now I am on the road and can't afford to hand over my gear for any amount of time.

So...does anyone have any suggestions about this or similar circumstances while shooting in wet-dry-hot-cold India?

Thanks in advance...

t

China Travel Photos

edwardseco · May 26th, 2009, 00:58

Mold was a big problem for my lenses! Not cheap to have cleaned. I would take a silica drying arrangement(sold in the all the photo catalogs at significant markup). I use layers of plastic sacks while travelling.
Cheers..

Jorge Reverter · May 26th, 2009, 01:08

Put yourself in Shiva/Vishnu's hands and keep it running. I was last month in Nepal during the New Nepali Year(Bisket Jatra) and the Colour Festival in Thimi was like Holi in India...

Jorge

paintedlotus · May 26th, 2009, 01:56

Last year when traveling during the monsoon my lenses and mirror kept fogging up whenever I'd leave AC and head outside. Sometimes it cleared up fairly quickly (under 10 minutes), other times it took forever (over two hours). It was the worst in Mumbai.

I don't have any particular information to help you guard against this, just be aware that it happens!

edwardseco · May 27th, 2009, 01:19

Just an odd note, to cure the fogging I put a camera in the oven, pilot light only, Its an old trick but I hadn't counted on my spouse pre-warming the oven for cookies. The insurance lady wouldn't pay on that weird of a claim. In fact, she laughed! However, a few months later an earthquake struck and it was smashed, slightly melted but smashed. Insurance paid without an issue as it was a listed cause. Apparently cookeies aren't a common cause of damage..

paintedlotus · May 27th, 2009, 01:44

Wow... so did the lens melt even with only the pilot light going? LOL I guess it's a "good thing" (?) that the earthquake happened then. Not really, but you know what I mean.

abracax · May 27th, 2009, 08:45

I was in Tamil Nad in May once and it was so hot the lubricant inside the lens evaporated and left a fine mist over the elements inside. Luckily it was a manual focus and I knew how to take it apart and clean it. Why are you shooting street scenes with a telephoto lens? People deserve to know when they are getting their photos taken.

chinaphotographer · May 27th, 2009, 15:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by abracax

Why are you shooting street scenes with a telephoto lens? People deserve to know when they are getting their photos taken.

I shoot most of my portraits with a 50mm fixed lens, which allows me to get close and intimate with my subjects. However, when doing street photography, I need to have readily available the option of shooting at varying distances. Not to mention that a zoom lens also allows framing and technical choices that a fixed lens can not. However, by nature, at least 80% of my subjects are apprised of my camera. See for yourself: INDIA TRAVEL PHOTOS. Only 2 of 12 shots are candid.
Nonetheless, candid shots are the life blood of photojournalism, and I'd wager that any pro would disagree with you about their subjects "deserve." But that's a debate for another thread; this thread is about conditions and equipment.

Thanks to everyone for your replies. Any other suggestions?

t

abracax · May 30th, 2009, 22:30

Candid shots are the lifeblood of photojournalism? Ever heard of a model release form? It's why I don't post most of my photos of people here.

chinaphotographer · Jun 1st, 2009, 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by abracax

Candid shots are the lifeblood of photojournalism? Ever heard of a model release form? It's why I don't post most of my photos of people here.

Yes, I believe I have heard of model release forms, considering I have been the largest proponent of them here on IndiaMike. Please check my post archives for reference.
But I implore you, abracax, to study up on your photojournalism. In NO country in the world are photojournalists required to obtain model release forms. Model release forms are only necessary if you are planning on using said image for commercial advertising purposes. Publishing and advertising laws vary by country, so it strictly depends on which country you would be using the image for advertising, if that is even your purpose. I apologize that I don't have time to explain in further detail as I am presently on the road traveling; all this information is readily available online, or at your local university's journalism department, or your local newspaper.

Best,
Tom Carter
India Photography

May 25th, 2009, 21:23	#1
chinaphotographer India Newbie Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Somewhere in India Posts: 57	Shooting in India's extreme conditions ~ an ongoing dialogue As I have written in other posts, I am presently traveling across India on a long-term photo excursion. I have been here for three months thus far and expect to be here at least another year. I normally do not have a chance to get online or write posts on IndiaMike, but I am on a brief visa run in Kathmandu and taking advantage of the free WiFi. Therefore I would like to initiate the following discussion: shooting in India's extreme conditions and how to protect your camera. Example 1) I first arrived in India during Holi Festival and was blown away (literally) by the sheer volume of dust and dye. Luckily I had this rain guard to protect my d700. However, some dust still penetrated my body and lenses. To this day I can still see pink in the crevises. So while I am on my break I have ordered via UPS this high-quality (and much more expensive) rain guard, which I now plan to use during the monsoons. Any other advice for shooting in the monsoon? Example 2) I spend about 10 hours per day every day walking around different cities shooting India street photography. My camera is a d700 with a battery grip, and I like to keep my 70-200mm 2.8 VR attached most of the time. However, because of the sheer size and weight of the lens, I have to cradle it in my arms like a baby while walking around. The side-effect of this is that because of the heat and humidity and dust, my arm sweat gets under the zoom ring, and has now left salt residue which causes the ring to stick, making rotating the zoom ring very difficult. I will ultimately get all my gear cleaned and serviced, or maybe replaced under warranty, but for now I am on the road and can't afford to hand over my gear for any amount of time. So...does anyone have any suggestions about this or similar circumstances while shooting in wet-dry-hot-cold India? Thanks in advance... t China Travel Photos __________________ http://www.tomcarter.org

May 26th, 2009, 01:08	#3
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,466	Put yourself in Shiva/Vishnu's hands and keep it running. I was last month in Nepal during the New Nepali Year(Bisket Jatra) and the Colour Festival in Thimi was like Holi in India... Jorge Attached Thumbnails

May 27th, 2009, 08:45	#7
abracax Mahaguru Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Canada Posts: 709	I was in Tamil Nad in May once and it was so hot the lubricant inside the lens evaporated and left a fine mist over the elements inside. Luckily it was a manual focus and I knew how to take it apart and clean it. Why are you shooting street scenes with a telephoto lens? People deserve to know when they are getting their photos taken. __________________ tbontbtitq (Shakespeare's password)

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May 26th, 2009, 00:58	#2
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,845	Mold was a big problem for my lenses! Not cheap to have cleaned. I would take a silica drying arrangement(sold in the all the photo catalogs at significant markup). I use layers of plastic sacks while travelling. Cheers..

May 26th, 2009, 01:56	#4
paintedlotus Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 58	Last year when traveling during the monsoon my lenses and mirror kept fogging up whenever I'd leave AC and head outside. Sometimes it cleared up fairly quickly (under 10 minutes), other times it took forever (over two hours). It was the worst in Mumbai. I don't have any particular information to help you guard against this, just be aware that it happens!

May 27th, 2009, 01:19	#5
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,845	Just an odd note, to cure the fogging I put a camera in the oven, pilot light only, Its an old trick but I hadn't counted on my spouse pre-warming the oven for cookies. The insurance lady wouldn't pay on that weird of a claim. In fact, she laughed! However, a few months later an earthquake struck and it was smashed, slightly melted but smashed. Insurance paid without an issue as it was a listed cause. Apparently cookeies aren't a common cause of damage..

May 27th, 2009, 01:44	#6
paintedlotus Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 58	Wow... so did the lens melt even with only the pilot light going? LOL I guess it's a "good thing" (?) that the earthquake happened then. Not really, but you know what I mean.

May 30th, 2009, 22:30	#9
abracax Mahaguru Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Canada Posts: 709	Candid shots are the lifeblood of photojournalism? Ever heard of a model release form? It's why I don't post most of my photos of people here.