Judy's Holiday

[rtbaum]

After taking two camping trips this summer without my wife, Judy, certain debt needed to be attended to. I allowed her to choose a week of her choosing.



She chose a Western Caribbean cruise as payment. Leaving mild 60* temps in Minnesota, we flew to Miami for an overnight stay at an ocean front hotel before embarkation. Arriving late Saturday, we quickly hit the hay. We awoke to stormy skies and a stiff breeze.



After a quick complimentary breakfast, we took a shuttle to the ship for embarkation. This being our first cruise we were careful to dot all of our i's and crossed our t's. It was still somewhat daunting and stressful; there was a lot of standing in line, each with one stuffed suitcase and one backpack (mine with about 50# of photo gear). Followed by sitting and waiting our grouping to be allowed to board. I began to question my sanity for being talked into this madness. Finally being called to board we quickly learned that many people boarding at the same time tends really clog the elevator!! About that time we discovered that we were quite lucky! Our small but adequate berth with a small window was two flights down and a short distance away, a fact which great for every excursion, as there was no need for the dreaded elevator at the those busy times.

After getting settled and getting plugged in, we headed up on deck for departure.





We were soon underway and we did our first exploration of the ship, myself noting potential subjects for better light.



And the competition and I admired each others gear warily



We ate every evening at 6, something I would definitely change next time.....way to early and messes with getting those sunset photos.

I returned to deck after a nice meal....woulda been better if I hadn't forgotten denture cream!

In fading light, I shot my last photo of US soil



Just a note of gear brought on the trip. I took advantage of the fact that we were on a ship and brought a lot of gear:

D750 as the body
Sigma 400mm telemacro /5.6
Nikon 70-200 /4
Sigma 50mm /1.4 Art
Nikon 28mm/ 1.8
Tamron 90mm /2.8 macro
Manfrotto 055 Tripod
Manfrotto carbon fiber Monopod
assorted memory cards, remote release, and other photo detritus

all crammed into and onto a 3500 ccm backpack.

Yes it was heavy, but I managed well and was satisfied.

More to follow, as I continue to process a few shots


Did I mention that it was windy?

[Manfred M]

So Randy. lessons learned? What who you do differently equipment wise next time?

[Shadowman]

Well it was her trip so those sunsets had to wait. Nice captures, especially like the departing view of the cityscape in the distance. How many other passengers carried camera gear?

[rtbaum]

So Randy. lessons learned? What who you do differently equipment wise next time?

Manfred- I would really have to say that it would really depend the trip. On this trip, I honestly did not regret one ounce. On excursions, I chose those lenses that I felt were appropriate. I was never "feet on ground" longer than 1.5 hours. My excursion guides quickly learned that I was really more interested in doing my own thing, not so much in the presentations. The only real conflict was when the cruise photographer on one excursion and I started playing with my lenses and the guide had to remind us that others really kinda wanted their photographer back

I never really used the tripod much, the monopod was justified for bird shots and was not regretted. I did not use the macro at all because because of time constraints.

Lessons learned ......, the 50mm /1.4 has a very shallow depth of focus and works very well in low light.

[rtbaum]

Well it was her trip so those sunsets had to wait. Nice captures, especially like the departing view of the cityscape in the distance. How many other passengers carried camera gear?

John- As it turned out, sunsets were not all that great most of the time. Judy knows that I am into photography and tolerated my adjusting schedules to accommodate the opportunities. There was only one blow up where she accused me of loving my camera more than her....cured when I bought tanzanite ear rings.

Most passengers carried i-phones and selfie sticks, I would say that only a handful had a serious interest in photography and we all took note of one another.

As a side note, I found the fact that the photos that I took and shared broke many barriers and I met many fine people as a result.

[rtbaum]

The flight down...with 1.5 hour layover, arranging shuttle to hotel, embarkation, and getting settled in, we were faced with our first full day at sea. I slept rather fitfully the entire cruise. No real problem as I enjoyed roaming the ship's empty decks with a fast lens

[Shadowman]

John- As it turned out, sunsets were not all that great most of the time. Judy knows that I am into photography and tolerated my adjusting schedules to accommodate the opportunities. There was only one blow up where she accused me of loving my camera more than her....cured when I bought tanzanite ear rings.

Most passengers carried i-phones and selfie sticks, I would say that only a handful had a serious interest in photography and we all took note of one another.

As a side note, I found the fact that the photos that I took and shared broke many barriers and I met many fine people as a result.

Randy,

Good to know that you and the wife worked out the travel details. Also, good to hear that there were at least a few dedicated photographers on board, who knows next time you and the others can create a modeling workshop to entertain the passengers.

[Wavelength]

Great images ....

[IzzieK]

What a ride you have there...the story is also interesting along with the images. Is the cruise finished yet or you are still there? Let us see more pictures and tell us more story about each one of them like here. I am very interested. I just asked Bill where we are going next...he said "huh?" so I turned my back and left to cook dinner...sssshhh...he is not going to get his chocolate cake for his birthday this year...

[rtbaum]

What a ride you have there...the story is also interesting along with the images. Is the cruise finished yet or you are still there? Let us see more pictures and tell us more story about each one of them like here. I am very interested. I just asked Bill where we are going next...he said "huh?" so I turned my back and left to cook dinner...sssshhh...he is not going to get his chocolate cake for his birthday this year...

Izzie- I would have loved to have posted this "live", but I just couldn't wrap my head around paying the charge for the feed. I had adequate storage, thus I actually concluded the trip this past Sunday at 3 AM local time......I don't wish to discuss that phase of the journey, suffice it to say it was the worst day of the trip.

I shot just short of 600 photos,.....We're just getting started

Carnival serves a chocolately goodness that I could only liken to my own brownie pudding.....a little Blue Mountain coffee and it is just right.

[rtbaum]

At some point, I decided to represent cruise travel from a different light. All around us from the time we stepped aboard, I noted a multitude of staff working tirelessly to make this a memorable cruise. I made a decision that they were an important component to our story needed to be chronicled





During the stroll I met a woman with a warm smile, engaging personality... and amazing blue eyes


Mirage

She, her companion, and multiple kin would would become welcome diversions through out the trip...as were several others

[IzzieK]

Did you use Groupon to find this trip? I had been investigating Groupon deals and Bill told me, airliners like them uses Dargal.

[rtbaum]

Did you use Groupon to find this trip? I had been investigating Groupon deals and Bill told me, airliners like them uses Dargal.

No, it was the result of one of those time share promotions; not a particularly good value as from what I could see it was all free as long as I paid for it

[rtbaum]

I was very concerned about the days at sea as a photographer.....what would I shoot? No birds, no flowers....I really don't do crowds well. Pretty much every activity scheduled by the cruise director left me cold, I don't swim, I don't dance, I don't gamble.



Finally salvation......I found Cuba!




Once again, I was shut out for the caribbean sunset......I didn't mind a bit.

[SamRothstein]

Nice images and story so far. Cruises are something I was always against and never wanted to do. Until I went on one, and loved it. Can't wait to get on another!

[rtbaum]

Nice images and story so far. Cruises are something I was always against and never wanted to do. Until I went on one, and loved it. Can't wait to get on another!

Kinda felt the same way. I would be open to another, but still prefer a week to explore an area.

[rtbaum]

I used much of the time at-sea working on technique, blinkies became my friend. I also wanted (needed) to get out of my comfort zone of birds and flowers on this cruise.

Prior to the cruise, I purchased a Sigma 50/1.4 Art. I had read multiple reviews and wanted put it through the paces with some low light shots...to test high ISO performance of the D750, and I wanted to try food photography.








Our server...in keeping with continuing to highlight the diligent staff

[IzzieK]

These are all good. I love the first one on this ocean batch...very dramatic. Not so much on the mono though...then Cuba look is good too. On this last batch, it looks like they have smaller plates for the main dish compared to the fruit dessert. Looks like you're having a good time...

[rtbaum]

These are all good. I love the first one on this ocean batch...very dramatic. Not so much on the mono though...then Cuba look is good too. On this last batch, it looks like they have smaller plates for the main dish compared to the fruit dessert. Looks like you're having a good time...

The fun fact is that the shots of Cuba were shot in color, Mother nature made it mono....hence why I kinda like it

[rtbaum]

After a nice meal...and beginning to feel a bit stuffed..., it was time for a stroll. Every night had a different musical theme, this evening it was Motown



The plan had been to attend a production involving a bit of song and dance. The continuing rocking of the ship caused cancellation of the 7:30 performance. We chose to the "local" band for the entertainment.



A wise choice, actually, as it was much better; we did attend the 10:00 show, which left me disappointed....and the show did not allow cameras

The bar act included people watching



After stuffing ourselves, viewing the shows, and people watching; it was time for bed. We returned to the room, only to find that we had a new roommate



And off we went to bed, Tuesday was to be a busy day.