Alaska Cruise Photography Tips

[rsk7]

Wondering about:

1. What lenses did you take? what focal lengths did you wish you had but didn't? What focal lengths did you use the most?

2. What restrictions were there on taking cameras, lenses, bags on excursions? ( specifically helicopter trips)

3. If you did it again what would you do differently.

4. Where on the ship are good area's to take photos from of what?

Thanks,
Rick

 

[Meskamooska]

Hi All!

I would love info and advice here as well. I shoot with an Olympus e-520 and have an assortment of lenses (11-22, 14-42, 50-200, 70-300, 40-150, 50 prime).

I would also love to get suggestions for great photo spots around the ship, during the Tracy Arm day and at the ports.

Thanks Rick for starting this thread. I look forward to seeing what seasoned pros have to share.

Take care all, help lots of people and have a "Wonder"ful day!
Tisza

 

[Meskamooska]

Bump

 

[pjacobi]

On helicopters and small planes, you will be weighted and seated according to weight. It's possible that backpack may not be permitted, so you may be restricted to one camera with one lens.

Even with a telephoto lens, photos of wildlife can still look like only specks on a mountain/ocean.

To get good wildlife photos, you need to get far, far away from the cruise ship, such as places like Katmai National Park. That involves being out in the woods and fighting bugs. DEET can damage plastics and the finish of camera equipment.


-Paul

 

[denise]

Good thread, I've asked this to many and never gotten answers either.

I have a Nikon D7000, kit lens 18-105 and a 70-300. Both are VR lens. I have a couple without VR as well but will not be taking them with me.

I will be on a helicopter going to a glacier and know that I can't bring my camera bag or tripod.

But which lens should I take?

Shooting in RAW and (I think) on Aperture setting. I have had people tell me to just put it on P and let the camera do it. I have never used P, so that might be weird. I may put the white balance on auto because I can always change it in lightroom.

Any thoughts out there???

 

[fireplug]

I will attempt to give you some info but since I am VERY new to the DSLR world it may be superficial at best


1. What lenses did you take? what focal lengths did you wish you had but didn't? What focal lengths did you use the most? I have a EOS T3i and only brought along my 18-200 lens I suppose it would have been great to also have the reach of a 400 but it wasnt absolutely needed

2. What restrictions were there on taking cameras, lenses, bags on excursions? ( specifically helicopter trips)we did not have any restrictions but we did not go on the helicopters either.

3. If you did it again what would you do differently. This one I just cant answer

4. Where on the ship are good area's to take photos from of what?
ANYWHERE along the railings there are photo ops it seems like everywhere. I carried the camer with me almost all the time. Whales and other sealife can show up anytime

I hope this helps some
Squid

 

[pointandshoot]

Just got back Late last night from the Wonder. Amazing trip. I will post some images with lenses and such in a day or two.


1. What lenses did you take? what focal lengths did you wish you had but didn't? What focal lengths did you use the most?

I lived with my Canon 24-105 4.0 and 100-400 4.5/5.6. I shot the mid ranges zoom on the 5D MKII and a40 D with the telephoto zoom.

I also had a 70-200mm 2.8 and 16-35 2.8 with me. I used the fast telephoto for shows and the wide zoom for interior ship pictures. I did not use them alot though.

I also used a split grad filter (Lee) hand help some.


2. What restrictions were there on taking cameras, lenses, bags on excursions? ( specifically helicopter trips)

Did not do a helicopter trip. Contact the tour provider. They will help. I ad not restrictions on White Pass Railroad, private tour whale watch. On zipline, I used a Nikon D40. Could not keep the camera cover on it per guides.

3. If you did it again what would you do differently.

Nothing. I was worried about the telephoto zoom over taking my prime 400mm 5.6. The 100-400 was the bomb. IS helped on boat for whales, zoomed into landscapes, etc.

I took a tripod. Honestly, I used it for HDR shots on ship but not on tours. It can be left behind if you have fast glass and want to travel light.

4. Where on the ship are good area's to take photos from of what?

Your balcony if you have one. On deck can be cold and rainy at times. We had friends on starboard side and we had a port side room. Depending on the day, we hung out in either room.

I can answer more questions if you like.

Chuck

100-400mm shot from balcony as we departed Juneau. The shop engines must have kicked up the fish. Eagles came soaring in. A good time to shoot eagles is on deck at departure. I have seen this happen twice now in two cruises.

A few more 100-400mm shots.

 

[denise]

great shots!!! Thanks for posting them.
I sail next week and now I am even more excited. I will have my 70-300 as well as my 18-105, so I should be ok. When I do the helicopter ride I will have the 70-300 on the camera and the other in my small pack (aka purse)
Can't wait to see more of your shots...keep them coming...
and thanks again for your input...

 

[pointandshoot]

Sounds like you are covered with the two lenses. A circular polarizer might be helpful if you do not have one for landscapes.

You will see some swings from brights to darks in a shot and cloudiness. I did shoot a fair bit of manual exposure. When not manual, aperture priority.

Have a great trip. Hope the weather is fantastic.

 

[Twigs]

When I went to Alaska I had my 18 - 135 and 70 - 300 and was happy with those. As stated above a circular polarizer comes in very handy. I used it a lot. Besides landscape shots, I used it on the Whitepass and Yukon RR in Skagway the entire trip as we couldn't open the windows, a few time I was able to stand outside at the end of the car. And on the bus trip in Denali, I used it when I couldn't take pics with the window open due to the dust.