Travel Photography
On the first day of my photography school, I had to stand up in class, introduce myself, and explain what kind of a photographer I dreamt of being. To this, I proudly stated, “I want to shoot for the The National Geographic”. Later, I would learn that three years prior to my own announcement, a Swiss girl named Janine had done the same thing. Now, 14 years since that time, neither one of us are Geographic shooters. But, we did meet while applying for a NGS internship and we did shoot numerous assignments for the now defunct National Geographic Adventure. Maybe it is all for the best.
As professional Mountain Sport photographers, we know that having to shoot what you love instead of always just wanting to shoot what you love, sometimes turns it into, well, work. So, each fall we like to take a break from the mountains and go do what we enjoy most about photography, diving into another culture, wandering around, and photographing all the details and scenarios that we stumble upon. Not for work, but for fun.
Vietnam and Cambodia were this year’s destination. There we found a Southeast Asia in a frantic state of development where first world desires are colliding with third world traditions. As so often happens, it is the third world which provides all the color and character.
While shooting in this style we study life, both external and internal, in the hopes of finding beauty within chaos. I tend to focus on segments of the overall while Janine likes to pull back and show the larger picture.
To wake in the pre-dawn darkness and hop onto our rented motorbike, then to buzz along the coastline towards a chaotic fish market, this is our personal little National Geographic assignment.
This bucket is in the photo at the top of the post and was Dan’s honing in on details while Janine preferred the overall scene, above.
The fish market, I knew this was going to produce a cool photo while walking towards the scene
Going a little tighter, suddenly it is an interesting image
Janine Patitucci photographing in Vietnam
Dan Patitucci making a discovery
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Comments 5
Nice work in Vietnam. I spend a month shooting there myself this past summer. What a wonderful country.
Keep up the good work.
I think we all need to be doing more of this.
What bag are you guys carrying your gear in?
Love that you’re getting out there and actually doing shooting for yourselves! I need to be constantly reminded to do this.
Author
Thanks Tim,
I think this sort of thing, no matter what it is for a pro, is key for staying motivated. For us the travel stuff re-energizes.
Camera bags… we don’t use them. I use an old Patagonia fanny pack, Janine usually does the same but was trying the Patagonia shoulder bag in the pic of her.
I am on the lookout for a good one, thoughts?
Dan
I’m using the tamrac3370 little backpack for travel stuff. It’s not as heavy duty as what I use or work but in Vietnam it held the camera, cards, batteries. And because it was rainy season, a poncho, umbrella and backpack cover. I was on the back of a motorbike in a monsoon for an hour and everything was dry.
Love this work Dan and Janine. Hope you both are wonderful!! Look forward to our paths crossing again soon 🙂