rogue_designer
Reciprocity Failure
Hey all!
I am leaving for Panama in a little over a week to get married and have our honeymoon. I certainly plan to take ALOT of pictures.
Does anyone have any experience shooting in Panama? Any legal concerns or cultural concerns that I should be aware of?
We'll be in Panama City (old town), El Valle de Anton, and Bocas del Toro - any must see spots while there?
Much appreciated.
I am leaving for Panama in a little over a week to get married and have our honeymoon. I certainly plan to take ALOT of pictures.
Does anyone have any experience shooting in Panama? Any legal concerns or cultural concerns that I should be aware of?
We'll be in Panama City (old town), El Valle de Anton, and Bocas del Toro - any must see spots while there?
Much appreciated.
danwilly
Established
Keep a close eye on your equipment. If you put equipment into a bag or suitcase, do it out of view of others or keep it on you. You can't trust anyone, hotel clerks,cabbies, bus drivers. That is just the way it is.
Dan
Dan
oftheherd
Veteran
Wish I could help, but I haven't been there in over 45 years. It was nice back then. I doubt so much so now. Probably best to stay in tourist areas and watch yourself and your new bride very carefully. Hope you enjoy. It was scenic back then.
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
First of all, Congratulations! Its summer in Panama best time of the year.
The canal zone is pretty neat to photog. I just meandered all over but you MUST be careful. Keep your stuff on you at all times, be discreet, and if you must set it down, do so under the table where its not seen.
Only ride in approved taxis from the hotel, to do otherwise is dangerous. Pretenders (pirates) abound. See if you can get on a bus for a short ride. Wow, what a ride. Very colorful and loud boomboxes in the buses. Its wild.
If possible take a tour to a small town to get out in the rainforest. The countryside is another world. Have the hotel hook up the proper day trip.
Always ask questions where to go safely. Keep your stuff zipped up, be alert to your environment.
Congrats and have a great honeymoon.
Paul
The canal zone is pretty neat to photog. I just meandered all over but you MUST be careful. Keep your stuff on you at all times, be discreet, and if you must set it down, do so under the table where its not seen.
Only ride in approved taxis from the hotel, to do otherwise is dangerous. Pretenders (pirates) abound. See if you can get on a bus for a short ride. Wow, what a ride. Very colorful and loud boomboxes in the buses. Its wild.
If possible take a tour to a small town to get out in the rainforest. The countryside is another world. Have the hotel hook up the proper day trip.
Always ask questions where to go safely. Keep your stuff zipped up, be alert to your environment.
Congrats and have a great honeymoon.
Paul
rogue_designer
Reciprocity Failure
thanks all. I'm thinking traveling light. Just two RF bodies and a 21, 35, 50 lens set up. I should be able to keep that all on me most of the time.
I just need to convince KT that I can pack as much film as I think I'll need (she seems to think we'll need to put clothes in there somewhere).
I still haven't seen anything regarding the legality of street shooting in Panama. So I guess I'll shoot, smile, and hope for the best.
If you'd don't hear from me by the end of March, I'm in prison.
I just need to convince KT that I can pack as much film as I think I'll need (she seems to think we'll need to put clothes in there somewhere).
I still haven't seen anything regarding the legality of street shooting in Panama. So I guess I'll shoot, smile, and hope for the best.
If you'd don't hear from me by the end of March, I'm in prison.
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SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
Congratulations, Liam! You'll like both, Panama, the Honeymoon, and married life!
One thing you want to make sure to have is dessicant. No matter what, no matter how, but take some with. Panama is extremely humid, so better carry it with and keep your stuff in it for a while after your return. That, or put your glass under the sun for a good week, just to make sure. A friend of ours who is from there told us that keeping VHS tapes usable was a pain, as they get fungus after a while. So, if a tape gets it, don't risk your lenses: have dessicant, or dessicant-working things with.
As for things to be aware of...
1) Never try to photograph policemen, or armed guards or banks (in which these people may work). They're too stressed out and trigger happy.
2) People in Spanish American countries usually don't mind being photographed if they are in a touristy place, but otherwise, just ask for permission first.
3) Don't be surprised if a perfect stranger ask you to photograph him or her. It's happened to me... and there's never any problem with them. They just want you to photograph them; that's it.
4) If you want to photograph people in markets, don't be sneaky, make your intentions known and, if there's no reaction, there's no objection.
5) Keep your gear always near you. IIRC, you have a Domke F5XB bag that will serve you right as it's small and inconspicuous; just make sure you wear it across your chest, and have your wallet in your front pocket, not in the rear one.
I'll ask my wife about those areas you're going to. She was in Panama some time ago, and her memory is better than mine (I went there a looooooong time ago, and only in Panama city; the downtown was then very picturesque).
Funny... you're getting married... and I'll become a dad in a few months. What else is there?
EDIT: Paul is right. If you can take a bus ride, do it. It's an experience. You may not be able to take a photograph... but then, if you have the right film, get the right exposure and focus, it should be fun. People sing, their bodies keep the beat of the loud music, they sway together and it feels like a very big, packed party.
One thing you want to make sure to have is dessicant. No matter what, no matter how, but take some with. Panama is extremely humid, so better carry it with and keep your stuff in it for a while after your return. That, or put your glass under the sun for a good week, just to make sure. A friend of ours who is from there told us that keeping VHS tapes usable was a pain, as they get fungus after a while. So, if a tape gets it, don't risk your lenses: have dessicant, or dessicant-working things with.
As for things to be aware of...
1) Never try to photograph policemen, or armed guards or banks (in which these people may work). They're too stressed out and trigger happy.
2) People in Spanish American countries usually don't mind being photographed if they are in a touristy place, but otherwise, just ask for permission first.
3) Don't be surprised if a perfect stranger ask you to photograph him or her. It's happened to me... and there's never any problem with them. They just want you to photograph them; that's it.
4) If you want to photograph people in markets, don't be sneaky, make your intentions known and, if there's no reaction, there's no objection.
5) Keep your gear always near you. IIRC, you have a Domke F5XB bag that will serve you right as it's small and inconspicuous; just make sure you wear it across your chest, and have your wallet in your front pocket, not in the rear one.
I'll ask my wife about those areas you're going to. She was in Panama some time ago, and her memory is better than mine (I went there a looooooong time ago, and only in Panama city; the downtown was then very picturesque).
Funny... you're getting married... and I'll become a dad in a few months. What else is there?
EDIT: Paul is right. If you can take a bus ride, do it. It's an experience. You may not be able to take a photograph... but then, if you have the right film, get the right exposure and focus, it should be fun. People sing, their bodies keep the beat of the loud music, they sway together and it feels like a very big, packed party.
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