mich8261
Well-known
we are heading to the Yucatan peninsula for a week's holiday. We will visit the colonial town of Valladolid and then spend several days in Tulum. I plan to bring two camera bodies one for B&W and the other for colour (mostly colour reversal). My wife thinks I'm crazy to bother with B&W (for this trip). She says Mexico as all about colour. I hope to prove her wrong 
. Can you point to good examples of B&W in tropical settings?
. Can you point to good examples of B&W in tropical settings?Merkin
For the Weekend
I am in Mexico right now with nothing but black and white film. I am in Morelia, which has a fantastic old colonial city center. There have been plenty of bright colors, but I have not once wished I had any color film. I obviously don't have anything I can show since I can't process my film until I get back, but there is much more to Mexico than what you see in tourist brochures.
A couple words of advice: Be sure you have a good x-ray bag for your film. I don't know about the airport you will be traveling through, but I couldn't get my film hand checked at Mexican customs The machine was rated safe for up to 1600 ISO, but I am still glad I had the x ray bag. Also, be prepared to pay 15 percent of your film's value as a customs duty if you take more than 12 rolls with you. I recommend taking all of your film with you, as I have seen very little in terms of film that isn't low end 200 speed kodak color rolls. You are allowed to bring 2 cameras with you without facing customs duties.
Also, be sure to pack a 35mm or wider lens, as, at least in my experience here so far, 50mm is a bit too tight for the narrow streets.
Good luck on your trip, and if you find yourself venturing on a whim toward Michoacan, drop me a PM.
A couple words of advice: Be sure you have a good x-ray bag for your film. I don't know about the airport you will be traveling through, but I couldn't get my film hand checked at Mexican customs The machine was rated safe for up to 1600 ISO, but I am still glad I had the x ray bag. Also, be prepared to pay 15 percent of your film's value as a customs duty if you take more than 12 rolls with you. I recommend taking all of your film with you, as I have seen very little in terms of film that isn't low end 200 speed kodak color rolls. You are allowed to bring 2 cameras with you without facing customs duties.
Also, be sure to pack a 35mm or wider lens, as, at least in my experience here so far, 50mm is a bit too tight for the narrow streets.
Good luck on your trip, and if you find yourself venturing on a whim toward Michoacan, drop me a PM.
charjohncarter
Veteran
I go a couple of time a year to Mexico. I always take both a color film and B&W film. Guess which one I enjoy the most? Although Mexico is a very colorful country, I still love my B&Ws the most. I hope you have a great time I always have:
Not my best but it was fun in Taxco, GRO, Mexico (3/26/09).
Not my best but it was fun in Taxco, GRO, Mexico (3/26/09).
mich8261
Well-known
thanks for the info Merkin. I will pick up an x-ray bag. I was a bit put off when the security crew at Heathrow wouldn't hand check anything rated below 3200. I should have gotten a bag then, but forgot. I am bringing a 50 and 35 for the M2, the 40 will stay on the Bessa and the new 21 will jump from one to the other. I'll have more then 12 rolls, but there are two of us.
I look forward to seeing your shots.
I look forward to seeing your shots.
mich8261
Well-known
charjohncarter, I like that shot. Seems timeless. I also think B&W will look great at the Coba and Tulum ruins.
Merkin
For the Weekend
Also, in the states, if they give you any grief, tell them you are planning to underexpose (push) the film, and if you have a lot of film to get hand checked, give yourself extra time to go through security, as they will hand inspect every single roll, and run swabs of a lot of them to check for explosives. It took them about 30 minutes to hand check all of my film.
jja
Well-known
Michel, I was in the Yucatan last summer, doing a similar trip. We rented a car in Cancun and drove to Valladolid, Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Tulum, among other places. You will have a great time shooting in either color or b&w. Definitely bring color slide film, as you plan to. I shot with either Fuji Provia 100 or Fuji Acros 100 our entire trip (did not do any night photography, our days were full and I was usually in bed early).
Here is a link to my family's photo album, in color and b&w:
http://web.mac.com/jjalonzo/iWeb/Site/Yucatan '08.html
Enjoy your trip and feel free to pm me if you have any questions.
Here is a link to my family's photo album, in color and b&w:
http://web.mac.com/jjalonzo/iWeb/Site/Yucatan '08.html
Enjoy your trip and feel free to pm me if you have any questions.
Bingley
Veteran
Michel -- While Mexican villages may be colorful, the drama of Mayan ruins comes across better in b&w, IMO. I visited Chichen Itza last October and shot color film there (almost exclusively w/ a 28mm lens, btw), but the photos looked much better when converted to b&w. Here's a sample (a few more on my flickr):
jja
Well-known
One more note on gear. Of course, your preferences will vary, but I found that two bodies and a 25/50 combo covered all my needs. I carried my MP and M4 everywhere and always felt comfortable.
There are plenty of tourists in Mexico this time of year, and especially at the big ruin sites it pays to arrive early so you can get uncluttered photos.
There are plenty of tourists in Mexico this time of year, and especially at the big ruin sites it pays to arrive early so you can get uncluttered photos.
jja
Well-known
Steve, good work. Here is Tulum:
and Merida:
and Merida:
mich8261
Well-known
I've not had any problem in the US in a long time. I am flying out of Newark where they seem particularly accommodating. I put my film in a clear baggy out of the plastic containers. They seem to appreciate that.
Merkin
For the Weekend
One more gear statement- I certainly can't speak for all of Mexico, but at least here in Morelia, my leicas have been completely invisible. In the states, we have all gotten people coming up to us on the street to talk about our leicas, but everyone here shoots either nikon or canon. I struck up a conversation with a photography student down here, and he didn't even say anything about my leica. Stealthiness ftw!
Merkin
For the Weekend
I didn't have any problems either, in fact, it seemed like the guys were happy to have a bit of a break from staring at the x ray machine monitors. It did take a long time though, and, like I said, I wasn't able to get my film hand checked here in mexico, so an x ray bag is, imho, crucial.
mich8261
Well-known
charjohncarter
Veteran
There are parts of Mexico, that are not ruins that are timeless. Taxco is one, but you can find them everywhere. The first time I went to Mexico this year I went to Puerto Valletta, I know tourists, but you can find old Mexico there too:
or like last year Manzanillo:
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Baldadash
#2
My wife and just went to Puerta Penasco, on the Sea of Cortez, for a wedding over the weekend. We flew through Phoenix and they were very accomodating with my film. I put ten rolls in my xray bag, which I took out of my messenger bag and put in a tub with my shoes so it was not concealed. I haven't had anyone anywhere scan it more than once since I started doing that. Narita airport in Tokyo was probably the most thorough, but was quick and friendly while checking my film. As was Manila, but not exactly thorough. I highly recommend using an xray bag, but then again I don't shoot 3200, just tri-x at 1600. Also, I didn't take very many photos... sat and drank Tecates, Sols and margaritas.
raindog61
Established
Absolutely take black and white film. However I'll warn you now, at least take a decent digital camera or beg, borrow or steal another film camera for colour. You really will regret it.
As for the town of Valladoid. I was lucky enough to spend about half and hour there when our tour bus stopped. Really nice town, lots of architecture and locals to photograph. The Church of San Gervasio and the village square are great places for photography.
As for the town of Tulum. Over the three trips we made town to the area I was able to spend about 4 days in total photographing in the area. It's really not too touristy. Plenty of shops and restaurants. However, if you get off the main street you'll find it's really a great place for black and white photography. The locals are very friendly and are more than willing to pose for portraits. A big smile and a "buenos días" will get you a long way. Also, be sure to visit the local church and the cemetery. Again, plenty of great b/w opportunities.
Also, the beaches in Tulum are second to none.
The only other advice I can offer is brush up on your Spanish. I find the locals are more than willing to talk with you if you "try" to speak in their native tongue. Rarely, did anyone not agree to pose and if they were hesitant I would joke around with them in spanish and they usually let down their guard. As well, I always carried a ton of keychains, pens, pencils and stickers I picked up at our local dollar store to hand out in exchange for a photograph. There's nothing like watching a kids face light up when you hand it to them.
It goes without saying there's plenty of light (and heat) there. I wouldn't shoot with anything higher than a 400 ASA film, which comes in handy for interior photos. As for carrying my gear around. Less is more. Remember, if you're out all day long a heavy camera bag will kill you. I usually carry two rangefinders, with a 35mm, 50 and 75mm lens. I wasn't too worried about airport x-rays, if anything, I was more worried of the heat from carrying film around all day in my bag (but no real problems).
As far as safety goes, it's pretty safe. Use your common sense as with visiting any place in the world, but feel free to explore. That's why you're there in the first place. Again, take the time to talk with the locals, buy them a beer and listen to "their stories"
Have a great time!
As for the town of Valladoid. I was lucky enough to spend about half and hour there when our tour bus stopped. Really nice town, lots of architecture and locals to photograph. The Church of San Gervasio and the village square are great places for photography.
As for the town of Tulum. Over the three trips we made town to the area I was able to spend about 4 days in total photographing in the area. It's really not too touristy. Plenty of shops and restaurants. However, if you get off the main street you'll find it's really a great place for black and white photography. The locals are very friendly and are more than willing to pose for portraits. A big smile and a "buenos días" will get you a long way. Also, be sure to visit the local church and the cemetery. Again, plenty of great b/w opportunities.
Also, the beaches in Tulum are second to none.
The only other advice I can offer is brush up on your Spanish. I find the locals are more than willing to talk with you if you "try" to speak in their native tongue. Rarely, did anyone not agree to pose and if they were hesitant I would joke around with them in spanish and they usually let down their guard. As well, I always carried a ton of keychains, pens, pencils and stickers I picked up at our local dollar store to hand out in exchange for a photograph. There's nothing like watching a kids face light up when you hand it to them.
It goes without saying there's plenty of light (and heat) there. I wouldn't shoot with anything higher than a 400 ASA film, which comes in handy for interior photos. As for carrying my gear around. Less is more. Remember, if you're out all day long a heavy camera bag will kill you. I usually carry two rangefinders, with a 35mm, 50 and 75mm lens. I wasn't too worried about airport x-rays, if anything, I was more worried of the heat from carrying film around all day in my bag (but no real problems).
As far as safety goes, it's pretty safe. Use your common sense as with visiting any place in the world, but feel free to explore. That's why you're there in the first place. Again, take the time to talk with the locals, buy them a beer and listen to "their stories"
Have a great time!
Attachments
raindog61
Established
mich8261
Well-known
very nice shots raindog61. Thanks for the inspiration, people pictures is what I need to push myself to do more of. I'm all set in the colour department as I will have two bodies, the Leica most likely for B&W and the Bessa for colour slide film. Plus my wife is bringing the Canon 40D for macro and nature shots and we'll have a P&S for the beach and snorkeling (in a underwater housing). When it comes to photo gear I just can't travel light.
