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I've just finished off processing a set of images of my trip to Vietnam. I've posted some individually, but I'll group them all together here in the one thread. C&C most welcome.

Vietnam was a surprise on so many levels. A fascinating place, great people, great culture and very 'interesting' museums highlighting the Communist Party's 'glorious past'. Ha Long was the ultimate day out with a private junk (it was low season and the height of the recession), 5 course dinner cooked on board, beer, wine and tour guide for $150US including transfers from Hanoi. I would have loved to overnight there but our itinerary didn't allow it.

The food, well that was great too. If ever anyone visits, you have to try the Pho, the fresh nem (spring rolls, preferably unfried and full of coriander) and the little one dish 'restaurants' in the old quarter. I did have one meal that was a little concerning though - my beef definitely did NOT come from a cow, and swan wontons are NOT to be tried again!




1. Cyclist





2. Hang Bac





3. Ha Long Rower





4. Hanoi Market





5. Hang Bo





6. Pagoda





7. Fruit Baskets





8. A Quiet Junction





9. Crossed Wires





10. Citroens at The Metropole Hotel





11. My and my Water Buffalo





12. Mausoleum





13. Ha Long





14. Lunch To Go





15. Hanoi Skyline

Some really beautiful shots, my favourite has to be 11. with the lovely misty hills in the background ! How were you storing your camera on your travels out of interest ? as Im jetting off soon abroad

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EOS 400D+BG-E3 Grip --- EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 --- EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM --- EF-S 50mm f/1.8 --- Zeikos 0.40x fisheye adapter

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Thanks Tom - On that trip I had my D90 (gripped), 18-105 and 70-300 in a Tamrac backpack, together with SB-600, memory cards, blower, lens cloth. Not too heavy and always with me. The biggest bonus was getting a cushioned neck strap, slung long so the camera was over a shoulder and sitting on my hip all day - that made things a lot more comfortable. Luckily the tripod stows in the hold luggage (but not needed for any of these shots)

Damn you know you've got a good eye when you can tell HDR even if the image is black and white.

Do I win a cookie?

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http://brianramseyphotography.smugmug.c ... apes/Best/

No cookie, Bramsey!

No HDR in any of them. All single exposures, and no varying exposures from the single RAW file. I used Colour Efex first to boost contrast and detail, and then Silver Efex.

Packet of Bourbons, please...!

Stunning shots Phil!
I love Silver Efex Pro too

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Victor
Nikon D300 - Nikkor 16-85 VR - Nikkor 70-200 2.8 VR I
www.victorhoffmann.com

Great shots. Love the B&W look. Brings back so many memories of our trip there last year. We overnighted at Halong Bay - beautiful place. So many parts of Vietnam are a photographers dream. Hai Van Pass and Ninh Binh provence and the quirky sight of people getting a pedicure or shave on a pavement in amongst all the parked scooters. Only wish I'd had my dslr then.

some lovely great shots looks really good in B&W.
i go to Vietnam every 4 months and love the place, ive taken some great shots but only with a compact. now i got my DSLR I hope i can produce some excelent shots like yours.
seeing them make me miss the place.

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canon rebel 550D 100mm micro, 15-85mm 85-300mm

Great Photo Phil but Personally I'd go for Color version, the subject especially street photo in Vietnam have unique kind of color like fruit basket on the stall, different tone of colour of building, Bilboard & as well the Pagoda, flags of Vietnam & finally the natural landscape.

The composition, detail sharpness & its depth & finally the subject are Epic & stand out the most. Unfortunately the B&W doesn't work well & really killed the mood for me. Overall Great sets of Photo & I'm sure you're having a great trip to Vietnam

Above my Critique as just my 2Cent Opinion.

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Soon.....

No problem, Adi Zulhusni MarkII. Where have you been lurking?

I personally think that Vietnam lends itself to B&W, which gives it a bit more of a timeless quality. Not a lot has changed over time and for example in no 10 the shot could have been taken in the 40s.

Most of these shots were overlooked when I first processed shots from my visit for one reason or another. Converting to B&W seemed to bring something extra out of them.

But on a positive note, at least this thread has drawn a few lurkers out into the open! Thanks guys. It's been getting a bit stale around here recently.

Hi Phil apologies if my previous critique way too harsh & didn't pay attention it was to be B&W sets, at time making comment I was Half sleep & didn't read description that it was solely for B&W sets

Anyway I'm no expert commenting a B&W Photography however its great set & yeah B&W photo are slightly underrated in travel photography

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Soon.....

Great set, B&W suits them well.

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