Wildlife Photo Tour » Guatemala Photography

Vivero Verapaz Orchid Photography Safari – Coban, Guatemala

twhetten — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:55:30 +0000

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As a follow-up to my article on Orchid Photography at the Vivero Verapaz Orchid Nursery I’m presenting three photographs of miniature orchid. These were extremely hard to photograph as I didn’t have my macro lens with me. Yep, I committed heresy by not taking everything I could on the trip. I hope the Photographic Society of America doesn’t throw me out for such a serious sin as not having everything you might need. When I lead a photography tour to Guatemala in the spring, I’ll have everything I need and then some. I hope you enjoy the orchid photos.

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Guatemala Photography Safari – Vivero Verapaz Orchid Nursery

twhetten — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:00:27 +0000

Vivero Verapaz Orchid about the size of a pencil eraser

: Vivero Verapaz Orchid

Part of my Guatemala Photography Safari was spent in and around Coban. Just a few miles out of town is the world famous Vivero Verapaz Orchid Nursery. This nursery has more than 650 varieties of orchids, including the monja blanca or white nun, an albino looking variety found in this region.

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I spent about 8 hours over two days photographing orchids at the Vivera. Every time I thought I was finished the workers would show me another plant to photograph. What a thrill. Visit the my gallery for more Orchids.

While I was in Guatemala only a few varieties or orchids were in bloom so I intend to lead a photography tour to Guatemala in early spring to photograph Mayan Ruins, Native Peoples, as many species of orchids as possible. Watch my web site for more details.

Guatemala Photo Safari – More People

twhetten — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:23:40 +0000

This is the third installment from my Guatemala Photo Safari. I really had a great time photographing Guatemala, the scenery, wildlife, people, and Mayan culture and ruins.

These photographs are of individuals I’d seen in the open-air market and again in the Plaza next to the market. This market takes the entire width of two parallel streets for about three blocks. The two main streets were connected by four side streets that were also full of people selling their wares.

Baby Sitting

I saw this young girl carrying a toddler several different times and places in the market. I never saw her with an adult nor stop to speak to one. I made the assumption that she was baby sitting a younger sister while one or both of her parents were either shopping or selling. I was able to get this photograph in the Plaza.

The old gentleman with his back towards us is about 5 foot nothing

Greating Old Friend with a Kiss on the Hand

and a half. He was a very small man. Over a three hour period I saw him several times walking all alone in the crowd, doing a market place equivalent of window shopping. I later found him in the Plaza sitting on the ledge. As I watched, trying to get a facial photograph, an old friend came to visit. They first did a one pump hand shake and then the old man kissed the others hand. The joy that they seemed to have at seeing each other was something that truly warmed my heart. They were still holding hands and talking when I left.

Market Place Children Not At Play

This photograph of two young girls selling fruit in Antigua was typical of what I saw, young kids working, not playing. Of course she has her Cell Phone!

Guatemala Photo Safari – People

twhetten — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 19:38:00 +0000

Guatemala is a beautiful place to visit and a better place to photograph. I’m really looking forward to leading a Nature Photography Tour there next year.

Today I’ll talk about people that I had the chance to photograph. The first thing you need to understand that the Guatemala Indians do not like to have their picture taken. Not now, not ever, never! They seem very shy around Anglos. The rest of Guatemalans are very helpful, extremely friendly, and they’ll even pose for you.

Fower Woman Hiding Face

Here is a lady in the market place at Antigua selling flowers. When she saw us walking with cameras she hid her face and kept it hidden until she thought we were no longer looking to get her picture, Wrong! While JL and Jason (see previous article) were talking to another flower vender, I played James Bond and got this shot of her. I learned the technique from JL. Let the camera hang low on the strap and take a hip shot using your thumb to press the shutter. I took it one step further and put my remote release on the camera and only touched the camera to get it pointing in the right direction. Note, use a wide angle lens so you capture the entire shot.

We went to three different Market Places on the trip spending most of the mornings in each one. I used the James Bond method of photography to capture the photographs.

Well Dressed Man About Town

Sad EyesCarrots Into Shopping Basket

Here is a photograph I took in Antigua of a man living on the street. He said we could take his photograph for a few quetzales. I called it Hard Living.

Hard Living

Guatemala Photo Safari

twhetten — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:10 +0000

Copan's-Tony-the-Tigre-(jaguar) 700 AD

What a November. I spent sixteen days in Guatemala on a Photo Safari photographing Mayan Ruins, open air markets, Mayan descendents in their colorful tribal dress, and of course, wildlife. The day before Thanksgiving I flew to Guatemala City where I was picked up by my photography partner J.L. Christman and our driver/interpreter Jason Garby. Jason is a college student on a short break, who learned English from watching TV. His English is excellent and I would recommend him to anyone planning on going to Guatemala. If fact I’m planning on leading a Photography Tour to Guatemala next year and plan to use him.

Jason in front of a Ceiba tree

We spent 95% of our time in the remote areas and staying away from the large cities. When you arrive in Guate. as they call Guatemala City you think you are in any large city through out the world with sky scrapers and traffic congestion. However, less than an hour out of Guate. you realize that you are in a third world country. The average wage is between 200 and 300 Quetzals a day when

: Tikal’s Temple # One

they can find work. The exchange rate was 7.58 Quetzals to $1, making the average daily wage between $27 and $40 a day. With prices for gas, McDonald’s (any fast food), and groceries being about the same as in the US it has got to be tough.

Without exception I found the people very friendly, courteous and wanting to help. With the exception of the Mayan Indians I was allowed to take photographs anywhere of anyone doing whatever. The indigenous folks just plan didn’t want their photos taken.

I’ll write more later and attach more photos