Beyond the obvious

The Alhambra in Granada is one of the must see tourist attractions of Spain. A selection of the images I shot there are in my You Tube video in full HD and you can view the still images at your leisure in my places portfolio . Here are a few tips on photographing the Alhambra which can be applied to other popular tourist attractions. The Alhambra limits visitors to between 5,000 and 6,600 per day and it frequently sells out of  tickets for the main attractions. So book well in advance if you want to gain access to the Palacios Nazaríes. Think carefully about what equipment you really need. The place is packed with tourists and in the palace the security guards ask you to carry your bag in front of you. So if you've got a big camera rucksack you're going to have to walk around like a pregnant lady for the afternoon. Being bumped and bumping into other people is not a pleasant experience, so it's best to travel light. When you have to book in advance and wo...

Magda has been through a rough time with her health over a period of several months. She is now starting to recover. On Sunday we went for a walk in the local park. Naturally we had our cameras with us. A photographer's portfolio is the most vital marketing tool he or she has. If you would like to know more about building a successful portfolio then I recommend buying John Kaplan's excellent book, Photo Portfolio Success. Here are some of the tips from leading figures in the industry that he shares in the book: "Show your work and get feedback. Don't ever pass on a good opportunity." - Ruth Adams; photographer, educator. "Develop a personal vision, not just a style. One is just aesthetics and the other is a coming from the soul and the heart." - Tom Kennedy; Director of Photography, Washington Post Newsweek Interactive (Former Director of Photography at National Geographic). "Show the world through your eyes. It's as much about the real world ...