Monday (27-December-2010) — Argentina

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 1: Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Since it is summer in the southern hemisphere, the sun rises very early. I went to “Parque Natural Y Reserva Ecologica Costanera Sur” to take some bird pictures. Unlike yesterday when the path through the park was open, this morning it was closed. The sign at the gate said the park was open at 8:00 AM November to March. When I asked someone at the gate all he answered was mañana (tomorrow). I guess the park is closed on Monday. Since the workshop doesn’t start until later today I continued my walking tour of the city. Even though it was morning, it was still very hot. Later in the afternoon, we had a walking tour of the city led by Fredrico from Wanderlust Expediciones.  Thom then started the official part of the workshop with an intense lecture. The group had dinner at a local restaurant (lots of beef — this is Argentina).

Estacion Retiron during a morning walk in Buenos Aires. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 125, 5.7 mm, f/4. 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre)
Estacion Retiron during a morning walk in Buenos Aires. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 125, 5.7 mm, f/4. 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre)


Sunday (26-December-2010) — Argentina

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 0: Buenos Aires, Argentina.

I arrived in Buenos Aires Argentina this morning. The overnight flight from Miami was quiet, and I was able to sleep. It took about 2 hours to get the $140 tourist visa (good for 10 years), go though immigration, pick up my baggage, go through customs (luggage and carry on luggage all x-rayed), find my ride, and get to the Melia Hotel in downtown Buenos Aires. I spent a few hours walking around taking some snapshots with my Leica V-Lux20 camera. It is very hot in Buenos Aires (~95 °F).  The final image is a macro shot of a spider I found on my shirt when I got back to my hotel room.

Puente de la Mujer (Puerto Madero) Bridge in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 4.7 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre)
Puente de la Mujer (Puerto Madero) Bridge in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 4.7 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec) Bird on Virgin Mary Statue in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 49 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec)
Sunglasses for sale on the street along Laguna de los Coipos in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 6.9 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec) (David J Mathre)
Sunglasses for sale on the street along Laguna de los Coipos in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 6.9 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec)
Dolls for sale on the street along Laguna de los Coipos in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 11.9 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec) (David J Mathre)
Dolls for sale on the street along Laguna de los Coipos in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 11.9 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec)
OSX Club sign along Laguna de los Coipos in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 11.9 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec) (David J Mathre)
OSX Club sign along Laguna de los Coipos in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 11.9 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec)
Red Flower Sculpture in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 4.1 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre)
Red Flower Sculpture in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 4.1 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec) Doorway in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 14.7 mm, f/5. 1/500 sec)
Spider on my shirt after a walk in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 4.1 mm, f/3.3. 1/30 sec, macro mode, flash) (David J Mathre)
Spider on my shirt after a walk in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 4.1 mm, f/3.3. 1/30 sec, macro mode, flash)

[pw_map address=”-34.6065416, -58.36428″ width=”600px” height=”400px” enablecontrols=”true” “key=”AIzaSyDzSJfuf50JPAE5AllQz8iLyENq3jp1rR”]

Friday (24-December-2010) — Florida

Gone to See Florida — 2010 Road Trip Day 4: St. Petersburg Skyline at Dawn from the Vinoy Hotel.

Downtown St. Petersburg at Dawn from the Vinoy Hotel. Image taken with an Nikon D3x and 16-35 mm f/4 lens (ISO 100, 22 mm, f/5.6, 0.5 sec). (David J Mathre)
Downtown St. Petersburg at Dawn from the Vinoy Hotel. Image taken with an Nikon D3x and 16-35 mm f/4 lens (ISO 100, 22 mm, f/5.6, 0.5 sec). (David J Mathre)

Thursday (23-December-2010) — Florida

Gone to See Florida — 2010 Road Trip. Day 3: Sunshine Skyway Bridge at Dawn from Fort De Soto Park

Sunshine Skyway Bridge Panorama at Dawn from Fort De Soto Park. St. Petersburg, Florida. Composite of 3 vertical images taken with an Nikon D3s and 45 mm f/2.8 PC-E lens (ISO 200, f/11, 0.5 sec). Images processed with DxO, AutoPano Giga, Photoshop CS5, and Topaz Define. (David J Mathre)
Sunshine Skyway Bridge Panorama at Dawn from Fort De Soto Park. St. Petersburg, Florida. Composite of 3 vertical images taken with an Nikon D3s camera and 45 mm f/2.8 PC-E lens (ISO 200, f/11, 0.5 sec). Images processed with DxO, AutoPano Giga, Photoshop CS5, and Topaz Define. (David J Mathre)
Sunshine Skyway Bridge Panorama at Dawn from Fort Desoto Park. St. Petersburg, Florida. Composite of 3 vertical images taken with an Nikon D3s and 45 mm f/2.8 PC-E lens (ISO 200, f/11, 0.5 sec). Images processed with DxO,PTGui Pro, Photoshop CS5, and Nik Silver Efex Pro (David J Mathre)
Sunshine Skyway Bridge Panorama at Dawn from Fort De Soto Park. St. Petersburg, Florida. Composite of 3 vertical images taken with an Nikon D3s and 45 mm f/2.8 PC-E lens (ISO 200, f/11, 0.5 sec). Images processed with DxO, PTGui Pro, Photoshop CS5, and Nik Silver Efex Pro (David J Mathre)

Wednesday (22-December-2010) — Florida

Gone to See Florida –2010 Road Trip. Day 2: St. Petersburg Pier at Sunset.

It is much warmer in St. Petersburg. I took this image of the Pier from my balcony at the Vinoy Hotel. The lightweight Leica V-Lux 20 camera is a great travel camera, and I am looking forward to having it in my pocket while in Patagonia.

St. Petersburg Pier at Sunset from the Vinoy Hotel. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 49 mm, f/4.8, 1/160 sec) (David J Mathre)
St. Petersburg Pier at Sunset from the Vinoy Hotel. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 49 mm, f/4.8, 1/160 sec) (David J Mathre)