myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

We are very much looking forward to our pre xmas trip to Tobago , seduced partly by the amazing photos of the island. Having had my camera stolen at Thiefrow airport recently I have just purchased a new dslr - a nikon d80 and am really enjoying g etting to grips with it although it is somewhat of a steep learning curve !! I would really appreciate any photography tips others can offer especially of good subjects to take. Also as we intend to take a boat trip and rainforest trip any advise on how to protect the gear from a rainstorm etc would be really useful !!

Hi Tony,

I'm just a happy snapper - simple little camera - but everywhere you go in Tobago you will find there are photos just waiting to be taken. Whether you like views, wildlife, quirky scenes, local colour, everyday life - the island is full of wonderful images. It's a photographers heaven - as I'm sure you will see from the photos throughout this site.

Jane

Hello Tony

The best tip I can give you, if you are serious about your photography, is to dump your Nikon and buy a decent Canon.

Only joking!

Seriously, there are just so many photo opportunities in Tobago, so make sure that you either have adequate memory cards or something on which to download the contents at the end of the day to free up space.

Regardless of whether you are taking a proper waterproof camera bag or intend to just sling the camera over your shoulder on a strap, make sure that you take a large polythene bag with you at all times. I use a freezer bag with sealable top. It folds up nice and small and I don't even notice it in the pocket of my shorts, but if I get caught in a rainstorm, have to cross a river or find myself in any situation where I need to protect my camera, I can whip it out of my pocket, stuff the camera in the poly bag and be fairly confident that its protected, without loading myself down with my backpack camera case.

One other tip. DSLR cameras are brilliant - until you get dust and dirt on the sensor. Very great care is required when changing lens. DON'T do it on the beach. The winds on Tobago are pretty strong and can carry a lot of sand and dust, so take extra care. When changing lens, try to shelter in the lee of a building and/or turn your back to the wind. Keep both the camera body and back of the lens pointed down so that dust can't settle on either surface easily. Make sure you've got a blower - not a brush - but don't waste time using that whilst out of doors - keep the 'maintenance' for back in the safety of your hotel room.

Good shooting!

Hello Tony
I would like to endorse all of Steves comment and because of the problems involved in changing lens I purchased a Sigma DC 18-200mmlens as this covers all of the requirements you are likely to have in Tobago and is highly recommended as it stays on all of the time.
Have a great time I know you will.
Regards
Paul

Hello Tony,

I'm sure you will take a lot of wonderful photos with you when you leave Tobago. I just have a small digital camera so I don't know much about lenses and things. Steve and Paul know much better.

And please, don't forget to ask the people if you want to take a photo of them. Normally they love it but some just dont like to be taken. Especially with children you should ask the parents. And they will love you if you promise to send a copy (and love you more if you really do).

Have a wonderful time

Cheers

Hi Tony

One tip, if I may - if you haven't alreay got a UV filter for your camera, then this is a must, not only to cut through any haze, but also to offer some first-line protection for the camera lens itself, against scratches and dust.

I would also go for a polarizing filter, to enhance the sea and sky shots. You get deeper blues and better cloud definition. The difference is remarkable at times and can make your pictures into someting that people say Wow! With any luck, they may turn out like this -
http://www.mytobago.info/photos/restaur ... point3.htm

I use the cheaper option of using my poloroid sun glasses for the same effect. Not always practical with a DSLR, due to the 52mm lens, but a doddle with my compact digital job.

Also - for sunset / sunrise shots, drop the apperture down a stop to get those rich reds and golden textures that never seem to come out in the pictures, when you swore were there in real life.

Of course, the real beauty of digital photography is that you get to preview each shot and if you don't quite get the results you were hoping for, you can try again until you get it right.

Happy snapping and don't forget to let us see the results!

Cheers
Steve

Thanks All,

your tips and advise are really appreciated, keep em coming if you have any more.

Steve - I decided to buy a proper camera not a toy ! Thanks for the freezer bag tip .

One shot I definately am looking forward to hunting down is of the renowned cornish poster who I am led to believe will be in Castara at the same time as us.

I promise to post said pic if captured !!