Thursday, December 10, 2009

RPTE day two: Phi Phi

The RPTE is in full effect!

The first 48 hours of travel in big groups is always the scariest -- especially when people don't really know each other. That's when you're cranky because you just traveled a ton (over 24 hours for all of us), you haven't slept in a good while, airplane food was gross, etc... This group? No problem. Nothing.

I've been so amazed this last couple days. Mixing 14 people who don't know each other -- especially after throwing in over 24 hours of travel to Thailand -- was something I was interested in seeing. I hoped for the best -- I mean, we all had gotten to chatting on our facebook group page -- but I just wasn't sure how it would actually turn out until it happened. I'm just so grateful for how this group has been. It's sort of like we're all on the same page -- wanting a rad adventure.


After a flight to Los Angeles, most of us boarded the same 14 hour flight to Taipei, Taiwan. We had a couple hours layover. NO ONE was even remotely cranky about getting on their third of four plane rides. This is just a taste of what happened. Apparently Dane and Josh have really bonded :)


After arriving in Phuket, we headed straight to Surin beach. Not one person wanted to stay back and sleep -- and I was almost certain that at least a few people would want to given the fact that most hadn't slept in a couple days.

Yesterday (Wednesday) morning, I had all of us get up at 4am. Again, completely surprised that everyone was actually excited about this! We chartered our own boat and wanted to get to the overcrowded/tourist blasted islands of Phi Phi -- where the Beach was filmed. I've been to Phi Phi before, but on a big tourist boat with 30+ strangers. The fourteen of us were several hours ahead of the big boat tours -- we had the islands to ourselves for much of the day. It was just incredible.


On the front of our new friend Alexander's boat -- approaching Phi Phi at sunrise. This was really something special. Alexander runs one of the best boat charters in Thailand (I'll be doing a review of his company later) and is the owner Crystal Clear Thailand. He's a great photographer himself so he arranged our entire day around beautiful light for photographs. We were all so lucky to find him!


Josh grabbing shots of sunrise :)


How incredible would it be to live in a jungle/beach house like this?!


The scenery around Phi Phi is seriously jarring. The whole time you just keep saying "are you serious?!"


Can't beat longtail fishboats for photos :)


(Screen grab from a 5D Mark II video clip) Some of the group taking in Phi Phi. I can't express how happy I was at this point. I was so thrilled seeing everyone's reaction and excitement as the day progressed. I mean, it's easy to impress with stuff like this. One of the reasons I love SE Asia.


(Screen grab from a 5D Mark II video clip) We were the only people snorkeling in Maya Bay (where the Beach was filmed). To give you an idea, last year when I was with a bg boat tour, there were probably 30+ boats and we had to wait for a "parking spot" to pull into. This time? No one. It was like two completely different beaches. Here's Dane jumping in. And believe me, it's even more fun than it looks :)

And when we were snorkeling, we hung out with a lionfish! Apparently, they are pretty dang poisonous -- but extremely docile (they only get you if you run into them -- which they avoid pretty good on their own). It was so cool!


Hannah, Dane, Lindsay, and me. I told everyone "let's jump this time, okay?!" all giddy like. Lindsay heard me -- but jumped too late and looks incredibly... interesting :P I obviously got the jumping memo -- but there aren't many words to describe what I'm doing. Dane just looks a bit odd. And Hannah? Completely normal. This is an awesomely weird picture :)


After we got home, Alexander met up with us at our hotel just to hangout! I'm telling you, this guy is AWESOME. He took us to a restaurant on the edge of a cliff with an incredible view of sunset.

Two days in and this trip has been amazing. Can't wait for everything else.

Bobby


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Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Totally Rad Actions: Before and After Wednesdays #29



So since we're out in Thailand and Cambodia right now for the Raddest Photo Trip Ever, I figured I'd use photos from this region. This place is a photographer's dream! I'm always excited to come back and shoot more photos around these parts :)

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Speaking of the Raddest Photo Trip Ever... People have been signing up every day since I opened up the signups for more info. I think we're around a couple hundred -- but we're only taking 12 people. I'm pretty sure this trip is going to sell out much faster than the one we're currently on did -- so if you're wanting to know the who/what/where before I announce it publicly on the blog, sign up here!

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As usual, I'm using my handy dandy totally rad actions. I freaking love these things. If you're too lazy to make your own actions (like me) OR you tried to make them and they didn't turn out the way you wanted to and you're too lazy to try harder (like me), then these actions will be to you like bacon is to my father :)

Let's get crackin'...

Canon 5D + 24mm f/1.4L at ISO , 1/th, and f/1.4.
Sunset over the River Kwai (from our guesthouse :) in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.

*Boutwell's Magic Glasses
*Lux (soft) - 26% (on everything but the sky)
*Lights Out - % (on the sky)
*Warm It Up Kris - 96% (on everything but the sky)
*Yin (darker) - 100% (on the sky)
*Green With Envy - 30% (on the sky)
*Big Blue - 40% (on the water)
*Grainstorm - 19%

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Canon 5D + 24mm f/1.4L at ISO , 1/th, and f/1.4.
Phuket, Thailand.

*Boutwell's Magic Glasses - 100%
*Lux (soft) - 15%
*Pool Party - 36%
*Warm It Up Kris - 100%
*Grainstorm - 45%

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If you're looking for something to spruce up your photos, go for it and grab some Get Totally Rad Actions! I paid for both sets out of my pocket and LOVE them. But do it through my link above or the banner below (shameless plug) as the money is going to go to a rad cause ;)


Hope this helps some of you out! As always, comments tend to remind me to do this again next week, so let me know what you guys think :)

Bobby


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Tuesday, December 8, 2009

RPTE day one: Phuket


We are officially having the Raddest Photo Trip Ever. Don't believe me? Ask the dishes!


Sunset tonight over Surin beach in Phuket.

Today was absolutely perfect :) I'll try to blog more tomorrow when we have our own private boat around the islands out here!

Bobby


Monday, December 7, 2009

We're OUTTA here!


So Lindsay and I -- along with 12 other photographers -- are on route to Phuket, Thailand for the Raddest Photo Trip ever! I can't believe it's finally here. It felt like I just announced the trip on the blog last week, or something! Nothing really worthwhile to post yet. Except this, of course...



Anyone want to take a guess? These are water shoes. Walmart was all sold out and only had kids sizes left. Mixed in with all the kids sizes was a ladies (I think) 13. Yep. These are mine. I hope none of my RPTE attendants snag a photo of me wearing these :P

Bobby


Thursday, December 3, 2009

It's been a rough week...

This week has been a challenge. Quite emotionally draining, to say the least. The week before I leave the country is always a bit hectic. There's a million things that need to be in order, prints sent out, photos edited, make sure I'm not forgetting something important, etc... But that's been nothing compared to dealing with what's been going on.

I'm not very good at dealing with pain/suffering/death when it's someone who is very close and dear to me. I've actually had a lot of people die in my life -- but almost everyone of them has been just enough outside of my circle of very close friends/family to where I'm legitimately upset, but I'm alright. I deal with those situations really well. I grieve if they passed or pray for the best if they are in a bad situation, but I don't shut down inside. Thinking of someone I care about so much being mentally handicapped for the rest of her life? I'm just having a terribly hard time dealing with that. It's been exceptionally rough on Lindsay, as well (as it has on most who are close with Tanya and Will). As I type this out, Lindsay's crying in the bathroom :(

If you believe in prayer, I would greatly appreciate prayers for Tanya's recovery. Today the doctor said that full recovery will be miraculous -- I felt like I got shot in the stomach when I read that. Also for Will having to endure all of this while having his face basically shattered and alone in ICU. Many of you have emailed me or messaged me on facebook saying that you've said prayers for them. That means the world to me.


This is why you shouldn't be allowed to dress yourself when you're 18. That's me on the left. Lindsay to my right right. Tanya's the one covered in the middle (and that's my sister to the left of her). These are some of my dearest friends. What a difference 10 years makes in how we all look!


And to give you an idea of the life Tanya brings to every party -- here's the last time we hung out. At a close friend's wedding in Nashville last November. Will wasn't there or else there'd be tons of him, as well. He's just as much fun...

Even in the middle of all this, I can't help but feel optimistic to some degree. People have miraculous recoveries all the time. If anyone deserved it, it's Will and Tanya. From helping orphans in China to aiding Hurricane Katrina victims -- these two have helped so many that I wouldn't be surprised if they received a divine handout :)

I love you both, Will and Tanya. You're in my prayers about every five minutes. I hope in a few months we can all laugh about how you two ruined the Thailand and Cambodia trip for me and Lindsay :P

Bobby

UPDATE:

Feeling much better as the day has gone on. Heard some good news from friends that are visiting in New Orleans. She moved her right leg (hasn't been able to use the right side of her body until now) and was able to clearly say a sentence at one point! We're still unsettled -- wishing we were there -- but definitely don't feel as defeated as we did last night. Appreciate all the kind words and prayers from everyone.

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