Batu Berlayar Island

In the morning around 5AM, we prepared our journey to the series of island in north Belitung. With one car and one minibus, we headed to beach in north and continue with two traditional boats.
My first impression I was so amaze with the colour and clarity of the sea, its green and blue, and after about 15 mins sailed from the Selayar beach, I found for the first time of the huge granite piled on this tiny island. Its more beautiful than I ever had see on movie and tv.

Batu Berlayar Island

Talking with bang Ito, he said that there was a bigger island as we can see a boundary on the coral means that the water was on that line. Hmm very interesting fact, I thought that all sea surface has increasment due to mealting polar ice.

Corals

We also founded the starfish around the island, some of us very enthusiast on it. These starfish not move at all, but I fell they alive.

Starfish

All of us look very happy with the starter, most of us trying to capture the moment and picture of us together. 

Sunset at Tanjung Pendam

At the end, the trip to the one of amazing destination in Indonesia become reality. The next 5 posts recite about our activities around Belitung island. With 13 friends, we started our trip on Friday noon. It takes only 50 mins to Hanandjoedin airport at Tanjung Pandan. From the map, Belitung island location is quite close, its upright of Jakarta.

Mie Belitung

As arrived in Belitung, we welcomed by bang Ito and his friend, very experience local guide that always explain every question with patient and humor. With no wasting time, he picked us up to taste the local cuisine, mie Belitung. Hmm, its yummy and its a very good start before we explore the city and watch the sunset on Tanjung Pendam beach, the most happening location in Tanjung Pandan.

Enjoy the sunset

Not too many people in Tanjung Pendam when we got there, but its look like good place for jalan-jalan sore or hanging with friends and family. Now its the the first time I stand my tripod to capture the moment as well as my friends do.










The beach here are very flat, the point of interest is only the sunset itself. The flair and light is nice, but the clouds was very thick, and again.. its too flat. I walked along the beach trying to find another interesting object until I founded the 2 big tress standing on the sea. Its amazing they can live there as if I'm not mistake its not a mangrove. There is some teory that told about why they can live there.., but for me its because he has friend.

Sunset at Tanjung Pendam

The sun has gone.., we then gathered to the meeting point and having some chit-chat. Holiday mood are really felt among us. After taking some pics of us, now the time to check-in at hotel, prepare ourself for tomorrow :)

Jatiluhur 3

Just started again to write the blog after I fixed my home PC. Continuing my story from Nini Hill, we visited Jatiluhur to watch the sunset.

Sunset at Jatiluhur

Nini Hill - Pengalengan

Two weeks after Lebaran we went to Nini Hill, but this time with the ideas to capture the sunrise and take the moment where some tress lining between the tea plan. We arrived about 5AM after 3 hours trip from Jakarta.
The temperature is cold when sunrise, but it change to hot at 8AM. When the sun rise, colourful light reflection become my focus of interest. The line of reflection always become my favourites, where some colour combined into the mighty beautiful painting, and one more you can see fog covering some areas.

Sunrise at Nini Hill

On the marching trees, I cropped the picture to get focus on the drama. I like the line through the tress that lined up to welcome the sun. Good morning :)

Marching Trees

Since the area is too wide, I took the view part by part horizontally and combined it using Photoshop CS5, and here it is.., my first panorama picture!, its adding my vocabulary in photography..., and sure its a nice way to face the limitation of my 24-105mm :)

Panorama Nini Hill

To be honest I'm not too sure where exactly is Nini Hill since I'm not behind the steer. But we no need to worry since Anwar always know where to go and explore the exciting areas :)

Landscape Photography

One of unique technique and setting that I explore since I have SLR camera is slow shutter photography. A technique that usually used for landscape photography. Here are some points that I learned so far from internet, experiences and suggestion from my friends.

Use tripod
For slow shutter photography, tripod is a must. I use Manfrotto. This gear is crucial, it hold your camera and lens, so better use the good one or it can put your cams into danger.

Use CP filter
I use B+W filter. Set this filter first to get the picture reflection you want before set the grad filter.

Use Gradual Filter
I use Singh-Ray reverse filter. Try to put filter median into the horizon of your picture, or you can shift it depend on your wish.

Filter holder
This additional gear used to support gradual filter. If you dont have this, then prepare to hold the grad filter by your hand during the shot and prepare for some un-detailed pictures as a compensation.

Small aperture
Smaller aperture can give you more detail in all area --> bigger DoF and it cover all parts in your pictures
Sample small aperture: f/20

Small ISO
Usually I use ISO 100 or 200 to get detail picture. Smaller ISO mean more detail/sharp pictures

Always use live view.
When you see the picture using optical view, there will be no changes that makes by your camera, only the object itself. This the place you can manage the bright by changing the time and white balance.
Sample: If you change the white balance from 'auto mode' to 'cloudy mode', there will be no difference on your camera optical view.

Use remote
To avoid a shake in your camera when you push the button or you can use 2 sec shot. Every type of camera has specific remote.

Disable Image Stabilizer (IS) from your lens (if any)
It will stop lens trying to stabilize the image when you already have tripod on.

Good composition
This more art than a technique and I leave this point to you each to explore.
Good photographer has a great instinct and experience

Go Practice
You will got lot of experience and fun. So what you waiting for?

Welcome for any suggestion and correction :)