Russia river cruise - just returned
Jul 7th, 2007, 11:56 AM
#1
Russia river cruise - just returned
My sister, two friends, and I just returned from a river cruise from Moscow to St. Petersburg. I'll work on a trip report over the next few days (and would be happy to answer questions in the meantime), but for now, here's a link to my photos if you're interested:
http://kbutler8.photosite.com/Russia/
http://kbutler8.photosite.com/Russia/
Jul 7th, 2007, 03:00 PM
#2
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LOVE your pictures! We visited Moscow and St. Petersburg last year and saw many of the same sites and so enjoyed seeing your take on the same sites. Will look forward to seeing your trip report! Soon?
Jul 7th, 2007, 08:12 PM
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You have a very talented eye for photography -- thanks so much for showing us your work. We went four years ago, and your pictures brought back so many memories. Will look forward to your report. Again, thanks!
Jul 8th, 2007, 04:04 AM
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Your photos are great! I have bookmarked to view them more slowly when I have time. We just reserved our cruise from Moscow to St.Petersburg on the Grand Circle Tours for May 2008. I am anxiously awaiting your trip report! I am sure I will have questions after I read it. Thanks!!!!
Jul 8th, 2007, 09:52 AM
#8
Oops, I think I've messed things up by starting a separate thread for my trip report. We went with Intrav on the Glushkov, and it was wonderful. The logistics were handled beautifully and the sights were fabulous. My full trip report will be here:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35029230
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35029230
Jul 8th, 2007, 11:14 PM
#10
You have a great eye for framing a scene. I was especially impressed by the interior, presumably low-light shots which lost no details. Please tell me about the camera you used. I'm considering an upgrade.
I visited the USSR as a teenager in 1968. It's amazing how it looks the same and yet totally different. Obviously, the buildings haven't changed much and the Russian faces look the same, but traffic, advertising and smiles on those faces are all very different.
I visited a small town that looked very much like Uglich and perhaps was. When someone in our tour group (no traveling independently in Soviet days) took photos of some small, identical cottages painted in different colors (just like your photo), the guide went ballistic and demanded the film be surrendered immediately. All we could figure was that they thought we considered this charming scene to be backward and crude, and there were to be photos only of a dynamic, modern Soviet Union, the equal of any progressive western country.
Thanks for the memory re-boot. I'll enjoy reading your report.
I visited the USSR as a teenager in 1968. It's amazing how it looks the same and yet totally different. Obviously, the buildings haven't changed much and the Russian faces look the same, but traffic, advertising and smiles on those faces are all very different.
I visited a small town that looked very much like Uglich and perhaps was. When someone in our tour group (no traveling independently in Soviet days) took photos of some small, identical cottages painted in different colors (just like your photo), the guide went ballistic and demanded the film be surrendered immediately. All we could figure was that they thought we considered this charming scene to be backward and crude, and there were to be photos only of a dynamic, modern Soviet Union, the equal of any progressive western country.
Thanks for the memory re-boot. I'll enjoy reading your report.
Jul 9th, 2007, 03:55 AM
#11
Thanks, Jean. I appreciate the kind words. I used two cameras actually: a Sony DSC-H2 and a Canon SD700IS (my easy pocket camera for quick snapshots, but great for inside shots). I got both of them within the last year and had done a fair amount of research before buying - definitely wanted a camera that handled low light pretty well. The little Canon, surprisingly has the edge in low light situations. Not bad at all at ISO 400 - and even presentable (maybe not for prints) at ISO 800. The Sony is better in most other situations. Am pleased with both, although still debating about one day upgrading to a digital SLR - I just hate the thought of the extra size/weight. Reviews of my cameras:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canonsd700is/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonyh2/
Regarding your comments about taking pictures of everyday things, as in Uglich. I'd never been to Russia before, but was amazed at how much free rein there is. We did have a group tour there, but were then free to explore on our own. I generally asked if I wanted to take pictures of people - and most smiled and nodded. As for the buildings, I suspect you're right that they only wanted people taking pictures of a progressive, industrial society - but the smaller, rural scenes are the ones that charm!
I'll top my trip report after posting this to bring them both together (although I know they'll get separated again - this board is so active!)
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canonsd700is/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonyh2/
Regarding your comments about taking pictures of everyday things, as in Uglich. I'd never been to Russia before, but was amazed at how much free rein there is. We did have a group tour there, but were then free to explore on our own. I generally asked if I wanted to take pictures of people - and most smiled and nodded. As for the buildings, I suspect you're right that they only wanted people taking pictures of a progressive, industrial society - but the smaller, rural scenes are the ones that charm!
I'll top my trip report after posting this to bring them both together (although I know they'll get separated again - this board is so active!)
