GrandNagus50
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I am jumping in late here, as I am departing for a National Geographic tour of "Ancient Egypt" a week from now. We chose National Geographic because (perhaps naively) we thought this ensured a degree of quality. We are surely overpaying; it remains to be seen by how much.
When I signed up for the tour the "trip expert" was a National Geographic photographer/videographer. Despite the reality that very few people on these tours nowadays bring dedicated cameras (as opposed to smartphones), I thought that I could learn some photographic tricks from this guy and that a priority would be placed on taking advantage of photo opportunities. However, he had to bow out, and he was replaced by a cultural anthropologist. It remains to be seen how interested she is in photography, but this change has me doubting how much emphasis will be paid to photography.
Some points:
1) one person chided the whole idea of going with a tour group, i.e., it's not "real" travel adventure. Ok, whatever. Some people like to travel with a group because there is guidance and expertise, there is at least one person who speaks the local language, and there is someone taking care of the day to day details. It also seems safer. Moreover, there is some advantage to being part of a group of interested people. Out of the 20+ we are likely to travel with, we hope there are a few with whom we can forge some kind of temporary bond.
I will add that not all destinations are the same. Egypt is actually not a great travel destination these days. Most of the people are very poor, and many are understandably aggressive about selling, begging, offering services for tips, and otherwise harassing visitors. If you are in a group you are somewhat insulated from this (this sounds First World arrogant, but I think most of us would prefer less rather than more of this kind of "travel experience.") And yes, one of the musts on a trip like this is to carry lots of Egyptian pounds in small denominations for tips given to everyone who provides any kind of help or service.
2) On any photo expedition, time of day and lighting are fundamental issues. The first law of photo travel is that you cannot be everywhere during the golden hours. Midday occurs, no matter what tour you are on. In Egypt, not only will there be flat, awful lighting, but it will be hot as blazes. We hope, nay assume, that the trip will emphasize seeing the sights early and late in the day.
3) Final point: with regard to Egypt, there are particular impediments to photo-related travel. One hears horror stories about problems getting through customs or airport security with any reasonably robust camera bag filled with gear. No binoculars allowed, period (they are considered spy equipment). And if you are carrying any kind of sophisticated camera people will rush up to you and offer to have their photo taken (for money). I don't crave that kind of extra attention.
It is only six days before I leave to Egypt and I cannot decide still whether to bring a mirrorless camera with two or three lenses, or just say what the heck and take my trusty old Sony RX10iv and use that, along with my iPhone. Are my photos of the Great Pyramid or Hatshepsut's Temple going to be really any different from anyone else's?
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