Free PDF PhotoJourney Books

Each PhotoJourney book is in two parts - specific preparation for this photojourney, and then the Journey itself.

The preparation is about general planning for the Journey: what to take, tips on air travel, accommodation, etc, as well as information for this specific Journey. This is useful information for any photographic trip. Read it. Or skip it.

There is a free dedicated PDF eBook for General Planning.
There is also a free dedicated PDF eBook for General Planning for a Diving Adventure.

We use Travelfish.org when planning trips in South east Asia.


The Journey section contains a series of images followed by comments on these images. The comments give technical information on each image as well as Lessons to Learn. The comments are reflective, informative, whimsical, and, like the preparation section, are there to help someone who is thinking of taking a similar PhotoJourney.

Both sections have cross-reference links as well as links to external sites that I have found useful.

The PDF ebooks are available in 3 different image resolutions and hence 3 different file sizes. The ebook resolution is a good compromise between file size and image quality.

General_Planning
Iceland
Christmas_Island
Kangaroo_Island
China-Portraits
China-Panoramas
China-Flora_and_Fauna
China-Architecture
Flora_and_Fauna_Stitching
Water_and_Waterfalls_Stitching
Vistas_and_Sunsets_Stitching
Underwater_Stitching
Koh_Lipe
Koh_Libong
Planning_a_Diving_PhotoJourney
Manado
Dauin
Christmas_Island_Diving
Malapascua
Fiji
Vanuatu
Magic_Oceans
Rottnest_Island



Planning for a PhotoJourney
This eBook indicates the preparation needed for the general planning for any PhotoJourney: what to take, planning tips on air travel, accommodation, etc,
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 120 megabyte 36 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 7 megabyte 36 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 2 megabyte 36 page screen resolution image PDF document
The PDF has many internal cross-references as well as 40+ links to external sites.
  
Total downloads: 1568



Iceland - a PhotoJourney (2012)
In September 2011, I was fortunate in being able to visit Iceland and to spend time photographing there. It is a WOW country!
The people are friendly, English is spoken everywhere, the cost is reasonable, eating is fun, getting around is easy. Life in Iceland is relaxed and enjoyable. And photographically it is an amazing country. It is definitely well worth the trip.
For the visitor, there is a very small window of tourism open as travelling becomes difficult without a 4wd once summer ends.
This PhotoJourney indicates the great photographic places that you should see if you visit Iceland.
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 450 megabyte 189 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 60 megabyte 189 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 13 megabyte 189 page screen resolution image PDF document
The PDF has many internal cross-references as well as 100+ links to external sites.
This eBook contains the "Planning for a PhotoJourney" sections.

  
Total downloads: 1152



Christmas Island - a PhotoJourney (2014)
In late June 2014, a friend and I visited the Australian Territory of Christmas Island, located 2600 km north-west of Perth, Western Australia, but just 360 km from Java. It has been called the "Galapagos of the Indian Ocean". Hot, humid, full of jungles and wildlife.
The rugged coastline, the ubiquitous Red, Blue and Robber Crabs, the easily accessible bird life, all make Christmas Island a great place for a photographer.
There are a number of pitfalls though if you are not prepared. So plan well before going.

This PhotoJourney indicates the typical iconic images that you should aim for if you visit Christmas Island.
This eBook was used by the Christmas Island Tourism Association and was available from their website.
It has been downloaded from there times ().
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 580 megabyte 190 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 60 megabyte 190 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 14 megabyte 190 page screen resolution image PDF document
The PDF has many internal cross-references as well as 40+ links to external sites.
This eBook does NOT contain the "Planning for a PhotoJourney" sections. See separate eBook

  
Total downloads: 1066 plus ~300 from CI Tourist Bureau (December 2016)



Kangaroo Island - a nature PhotoJourney (2015)
 In February 2008, two of the authors spent a week or so on Kangaroo Island. In 2015 we, along with two friends, went back there for more sightseeing. The island has a great abundance of wildlife and natural scenery, so it is ideal for a PhotoJourney.

It is the third largest Australian island and is about 45 minutes by ferry south of the coast of South Australia. The ferry leaves from Cape Jervis which is about 2 hours south of Adelaide by coach. The island is 150+ kilometers across but with little public transport, so you will probably either need to take your car across on the ferry, or hire a car there.

It is worth it - Kangaroo Island is a great place for a nature-loving PhotoJourney.
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 450 megabyte 175 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 60 megabyte 175 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 24 megabyte 175 page screen resolution image PDF document
The PDF has many internal cross-references as well as 120+ links to external sites.
This eBook does NOT contain the "Planning for a PhotoJourney" sections. See separate eBook

  
Total downloads: 637



Western China - a Portraits PhotoJourney (2009)
In early 2009 my beloved and I went to China for a holiday/PhotoJourney. It was a guided tour for about 3 weeks, and by luck, we ended up being a guide and a driver and just us. This gave us a lot of flexibility in terms of where to go and how long to stay. For example, in Xian, at the Entombed Warriors site, we just said "no thanks" to going back into town for a "wonderful lunch", and continued photographing the Warriors. This touring flexibility gave both of us a lot of enjoyment.

These portraits are candid - none were posed for. We used a standard technique of pretending to take holiday snaps - composing, focussing, etc on one of us - and then swinging the camera slightly to take the real person, the real shot. Except in the very last image, where the young girl rushed up to us and stuck her smiling face into the camera. Lovely. Experiences like that make for a wonderful PhotoJourney.

This short PhotoJourney is just a gallery of candid photographs of the people of Western China. I hope you enjoy them and maybe it will convince you to do a similar PhotoJourney to Western China.
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 35 megabyte 66 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 13 megabyte 66 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 4 megabyte 66 page screen resolution image PDF document

This eBook does NOT contain the "Planning for a PhotoJourney" sections. See separate eBook


Total downloads: 509



Western China - a Panorama PhotoJourney (2009)
In early 2009 my beloved and I went to China for a holiday/PhotoJourney. It was a guided tour for about 3 weeks, and by luck, we ended up being a guide and a driver and just us. This gave us a lot of flexibility in terms of where to go and how long to stay. For example, in Xian, at the Entombed Warriors site, we just said "no thanks" to going back into town for a "wonderful lunch", and continued photographing the Warriors. This touring flexibility gave both of us a lot of enjoyment.

Stitching images is fun, and sometimes very useful. Maybe you want a HUGE vista, maybe you have the wrong lens and want to get a wider angle shot. The camera used for these photographs has an 8 megapixel sensor. Some of these stitched images are 50 megapixel and above. And after this PhotoJourney, with more practise, I was habitually taking 150 megapixel and above sized images. Experiences like that make for a wonderful PhotoJourney.

This short PhotoJourney is just a gallery of vista photographs of some Panoramas of Western China. I hope you enjoy them and maybe it will convince you to do a similar PhotoJourney to Western China.
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 94 megabyte 42 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 11 megabyte 42 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 3 megabyte 42 page screen resolution image PDF document

This eBook does NOT contain the "Planning for a PhotoJourney" sections. See separate eBook


Total downloads: 552



Western China - a Flora and Fauna PhotoJourney (2009)
In early 2009 my beloved and I went to China for a holiday/PhotoJourney. It was a guided tour for about 3 weeks, and by luck, we ended up being a guide and a driver and just us. This gave us a lot of flexibility in terms of where to go and how long to stay. For example, in Xian, at the Entombed Warriors site, we just said "no thanks" to going back into town for a "wonderful lunch", and continued photographing the Warriors. This touring flexibility gave both of us a lot of enjoyment.

Yes! You will see Pandas. If you only think of China as Panda territory, you have never seen a Yak. Nor have seen seagulls hundreds of kilometres from the sea. Sometimes fauna was hard to find, even in the country. Sometimes flora was hard to find, even in the country. I have taken a little poetic licence in thinking of flora and fauna...

This short PhotoJourney is just a gallery of photographs of some of the Flora and Fauna of Western China. I hope you enjoy them and maybe it will convince you to do a similar PhotoJourney to Western China.
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 52 megabyte 69 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 19 megabyte 69 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 6 megabyte 69 page screen resolution image PDF document

This eBook does NOT contain the "Planning for a PhotoJourney" sections. See separate eBook


Total downloads: 457



Western China - an Architecture PhotoJourney (2009)
In early 2009 my beloved and I went to China for a holiday/PhotoJourney. It was a guided tour for about 3 weeks, and by luck, we ended up being a guide and a driver and just us. This gave us a lot of flexibility in terms of where to go and how long to stay. For example, in Xian, at the Entombed Warriors site, we just said "no thanks" to going back into town for a "wonderful lunch", and continued photographing the Warriors. This touring flexibility gave both of us a lot of enjoyment.

Not all images are about Architecture - Shanghai is the place for strange and wonderful Architecture. Some images just show a wimsy of what appeals to me about the construction in parts of China. In China, the incredibly old alongside the modern 20th century. Often, both obscured by smog.

This short PhotoJourney is just a gallery of photographs of some of the Architecture of Western China. I hope you enjoy them and maybe it will convince you to do a similar PhotoJourney to Western China.
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 94 megabyte 42 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 11 megabyte 42 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 3 megabyte 42 page screen resolution image PDF document

This eBook does NOT contain the "Planning for a PhotoJourney" sections. See separate eBook


Total downloads: 410



Flora and Fauna Stitching - a PhotoLearning eBook (2020)
Wikipedia says:
"Image stitching or photo stitching is the process of combining multiple photographic images with overlapping fields of view to produce a segmented panorama or high-resolution image."

Stitching can be as simple as a panoramic row of images (maybe even stitched together in the camera) to a complex multi-row, multi-column series of images that produce a 200+ Megapixel image with normal image clarity. Zoom in almost endlessly. Doing this consistently well, takes practise.

This PhotoLearning eBook will show you what I have learnt from above ground stitching that I have applied moderately successfully to stitching Flora and Fauna. Not excellence, but not bad. Learn from my mistakes.
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 193 megabyte 56 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 35 megabyte 56 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 17 megabyte 56 page screen resolution image PDF document

Total downloads: 332



Water and Waterfalls Stitching - a PhotoLearning eBook (2020)
Wikipedia says:
"Image stitching or photo stitching is the process of combining multiple photographic images with overlapping fields of view to produce a segmented panorama or high-resolution image."

Stitching can be as simple as a panoramic row of images (maybe even stitched together in the camera) to a complex multi-row, multi-column series of images that produce a 200+ Megapixel image with normal image clarity. Zoom in almost endlessly. Doing this consistently well, takes practise.

This PhotoLearning eBook will show you what I have learnt from above ground stitching that I have applied moderately successfully to stitching Water and Waterfalls. The trouble is - water is rarely still.
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 104 megabyte 28 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 38 megabyte 28 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 15 megabyte 28 page screen resolution image PDF document

Total downloads: 287



Vistas and Sunsets Stitching - a PhotoLearning eBook (2021)
Wikipedia says:
"Image stitching or photo stitching is the process of combining multiple photographic images with overlapping fields of view to produce a segmented panorama or high-resolution image."

Stitching can be as simple as a panoramic row of images (maybe even stitched together in the camera) to a complex multi-row, multi-column series of images that produce a 200+ Megapixel image with normal image clarity. Zoom in almost endlessly. Doing this consistently well, takes practise.

This PhotoLearning eBook will show you what I have learnt from above ground stitching that I have applied moderately successfully to stitching Vistas and Sunsets. The trouble is - Vistas are often huge, and Sunsets have exposure problems across the stitched image.
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 90 megabyte 29 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 45 megabyte 29 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 17 megabyte 29 page screen resolution image PDF document

Total downloads: 256



Underwater Stitching - a PhotoLearning eBook (2020)
Wikipedia says:
"Image stitching or photo stitching is the process of combining multiple photographic images with overlapping fields of view to produce a segmented panorama or high-resolution image."

Stitching can be as simple as a panoramic row of images (maybe even stitched together in the camera) to a complex multi-row, multi-column series of images that produce a 200+ Megapixel image with normal image clarity. Zoom in almost endlessly. Doing this consistently well, takes practise.

This PhotoLearning eBook will show you what I have learnt from above ground stitching that I have applied moderately successfully to underwater stitching. If you go through the early work, the people stitches, the mistakes, the massive stitches, you will see what I have achieved with underwater stitching. Not excellence, but not bad. Learn from my mistakes.
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 44 megabyte 50 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 18 megabyte 50 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 5 megabyte 50 page screen resolution image PDF document

Total downloads: 408



Koh Lipe - a mini snorkelling PhotoJourney (2015)
In early January 2015, my beloved and I returned from a holiday in Europe via an Island off the west coast of Thailand called Koh Lipe. We wanted a place to relax before starting work again, and I was interested in experimenting more with the underwater snorkelling photography I had started on Christmas Island. I had researched various Thai islands and this seemed ideal for relaxing and photography. The island exceeded my expectations for both aspects. Koh Lipe is a great place for underwater photography.

This mini PhotoJourney will help you to relax as well as take some stunning underwater photographs. So plan well before going.
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 325 megabyte 100 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 26 megabyte 100 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 6 megabyte 100 page screen resolution image PDF document
The PDF has many internal cross-references as well as 100+ links to external sites.
This eBook does NOT contain the "Planning for a PhotoJourney" sections. See separate eBook

  
Total downloads: 999



Koh Libong - a snorkelling PhotoJourney (2016)
In January 2016, my beloved and I, along with two friends, went for 10 days holiday to an island off the west coast of Thailand called Koh Libong. We wanted a place to relax before starting work again, and I was interested in further experimenting with underwater snorkelling photography that I had started on Christmas Island, and continued on Koh Lipe. I had researched various Thai islands and this island seemed ideal for relaxing and also as a base for long-boat trips to other islands - Ko Lao Liang, Ko Kradan, Ko Rok and Ko Muk - for underwater snorkelling photography. The island was great for all of us, for relaxing and photography.

This snorkelling PhotoJourney will help you to relax as well as take some stunning underwater photographs. So plan well before going.
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 175 megabyte 335 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 88 megabyte 335 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 24 megabyte 335 page screen resolution image PDF document
The PDF has many internal cross-references as well as 190+ links to external sites.
This eBook does NOT contain the "Planning for a PhotoJourney" sections. See separate eBook

  
Total downloads: 754



Planning for a Diving PhotoJourney
This eBook indicates the preparation needed for the planning for any Diving PhotoJourney: what to take in terms of underwater as well as camera gear, planning tips on dive resorts, etc,
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 95 megabyte 25 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 29 megabyte 25 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 3.6 megabyte 25 page screen resolution image PDF document
The PDF has many internal cross-references as well as 85+ links to external sites.

Total downloads: 514



Tasik Ria, Manado - a Diving PhotoJourney (2017)
In late 2015, the family of the principal author gave him a PADI diving course for his birthday, something he had wanted to do for a long time. Nothing happened except research, and a snorkelling holiday for the four authors to Koh Libong in early 2016. But in late 2016 the other male author said "Let's do it!" and we became diving buddies via a PADI course at Dolphin Scuba. Since early 2017, we have been knocking up the weekly dives and taking courses, so as to increase our experience and knowledge.

Dolphin Scuba had a very good value 8 day/7 nights tour to Manado in Sulawesi, Indonesia in June, and the four of us started planning to go. This eBook shows our adventure.
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 175 megabyte 290 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 70 megabyte 290 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 24 megabyte 290 page screen resolution image PDF document
The PDF has many internal cross-references as well as 205+ links to external sites.
This eBook does NOT contain the "Planning for a PhotoJourney" sections. See separate eBook

  
Total downloads: 702



Pura Vida, Dauin - a Diving PhotoJourney (2019)
 In June 2017, Dolphin Scuba had a very good value 8 day/7 nights tour to Manado in Sulawesi, Indonesia, and the four of us really enjoyed it (see here for the free PDF eBook about this diving PhotoJourney).

In mid 2019, two of the authors went to Europe and planned to come back via a dive site in South East Asia. We had heard good things about Dauin in the Philippines. The two other authors agreed to join us there and so we planned another diving PhotoJourney; this time 8 days of diving at the Pura Vida Dive Resort in Dauin in the Philippines. "Dive with a smile!"
This eBook shows our adventure. It is organised by dive sites in that region, including Apo island and Oslob/whale sharks.
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 176 megabyte 326 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 77 megabyte 326 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 27 megabyte 326 page screen resolution image PDF document
The PDF has many internal cross-references as well as 440+ links to external sites.
This eBook does NOT contain the "Planning for a PhotoJourney" sections. See separate eBook

  
Total downloads: 501



Christmas Island Diving - a Diving PhotoJourney (2021)
In late 2019, the COVID pandemic closed down overseas travel, and by mid 2021, it did not look as though it would open up again. I talked to my dive buddy about possible dives at Christmas Island, but the times and dates and holidays always worked against us (he is still a worker). In the end, I put my name down for a Dolphin Scuba dive adventure going there and was accepted. It would have been better to have had my long time dive buddy with me, but it was not possible. In more ways than one, I had reservations....
There are a number of pitfalls though if you are not prepared. So plan well before going.

This Diving PhotoJourney indicates the typical diving images that you should aim for if you dive at Christmas Island.
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 315 megabyte 212 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 50 megabyte 212 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 16 megabyte 212 page screen resolution image PDF document
The PDF has many internal cross-references as well as 90+ links to external sites.
This eBook does NOT contain the "Planning for a PhotoJourney" sections. See separate eBook

  
Total downloads: 351



Malapascua Island Diving - a Diving PhotoJourney (2022)
In early 2022, COVID was being controlled to the extent that overseas travel could be contemplated, and my dive buddy and I talked about a possible dive at Malapascua in the Philippines. Same resort and dive centre company as for Dauin. We put our names down for this Dolphin Scuba adventure and were accepted. The dive leader was someone we knew and trusted and so, with 400+ dives between us, we were confident and very happy to adventure! Then pack, re-pack, pack and re-pack to get all our gear into 25 kilos.
There are a number of pitfalls though if you are not prepared. So plan well before going.

This Diving PhotoJourney indicates the typical diving images that you should aim for if you dive at Malapascua Island.
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 356 megabyte 278 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 54 megabyte 278 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 17 megabyte 278 page screen resolution image PDF document
The PDF has many internal cross-references as well as 105+ links to external sites.
This eBook does NOT contain the "Planning for a PhotoJourney" sections. See separate eBook

  
Total downloads: 240



Fiji - a Diving PhotoJourney (2021)
In late 2019, COVID closed down overseas travel from OZ, but by late 2021, it looked as though it would open up again. My dive buddy and I started planning overseas dive adventures. Christmas Island Diving unfortunately by myself, and Malapascua with my Dive Buddy. My beloved was doing a cruise that ended in Fiji, and I planned, with the help of Dive Adventures, joining her there and having a week"s worth of diving.
I was in two minds about the Fiji diving - I did not just want the SHARKS! I also wanted to expand my skill set in underwater photography and in diving itself. I still had a lot to learn - I cracked the 300+ dives whilst in Fiji. Still a newbie. But new conditions mean that you learn things.
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 285 megabyte 194 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 83 megabyte 194 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 12 megabyte 194 page screen resolution image PDF document
The PDF has many internal cross-references as well as 90+ links to external sites.
This eBook does NOT contain the "Planning for a PhotoJourney" sections. See separate eBook

  
Total downloads: 307



Vanuatu - a Diving PhotoJourney (2021)
In late 2019, COVID closed down overseas travel from OZ, including a dive adventure from Dolphin Scuba exploring the "SS President Coolidge Wreck " in Vanuatu. This was put on hold. By late 2022, after many delays due to covid, it looked as though this adventure would happen. I was not super keen on wrecks, but two dive buddies - Suzanne and Geoff Haley - had their names down for it, and after some thought I added my name. My long time dive buddy, Rob Namestnik, also decided to join it. We were not certain if there would be space for us though. In the end 28 people made up the adventure, including two dive masters from Dolphin Scuba
I was in two minds about the Vanuatu diving - I did not just want the wreck! I also wanted to expand my skill set in underwater photography and in diving itself. I still had a lot to learn - deeper dives watching my Deco time was very important.
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 348 megabyte 241 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 114 megabyte 241 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 14 megabyte 241 page screen resolution image PDF document
The PDF has many internal cross-references as well as 90+ links to external sites.
This eBook does NOT contain the "Planning for a PhotoJourney" sections. See separate eBook

  
Total downloads: 106



Magic_Oceans
This eBook indicates the diving we did at Magic Oceans Resort in the Philippines in 2024. Really nice place to dive!
The PDF eBooks:
  • a 333 megabyte 275 page high resolution image PDF document
  • a 60 megabyte 275 page ebook resolution image PDF document     <-- Best choice.
  • a 20 megabyte 275 page screen resolution image PDF document
The PDF has many internal cross-references as well as 90+ links to external sites.
This eBook does NOT contain the "Planning for a PhotoJourney" sections. See separate eBook
  
Total downloads: 28






Rottnest Island - a PhotoJourney (2014)
Each year the Workshop Camera Club makes a long-weekend photographic excursion to Rottnest Island in September. Rotto is 11 km long and about 4.5 km at its widest point and is easily explored via a bicycle. This, and the wonderful bird, marine and quokka population, means that it is an ideal place for a relaxed photographic holiday.
Given its popularity by the locals, it is necessary to plan for and book your Rotto trip well in advance.
This is a work in progress

This eBook does NOT contain the "Planning for a PhotoJourney" sections. See separate eBook