Traveling To Israel This Monday - Need Tips

Hello,

I'll be leaving this Monday to Israel and will be back on the 21st. We will be staying in a lot of different locations, which includes Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Bethlehem to name a few. I will be there with a group, so I won't be able to venture off by myself much and I was told that I should not. Especially at night for safety reasons. I'm taking my T4i, 50 1.8, 18-55 and 55-250 with a Vivitar flash. I was thinking about taking a tripod, but I don't want to have to carry it with me the whole day.

Anything I should be aware of while traveling there? Anything I should take? I purchased some bags from a photography store in town which is supposed to allow me to shoot and keep my camera and lens dry if it starts to rain.

Thank you for any input!

Was in those areas a year ago. When I was in the deserts of Jordan, I used a tripod there for night shots but I didn't use it at all in Israel. None of the churches or synagogues will allow you to use a tripod inside and it will attract all the wrong attention if you try to use it on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem although it will be allowed there. I handheld all of my shots inside the churches. If you can't hold steady enough, I'd bring a gorilla pod or something small that won't get in the way and won't get noticed.

In Jerusalem, if you are going into the aedicule inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, photography is not allowed. You can take your camera inside but trying to take a photo will likely get you kicked out. The rest of the church was no problem. This place and inside the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount were the only 2 places I was forbidden from taking photos. Photography at the Western Wall is forbidden on Sunday because of Sabbath.

As far as safety goes, I travelled alone and didn't have any issues at all, even at night. I was trying to cross the security fence on the border at Ramallah and had no issues there at all. Even though there were near riots because of the Gaza missile strike, everyone was extremely friendly on both sides of the wall.

For souvenirs for my religious friends, I brought small silver crosses that I took to the different holy places in Israel. Small, easy to carry and highly appreciated gifts.

Enjoy. You'll have a great time.

Handheld inside the Church of the Nativity at night with a 70mm f/2.8 lens. 1/40 ISO1250

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/aaroncawsey/8​211296862/

Thoughts on taking a laptop? My new camera backpack doesnt have room for it and I dont want to carry an extra piece of luggage. I just know that im going to be very anxious to edit my pictures, so I wanted to take it with me. I also dont think that the airline alows me to take 2 carry ons and I dont want to put it in my suitcase.

Thank you on the tips!

I had mine with me. I always carry mine though as it is my only contact with home and work. If your airline won't allow you two carry ons and you don't want to put it in your suitcase, it seems like your decision is already made. I'd either buy a few more memory cards to cover you on your trip or I'd buy another bag that can carry your laptop as well.

Don't waste time editing your shots at night. Enjoy your trip and get sleep so you can see more during the day. Bring extra cards. Just think, when you get home and upload the images to you editing station it will be like experiencing everything a second time. Have a safe trip!

I was in Israel a few times. I do not believe there are "unsafe" areas in Israel if you don't venture into the territories. Also not sure about the Arab section of Jerusalem, we were told not to go there. My wife and I walked all over day and night in small and large towns in the country and never felt threatened - it is one of the safest places in the world. The people are friendly, but please understand that because of their history and environment they sometimes seem too direct for an American taste, but you get used to it very quickly.

Enjoy your trip, and take every advantage of this photographer's paradise.

FarmerTed1971 wrote in post #16438905
Don't waste time editing your shots at night. Enjoy your trip and get sleep so you can see more during the day. Bring extra cards.

+1
Lugging around a laptop is a PITA especially since you're not going for too long of a trip. Travel light and when its dusk enjoy the nightlife and keep shooting.