Advice on shooting Mayan ruins?

The first week of August I'm going on cruise vacation (with the family)
to the Yucatan. Uxmal and Tulum are highlight destinations, and even though the schedule will be somewhat tight I'm hoping to squeeze in as much photography at these sites as possible. I've poked around online and found lots of gorgeous photos, but very little in the way of advice on how to prepare for and shoot these ancient ruins.

My equipment is listed in my sig. I've also picked up some inexpensive rain sleeves to protect my camera in case of rain. I expect my EF-S 10-22 will get a lot of use, but beyond that I'm grasping at straws. Any advice/suggestions from the more experienced here would be greatly appreciated--I've only got a month and a half to finish preparations, after all!

Congrats! That should be a great trip! I personally would use something wide angle. I reviewed a few photos from someone else yesterday who did the same trip--- on thing I noticed was all of the tourists in the photos-------you might way to give the locals a few bucks to keep others away while your shooting. dunno

Yeah, I'm concerned about the tourists mucking up the scene, but it can't be helped. The bus tour we're on, however, arrives in the morning and as I understand it, the big crowds don't show up until the afternoon. I hope. And we're going in August, which is very hot and as close to the off season as it gets down there, so fingers are crossed.

My wife and I went to XelHa and Tulum, in August '06(on our honeymoon). Let me tell you, there's no 'good time' to get there, as the tours are basically booked all day long. We even got there early, and there were already tons of people there.

Also, since the sun rises on that side, it was really tough to get right, and all we took was a point and shoot and a 20D with a 70-200L attached. Stupid me forgot everything else, at home...hehe.

Here's some shots...not the greatest, but, it's what we have remaining, after the wife's machine crashed, and all the honeymoon pics were lost.

#1

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The TS-E 24 f/3.5L would be a nice addition, though expensive. I used mine a lot to shoot the Zapotec ruins at Monte Alban and Mitla. No other Canon lens would be better at preserving the perspective and geometry than a TS-E lens.

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they have a show at the entrance to tulum where men are tied by their ankles to a line on a pole and the men spin on the pole (usually 4 men at once) and they are lowered to the ground with each turn of the pole. i believe this is an incan ceramony of some kind as the men are in very colorful costumes. you should also try to get to chichenicha(spelling) if possible. this is the largest sight in the yucatan.

the sights will charge to take in a tripod or a movie camera.

have a great trip.

got confused.... those sights are both mayan.... oops..

Steve, we considered Chichen Itza, but that's a longer bus ride from where we're putting in (Progresso) and would've bumped Tulum from our schedule. Uxmal is just as big, closer to Progresso and more isolated, so our decision wasn't that difficult. Bums me out that I won't get to see that amazing Chichen Itza observatory on this trip, however.

We hope to make another trip in a few years, but that's all dependent on finances (and what isn't?).

Inthedeck, those are cool photos for your limited options. I'm encouraged by what you did manage to salvage. I, too have been stuck with a telephoto zoom when a wide-angle was needed, so I sympathize. Sorry to hear about the loss of your photos--don't you hate it when technology goes belly-up?

Yeah, unfortunately, she saved all her photos taken with the A610 on her laptop. I have all the ones from the 20D saved...so, that's at least something. I believe all those were taken with her A610...

Travel light

Unless you are used to heat and humidity - the climate may take a toll on you.

IMO tour groups really muck up the images of ancient ruins. Somehow a bunch of fatties in shorts and tee shirts with P&S cameras around their necks and straw hats Just don't look great on those beautiful stone steps.

If you had a lightweight but sturdy (contradiction in terms?) tripod, you could shoot several exposures and since the people in the frame would be moving; you could Photoshop the gawking gringo touristas out.

I recommended that you travel light and here I am recommending extra gear!

However the tripod would also be great for pano shots, especially done in the vertical camera position. They would do a lot to cover those great and large structures.

I'd take a polarizer for your uwa, at least. Also, be prepared to take 3 or 4 shots of the same image if you want to easily remove people. Just wait until the move a bit, then you can do a layer alignment and erase. Also, if you plan to attend the night show at Uxmal you'll want that IS lens. I think the 50mm might be too long for that show.

Uxmal is usually pretty good - not too many people when I went. I also had a personal guide from Merida - something like US$40. There won't be any wildlife, except for the ubiquitous iguanas. Be prepared for rain.

If you go to Celestzn Biosphere Reserve, you will need that 300mm (although it might be a bit short).

Polarizer, check.

The night show's a non-starter as Uxmal, unfortunately. We'll be long gone by then, back aboard the ship and steaming for Cozumel.

I'd love to take a tripod, but I've read several places that tripods aren't allowed. It's unclear if this applies only to video or all photography equipment. Clarification has been tough to come by.

It's going to be hot, no doubt. And it will take it's toll. But close to four decades of 100-degree-plus Texas Augusts with 90 percent humidity should've given me at least a little preparation. I'm just concerned about having to lug the kids as well as my photo stuff.

The last time I was there (2 years ago), tripods weren't allowed at all, for video or still.

bishop13 wrote in post #5752418
The last time I was there (2 years ago), tripods weren't allowed at all, for video or still.

That's what I was afraid of. I'm toying with the idea of getting a heavy-duty Gorillapod that can fit in my Tamrac pack, but that's more crap to deal with. A couple of bean bags might just be my best bet.

Yeah, not sure about tripods...but, I know that Tulum has 'grassy' areas, so, it's possible you could use one. I just don't know...since I didn't have one. Who needs it when it's so freakin' bright out, at 10 - 11 a.m.

Take LOTS of bottled water...you will need it...and to buy it at the t. traps is expensive. Though, I'm sure you knew that, going with kids and all.

Good luck on the trip...I'm sure it'll be fine...just make sure you 'take' the camera gear...and don't make the mistake of leaving 60% of it at home....like I did. DOH!