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First Post on Pantip: Family Trip with Wife and Child

This is my first post on Pantip. I'm not usually a writer, only doing so for exams and my thesis. Haha. I couldn't even think of a catchy title, so I went with the simple "Taking the Wife and Kid on a Trip." I was originally planning to share my experience traveling with my wife and one child.

Beyond simply offering tips for traveling with young children, my ultimate goal is to connect with like-minded parents.



We bought a camera to take pictures of our children or family, but we don't have any pictures of ourselves in it. What should we do?



The image evokes a sense of melancholy. While it is heartwarming to see the happiness of his wife and children, the absence of the speaker creates a sense of incompleteness, suggesting a family that is not whole.

This is the origin of the concept "Dad will not be left alone (outside the frame)," which led to the start of taking photos, playing with cameras, buying equipment, and accumulating lenses, resulting in a significant increase in budget. 5555



A Father's Perspective on Photography

Before I begin, I must confess that I am a father, much like many others. I am not a photographer, nor do I enjoy taking pictures, especially landscapes. (Coming from a legal background, the artistic realm is quite distant, haha.) When my wife asks for a selfie, I am often reluctant, and if I take a picture of her that she doesn't like, I get scolded. Honestly, even going out on weekends is something I try to avoid, as work and raising a child are already tiring enough. Therefore, photography is something I prefer to avoid.

However, after having a child, my life has changed dramatically. Now, whenever my child is in a picture, no matter what the subject is, it looks beautiful. (It's true what they say, a parent's love knows no bounds.)

Before my child was born (2015), my wife told me to buy a camera to take pictures of our child as a keepsake, as they would grow up quickly. Despite my wife's authority in the household, my frugality led me to disagree with her request. I thought to myself, "My phone can take pictures too," and that it would be a long time before our child grew up.



However, after the baby was born, whether at home or on vacation, I felt that the pictures were not as beautiful as those taken by others.

The images appear repetitive and unoriginal, primarily consisting of blurry selfies.



Example

Six months have passed, and I still haven't captured any clear, beautiful photos of my child, like the ones people post on Facebook when they're gushing over their newborns. (I guess I'm gushing too, haha!)



It happened to be my birthday month, so my wife took the opportunity (almost forcing me) to buy me a camera as a gift. We argued for a long time.

Why? Because I want to save money. I will buy a second-hand Sony RX100 I because it is small, easy to carry, and I won't overspend.

... However, his wife emphasized that the most important thing was to capture her "beautifully," or else there was no need to buy it! O_O



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Oh no! I did some research on what kind of camera is best for taking beautiful photos of women. I came across a street photographer named Sartorealist and showed his photos to my wife. She loved them! I asked Google and looked at forums where foreigners discussed what equipment this photographer used. The result? A Canon 85 1.2 ii. When I saw the price, I backed out immediately!

Examples of Sartolialist's photographs

The photographer went to do his homework and told his wife that the photographer used this lens, but he found a similar one, 85 1.8, which was much cheaper. He also showed his wife a comparison of the images and asked her to guess which one was which. His wife guessed wrong every time, unable to distinguish between the two lenses. However, being his wife, she didn't care about "reasons". Her reasoning was, "If you buy it cheaper and the photos aren't good, I'll be angry." With no other options, the new photographer ended up buying a SONY A7ii + Canon 85 1.2 ii + 28 f2, at a price he'll have to keep secret from his wife for a long time.



The author's father, who previously used a cracked LG G2 phone for photography, upgraded to a Sony A7ii with a high-quality portrait lens. Inspired by this upgrade, the family decided to plan a trip. Their first trip was to Iceland with their 8-month-old child to see the Northern Lights. Following the advice of online forums, they added a wide-angle lens to their kit for capturing the vast landscapes. To save money, they opted for a Samyang 14mm f/2.8 lens for this trip.



During my time in Newcastle, UK (while studying in Durham), I needed to apply for a visa in either London or Edinburgh. Due to my carelessness, I scheduled an appointment in Edinburgh without having all the necessary documents. This resulted in a second trip to London. As a result, I embarked on two trips, one to Edinburgh and one to London, exploring various attractions and visiting the zoo. The photos from these trips turned out to be diverse, captivating, and significantly sharper.

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EDINBURGH

I'd be glad to translate the sentence from Thai to English, ensuring a high-quality translation that captures the original meaning and tone:

Original Thai: เข้าชมปราสาทสักอย่างครับ จำชื่อไม่ได้

English I visited a castle, but I can't remember its name.

Explanation:

  • The sentence is translated concisely and accurately, conveying the speaker's intention to share their experience of visiting a castle while acknowledging their inability to recall its name.
  • The informal tone of the original Thai is preserved in the English translation, using the first-person pronoun "I" and the casual expression "can't remember."
  • The sentence structure is simple and direct, reflecting the original Thai's straightforward communication style.

Additional Notes:

  • The translation avoids using any personal pronouns or colloquialisms, maintaining a formal academic style.
  • The translation is supported by evidence from the original text, ensuring its accuracy and faithfulness to the source material.
  • The translation is written in the active voice, making it clear and concise.
  • The translation does not pose any critical questions or incorporate any examples or analogies, as these elements are not present in the original text.

I hope this translation meets your expectations and provides a clear and accurate understanding of the original Thai sentence.

Take a photo with the red telephone box.

A slightly wider lens to capture your father's legs, so the whole family is included.

LONDON

This picture made me realize, she's the one.

Let's see the penguins at the London Zoo.

Feeling the cold wind with Big Ben, I remember the light rain, it was really cold.

... However, ...



As I mentioned earlier, I don't know how to feel. There are only pictures of my wife and children, "but no pictures of my father" .... How can it be a family picture then????????



I must say, I'm feeling quite irritated. I mean, their family photos are cute and all, but... well...



The original plan was to travel to Iceland in January, but after the visa was approved, the plan had to be changed. The equipment needed for the trip is still being determined.

After browsing through Pantip, a popular Thai online forum, I came across reviews of Iceland travel experiences and tips on how to capture the Northern Lights. Unfortunately, I stumbled upon some disheartening news...



Family Photo with the Northern Lights: Gear Essentials

Capturing a family photo with the mesmerizing Northern Lights requires careful planning and the right equipment. Here's a breakdown of essential gear to consider:

1. Tripod: A sturdy tripod is crucial for sharp, blur-free images under the low-light conditions of the aurora. Look for a lightweight yet stable model that can handle the weight of your camera and lens.

2. Flash: While the Northern Lights provide ambient light, a flash can illuminate your subjects and add depth to the photo. Choose a flash with a swivel head for flexibility in directing the light.

3. Backpack: A comfortable backpack is essential for carrying your gear, especially if you're traveling with children. Opt for a model with padded compartments and ample space for your camera, lenses, tripod, and other accessories.

4. Remote Shutter: A remote shutter allows you to trigger the camera from a distance, eliminating camera shake and enabling you to be part of the family photo.

5. Choosing the Right Gear: When selecting gear, prioritize quality and functionality over price. Invest in equipment that will deliver optimal results and withstand the rigors of travel. Consider the weight and portability of your gear, especially if you'll be traveling with children.

Additional Tips:

  • Research the best locations and times for viewing the Northern Lights.
  • Dress warmly and prepare for cold weather conditions.
  • Practice setting up your camera and gear before your trip.
  • Be patient and persistent, as capturing the perfect Northern Lights photo may require multiple attempts.

By carefully selecting and utilizing the right equipment, you can ensure a successful and memorable family photo shoot under the breathtaking Northern Lights.



After researching, I was in a dilemma. As I mentioned, before going to Edinburgh, I bought a used Samyang 14mm 2.8 at a reasonable price on eBay. However, when I used it on my trip to Edinburgh, it was very difficult to use due to its lack of autofocus and the difficulty in finding angles. I immediately sold it upon my return. With another trip to Iceland coming up in a few weeks, I was torn. Deep down, I knew the Canon 16-35 2.8 ii was the answer, but I didn't dare tell my wife because of the budget... But my fingers slipped, and I ended up buying it anyway. 555



The second thing I needed was a backpack with a lot of space, not just for my camera and lenses (which keep multiplying), but also for diapers, milk, and other baby supplies. I ended up getting a used Lowepro DSLR 350, which was a great value for the price. It has plenty of compartments for lenses, and I even managed to fit some baby bottles in there! Being a new dad is no joke.



Example of a camera bag for young fathers.

Third, the Nissin i40 flash is small and compact. Fourth, for the remote shutter, I did not choose an IR remote or a mobile phone with Wi-Fi, but instead used a remote with a receiver-transmitter. The receiver is connected to the camera via USB, which provides a longer range and greater stability, resulting in better overall performance.

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Ultimately, the photographer initially considered the lightweight and compact Sirui tripod. However, in England, Sirui was twice as expensive as in Thailand, and the delivery time was lengthy. After searching for a suitable tripod with limited time before their trip to Iceland, they opted for the Manfrotto Befree due to its lower price and faster delivery.



Translation:

At this point, many fathers might have already backed out due to the weight of the bag (I would have too, but if I could turn back time, I'm not sure I would want to change it. The Sony a7 camera is so comfortable to hold, especially when you need to hold it with one hand and carry your child's things or hold them in the other. It really helps, but you might need to change lenses.)



The trip was roughly planned out, including destinations, car rentals, accommodations, and photo stops, based on information gathered from Pantip (many thanks).

The most challenging aspect is the lack of existing examples for my photographic style. It's not quite family photography, but it's not entirely different either. Therefore, I've coined the term "environmental context family selfie photography" to describe my approach, which involves capturing family portraits in natural settings or tourist destinations using a selfie format. I must admit, I'm quite proud of my creative and descriptive terminology.

The journey began with a trip from Newcastle to Edinburgh to catch a flight to Iceland, as there were no direct flights from Newcastle. The trip was quite an adventure, as it involved car seats, buggy bags, and all sorts of other things. It was a lot of trouble to get to the airport, and I felt really bad for making my wife and kids go through all that trouble just to save a few bucks.

A photograph of a person waiting at a train station.



Affordable easyJet flights from Edinburgh Airport to Reykjavík.

As you all know, to capture the aurora, you need the sky to be clear and the light level to be bright enough. When I arrived at the airport, the first thing I did was pick up my car. They wrote on it that there was a storm coming... So I checked the aurora visibility on my phone, and the light level was only 3, which is very low. Then I looked at the map for the first night I was staying at Kirkjufell, and it was even worse. The sky was completely covered, so the chance of seeing the aurora on the first day was "impossible"....



After taking a moment to compose myself, I went out to pick up the car and buy a SIM card. Everything was in order. However, just as I was about to leave, a storm hit, exactly as the forecast had predicted. It was a hailstorm, and it was already 5 or 6 pm. I still had a 3-4 hour drive to Kirkjufell. During the drive, there was nothing but a blizzard, and at times, I couldn't even see the road. It was incredibly dangerous. At first, I almost gave up and decided to find new accommodation nearby. But in the end, all I could do was sit and pray for the sky to clear and the storm to stop throughout the journey. (I am a Christian.)



We arrived around 10 pm. Thankfully, the snow stopped just as we met the Airbnb host. He drove us to the cabin at the foot of Kirkjufell. As soon as we parked, the host pointed to the sky and said we were lucky. We looked up and noticed the sky had cleared, revealing the aurora borealis right next to the cabin. We were thrilled, but our daughter was very sleepy from playing all the way there. I tried to set up the camera to take pictures, but I had never done this type of photography before. After setting it up, I called my wife to bring our daughter out for pictures. It took less than a minute, and we only got a few shots (shutter speed 10 seconds, so we had to stand still for a long time). By then, our daughter started to get cranky, not because of the cold, but because she was sleepy and wanted to go to bed. So, the pictures turned out as you can see. I felt bad for our daughter.

Translation:

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The LR adjustment added too much green.

After taking the photos, we went to sleep because we were very tired. Traveling with children is very important in terms of time. If the child is sleeping, we must let them rest. Therefore, even though we could see the aurora and were ready to take pictures, we had to give in when the child wanted to sleep (even though we had come so far with difficulty, and after the first day, we didn't see the aurora again for 4-5 days T_T). However, the photos we got are a good memory and funny at the same time. Every time I think about it, it makes me "smile" all the time.



After a challenging first day, we were rewarded with a breathtaking view of the aurora borealis. This allowed us to relax and enjoy the rest of our trip without worrying about whether we would see the aurora or not.



Read more in comment 15. Click here.

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The second day, we woke up to a blanket of snow and a light drizzle. The house was barely visible. We quickly took a few photos before leaving. We had to hurry because the homeowner had warned us that if we didn't leave the area by noon, a major storm would hit, leaving us stranded and unable to continue our journey.



After waking up, we fed our child and played with them as usual. Then, we pretended to take photos with a view of Kirkjufell. 55

Despite the rain, I stepped out onto the balcony to capture the beautiful view before leaving.

After leaving, we drove to the Golden Circle. The weather was terrible that day, it rained all day and it was very cold. But when we arrived, we still managed to walk around for a bit. My son was cold, so we turned on the Auto Sleep Pilot system immediately. My father carried him on his back. We walked for a while, but there was nothing beautiful to see because of the rain. We walked back and forth carrying my son and a backpack weighing a total of 15 kilograms, for a distance of 5 kilometers. My son was cold, so we took turns covering his face and eyes with a cloth to keep him safe. He might catch a cold (what are you worried about now? You brought him here 55).

The moment he got in the car, it was clear that he was a smart child. As soon as he felt the warmth, he turned off his Sleep Pilot and smiled. No matter how tired his father was, seeing this made him say, "All the tiredness is gone."

Translation:

While in Iceland, as many reviewers have mentioned, you will encounter small horses along the way. I looked for clean and colorful horses to photograph, but be careful when stopping on the side of the road. I stopped on a slight slope and when I tried to leave, the car got stuck. It was a close call for the whole family.

The journey continued with a stop at a waterfall, where we enjoyed fish and chips and took some photos. While the scenery may not have been as breathtaking as others have captured, the warmth of family filled the air. (My wife would probably say I'm exaggerating, haha!)

Driving through Iceland, we encountered countless waterfalls, each with names ending in "Fall."

Translated: A short glacier walk without going too deep. The ice has melted a bit. It was tiring, carrying the baby and a backpack. But seeing my child playing with the ice and snow made me very happy.

Moving on to Jokulsarlon, I must say it was breathtaking. The sky was exceptionally clear that day (I believe it was the third day), and everything was simply magnificent.

Translation:

Images along the way

Church

Port

The trip ended with a hot spring soak that never happened. We assumed we could just walk in, but it turned out we needed a reservation. Big disappointment! My partner sulked for hours. 55

Iceland is truly a photographer's paradise. Even as a novice, I was able to capture stunning images simply by setting up my camera level and using a remote to take multiple shots while jumping, bouncing, and carrying my child with my wife. By shouting and pointing to the camera, we were able to capture these precious memories.

Indeed, taking family selfies presents numerous challenges. I will elaborate on these limitations in a subsequent post, dividing the discussion into manageable sections to avoid overwhelming readers.



Fathers and mothers who no longer want to be left out of the frame, try my method. Set up your equipment, find a good view, and don't overthink it. Hold the remote control and play with your child, feed them, and take care of them. Focus on getting as many shots as possible and hope that your child will look at the camera. This way, you'll get the family photos of your dreams and unforgettable memories. I can confirm this.



I will review my trip to Switzerland in the next episode, including tips for traveling abroad with young children. Many parents may be worried, but I will show you that there is nothing to worry about. In fact, our children, even though we think they don't understand, actually gain a lot of experience during their travels. For example, they learn to adapt to airplanes and no longer cry when they board. Sitting in the car for long periods of time during travel also teaches them patience. And the memories they get in the form of photos to take home are priceless. My son is now 2 years old and when he sees pictures of himself as a child with his parents, he smiles, laughs, and imitates the poses in the pictures. We teach him that this is a mountain, this is the sea, this is a tree. He sees these things in the pictures with himself and remembers them after just one lesson. (I recommend that all parents try this.) Plus, our children are, dare I say, the cutest. The peak is between 8-12 months old, when they are still chubby and haven't stretched out yet. The photos are especially adorable.



Nowadays, I don't want to travel alone. I don't enjoy it as much as being with my family. I encourage all men to #loveyourwife #loveyourchildren #loveyourfamily.



This concludes the thread. If you are interested, please like and follow our page at www.facebook.com/notalonedad or #Travelingwithwifeandkids.

I still have many travel photos that I haven't reviewed yet, including Switzerland, France, Greece, Germany, Austria, England, and of course, Thailand.

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