10 Best Micro Four Thirds Travel Photos By Me Rick!
Travel photography and micro four thirds cameras – a perfect combination
What are the 10 best micro four thirds travel photography photos taken by me? In this post I will share these 10 images with you and tell you where I took the photos, the camera settings I used, the gear I used and also what I was thinking when I took the photos. These really are 10 of my best travel photography images which I am rather proud of (even if I do say so myself).
Who am I?
For those of you who don’t know me I am Rick McEvoy, a photographer and travel website creator based in the south of England. I specialise in architectural, landscape and travel photography.
I have been using Canon DSLRs for years, but this year took the plunge and invested in a micro four thirds camera.
What is a micro four thirds camera?
Micro four thirds cameras are smaller than DSLRs. The sensor is smaller too, but they pack a real punch with their image quality.
What micro four thirds camera do I own?
I started off with an Olympus OM-D EM10 Mk 2 which I took to instantly. So much so that I bought its big brother, the Olympus OM-D EM5 Mk 2, which is now my go to camera for travel photography.
Why not a DSLR?
I noticed last year in Greece that I was leaving my camera in the hotel, or in the boot of the car, and taking more photos with my iPhone than usual.
Basically I was getting fed up with my DSLR.
So when I got back from that trip I started looking into alternatives. I spent a long time looking into this and ended up with the Olympus OM-D EM5 Mk 2. I will add links to the posts about all of this at the end of this blog post – I want to get into the 10 photos right now.
Where were these photos taken?
On one of my favourite Greek Islands, Rhodes. They were all taken on this trip earlier on this year, the first time I had got to use the camera properly.
A quick word on the camera settings
All the photos were taken with my Olympus OM-D EM5 Mk 2 and Olympus 12-40mm F2.8 Pro lens.
All the photos were taken using the auto bracketing feature on the camera, where three images are taken at the same time (with different exposures) which I merged together in Lightroom to create a master image which I edited.
So when I say shutter speed in the descriptions below I am referring to the first shot.
I had not learnt how to use the camera properly to be completely honest, so I used Auto ISO for the first time ever, and put the camera into my go to mode, Aperture Priority. I set the aperture and the camera sets the shutter speed.
All the photos were taken on a tripod, so this works just fine for me.
OK – let’s get onto the 10 photos
Photo 1 - Scooter at sunrise in Lindos on the Greek Island of Rhodes
Scooter at sunrise in Lindos on the Greek Island of Rhodes
Location
About 5 minutes from the main beach in Lindos.
Something interesting about the photo
I was walking along the back path after a not so stunning sunrise slightly spoiled by clouds when I came across this scooter parked by a building.
Everything clicked into place and I got this shot which I absolutely love.
It just goes to prove the point that you should just get out there and take photos – do not wait for perfect conditions as you never know what you will find.
Camera settings
Focal length 17mm
Aperture F8
Shutter 1/4000th second
ISO 200
Photo 2 - Tree at sunrise on Rhodes Greece by Rick McEvoy
Tree at sunrise on Rhodes Greece
Location
On the top of the hills above Navarone Bay on the outskirts of Pefkos.
Something interesting about the photo
This is what greeted me when I got over the brow of the hill from the place where I had parked my car. I couldn’t risk going any further up the rough gravel road leaving me a bit of a walk!
So hot and sweaty before I had even got my camera out, and late as the sun was just about to appear, I stumbled upon this scene which I had to stop and photograph!
Camera settings
Focal length 17mm
Aperture F8
Shutter 1/60th second
ISO 500
Photo 3 - Sun and tree at sunrise on Rhodes
Sun and tree at sunrise on Rhodes
Location
The hills above Navarone Bay – the same location as the previous photo but this is in portrait format for Pinterest.
Something interesting about the photo
I wanted to get a portrait version which works better for Pinterest, so having taken the first shot I moved and adjusted the focal length to get this shot.
No this is not just a crop of the previous image – I really do thing about this stuff!
And one more thing here – I used an aperture of F22 to get the starburst effect in the photo which is exactly what I was after.
And I love the effect even though I had not tried this before with this camera and lens combo.
Camera settings
Focal length 32mm
Aperture F22
Shutter 1/1600th second
ISO 200
Photo 4 - The Acropolis of Rhodes at sunrise
The Acropolis of Rhodes at sunrise
Location
The top of the hills above Navarone Bay looking towards the Acropolis of Rhodes.
Something interesting about the photo
This was the first photo taken with the 40-150mm lens. Not bad is it? I had done with the sunrise, so decided to have a play with this telephoto lens and see what I could get.
And I got this which I really like.
It is very unusual for me to actually use a telephoto lens, so this makes a very welcome change.
And as for the sharpness and image quality? Looks fine to me!
Camera settings
Focal length 89mm
Aperture F8
Shutter 1/100th second
ISO 200
Photo 5 - Sunrise from Prophet Elias Church Pefkos
Sunrise from Prophet Elias Church Pefkos
Location
Taken from the Prophet Elias Church on top of the hill above Pefkos.
Something interesting about the photo
This is one of my favourite sunrise locations. And in this shot I wanted to convey the height and depth of the scene, which I think I have done pretty well. I know I have cropped off the top of the sun but hey I am only human!
Camera settings
Focal length 26mm
Aperture F11
Shutter 1/200th second
ISO 200
Photo 6 - Rock pools at sunrise on Navarone Bay
Rock pools at sunrise on Navarone Bay
Location
The beach at Navarone Bay.
Something interesting about the photo
I was walking back from my sunrise shoot and started looking at reflections in rock pools.
And this is when I took full advantage of the fully articulated screen and held the camera just above the rock pool to get this ultra-low angle view. Using the touch screen I could focus and take the image.
And I could actually see the screen even in this super bright and contrasty scene – quite incredible really.
Yes I love the touchscreen on this little wonder.
Camera settings
Focal length 12mm
Aperture F13
Shutter 1/160th second
ISO 200
Photo 7 - Tree 2 at sunrise on Rhodes Greece
Tree 2 at sunrise on Rhodes Greece
Location
Back on top of the hill overlooking Navarone Bay
Something interesting about the photo
This is the tree that you can see as you drive from Lindos to Lardos on top of the hill. I have looked at that tree many many times, and finally got to meet it personally.
And yes after that morning every time I made my favourite drive on Rhodes I looked up at that very tree and smiled to myself.
Camera settings
Focal length 21mm
Aperture F16
Shutter 1/320th second
ISO 200
Photo 8 - Boat at sunrise, Lindos, Rhodes
Boat at sunrise, Lindos, Rhodes
Location
The main beach in Lindos. At the far end there is a small jetty which is used for daytrips to various places.
And for me to take photos from.
Something interesting about the photo
This morning the sunrise was not great, as there was a band of low cloud on the horizon, so I had to find something different to photograph.
So I walked around the beach and thought about my favourite jetty. And there was a boat there which was most excellent – there aren’t always boats moored on this particular jetty, so I had my focal point for this image, with a couple of ropes too!
Camera settings
Focal length 12mm
Aperture F22
Shutter 1/640th second
ISO 200
Photo 9 - Windswept Tree At Sunrise Rhodes Greece
Windswept Tree At Sunrise Rhodes Greece
Location
On top of the cliffs overlooking Navarone Bay
Something interesting about the photo
This was the photo I took on the way back to the car. I was hanging out by now, having drunk all my water. I liked trees that have been sculpted and formed by the weather like this tree.
I left the lens flare in this photo as it seems to balance out the image nicely, and we all know that the sun causes these things to happen so why not?
I again used F22 to get that wonderful effect on the sun – I was not sure how the 7-14mm lens would be doing this, but I am loving the effect I get.
Camera settings
Focal length 18mm
Aperture F22
Shutter 1/640th second
ISO 200
Photo 10 - Greek Flag At Sunrise
Greek Flag At Sunrise
Location
Back at the site of the Prophet Elias Church on top of the hill in Pefkos
Something interesting about the photo
I love this shot. I thought I would save the best till last for once.
This is the Greek flag and the photo of the landscape just before the sun illuminates a new day on the wonderful Greek Island of Rhodes.
I have taken a video of this scene which you can view on my YouTube channel.
This photo tells the story of sunrise in Greece – I love to be able to tell a story in a single image.
Camera settings
Focal length 12mm
Aperture F8
Shutter 1/100th second
ISO 200
A word on my Olympus OM-D EM5 Mk 2.
I wrote a post last week which tells you a lot about my new camera and what I think of it. You can read the post here Is The Olympus OMD EM5 Mk2 The Best Travel Photography Camera?
Do you want one of these cameras?
And if you are interested in buying one of these little wonders here are Amazon affiliate links – if you buy anything having used one of theses links I get a small commission.
And the two together
Olympus OMD EM5 Mk2 and Olympus 12-40mm F 2.8 Pro Lens
Further reading
I have written a few other posts about micro four thirds photography, which are these.
Micro Four Thirds Explained – A Beginners Guide
Micro Four Thirds - Small Cameras For Travelling
My Micro Four Thirds Travel Kit – Travelling Light In Style
Professional photographers who use micro four thirds - really?
And the video for this blog post will be published tomorrow on my YouTube Channel.
How to follow me
If you want to keep up with everything I am doing you can do the following
Subscribe to my blog from the box on my home page
Subscribe to my YouTube channels
And also follow me on Pinterest
These are the main outlets for my online content at the moment.
Summary
I hope that you found this post interesting, and next week I will continue the theme by writing about my best travel photos taken with the Olympus OM-D EM10 Mk 2! Well why not? There is some good stuff in there.
And then after that I might treat myself to an on-location post and video.
Rick McEvoy ABIPP – Photographer, writer, website creator
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