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kai · 09-16-2003, 07:40 AM

I've been in mississippi since july (but my house and all my stuff is in san antonio), and I have been doing a fair amount of kayaking photography while i've been here. You're right- kayaking is more manueverable, but also easier to roll than a canoe. i haven't rolled yet when i didn't plan on it (i.e., doing it on purpose for training, so that when i DO do it by accident, i wont drown), but the possibility is there.

last friday i paddled on a river here in MS thru a cypress swamp- it was great- owls, alligators, herons, deer, turtles, and really really big spiders with perfect webs... not to mention the spanish moss and creepy cypress trees... but its really hard to keep the camera out to catch all of this stuff and not worry about dumping it in the drink. I only brought one camera with me to MS (the nice new cannon, naturally), and i find that it spends a lot of time wrapped in a plastic bag, then in a tee shirt, then in a deck bag which is tied to deck rigging of the kayak... not much room for spontaneity- its really hard to get it out, its lashed down so tight. i really wish i had brought the old hand me down pentax from high school with me for times like last week. i dont actually think i would dump, i have really good balance, but i'm not willing to risk it. this problem is esp. bad in cypress swamps- submerged logs and sticks, hidden in the really murky and tanic water are like mines- hit one just right, and it'll pop you over in a second, even if you are barely moving. and even if the water is only a foot deep.

this weekend should be a little better- camping and kayaking on a barrier island 15 miles off shore- no people live there, and most of the people who go out there go earlier in the season, before labor day.

i really enjoy taking photographs from a kayak, but it can be a bit troublesome and hard to balance... theres a lot of 'crap, i missed it' comments... i would say for taking photos, it might be better to stick to a canoe. of course, you'll loose some independence and manueverability, but that stability can be key sometimes.

that being said, i am looking to buy a used recreational kayak or two, if anyone knows of someone or somewhere that is selling them. because i am stubborn, and do things the hardest way possible, and want to kayak and photography simultaneously

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09-16-2003, 07:40 AM	#3
kai Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 146	I've been in mississippi since july (but my house and all my stuff is in san antonio), and I have been doing a fair amount of kayaking photography while i've been here. You're right- kayaking is more manueverable, but also easier to roll than a canoe. i haven't rolled yet when i didn't plan on it (i.e., doing it on purpose for training, so that when i DO do it by accident, i wont drown), but the possibility is there. last friday i paddled on a river here in MS thru a cypress swamp- it was great- owls, alligators, herons, deer, turtles, and really really big spiders with perfect webs... not to mention the spanish moss and creepy cypress trees... but its really hard to keep the camera out to catch all of this stuff and not worry about dumping it in the drink. I only brought one camera with me to MS (the nice new cannon, naturally), and i find that it spends a lot of time wrapped in a plastic bag, then in a tee shirt, then in a deck bag which is tied to deck rigging of the kayak... not much room for spontaneity- its really hard to get it out, its lashed down so tight. i really wish i had brought the old hand me down pentax from high school with me for times like last week. i dont actually think i would dump, i have really good balance, but i'm not willing to risk it. this problem is esp. bad in cypress swamps- submerged logs and sticks, hidden in the really murky and tanic water are like mines- hit one just right, and it'll pop you over in a second, even if you are barely moving. and even if the water is only a foot deep. this weekend should be a little better- camping and kayaking on a barrier island 15 miles off shore- no people live there, and most of the people who go out there go earlier in the season, before labor day. i really enjoy taking photographs from a kayak, but it can be a bit troublesome and hard to balance... theres a lot of 'crap, i missed it' comments... i would say for taking photos, it might be better to stick to a canoe. of course, you'll loose some independence and manueverability, but that stability can be key sometimes. that being said, i am looking to buy a used recreational kayak or two, if anyone knows of someone or somewhere that is selling them. because i am stubborn, and do things the hardest way possible, and want to kayak and photography simultaneously .