Easter Island and Chile - Large format

I am planning a trip to Chile in late October and early November. My prime destination will be Easter Island and I would like to spend 4-5 days there then head to another part of the country, perhaps Chiloe Island.

Prior to the trip I plan on purchasing a large format camera and I am leaning towards an 8x10. I have lots of experience shooting medium format and some experience shooting large format and I do not anticipate have any technical problems. I shoot strickly B&W.

I am searching for tips and advice about shooting in Chile and Easter Island. Any of you APUGers out there ever been to the country (I hear it is stunning)? Where did you go and for how long? Anyone take large format gear along and, if so, what challenges did you face? What considerations should I take?

What other regions are worth considering besides Chiloe Island? It may be too rain that time of year.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Well, I haven't been to Chile but, I did take a large format kit with me to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands earlier this year.

I can say that everything is a little more relaxed in South America. You will also need to relax - if you get off the plane when the bagage handlers are at lunch, your bags will sit on the trolly untill they're back from lunch. Buy youreself a beer and relax. If travelling with a tour group, offer to buy the guide a beer too - that way, you know she/he won't leave you behind.

Learning to speak the language will help immensely. Even if you sound like a five year old, they will appreciate the effort. At the airport, you can ask them to inspect your film without xrays...and without any hassle at all they will....

"Puede usted inpsectionar le sin rayo-x?" - worked for me.

I can't tell you how important it will be for you to relax. We Americans are just way too uptight.

Have fun.

What Brad said about relaxing. My girlfriend's family and friends all laugh at me because I'm always on time for everything.

I don't know about Chile, but in Venezuela I was cautioned about carrying my camera about, especially in plain view (lots of theft). I was taking some shots of an old church last New Years Eve and some of the locals were having fun by throwing an occasional M-80 at me while I was shooting. That makes for a hurried shot.

Learning the language certainly helps, only if its just basic phrases/sentences.

I spent 6 months travelling in South America from Ecuador to Ushuaia. Made it to the Galapagos Islands but not Easter Island. I'm not sure about the relaxing stuff. If you can't relax here, you are a poor candidate for relaxing there, especially worrying about who might steal your photography equipment.

At the time, I lugged a Pentax 67 across the continent in a Tundra case and had some smaller soft bags to use as needed. This was a major pain, sitting for hours on bus rides with the Tundra case on my lap. But I was glad I did it that way. If you go very far off the beaten path in Chile the roads are gravel (i.e. the stones are smaller than baseballs), rough and very dusty. This is especially true in Patagonia.

I agree with the notion of learning a little Spanish. Keep in mind that Chilean Spanish is a bit different because the seem to speak at lightening speed. Also, try to develop a taste for red wine. Chile makes some great red wine and when we were there a bottle of basic red table wine was cheaper than Coke.

Fred Picker did a really nice book entitled, "Rapa Nui," which is all about the Moai (sp?) on Easter Island. You can often find it on eBay or Amazon and it's not that expensive, so that might be a good purchase for you. He spent a good while on the island and documented it very nicely; his shots will give you some ideas and his coverage of the place will help you decide what you want to cover. A superb book in every way, except the reproduction quality, which is a bit lacking.

hblad120 said:

I plan on purchasing a large format camera and I am leaning towards an 8x10. I have lots of experience shooting medium format and some experience shooting large format and I do not anticipate have any technical problems.

Click to expand...

I've shot medium format my whole life and have had a fair share of LF experience as well. I've just started shooting 8x10 again over the past 6 months and I am nowhere near proficient enough with it to take it to exotic places. You've got only a couple months to buy the gear, become familiar AND worry about your trip. That is serious energy of which I am envious! Why not just enjoy the trip and concentrate on working with the format you are most comfortable. EI isn't going anywhere and you can always go back with LF gear once you know the lay of the land.

I have looked very thoroughly at travel to the island and have one photographer friend who did it a few years back and did a book out of the journey. He reported it as a very traveller friendly place. From what I remember, you are there for a week at least as there is only 1 flight to and from Santiago each week. I may be wrong on this as it has been several years since I checked.

Have a great time a post shots when you return.

Bill

Thanks for the responses I have received. There will be no problem relaxing for me. I am an experienced traveler to Third World countries and usually take several cameras with me. Recent destinations have included Nicaragua, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Ecuador and Cuba (twice). I do speak a little Spanish. I can get around, find lodging, food and transportation, but do a better job of embarassing myself when I speak.

Bill's advice about learning the equipment is valid. I am proficient using a spot meter and I have limited experience using my 4X5 so I guess I'll learn on the fly. As a backup I had planned on taking my Rollei. Point well taken. I'll also search for the book as recommended by Michael.

Chile

I've traveled extensively in Chile. Unless things have changed which I doubt then you will have no problems. Just be prepared as there are long distances between places. I usually flew in and then got a rent a car. I went to alot of places that people tell you it is impossible to go to. Like the desert in the north.
Very rewarding. The south is like New England. And the middle is where Santiago and most of the people are. Great destination...
Best, Peter