I just came back from a trip to Calgary from Lake Louise a few hours ago and I already can't wait to post more material on this blog! I shouldn't get ahead of myself because I just know that sometime next month I will probably start slowing down because I will be running out of things to post.

However, until then I will post whatever I can. This is a three part series. First up are the selfies I took during this trip. I mostly traveled alone in my adventures, which means I have lots of photos of my surroundings, but none with me in them. It's sometimes frustrating as a photographer to not be in your own photos - but then again sometimes I prefer to just be behind the camera. If one does feel like taking a selfie with a heavy DSLR, you will quickly find out that it gets quite difficult holding the camera with one hand with a finger on the shutter button (especially for a skinny asian man with small hands).

Selfie at the Calgary TowerTaken at the Calgary tower looking down on the city. The main advise is this: if your camera has an interval timer so you can create time lapses on your computer afterwards, use that function!

I find that holding a D800 with a 14-24mm lens gets tiring to hold up with my weaker left hand especially when my index finger has to stay on the shutter button. 

I also find that putting the drive mode on timer means I would need to pre-focus if I want to take a whole body shot. Waiting for the timer is also a hassle especially for one shot because if it doesn't turn out, I would have to do it all over again and that just eats up time that I don't want to waste on myself.

Setting the camera on interval shots gives you control over how many seconds are in between each shot, how many shots you want to take, and how many shots at a time I would like to take at one time. I usually set the camera on 3 seconds between each shot with 4-6 shots and each time just shooting 1 photo. The first picture is usually a throw-away because you're getting into position, but after the camera will focus on you (as long as the AF-point is set on the position you will be in) and take several photos so you just have to worry about looking awesome. You can try different poses and pick the one you like most!

Anyways, that's my secret. Hope this helped someone out there.