Cruising the Islands of Croatia with Michael Huggan Photography

July 18, 2017  •  Leave a Comment

Cruising the Dalmatian Coast

Setting off with my recently acquired Nikon D500 and a couple of lenses I spent the most wonderful week with my wife cruising round the islands of Croatia on board the MS Medula June 2017.   

We arrived at Zaton, not far from Dubrovnik, boarded the yacht in time for dinner and spent the first night on board in the harbour.   

On board MS Medula

MS Medula at Zaton harbourMS Medula at Zaton harbour

MS Medula - what a beautiful yacht this is and very photogenic from all aspects.

The dining area onboard MS Medula The dining area onboard MS Medula

The dining area on board MS Medula

View of Zaton Harbour from MS Medula View of Zaton Harbour from MS Medula

View of Zaton harbour from the gangway of MS Medula.

It did not take long for me to realise that a polarising filter was essential for most of my shots on board and and the surrounding scenery. Bright skies, high contrast and loads of sparkles and reflections from the sea.  I tried various shots with and without a polariser, but most of the time the polariser just took the edge off the highlights.  With mixed and difficult lighting I always shoot in RAW, just to be sure I have further control in post processing if required.  I am quite happy using jpeg's if the lighting is stable. The D500 produces the best jpeg images of any camera I have used.  I am still getting to grips with trusting the histogram of the D500 in regard to preventing highlight blow outs.  The histogram is very sensitive indicates over exposure, so I often shoot with -0.3 or -0.7 exposure compensation.  When using my D4,  I often use +0.3 or +0.7 exposure compensation, so I need to keep this in mind when using the D500.  I have read similar comments from other photographers using the D500, so perhaps it is a factor with this camera.

Arriving at Pomona harbour, Mijet the first island we visitedArriving at Pomona harbour, Mijet the first island we visited

Pomona harbour, Mljet was the first island we visited with a National Park and a Monastery.  The harbour area was very pretty and this seemed to be typical of all the islands we visited.  Crystal clear water and extremely clean everywhere, it was a stunning place.

The Monastery on MljetThe Monastery on Mljet

The Monastery on Mljet

View from the Monastery, MljetView from the Monastery, Mljet

View from the Monastery, Mljet

Line abreast at Pomona Harbour, MljetLine abreast at Pomona Harbour, Mljet

Yachts line abreast at Pomona Harbour, Mljet

Afternoon and overnight stop in Lumbarda, KorculaAfternoon and overnight stop in Lumbarda, Korcula

Afternoon and overnight stop in Lumbarda, Korcula

Passing a cruising boat Passing a cruising boat

One of many small cruising yachts that tour the islands

Another swimming spot next to a luxury yachtAnother swimming spot next to a luxury yacht

Another swimming spot next to a luxury yacht

Approaching Hvar with the Fort above the harbourApproaching Hvar with the Fort above the harbour

Approaching Hvar with the Fort overlooking the harbour

The Fort overlooking the harbour of Hvar at nightThe Fort overlooking the harbour of Hvar at night

The Fort overlooking the harbour of Hvar at night

Early morning light on yacht in Hvar harbourEarly morning light on yacht in Hvar harbour

The early morning light bathes a yacht in Hvar harbour

Boat for hire in Milna, Brac,Boat for hire in Milna, Brac,

One of many boats for hire in the harbour at Milna, Brac

Leaving Milna harbour on BracLeaving Milna harbour on Brac

Leaving Milna harbour on Brac

Our swimming area outside Milna, Brac,Our swimming area outside Milna, Brac,

Our swimming area outside Milna harbour

Approaching Split harbourApproaching Split harbour

Entering the harbour of Split

One of the narrow walkways in Omis One of the narrow walkways in Omis

One of the narrow walkways in Omis 

The inner harbour at OmisThe inner harbour at Omis

The inner harbour of Omis

Porthole view of Makarska harbourPorthole view of Makarska harbour

View of Makarska harbour through the porthole of MS Medula

Small cruise boat leaving Makarska harbourSmall cruise boat leaving Makarska harbour

Small cruise boat leaving Makarska harbour

Sea view from KorculaSea view from Korcula old town

Sea view from Korcula old town

One of the many passageways in KorculaOne of the many passageways in Korcula

One of the many narrow passageways in Korcula

Late night shopping in KorculaLate night shopping in Korcula

Late night shopping in the harbour area of Korcula

Leaving Korcula from MS medullaLeaving Korcula from MS medulla

View of Korcula old town from MS Medula

Technical Notes

Equipment used:  Nikon D500, Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8E ED, Nikkor AF-S 16-35mm f/4G VR ED, Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G AF-S VR IF-ED Mk II, general accessories and a polarising filter.

In Conclusion

The trip was organised by Newmarket Holidays and I can recommend this trip to anybody contemplating a cruise on a small yacht with the maximum number of passengers of around thirty.  The food was very good, crew excellent and combined with the wonderful old towns on the islands is a trip not to be missed.

Further images from the trip can be seen here on my website.


Comments

No comments posted.
Loading...

Archive
January February March (2) April May June July August September (1) October (1) November December
January February March (2) April (1) May (1) June July (2) August (1) September October November (1) December
January (1) February (1) March (1) April May June July (1) August September (1) October (1) November December
January February March April May June July August September October November December (1)
January February March April May June July August September October November December
January February March April May June July August September October November December
January February March April May June July August September October November December
January February March April May June July August September October November December
January February March April May June July August September October November December
January February March April May June July August September October November December