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.
MS 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 on board 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 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 Mljet
The Monastery on Mljet
View from the Monastery, Mljet
View from the Monastery, Mljet
Line abreast at Pomona Harbour, Mljet
Yachts line abreast at Pomona Harbour, Mljet
Afternoon and overnight stop in Lumbarda, Korcula
Afternoon and overnight stop in Lumbarda, Korcula
Passing a cruising boat
One of many small cruising yachts that tour the islands
Another swimming spot next to a luxury yacht
Another swimming spot next to a luxury yacht
Approaching Hvar with the Fort above the harbour
Approaching Hvar with the Fort overlooking the harbour
The Fort overlooking the harbour of Hvar at night
The Fort overlooking the harbour of Hvar at night
Early morning light on yacht in Hvar harbour
The early morning light bathes a yacht in Hvar harbour
Boat for hire in Milna, Brac,
One of many boats for hire in the harbour at Milna, Brac
Leaving Milna harbour on Brac
Leaving Milna harbour on Brac
Our swimming area outside Milna, Brac,
Our swimming area outside Milna harbour
Approaching Split harbour
Entering the harbour of Split
One of the narrow walkways in Omis
One of the narrow walkways in Omis
The inner harbour at Omis
The inner harbour of Omis
Porthole view of Makarska harbour
View of Makarska harbour through the porthole of MS Medula
Small cruise boat leaving Makarska harbour
Small cruise boat leaving Makarska harbour
Sea view from Korcula old town
Sea view from Korcula old town
One of the many passageways in Korcula
One of the many narrow passageways in Korcula
Late night shopping in Korcula
Late night shopping in the harbour area of Korcula
Leaving Korcula from MS medulla
View of Korcula old town from MS Medula
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.
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.