New Braunfels Travel Photography

Wurstfest 2016 | New Braunfels Texas | Hill Country Travel Photographer

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Wurstfest is a Texas sized German festival that is held for 10 days in early November in New Braunfels, Texas.  The first festival was in 1961, and over the years it has provided a great deal of fun for generations of New Braunfels residents as well as raising money for community organizations from the local community.  Great food, beer, wonderful music, carnival rides and camaraderie delight the Wurstfest attendees every fall. The history of Wurstfest reminds us what a small town can accomplish when community leaders work together for a common goal.

As a documentary event photographer I visited Wurstfest for the first time in 2015 to photograph a photo essay for an editorial project. I went back to the fest this year for an assignment covering the Texas Hill Country in the fall. The spirit and energy of Wurstfest is contagious.  

I lived a total of 10 years in Germany during my years as a military child and a military spouse.  When I was 18 I moved to Munich, Germany to study at the University of Maryland, Munich Campus. I was able to study abroad in one of the greatest European cities.  Oktoberfest is held every year in Munich.  It is actually held in September, in 2017 it will be September 16, 2017 to September 26, 2017.  In 2016 there were 5.6 million visitors to the world's biggest fair.  When I walk onto the Wurstfest grounds I can really feel that same festive anticipation.  Wurstfest is the real thing! 

The Texas Hill Country is full of unique festivals such as Wurstfest that are worth attending and equally as fun to photograph.  The places that you can visit provide and wealth of photography opportunities.  The fall is a beautiful time to visit the hill county.  It is a great place to learn travel or event photography.  Last week I wrote a blog about my recent visit to Lost Maples State Natural Area in Vanderpool, Texas.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about Wurstfest, or travel in the Hill Country.

 

 

 

Alex Meixner, of the Alex Meixner Band, opens Wurstfest on Friday, November 4, 2016 with dignitaries from the town of New Braunfels, Texas.

Alpenmusikanten performs on November 4, 2016 at the Stelzenplatz in New Braunfels, Texas at Wurstfest..

From the balcony at Stelzenhaus you can watch the singing and dancing from a unique perspective.

 Buttons are everywhere reminding fest attendees of New Braunfels German roots.

New Braunfels Travel Photographer | New Camera | Canon 5D Mark IV

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It's great to be back!  The whirlwind that has been my life over the past several months has kept me from regularly contributing to my blog, but my photography story needs to be documented and that has prompted me to start writing more regularly.

I have a new camera, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV.  The touchscreen LCD screen is the feature that I enjoy most, but the weight and speed of the camera also contribute to its "awesomeness." There were 4.5 years between the release of the 5D Mark III and the 5D Mark IV and I am pleased that I waited for the release of the new model as opposed to purchasing the 5D III, as I was tempted to do many times.  I had to remind myself that "good things come to those who wait!"

According to Digital Camera Review the Canon Mark IV receives substantial upgrades with a higher-resolution sensor with Dual Pixel autofocus, 4K video capture, and upgraded AF system, a touchscreen, improved weather-sealing, built in Wi-Fi, an interval timer and GPS.

A short review of the camera:

https://youtu.be/9FqX6qblyJ8

When you have a new camera there are a few suggestions that will help you become familiar with it:

1.  Read the manual. I know in this day and age that there is a wealth of information available right at your fingertips.  Google, You Tube and photo classes are all wonderful, but nothing compares to a well rounded understanding of the hardware and software that makes your camera unique.  It also forces you to try each menu and button on the camera.

Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool, Texas

2. Practice with your camera in a non-stressful setting. Give yourself a day to play with the new features.  I have found that the only way to really learn photography is to go out and take pictures.  When you are shooting the subjects that you love you naturally will spend more time with details.  I truly enjoy travel and landscape photography. There is nothing better than taking a day off to spend time with my camera in the Texas Hill Country.

 

 

Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool, Texas

3) Print your photos.  I learn the most about my photographs when I print them.  I know that I might sound like a throwback to film days when negatives need to be printed to contact sheets for review.  However the system works. Technology moves forward but the old fashioned print on paper tells you so much about the photograph that you see on your computer.

Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool, Texas

When you have a question about traveling in the Texas Hill Country please don't hesitate to contact me.  Also, check out my Places gallery to many of the wonderful places to visit in the hill country.

Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool, Texas

Enjoy your fall travels!!!