Hanoi Long Bien Sunrise Photo Tour

For a unique Hanoi photo adventure, visit bustling Long Bien Market before dawn, as thousands of deliveries from the provinces and farther-flung regions of Vietnam provide the traders with stock. King crab and tuna from the East Sea mingle with juicy apples and pumpkins from Dalat, and longans and lychees from the market gardens surrounding Hanoi.

The early morning conditions allow you to focus on shooting in different lights, from night-time to sunrise, to after daybreak. The situation also offers a chance to work on portraiture in environments of hectic activity – a vital skill for travel photographers. From century-old Long Bien Bridge overlooking the market, look at taking those classic photo-journalistic establishing shots.

Long Bien sunrise takes in: Tran Quang Khai Street, Long Bien Market, Long Bien Railway Station and Long Bien Bridge.

4am – Hotel pick-up

4:30am – Start under Long Bien Bridge, Yen Phu Street.  Briefing on the day’s shoot and overview of Long Bien market.  Introduction to camera and camera settings.

4:45am – Up onto Long Bien Bridge; explanation of the history of the structure.  Focus on Establishing shot, and shooting without a tripod.  Technical point: use of P. mode and A. mode.

5:15am – Down into the market.  Focus on Relationship shot, learning how to photograph people.  Technical point: use of S. mode and M. mode.

6:15am – 20 minute break for tea/coffee.

6:35am – Detail and Portrait shot: photographing market goods and portraits of workers.  How to get the final picture for a 3 Picture story; focus on visual pace and composition.  Technical points: under/over exposure buttons; flash compensation button.

7:30am – Editing pictures and feedback.  Pho breakfast at Zoom Cafe, followed by coffee.

8:30am – Farewell