This is a Daniel post.

We went on a fun little weekend cruise to Mexico courtesy of my generous parents. I debated whether or not to bring the camera at all since it is one more thing to carry and one more thing to lose. I always regret when I don’t have it though.

Bringing the camera was almost a disaster since we actually lost it for a day. Thank God for lost and found and our honest waiter who found it.

In the interest of packing light I only brought 1 body (Canon 5d) and only 1 lens (50mm 1.8 aka the plastic fantastic aka the thrifty fifty).

It’s fun being limited to a single focal length and no flash. You are forced to be more creative with your shots and make liberal use of “foot zoom”. Here are a few of my favorite pics.

The iconic carnival exhaust pipes (I think that's what you call them)

My niece Violet staying calm amid the chaos of her maraca-wielding cousins

Dayla in the kid's pool

Glamorous cruise putt putt on the top of the ship. Here is my brother-in-law Simon (who lost to yours truly).

I think it's time Dayla gets a hair cut. She's never had one.

If you've ever cruised Carnival you know their signature is a "towel animal" created in your room each night.

I took this in full "light sucker" mode. Manual - 1/50th - ISO 1600 - 1.8 (wide open)

The lovely Ginette with downtown San Diego behind her