How We Travel
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Our adventures span many corners of the globe. Our philosophy is simple: it’s not just where you travel, but how you travel that makes the difference. It’s important to meet the people around the sites. We believe that is how you can get a true taste of the country and its peoples. Our trips endeavor to provide opportunities to have fun, with a small group of like-minded people; veer off the main roads on our way to remote villages, ancient ruins, and a country’s unique cultures. We take advantage of our local contacts to discover the most picturesque of locations and best spots to capture the experience. Our small photographic groups are approximately 6 to 8 participants, and assist clients to participate in everyday life in travel locations. In the accommodation choices we offer, we aim to reflect our clients' desire for clean, well-located, properties with private bath facilities. Our tours are highly active explorations requiring moderate strength and stamina. Participants are expected to be able to walk, stand, stroll, and climb stairs over a variety of uneven surfaces for up to 3 hours or more at a time, often twice a day. |
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What to Expect on a Photo Tour
Photo Tours Travel generally involves different cultures, different styles, and different ways of doing things, be prepared to living and adjusting to a way that is different from your usual environment. This is true for the location and culture you will be visiting as well as with those participants with whom you are traveling. We consider group meal time a place for communicating, sharing ideas, and getting to know each other. It is our request that you wait until after the meal concludes to use screen (i.e. cellphones, tablets, ebook readers, computers, etc). You should have ample opportunity to pursue these activities at other times, or in your room. If you urgently need to make a call, excuse yourself and make the call elsewhere.
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Photography
Shooting Working with a group can be both a benefit and challenge. In some situations not everyone will be able to shoot everything they want without the interference of others in the group. To alleviate this dilemma we will, from time to time, set “photographic guidelines.” Sometimes these will limit the time, subject, or location that members of the group may photograph. These “guidelines” will ensure all participants will get a fair shot at all situations. Shooting Fast Participants will need to learn the art of getting the shot quickly. The group may need to move rapidly in some situations and if you want to get a shot you may only have seconds to set it up and get it. Practice this before the trip and refine your technique so that you’ll improve your chances at getting the best shot possible. People & Portraits If another photographer is taking a portrait of a person don’t shoot over their shoulder, or try to "share the shot." When this happens, the subject is likely to be looking back and forth between photographers for direction and no one is likely to get a good shot. If you want to shoot the same subject, ask the other photographer and subject if you may take a shot when they are done. 
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Photo Walks
A common situation involves our group walking down the street, stopping to photographic subjects along the way. This is a great opportunity for photos but can be challenging due to the fast-changing events. Be aware of where your position is amongst the group and everyone else's proximity. Know your camera, move swiftly, get the shot, and move out of the way of others. You may think you have cleared their shot, however a wide angle lens may still place you in their shot. Know where the group is going (a meeting point perhaps) and know where the hotel or bus is located, carry hotel cards and phone numbers if applicable. It’s okay to step into a store or alleyway for a moment, but don’t lose sight of the group. Be aware if people are waiting for you, if so, you need to be quicker or more selective about choosing what to shoot. You’ll make better photos if you concentrate your time and energy on a few of the best subjects rather than trying to shoot everything that seems a bit interesting. If you find yourself at the back of the back on a regular basis, try working from the front and adjusting your pace and shot selection. |
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Learning
This is a photographic tour which means our main emphasis is photographing and experiencing the culture. A tour leader will be there to answer questions and lend helpful advice. Some participants are there to shoot, some to learn, and some both. Our group will have a wide variety of photographic experience and education. We welcome a shared learning experience, we encourage you to share your photographic wisdom with others, in a contributory manner. Photo Tour Photos This is a great opportunity to capture other participants in action. We encourage you to capture images of other participants and submit them at the end of the trip so that we may create a collection of images of which we all will have access. |
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Physical Expectations
This is highly active tour requiring walking, standing, strolling, and climbing stairs over a variety of uneven surfaces for up to 3 hours or more at a time, often twice a day. Be advised that many “adventurous” countries have lots of steps and few elevators, packing light is always advisable! You will need to carry the equipment and belongings that you bring. |
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Food
New foods and locations are a challenge for our digestive systems. To minimize risk of illness, we suggest following these steps.
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- Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Face masks can also deter the spread of germs, especially if you feel a cold coming on.
- Consult with your doctor about required vaccinations and medicines that could be required for the destinations.
- Drink lots of water (Only drink bottled water in less developed areas).
- Get the best rest you can (Don’t stay up too late into the night editing your images).
- Pace yourself in all your activities.
- If you have a restrictive diet be prepared to cope with the available foods, and be flexible.
Here is an example of a typical day (depending on time of year and sunrise / sunset):
6 - 7 am Optional photo walk, or sunrise shoot
8:15 am Breakfast
9:00 am Departure
9:30 am 1st Photo Event
12:30 - 1pm Light Lunch
2:00 pm Coffee Break
3:30 pm 2nd Photo Event
4:30 - 6:30 Optional Photo walk / event / sunset shoot
7 - 8 pm Dinner
10:00 pm End of day
Meal Time
Most photographers don’t want to miss shooting during the “magic hour” or "blue hour". This most notably means that dinners are often a bit later in the evening than some people prefer. Dinners will often take place between 7:30pm and 10pm, and sometimes later. To stay energized through those long shooting sessions please bring a few small snacks (energy bars) in your camera bag.
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Time
Be on Time! - Seconds count when traveling. We only have a limited time and we must learn to make the most of it. The first step is for everyone to listen carefully and be on time for all group activities. When a time is stated i.e. “on the bus at 9am,” what this really means is that you should plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early. This will give you a bit of extra time should something delay you. Please don’t be the one holding up the rest of the group. The Vehicle/Mini Bus Loading and unloading the bus doesn't seem like a complicated process, however precious minutes can be lost due to poor efficiency. To reduce the time, have your gear packed and ready to go before loading or unloading. Move as quickly as possible to clear the aisle for the next person. Take your seat and settle yourself while allowing other to pass by. Time & Light Use it wisely - Great photographic opportunities come and go quickly, to capture these one must be prepared and not distracted. There will be designated times for non-photographic activities like; shopping, social media, downloading, editing, and etc. We will not divert the groups photographic plans to address individual wants, i.e. stopping the bus to purchase a souvenir while the group is in route to a photo event. |