Photography workshop Nepal

From Sunday April 10 until Thursday April 28, 2011 Dutch version English version

In the beautiful Nepal, with the stunning Himalayan scenery, we challenge you to lift your photography skills to a higher and more artistic level. We teach you and give you tips and tricks for the composition of your photos to improve everything from your camera to get what's inside and the intricacies of landscape and portrait photography.

Our individual coaching course is open to both beginners and advanced and semi-professionals. Together with Apple Travels we have beautiful sites and day trips where you can indulge yourself as a photographer: Buddhist temples, on safari on the back of an elephant in the jungle, hiking in the Himalayas, the mountain lakes around Pokhara, the beautiful Kathmandu valley, too many options to mention.

During the evenings you can take part in our theory sessions. The knowledge gained there you will bring in practise the next day during your photographic mission. In the evenings we discuss your best photos together. At the end of the course you may take home written materials.

Nepal offers an overwhelming natural beauty, a vibrant culture and friendly locals. It is a safe country where in many cases you can use the English language very well. We visit the Kathmandu valley with cities like Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Nagarkot.

In addition, Dhading and Chitwan will be visited and we will see the eco-village Hamro Gaun, built by SVN in Sankhu. By booking this trip you will support a charity at the same time. 10% of the total revenue goes to this foundation, which executes useful projects together with the Nepalese people themselves. These projects reach much further than just donating money. Besides pure development, they also have a PR and 'awareness' element towards the developed and western world in their program.
The accommodations are simple and located in quiet environments. You can enjoy the delicious Nepalese food there.

Price for the photography course and activities: € 900, --
Price for the trip/course without the 5-day Annapurna trekking: € 730, --

Prices include: meals (drinks at own cost), local transport, overnight stays, trekking permits, National Park fees, entrance fees.
The flight to Nepal is NOT included!

Because this is a group tour, single participants will be asked if they want to share a room with a fellow traveler. If not appreciated, of course a single room can be booked. We will charge a single supplement fee of € 73,- for that.

About the supervisors:
You will be accompanied by two leaders. Bharat Wasti (founder of Apple Travels & Tours) is there to help you with all aspects of travelling and Michelle Peeters to learn you everything about photography.

The photography workshop ends on April 28. You can extend your journey as you like.

The minimum number of participants is six, the maximum is fifteen. You are invited to bring your own equipment (preferably digital SLR camera, tripod and if possible a flash and self timer).

The Health Service can advise on appropriate vaccinations.

For your flights, I cooperate with Moniek Bos-Bouwman of Travel Counsellors, e-mail address (Moniek@travelcounsellors.nl)

People interested can request information or sign up using the following e-mail address: info@deuxbleus.nl and you can also call Michelle Peeters at number +31-6-44548759.

1

Sat 9/4

Flight to Kathmandu

 

2

Sun 10/4

Arrival KTM, welcome drink, dinner, introducing (everybody can tell something about him/herself, about the expectations, about their level, etc.), explanation of the program for the week.

Introduction, program for the week, expectations, levels

3

Mon 11/4

Cultural day: Swayambhunath (monkey temple with splendid views of Kathmandu), Pashupatinath (cremations), Kathmandu Durbar Square

Morning: explanation about camera techniques (aperture, shutter speed, ISO values, white balance), different ways of focussing, how to play with depth of field

4

Tue 12/4

Visit of eco-village 'Hamro Gaun' in Sankhu built by SV the Netherlands, Boudhanath (Tibetan stupa)

Visit the project: orphanage house, day care centre, women training centre, organic farm, etc. On the way back we will visit the Boudhanath stupa.

5

Wed 13/4

Kathmandu - Bhaktapur -Nagarkot
Sightseeing in Bhaktapur, after lunch departure to Nagarkot, evening nice sunset view.

Morning: explanation about composition, point of view, selection, perspective, lines, basic patterns that attract us

6

Thu 14/4

Morning sunrise from the view point. Spectacular views of the whole Langtang range, sunrise on the mountains and sunset views. Panoramic views of the captivating landscapes and hills with the Kathmandu valley. Breathe the cool mountain breeze in the resort town of Nagarkot to see sun set view and all the white mountain range (if the sky is clear).

Morning: explanation about lighting; differences in light during the day, direction of the light, backlight/fill flash

7

Fri 15/4

Nagarkot - Dhulikel
Trek (4-5 hours) from Nagarkot to Dhulikhel via Banepa (visit Chandeswhori Temple end Nala Karunamya)

Morning: explanation about landscape photography

8

Sat 16/4

Nagarkot - Panauti - Kathmandu
Short hike to Panauti and in the afternoon departure to Kathmandu

 

9

Sun 17/4

Kathmandu – Dhading
Jeep drive through Prithivi highway up to Dhading (Nalang and Salang).
Evening – Village tour
Overnight stay at Shreeban resort

Morning: explanation about portrait photography

10

Mon 18/4

Dhading
Trekking along several villages and the healthcare centres, built by SVN.

 

11

Tue 19/4

Dhading – Chitwan
Leave for Chitwan after breakfast, walk around village in Chitwan, sun set view
Over night stay at resort

Morning: explanation about wildlife and nature photography

12

Wed 20/4

Chitwan (elephant ride, nature/wildlife photography)

Explanation about timing, action, to zoom or not to zoom, different types of lenses

13

Thu 21/4

Chitwan- Pokhara

Morning bird watching program after breakfast we leave for Pokhara by tourist bus and do some sightseeing at Pokhara

14

Fri 22/4

Pokhara - Tikhedhunga

Morning: theory about view report/reportage

Early morning leave for trekking, up to the highway by local transport and  after that we will walk, Over night stay at local  lodge

15

Sat 23/4

Tikhedhunga - Ghorepani ( Poon hill)

After breakfast  start walking to see the the tropical forest, the local people and their livelihood. Over night stay at local Lodge

16

Sun 24/4

Ghorepani - Tadapani

Early morning leave for Poon hill to see the beautiful Himalayan range and sunrise which is one of the best charming of the trek (3210 meter high). Back to lodge and after breakfast leave to Tadapani walking through the beautiful trail and best Himalayan views of Annapurna range, make your best photographs that you learned during the course. Over night stat at local lodge

17

Mon 25/4

Tadapani - Ghandruk

After breakfast start walking down about 5 to 6 hours and to reach the beautiful and famous Gurung village. You can see the mountain people and culture of the Gurung family and you can’t miss the view of Annapurna’s south, Fishtail, Himchuli etc. Over night stay at local Lodge

18

Tue 26/4

Ghandruk - Pokhara

After breakfast walk down about 4-5 hours and catch the local bus from Phedi to Pokhara. Over night stay at hotel

19

Wed 27/4

Pokhara - Kathmandu

Leave Pokhara by tourist bus (driving about 6-7 hours). In the evening farewell dinner. Overnight stay at hotel in KTM

20

Thu 28/4

End of the program. Return flight or continuation of the journey to fit