This is a comprehensive 7 - days + 2 travel days Nature Photography Workshop covering the basics of wildlife, close-up, and landscape photography.
With roughly eight hundred kilometers of rocky headlands, beaches, and off shore islands, Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is one of the most spectacularshorelines on earth. Costa Rica’s vibrant flora and fauna offers photographic opportunities you will see nowhere else.
Join professional nature photographer Jasper Doest on this magnificent photo adventure to this wonderful location on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Only the first 10 photographer participants will be accepted for this workshop week, ideally suited to all levels of photographers.
Registration for this Event
To register, or for more information, contact:
Global Journeys
You may call 516 343-3210 to register or go to the registration form below
A Photo-Adventure Workshop in Costa Rica
Cost: 1495 Euros
Includes Transportation from and to San Jose airport
Lodging first and last day near San Jose
Transportation to and from eco-lodge
Accommodations at eco-lodge
(Various room configurations are available from doubles to dorm-style. As you register, you get choices of what is available)
All workshop fees
All meals while in Costa Rica
All internal transportation
All listed activities and excursions
Does not include...Airfare
Jasper Doest
Jasper Doest is specialized in wildlife & nature photography and has been working as a professional photographer for several years now. He has published in several national and international magazines. In 2001 he traveled throughout Costa Rica as a biology student and after his degree in ecology decided to go for a professional career in photography to share all the beauty that he saw along his journeys.
During this workshop you will not only aim at the technical aspects of nature photography, you'll also delve into the spirit of nature. Experiencing the natural world is ever so important in order record that special image. To create that special impression, one has to realize the beauty of the subject that he/she is going to frame. The participants will learn to think about their images before they take them. Questions like: “What is it about this landscape, that makes me want to make an image?” will be very important in this process. To find out more about Jasper and see examples of his gorgeous photographs, go towww.Doest-Photography.com
Your Arrival
You will arrive in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. Foreign travelers are warmly welcomed, so going through customs is quite simple and efficient.
After a night in San José we will drive you to Ballena Parque Nacional, where you will stay at a spectacular eco-lodge at the edge of the Pacific. The area is rich in fantastic views, outstanding rainforest hikes, lots of birds and wildlife, amazing scenery, secluded beach, warm ocean waves,howler monkeys that will provide your wake up calls in the mornings, splendid vegetation, exquisite food and of course lots of photo opportunities.
More about the workshop...
We will take care of everything you need to get great photos from the time you step off the plane in Costa Rica's capital to your departure from the country.
While in Ballena Parque Nacional you will wake up early to make most of the magical light. After the early morning session you will enjoy a tropical breakfast at the lodge. After breakfast you will head out in the field again to one of the many adventure activities such as horseback riding to waterfalls, boating through mangroves, gently zipping through the canopy of the rainforest, and a variety of hikes. Since the days will be rather long we will use the afternoon after lunch to relax and enjoy the magical surroundings. This will be an opportunity for beach time, boogy-boarding, surfing, hiking, relaxing, playing in the water-hole on the stream, or other individual activities. Hopefully you will be able to record a lovely sunset every day, after which you will go back to the lodge for a wonderful meal. The evenings will be used to discuss some technical photography issues, learn about post-processing your images and review your work.
The workshops are designed for photographers with a (digital) SLR camera with interchangeable lenses. Suggested lenses or adapters for the workshop include a wide-angle or wide-angle zoom, a macro or mid-range zoom or fixed lens with close-up filters, and a telephoto or telephoto zoom. An external flash is also very helpful and will allow you to produce more interesting lighting under conditions where natural light is unflattering or unexciting. A tripod will help you to obtain sharper pictures and to improve your composition. They will also allow Jasper to give you feedback on your compositions. The topics covered during the Workshop will be customized according to the specific experience level, needs and requests of the participants. You should be prepared to carry your own equipment and walk up to two miles daily in varied terrain. You will get to explore beaches, waterfalls, rainforest and coastal terrain. For participants who want to explore on their own or who want more relaxation, there will be a variety of individual opportunities. The lodge is located a few kilometers from a small town which allows for visiting the local culture. We welcome questions, so please call us to find out more details .
The following exciting activities and excursions are all part of this journey
* Ride on horseback to magnificent waterfalls
* Glide on cables through the lush canopy of the forest
* Go on a birding tour in the primary rainforest
*Tour on a boat along a picturesque coastline
* Hike in the rainforest
* Visit local villages
* Explore mangrove, lowland, and shore bird areas
* Swim, surf and boogie board
* Visit and stay in the bustling city of San Jose
* Take time to relax on the beach, take quiet walks, enjoy personal time, read, and share time and conversation with others.
The following are just some examples of the activities in more detail
Horseback Riding and Waterfalls -This is a wonderful photo opportunity as you go on a splendid horseback ride to some amazing waterfalls. The horseback ride is perfect for beginners and they also have spirited horses for the more advanced riders. You experience a variety of forest environments as you ride through this large “finca”. Halfway through the ride you arrive at the home of the owner where you are served a delicious home-cooked breakfast.
At the breakfast site there are some domesticated macaws that are free to fly around and they stay in the area creating a great opportunity to photograph these colorful beings.
After your meal, you continue your ride and arrive at some incredible waterfalls. At the base of the falls is a refreshing lagoon in which to swim and a chance for the more daring to climb the falls and dive from the rock ledges...an opportunity for amazing photos. After ample time for swimming, playing and photographing the spectacular views, ride back to the ranch house for an appetizing lunch. After a satisfying meal, ride back, returning to the eco-lodge.
Boat Tour along the coastline- This is a challenging opportunity to take photos while on a small boat that explores the coastline. You'll get great tips on how to shoot while the boat is in motion. You will explore some fantastic natural rock arches, go near a small bird island, and possibly encounter dolphins and other marine animals. The entire coastline is a wonderland of photo opportunities.
Flight of the Toucan
This is another day full of fantastic adventures. You begin by visiting an 800 acre protected reserve with over 300 bird species, more than 50 types of animals, mangroves and marvelous primary and secondary rainforest. You have a unique opportunity to experience the rainforest from the perception of a bird. In the “Flight of the Toucan” you are harnessed and connected to a safety-inspected cable by an experienced guide and you gently glide, experiencing the canopy of the forest much like a toucan would, flying from tree to tree. You get to “fly” with this secure system to eight different stations encountering a variety of trees and plants. This is a great opportunity to practice motion shots in a variety of positions.
Accommodations While involved in the photo-adventure workshop, you will stay at a splendid eco-lodge nestled in primary virgin rain forest on the Southern Pacific coast. The lodge is located in Ballena Parque Nacional where commercial fishing is not allowed and is an area that has been designated as a safe-haven for hump back whales and dolphins. The lodge is situated in an area where the Pacific and the rainforest meet at the water’s edge. You will have access to a tranquil, private beach, a variety of hiking trails with magnificent trees and plants, a cool stream with a swimming hole, a diversity of mammals and birds, howler monkeysthat will provide your wake up calls in the morning, splendid vegetation, exquisite food and much more.
For those of you that love to play in the ocean you will appreciate the warm Pacific water, the playful waves, and you can practice your surfing and boogie-boarding skills.
The owner has lived there for over thirty years and has been very active in supporting ecological projects. His work with whales and other cetaceans has earned him international acclaim as well as local admiration. He and his family are all wonderful people…everyone that visits is moved by their kindness and tending spirit and all appreciate the gratifying and delicious food and caring they provide.
General accommodations are available in a beautiful setting. There are two large rooms, one for men and one for women, in a bunk bed arrangement, each room has access to a deck overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Shared bathrooms are available for each of the rooms as well as two extra bathrooms and showers in the downstairs area.
If you prefer, on a first come first serve basis, there are cabinas that are available for single, double and triple occupancy with private bathrooms . There is an additional cost of 65 Euros per person for double, and triple occupancy and 200 Euros for single occupancy for the entire stay.
Your Hosts
This event is being sponsored by Global Journeys, an organization dedicated to creating possibilities for individuals to experience magnificence in their life. These events are created with a vision of global acceptance and understanding, and offer a wonderful opportunity for all involved to celebrate their uniqueness and connectedness. Franco Marini and Kay LatchmanSingh are the owners/directors of Global Journeys, and have been traveling to Costa Rica for over 20 years. They are committed to providing impeccable service and are dedicated to creating powerful, satisfying and joyful opportunities for each participant on this trip. Franco, Kay, and local guides will accompany you on every step of your journey to assure your satisfaction.
Dining
All meals are included... “I loved the meals, this was one of my favorite parts of the trip” and “The food was fabulous, every meal was a delight”, are often repeated comments. The cooks at the lodge lovingly prepare a variety of fresh and delicious food and the dining area has inspiring views.Vegetarian meals will be the main fare, with fish and chicken dishes upon request. Special diets and particular requests are caringly honored. Fresh juices and fruit are available throughout the day as well as bottled or filtered water.
Deposits, Refunds and Support
Airfare Support: If you would like assistance with booking an air fare, call: Global Journeys @ 516 343 3210 and we will be happy to assist in any way we can. Dates: Photo-Adventure - Depart November 15, and return on November 23, 2008
Deposits and Payments: A 350 Euros deposit will hold your place. Half of the remaining balance is due 60 days prior to departure, and the final balance is due 45 days prior to departure. Please note: If paying by credit card, a one time processing fee of 35 Euros will be charged to the credit card.
Cancellations and Refunds: A 200 Euros per person cancellation fee will be assessed for cancellations received 60 days or more prior to departure. A 50% cancellation fee will be assessed for cancellations received between 45 - 59 days prior to departure. A 100% cancellation fee will be assessed for cancellations received 44 or fewer days prior to departure. Travel Package: Upon registration you will receive a travel package including information on: a suggested packing list, baggage allowance, credit cards, customs, passport information and other details.
To Register or for more information, you may call us at 516 343-3210 e-mail us at: info@globalj.org or send us the form below
Global Journeys Inc. 516 343-3210 www.globalj.org info@globalj.org
