ECUADOR: HUMMINGBIRDS AND SO MUCH MORE! DATE #1:  January 12-23, 2011 (11 Days / 11 Nights) - 1 space left! DATE #2:  January 29 - February 8, 2011 (11 Days / 11 Nights) - 2nd Date added TRIP EXTENSION: Optional Amazon Extension Jan 24-29, 2011 (6 Days / 6 Nights) MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE: 6 Participants (Minimum of 2) FROM: Quito, Ecuador WORKSHOP LEADERS: Glenn Bartley & David Hemmings
		AN INTRODUCTION TO THIS PHOTO ADVENTURE Imagine a country that is roughly the size of Colorado and supports over 1,600 species of tropical birds - over 100 of which are hummingbirds, 4000 species of intricate orchids, hundreds of species of colourful frogs, dozens of species of primates and countless species of fascinating butterflies and insects.  Imagine a country where you can visit pristine cloud-forests, beautiful beaches, snow capped mountains, and remote areas of the Amazon rainforest.  Imagine that this country has relatively good roads, a well equipped tourism infrastructure, a stable government, and can be reached in less than 8 hours from most of North America.  Join us for this Ecuador photography workshop and you can stop imagining, reach for your camera, and start photographing the unbelievable biological riches of this incredible South American country. PHOTO ITINERARY Our Photo Adventure starts in the cloudforest-covered slopes of northwest Ecuador where we will focus our efforts on photographing the amazing diversity of hummingbirds that live in this region. Opportunities for macro photography will be equally incredible here. We will also do a few half day excursions from our base in NW Ecuador to photograph Antpittas and spectacular Andean Cock-of-the Rock's. Our next stop will be a visit to the famous Mindo area where we will spend two full days and nights photographing tanagers, euphonias and more hummingbirds. Here participants will learn techniques to use multiple flashes on other types of birds as well as hummingbirds. After Mindo we will travel to the opposite slope of the Andes for four days and nights to photograph a whole new set of species including the incredible Sword-billed Hummingbird, Shining Sunbeam, Viridian Metaltail and many others. We will take morning excursions to highland areas nearby to find exciting new species of Mountain-Tanagers, Flowerpiercers, more Antpittas and the incredible Torrent Duck. Workshop participants will learn techniques to lure birds to areas that are more ideal for image making. Up in the highlands we will also have amazing landscape photo opportunities. Our group returns to Quito where we will say goodbye to those not joining in on the Amazon extension. The following day those continuing on to the tour will board a plane for a scenic flight over the inter-Andean valley and down into the lowlands of Ecuador. After a night in the small town of Coca we will depart down the Napo River for 5 days of photographic adventures deep in the Amazon. We will spend our time photographing birds around a small lagoon and from a canopy tower. There will be caimans and awesome tree frogs everywhere and we will visit a spot where parrots visit each day to eat clay. On this photo adventure we will focus on the following opportunities: Multi-flash Hummingbird Photography: Learn techniques to use 4-6 flashes to achieve otherwise impossible flight photographs of these flying jewels. What makes this workshop special is that Glenn will be sharing his techniques for taking multi-flash images that actually look natural (unlike most others out there). Please note that we will be using Canon flashes.  If you shoot with a camera system other than Canon we will have cameras for you to use during this portion of the workshop. Using flash effectively as a source of fill light: Because tropical regions are often cloudy - it is extremely important to learn how to use flash - either as fill or as a main source of light. Participants will also learn how to do set-ups for birds using more than one flash. These skills can easily be taken home and applied in your very own backyard! Attracting birds to a perch setup: Participants will learn strategies to attract birds to a given perch and how to achieve images that have attractive light, an outstanding perch and a smooth background. Strategies for successful tropical photography: Glenn has spent over a year and a half photographing wildlife in the tropics. Throughout the workshop he will share tips and tricks that he has learned along the way. Macro photography of tropical insects and frogs: At each of our locations there will also be opportunities to find and photograph an amazing diversity of colourful frogs, butterflies and insects. Spectacular cloudforest and Andean landscape photography: The cloudforests of Ecuador are spectacular places and the opportunities for landscape photography are superb. We will also keep our fingers crossed for a clear day up in the mountains where we may be able to see 3 snow-capped volcanoes that are each over 6000 meters high! Digital Workshops:  During the evenings for those who wish to participate, we will have image review sessions and talk about techniques and what we can expect to see the next day.  In these post processing workshops participants will have ample opportunities to improve skills in Adobe Photoshop.  Guided by David and Glenn, participants can learn how to take their images from straight out-of-the-camera RAW images to stunning final works of art (ready for printing or websites). On the last evening, we will give out prizes for the top 3 images of the workshop! Highlight species include: Western Emerald Booted Racket-tail Violet-tailed Sylph Velvet-purple Coronet Sword Billed Hummingbird White-bellied Woodstar Up to 40 species of hummingbirds in total! Giant Antpitta Black-chinned and Blue-winged Mountain Tanager Golden Tanager Crested Owl Up to 5 species of Kingfishers! Torrent Duck Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe Toucans and Aracaris KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES: On this photo adventure participants will focus on the following learning objectives: How to use multiple flashes to achieve natural looking photos of hummingbirds and other birds Proper exposure settings for challenging tropical lighting conditions Proper use of flash as fill or ambient lighting How to "set up" a nature photograph and get pleasing images Techniques for macro photography of tropical insects, butterflies and frogs How to place your subject in the frame and get beautiful backgrounds Image workflow and digital processing that will ensure your images are the best that they can possibly be WHY TRAVEL WITH NATURES PHOTO ADVENTURES? We have 2 professional photographer workshop leaders for more personalized attention – groups can be split into two separate destinations within a workshop and have personalized instruction and guidance. David and Glenn are 2 of the world’s top photographers in bird portrait and flight photography. Our workshops are suited to photographers of ALL levels.  We do everything we can to make sure that each participant gets the absolute most out of the nature photography workshop. We utilize local guides with years of experience in their home areas. We have more experience.  We have been to the places we will take you – not for a week or two – but for months!!  We know where to get the best possible images and can show you how to achieve them.  We are environmentally and socially aware.  When we visit communities around the world we give something back to these places and the people who live there.  We also offer guests the opportunity to offset their carbon footprint made during the trip. At the end of each of our workshops we hold a final nights “banquet” where we share images, stories and give away prizes for best images, most improved, and other categories. LOGISTICS This workshop/tour is limited to 6 participants to ensure the best photographic opportunities and instruction possible. Price: The cost of this photo workshop is U.S. $4399 / person The cost of the Amazon extension is U.S. $1499 / person Payment can be made through paypal below or by check or money order. Accommodations are designed to be two persons per room. If you will be traveling alone and would like a private room there will be an additional charge of $500. Once we have received your deposit we will send you a confirmation invoice and registration package. PAY IN $USD Payment Options USD Deposit for Ecuador $1,000.00 Balance of Payment $3,399.00 Pay in Full $4,399.00 PAY IN $CAD Please Note: All Canadian residents must pay 5% GST (Included in price below) Payment Options CAD $ Deposit for Ecuador $1,050.00 Balance of Payment $3,727.50 Pay in Full $4,777.50 Prices include: All expert photo instruction Local guides and drivers. All entrance fees to natural areas visited All accommodations, based on double occupancy All meals inclusive of restaurant staff tips from after breakfast on day 1 to departure day Land transportation during workshop Airport transfers to and from hotels Bottled water for the duration of the workshop Price does not include: International airfare to place of tour origin Any additional nights accommodation outside of the tour dates Additional tips for staff such as guides and camp staff Fees for passport, visas, immunizations and insurance Alcoholic beverages Laundry, phone and other items of a personal nature Cost of hospitalization and evacuation if necessary Suggested Equipment: It is recommended that each participant bring the following equipment: A digital SLR and a lens of 300mm or greater. A wide angle lens (if you are interested in landscape photography) A tripod is recommended A flash or two (if you have more than one) Payment Terms: A $1000 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a space on this tour.  The balance of the payment is due before November 1, 2010. Please see our complete booking and refund policy by clicking the link below. HOW TO JOIN THIS PHOTO ADVENTURE? WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NEXT? We like to keep our workshops small, so space is extremely limited. Once the workshop seats are full – that’s it…  If this exciting photo adventure sounds like fun to you, then now is the time to register. Click on the paypal link to reserve your place or send us an email to register by mail (via check or money order). If you have any questions before registering, send us an e-mail with any inquiries to: Once you have signed up we will send you specific details re. What to bring and help you arrange any travel details that you need assistance with (e.g. flights, visas). As well we will send our booking and refund policies as well as our standard waiver form. Please note: Natures Photo Adventures strongly recommends that you purchase travel insurance All funds are quoted in US dollars and subject to exchange rate fluctuation and gas surcharge if we are billed additionally. We will attempt to stay true to this itinerary. However, certain unforeseeable conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or wildlife migrations) may require changes to the itinerary. We reserve the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will do our absolute best to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. TO SEE MORE IMAGES or visit Glenn's

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