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| January 9-16
We’re surrounded by stunning beauty everywhere we look from our seaside location in the Sian Ka'an Reserve.
Vast land and seascapes stand side by side with the minutiae of crushed coral, hermit-crab tracks and the
sparkle of ‘spider eyes' at night…there’s no limit to the scope of subject matter ‘on site’ for the photography
enthusiast.
Through the camera lens we are able to stop time and space for a split second and capture these vivid images,
capture a moment, a sunrise, the fleeting evidence of heron tracks before they are washed away by the next
wave. You can take a picture, and then you can take a picture. During the week, you will learn to distinguish
between photography that simply records and artful photography that inspires. You will learn the ‘nuts and
bolts’ of your camera and about all of those settings that you never took the time to figure out. You might even
read the manual!
There is a great freedom with digital photography and the beauty of it is the instant feedback and subsequent
ability to adjust lighting, depth, composition and framing. If you have not yet switched from film, this is your
chance! Photography is a wonderfully versatile art form and available to everyone.
Dale Thomas from Ashland, WI is our photography guru on our visual adventure. Dale is an
avid kayaker himself and works with Living Adventure in the summers on Lake Superior in a series of trips that
blend digital photography with sea kayaking. He owns Northern Photographics, a studio where he specializes in portraiture; although working in the
field teaching outdoors is his passion.
During the week, Dale coaches participants to capture images using a variety of themes; nature, portraiture,
photo-journalism, architecture, light and dark contrasts, use of the flash and shooting from the kayaks. Each
evening before dinner (it tends to fall right around margarita time) the group gathers for a fun session of photo
critiquing on the lap tops. Dale brings a card reader that accommodates ‘chips’ from many different camera
styles. You will marvel at the different image interpretations participants come up with on a common assigned
subject; like ‘shoot a coconut palm tree’. These are lively, informative sessions and your input, questions and
challenges are welcomed.
There’s ample time during the week for one-on-one consultations with Dale; the versatile format of this learning
vacation accommodates both those that are new to hotography as well as those who have the ABC’s down and
wish to push the shutter to the next level. Give voice to experience and discover the artist inside you; it’s just a
shutter snap away! |
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| Day 1 |
Fly to Cancun and leave high impact tourism behind. The first night is spent at beautiful Posada Mariposa in the fun beachside resort town of Playa Del Carmen. |
| Day 2 |
Sunday morning: breakfast at 100% Natural restaurant in Playa Del Carmen. We’ll
introduce the group and resource people, hear your trip expectations and take a look at the
maps. After some shopping for beverages of your preference we head to Tulum. Here
we’ll pick up tamales for a quick lunch, buy ice and a few last items before heading down
the dirt road to Rancho Caphe Ha, our home for the week in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere
Reserve. Mayan for "Where The Sky Is Born", this million-acre national park is abundant
with indigenous flora and fauna and Mayan archeological sites. We’ll arrive midafternoon;
settle in, SWIM (!), familiarize you with the area, and the unwinding begins. |
| Day 3-7 |
Each day is a mix of activities designed according to photographic sessions, weather and recreational pursuits.
Each evening after the photo critiquing of the days works, the following days photography sessions will be
discussed and sequenced. Around those times, we’ll go kayaking, snorkeling, enjoy swimming and walking the
beach, and relaxing. Remember; this is YOUR trip! You can choose to partake in as much or little of any
planned (or unplanned) activities that you wish.
Wednesdays are awesome tour days! We head out of Rancho Caphe Ha early in the morning and return
typically around 10:00 pm.
WEDNESDAY OUTING: MAYAN SITE & CENOTES |
| Day 8 |
An early start from Rancho Caphe Ha. We’ll travel back to Playa Del Carmen in time to
get an airport taxi for our trip guest with the earliest flight back to the US. Others spend
the day exploring, shopping and enjoying Playa until they need to also head to the airport. |
 SPECIFICS
- The trip cost is $1,575. Special pricing available for groups.
- This includes all major expenses; instruction, equipment, lodging, food, land travel in
Mexico.
- It does not include airfare, meals while traveling, certain taxi costs, alcoholic beverages,
fees for outings, or tips; in Mexico it is customary to tip for services and we pool a tip for
the caretakers who provide various services during the week.
- A non-refundable deposit of $250 is required to secure a reservation
- After securing a reservation you will receive a folder of information including; balance
due and cancellation terms, a map of the area, suggested clothing and equipment list,
reading materials on the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, travel and health requirements for Mexico. You will be given a medical/dietary information form and an
acknowledgment of risk waiver to complete, sign and send back to this office
- Airline reservations can be limited - don't wait too long. We are glad to make
recommendations and help you with your travel arrangements.
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