Special Photo Trips with Ethan Gordon
While these trips cater specifically to those interested in photography, non-photographers are welcome and will also enjoy these fabulous itineraries - in fact, non-photographers may even see more than their photographer friends - who all too often have their eyes glued to their viewfinders!
Papua New Guinea, March 29 - April 8 (or 11 with extension), 2011
Vessel: Peter Hughes Star Dancer
Resort: Walindi Plantation
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is renown as one of the world's best diving destinations. This is a claim loosely made by many destinations, but PNG certainly backs it up with some of the best overall coral reefs you can see. From hard to soft corals, health of the coral, and diversity of creatures both big and small living on their reefs, it is hard to top PNG as an overall diving destination.
The waters of Papua New Guinea are home to prolific and diverse marine creatures and corals. Recent marine surveys in Kimbe Bay have recorded over 350 species of reef building corals, and over 900 species of fish. The reefs are a photographer's paradise. Pristine and colorful corals are home to a variety of fish, crustacean and invertebrate life. Many of the reefs have resident schools of barracuda, tuna and jacks. A range of shark species are regularly sighted, including hammerheads and silvertips, particularly at the outer reefs of Fathers and Witu.
Photo Highlights:
PNG is the perfect place to practice all of your photo techniques. With great macro critters, big animals, and wrecks, we can cover everything from close-up to super-wide angle photo techniques.
While aboard, Ethan will give presentations ranging from basic digital photography to advanced lighting techniques. One of the most beneficial services Ethan provides to photographers of all levels is individual critiques. There's no better way to improve your skills than to have a seasoned pro look at your work and provide you with specific suggestions on how to improve.
Itinerary:
Walindi-Witu-Fathers-Kimbe - this itinerary covers the best sites on PNG's north coast.
The Vessel:
Star Dancer offers luxury, service and conveniences of a world class hotel. A 120-foot steel monohull vessel accommodating 16 guests, Star Dancer will take you in style and comfort through the pristine waters of this remote and primitive land.
All of the magnificent staterooms have ensuite bath facilities, individual air-conditioning controls and most have picture window views. Star Dancer also features all the standard perks of the Dancer Fleet®, with plenty of areas to relax and hang out.
While not diving, guests can enjoy spending time sunning or napping in a hammock on the large sundeck or reading in comfort in the roomy air-conditioned salon. Pacific diving was never so luxurious or “Dive Easy.”
Land Extension/Digital Workflow Seminar:
Spend an additional 3 days of diving and digital workflow training at the Walindi Plantation Resort.
Digital photography kicks film's butt. However, today's digital photographers are often overwhelmed by what to do with their images once they have taken them. In this three day workshop Ethan will cover: file management, working with meta-data (don't worry if you don't know what that means!), image touch-up and adjustment, and image presentation. Software demonstrated will include: Photoshop, Lightroom, as well as simple, file management workflow for those withouth Lightroom or equivalent. Ethan's digital workflow seminar will meet in the afternoons (dive before lunch - meet after lunch).
Dates & Rates:
10 NIGHTS aboard STAR DANCER >> 29 March - 08 April 2011 | $2,995†*
3 NIGHTS at the WALINDI RESORT >> 08 April - 11 April 2011 | $1,158*
† Additional Port, and Park fee of $125.
* Prices subject to change without notice.
Banda Sea - Indonesia, October 19 - 27 (or 30 with extension), 2011
Vessel: Archipelago Adventurer II
Resort: Maluku Divers
As far as critter diving goes, the Banda Sea will provide divers with endless photo subjects. Make sure you pack your macro (close-up) lens for this trip, as the photography techniques will focus on how best to photograph the tiny creatures that the Banda Sea is famous for.
With the pristine untouched reefs that surround the shorelines of the fabled Spice islands, an expedition aboard the Archipelago Adventurer II to dive the Banda Sea, offers some of the world's most beautiful underwater scenery.
Photo Highlights:
While the photographic focus of this trip will most likely be macro - there will also be some great wide-angle reef scenes to practice your skills with.
While aboard, Ethan will give presentations ranging from basic digital photography to advanced lighting techniques. One of the most beneficial services Ethan provides to photographers of all levels is individual nightly critiques. There's no better way to improve your skills than to have a seasoned pro look at your work and provide you with specific suggestions on how to improve.
Itinerary:
Ambon to Ambon - exploring the Banda Sea
The Vessel:
The Archipelago Adventurer II is a newly constructed Phinisi, traditionally built in Indonesia. Dive liveaboards have been cruising Indonesia for many years, however the Archipelago Adventurer II vessel raises the standards of liveaboard vessels in Indonesia. All of her spacious, luxurious, comfortable staterooms have separate en-suite hot water shower and bathroom facilities, full air-conditioning and all have direct views to the ocean. The interior of the vessel is exceptionally well equipped and relaxing to the extreme, with the largest camera room of any of the Indonesia dive liveaboard operating in the archipelago today. The Archipelago Adventurer II is in essence a luxurious floating hotel.
Land Extension/Digital Workflow Seminar:
Spend an additional 3 days of diving and digital workflow training at the Maluku Divers Resort in Ambon.
Digital photography kicks film's butt. However, today's digital photographers are often overwhelmed by what to do with their images once they have taken them. In this three day workshop Ethan will cover: file management, working with meta-data (don't worry if you don't know what that means!), image touch-up and adjustment, and image presentation. Software demonstrated will include: Photoshop, Lightroom, as well as simple, file management workflow for those withouth Lightroom or equivalent. Ethan's digital workflow seminar will meet in the afternoons (dive before lunch - meet after lunch).
Dates & Rates:
8 NIGHTS aboard ARCHIPELAGO ADVENTURER II>> 19 October - 27 October 2011 | $3,150†*
3 NIGHTS at the MALUKU DIVERS RESORT >> 27 - 30 October 2011 | $850*
† Additional Port, and Park fee TBA..
* Prices subject to change without notice.
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