Ask WHAT? and WHY? to Create Powerful Stories for Your Photos

Let’s dive into Visual Storytelling. Before we begin, you need to understand that the subject and story is THE MOST IMPORTANT part of any photograph. If you don’t have this you don’t have a photo. And yet, most landscape photographers never consciously think about the story that they want to tell when they are photographing. […]

Hotel Information

By default you have your own private room in our high-end accommodations for 10 nights of the tour. If you would prefer to share a room with another participant please let us know and we will try to accommodate you. The 11th night of the trip is onboard the Fiordland Navigator ship in Doubtful Sound. […]

Food, Transportation, LNT, Group Etiquette

Food Bottomless Snacks On the minibus we will have bottomless snacks like fruit, cookies, crackers, popcorn, chocolate, chips, and other nibbles throughout the tour. If you have any dietary restrictions please let me know. BreakfastsA full, cooked breakfast is included every morning of the tour. Don’t worry, Josh is not doing the cooking. LunchMost people […]

Packing Lists

Camera Gear and Other Equipment DSLR or Mirrorless Camera. Lenses from wide to telephoto. We recommend the following four lenses or equivalent:  Ultra Wide (14-24mm or 16-35mm) Mid Range (24-70mm) Short Telephoto (70-200mm) Long Telephoto (100-400 or 200-500mm) Sturdy tripod. Extra Memory Cards (we recommend at least 128-256 GB total), extra batteries and a charger. […]

Weather

At this time of year the weather is typically excellent for photography, with lots of mixed clouds and sun, which means great light. Expect temperatures between 30°F and 70°F (-1°C – 21°C). Also, don’t forget that even though a 50° morning doesn’t sound very cold, it can be downright chilly when you are standing still […]

Health, Safety, and Cancellation Policies

Travel, Health, and Camera Insurance Travel insurance is REQUIRED for this trip, which will reimburse you if you need to cancel for any reason, including COVID-19. It can also provide medical coverage, lost luggage coverage, and other benefits while abroad, and policies are generally inexpensive.  IMG and Travel Guard are reliable companies. IMG Plans Travel […]

Acknowledgement of Risks and Image Use Agreement

Acknowledgement of Risks Please download and sign this form, and bring it with you to the initial meeting. You can also email us a digital signed copy.  Image Use During this tour we may take behind the scenes photos and videos of the tour participants. These photos are used to share among the group, as well […]

Typical Daily Schedule

For reference, here’s what a typical day will look like. Sunrise is around 6:30 am, and sunset is around 8:30 pm.  5:15 am – meet in the hotel parking lot and drive 15-30 minutes. 5:30 am – walk 15- 30 minutes over good terrain to our shooting location. 6:00 am – arrive on location 30 […]

Important Dates

Tour Dates October 26, 2023 – First day of the tour. Please arrive in Queenstown prior to 3 pm. On October 26 we will be meeting at 4 pm in the lobby of the Novotel Lakeside. We will have an introduction and tour orientation, followed by an early welcome dinner. Then we will venture out to […]

Where and When to Meet

Please arrive in Queenstown prior to 3 pm. On October 26 we will be meeting at 4 pm in the lobby of the Novotel Lakeside. We will have an introduction and tour orientation, followed by an early welcome dinner. Then we will venture out to photograph the late evening and sunset light over Queenstown. Sunset […]

Group Communication, WiFi, and Electricity

WhatsApp Group Chat Before the tour please download WhatsApp to your phone. This is how we will communicate and share photos during the trip. Once you have WhatsApp installed, click this link to join the group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FYWBn03XFOv3024rC24jxk Mobile Phones Any factory-unlocked smart phone will work in New Zealand. You can buy a local sim card […]

Visa Information

New Zealand has new rules regarding foreign travelers.  Visa Waiver Citizens If you are from a visa-waiver country (most countries included the USA), you need to obtain a New Zealand electronic Travel Authorization (NZeTA). You will need to pay the processing fee ($17-23 NZD), plus an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) which is […]

How to Make the Most of This Trip

1) Get Rid of Your Photography Expectations There is arguably nothing more important to having a satisfying photographic experience than shooting from a standpoint of zero expectations. At every location we will be on the lookout for many kinds of scenes and compositions, from grand to intimate. Therefore, not having a fixed idea of what […]

Itinerary and Trip Overview

Day 1, October 26 The Plan: Meet in the afternoon at the Novotel Lakeside in Queenstown and have a tour orientation and introduction. We will have an early welcome dinner, followed by a mellow shoot in the Queenstown Gardens. Relax tonight and get a good night’s sleep. Accommodation: Novotel Lakeside, Queenstown Meals Provided: Welcome Dinner […]

Lodging, Transportation, and Meal Information

Getting to the class This photography workshop meets in Lone Pine, California, 3-4 hours north of Los Angeles, 4 hours west of Las Vegas, or 1 hour south of Bishop. The class location is: The Mount Whitney Gallery126 N Main StreetLone Pine, CA 93545 Transportation during the class You are responsible for your own transportation […]

Workshop Policies

Cancellation and Refund Policy Payments are refundable up to two weeks before the workshop, less a $100 administrative fee. If we cancel this workshop due to unforeseen circumstances, we will refund your tuition or transfer it to another class. Weather Policy In summer there is a strong possibility of thunderstorms, which can lead to dramatic […]

Risk Acknowledgment and Image Use Agreement

Acknowledgement of Risks Please download and sign this form, and bring it with you to the initial meeting. You can also email us a digital signed copy. Image Use During this workshop we may take behind the scenes photos and videos of the participants. These photos are used to share among the group, as well as […]

Learning Goals

SKILL LEVEL This class is aimed at beginner and intermediate photographers. Specifically, it’s for anyone who wants to learn what goes into creating striking grand landscape photos. Beginning Learning Goals: Learn to identify the 4 qualities a location needs in order to work as a Grand Landscape. Choosing the right lens for a Grand Landscape […]

Photography Prerequisites

Know how to quickly adjust your aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Even if you aren’t fully comfortable with understanding these settings, know how to change them. Be able to turn on your 2/5/10 sec timer, and change your shooting mode from single shot to timer and back. Be able to turn exposure bracketing on and […]

Physical Requirements

This is a low-physicality workshop, with 5-10 minute gentle walks to reach our shooting locations. That being said, there may be some short descents and climbs, the ground is soft and uneven in places, and there may be some rocks to walk over or step up onto. Requirements: Carry your own equipment to and from […]

Thanks for your order. Please wait a moment while we process your payment.