KOLKATA, INDIA

Date TBC (7 days)

£1,395

 

 

Spend 5 amazing days capturing and documenting life on the streets of the bustling Kolkata in this unique cultural experience. This will be a busy fully organized photo trip covering a variety of inspiring locations which will give you the opportunity to add amazing shots (and memories) to your portfolio.

 

OVERVIEW OF COURSE CONTENTS:

Kolkata, capital of West Bengal, is the third most populated city in India, with an urban population 14.3 million, and believe us, you absolutely feel it!  A city of diverse lifestyles, being the principal commercial city with modern tower-blocks, hotels and businesses, alongside some of the oldest and most extensive areas of homelessness and communities that have built their homes in temporary shacks alongside the city’s canals and railway lines.

Markets are the life-centres of Kolkata and the city’s population hurries its way via tuk-tuks, cars, trams and trains, and we visit some of the different markets and stations to photograph daily life. Kolkata has an important University and College area with a busy book market.

The River Hooghly runs through Kolkata and the water is considered holy as the river forms a distributary of The Ganges, so it forms an important part of everyday life of the locals; washing their clothes and cooking implements, bathing and washing their teeth in the river, alongside rituals and ceremonies.

One of the oldest communities in the city is the potters of the Kurmotuli quarter, who sculpt the statues for the religious ceremonies, as well as makers of chai cups and the cotton mills, the families live and work within this area.

 

Itinerary 

Day 1

Breakfast and introduction to documentary street photography in Kolkata. A minibus takes us Kumortuli, the potters’ quarter of Kolkata. Each evening we will meet to discuss the day, share images before having dinner together and conversation all things photography.

Day 2 

Early start minibus to Malki Ghat flower market, temple and Ghats along the Hooghly River by the city’s impressive Howrah Bridge. Return for brunch then local street photography. Evening as Day 1.

Day 3

Early start minibus to the vegetable market and the busy Sealdah train station. Return for brunch then local street photography. Evening as Day 1.

Day 4

Group breakfast then the Railway community, which forms part of the work that The Hope Foundation does in the city. Return for local street photography. Evening as Day 1.

Day 5

Group breakfast then minibus to College Street, start at the famous Coffee Shop then photographing the book market. The afternoon will consist of editing and reviewing images from the past few days. A final meal together in the evening at a local restaurant. 

 

The order of days may change due to events locally to make the best of each location over the five days in Kolkata.

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What is included:

Any internal travel required related to the course

Each day we visit different locations as a group and each of these days is pre-planned by the tutor(s) enabling you to maximise your shooting, editing and learning time while in the country

Tuition and guidance on photography techniques and 'seeing' new images to capture

Critiquing of images including editing advice and guidance

Copy of our very own - Travel Photography Adventures travel guide for photographers worth £12.99 will give you lots of tips to help you get prepared

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What is not included:

Flights, accommodation and food/drink, however - we do provide advice on this as it is nice for the whole group to stay in the same hotel at each stage of the course.

Travel insurance is your responsibility and you may be required to show us proof of this before embarking on the course.

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Important information:

We adopt an immersive approach; from where we stay and eat to where we go out and shoot, so every aspect of the workshop is designed to focus on a shared photographic experience.

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· Every day consists of shooting around a location with some targeted photographic elements and mini projects to explore, critique and technique, and then editing in the later part of the day/evening.

· As a team there is an agreement to share and discuss our images together in an open forum.

· The main focus is observational documentary street photography, but with elements of reportage and travel photography.

· Using some of our own images we will demonstrate the key technical elements of travel photography that make great exhibition/publication and competition winning images prior to first days shoot.

· Be prepared to be challenged, you will leave with new confidence and skills to continue with your photography.

· Using wide angle and wide prime lenses you will get up close to the action to photograph, no hiding behind long lenses! :-)

· Small group numbers mean we work in twos and can spend time with everyone over a day’s photography and can observe you and give immediate feedback as we photograph and you get to mix with everyone in the growth-learning from, inspiring each other to get better and better.

· Our knowledge of the locations, organisation of transport as needed as well as using areas within walking distance so that so we make the best use of our time

· The order of days may change due to events locally to make the best of each location

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Requirements:

·Digital camera that you are familiar with using, a 35mm prime lens is recommended - please call / email us to discuss if you are unsure

·Laptop for downloading images and editing

·Software for editing – recommend Photo Mechanic, and Lightroom

·Smart phone with apps such as Google maps and WhatsApp (providing you have a smart phone we can explain the uses of these apps at the beginning of the course).

·An interest in all things photography and desire to improve your skills; this is a shared experience and we tend to eat and socialise together and it’s a great opportunity to discuss our passion and inspiration in photography and photographers

·Ready to step out of your comfort zone with support and encouragement

·Hotels, food and transport are locally sourced and provide an authentic experience, clean and comfortable, we tend to use simple and very affordable accommodation with this in mind.

·Comfortable walking shoes and be active and ready to enjoy and experience what this wonderful world has to offer.  Every day will involve a lot of walking with your camera.  Please call/email us if you would like to know more about this as some destinations are more challenging than others.

·Comprehensive health and travel insurance – Travel Photography Adventures are not responsible for personal accidents and health related issues during the workshop, although if such occur we will do our best to help out.

·Please always do your research before travelling to ensure that you are well-protected with vaccinations etc.  We recommend using this site as a starting point: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/travel-vaccinations/ and contact your GP for a travel clinic appointment in plenty of time before travelling

·Book your own flights to and from international workshops; we recommend arriving at least a day before and leave the day after the course ends

· Check your passport is valid and has at least six months validity left within it by the end of your trip, for some courses you will need a visa – check online for more travel requirements and information https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

· Local currency, food, drink and accommodation payable locally usually require cash payments

 

Useful:

· Access to social media to join exclusive photography group online sharing information, both prior to, during and after the workshop

·Sense of humour and patience, you are sharing an experience as part of a team on this workshop, and be flexible sometimes we have to make changes or things just don’t go as expected - these adventures are well-planned yet sometimes adventures require 

 

Payment and cancellations:

·You can either pay in full directly through the website or you can request an invoice for a non-refundable £500 deposit.

· If you decide to pay a deposit first, full payment is needed 4 months prior to the start date of the course.

· Please note that for any international courses there will no refund available 4 months prior to course date.

· If the workshop is cancelled individual travel arrangements will not be refunded, you should claim from your travel insurance

· Prices are payable in UK pounds sterling.

 

 

For further information please contact us by email or phone.