ECUADOR: HUMMINGBIRDS AND SO MUCH MORE! DATE 1: Jan 1-12, 2024 + Extension Jan 12-17, 2024 - SIGN UP TODAY! MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE: 6 Photographers (Minimum of 4) FROM: Quito, Ecuador WORKSHOP LEADERS: Jess Findlay - GET TO KNOW YOUR GUIDE EMAIL GLENN TO JOIN THE WISH LIST FOR FUTURE TRIPS
		AN INTRODUCTION TO THIS PHOTO WORKSHOP 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 workshop 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 the Tandayapa Valley region. Opportunities for macro photography will be equally incredible here. There will also be a few half day excursions from our base in NW Ecuador to photograph other fascinating subjects. After our three nights in the Tandayapa Valley we will move on back through the central valley to a great little hotel which will serve as a base to visit the fantastic Antisana reserve. Here we will find highland birds like the Black-faced Ibis and Ecuadorian Hillstar. From Antisana we will continue on to the opposite slope of the Andes for five days and nights to photograph a whole new set of species including the incredible Sword-billed Hummingbird, Shining Sunbeam, White-bellied Antpitta, Black-banded Owl 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. The following day those continuing on to the Amazon tour will drive down into the lowlands of Ecuador. After a stop 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 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 or Jess will be sharing his techniques for taking multi-flash images that actually look natural (unlike most others out there). 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 Glenn or Jess 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 Glenn or Jess, 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). Highlight species include: Plate-billed Mountain Toucan 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! Tawny and White-bellied Antpittas Black-chinned and Blue-winged Mountain Tanager Golden Tanager Black-banded 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  PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS This is a fairly relaxed trip. One of the lodges has a staircase of about 100m to get to the lodge. We will visit a few high elevation sites for 2-3 hours. There are optional hikes at one of the lodges.  WHY TRAVEL ON GLENN BARTLEY'S WORKSHOPS? Glenn focuses on more personalized attention,instruction and guidance. Glenn is regarded one of the world’s top professional photographers in bird portrait photography. Just go pick up a birding magazine and you will almost certainly find his images. Glenn often utilizes local guides with years of experience in their home areas. Glenn has more experience.  He has been to the places that he will take you – not for a week or two – but for months!!  Glenn knows where to get the best possible images and can show you how to achieve them.  Having completed his Msc. in Environmental Studies Glenn is very environmentally and socially aware.  When we visit communities around the world we give something back to these places and the people who live there.  At the end of the day Glenn’s goal is simple – To give you the best possible photographic workshop imaginable. LOGISTICS This workshop/tour is limited to 6 photographers to ensure the best photographic opportunities and instruction possible. Price: The cost of this photo workshop is USD $6999 / person The cost of the Amazon extension is USD $2999 / person I preffer payments and deposits to be made by check. Paypal can also be arranged (send email). 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 $600 + $400 (for extension). Once we have received your deposit we will send you a confirmation invoice and registration package. Price includes: 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 Bottled water for the duration of the workshop Airport pickups on the first day of the trip 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 Bar bills at lodges Laundry, phone and other items of a personal nature Cost of hospitalization and evacuation if necessary Payment Terms: A $1500 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a space on this tour.  The balance of the payment is due before September 1, 2023. 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) HOW TO JOIN THIS PHOTO WORKSHOP? WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NEXT? I like to keep my workshops small, so space is extremely limited. Once the workshop seats are full – that’s it…  If this exciting photo workshop sounds like fun to you, then now is the time to register. STEP 1 - Read the booking and refund policies below. STEP 2 - To confirm your registration you will need to mail a check for the $1500 deposit to Glenn Bartley. Payments can also be arranged through Paypal. Please email me to confirm that there is still space left on the tour and to let me know that you are sending a deposit or for paypal instructions. Once a deposit is received it is understood that you have read, understood and accepted all terms and conditions as outlined in the Booking and Refund Policies. Please make checks out to:Glenn Bartley - Email me for mailing address Once I have received your deposit I will send you your complete registration package by mail/email. Please see the complete booking and refund policy by clicking the link below. If you have any questions before registering, send me an e-mail with any inquiries to: Please note: Glenn Bartley Nature Photography strongly recommends that you purchase travel insurance. All funds are quoted in USD 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 Favourite Photographs from Ecuador Page ECUADOR WORKSHOP VIDEO - HERE

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