Bhutan is awe inspiring from the moment you start flying over
the Himalayas and land into a breathtaking valley. Bhutan is
the “Land of the Thunder Dragon” and is as magical as it gets.
A country where a handsome young Asian Elvis look-a-like became
King, cigarettes are illegal, chillies are a staple, rice is red
and protective erotic art is painted on houses, schools and temple
walls. A land that treasures Gross National Happiness more than
Gross National Product. It is a small nation of about 750,000
people in the Eastern Himalayas, nestled between Tibet, China
and India. It has a unique government, which has intentionally
kept itself isolated from modernity. Bhutan extraordinary Buddhist
sites and undisturbed traditional culture makes it the last
remaining great Himalayan kingdom.
During this workshop, you’ll visit some very special places.
One of our local guides was commissioned to paint multiple
private monasteries on the Eastern side of Bhutan. We are
privileged to have access to these monasteries, enabling us to
photograph the monks’early morning rituals, typically not
accessible to tourists. We are also going to be able to
experience the complete life inside a monastery, when we
overnight there.
Our journey is solely focused on Eastern Bhutan, where
traditions are still intact and barely influenced by modernism.
This is a special itinerary seldom offered. With this in mind,
we’ll be able to minimize the driving time, spend more time at
each place, discover the local culture and create rarely seen
images.
The visit to Bhutan is at a prime time of the year, when
farmers are harvesting and villages celebrating. This is once
again not the traditional “grand show festival in bigger towns”
(mostly attended by tourists). You’ll get an insight of local
culture and traditions.
This adventure is designed not only to guide you to the
most photogenic locations carefully planned for the best
light, but also to aid you in mentally visualizing a scene
before capturing the decisive moment. Our aim is to raise
your awareness and spark your creativity so that you not
only go home with images to be proud of, but use your new
found skills to improve and expand your photographic technique
in general. You will learn how to turn an ordinary image into
an extraordinary image by using your own creativity.
We cannot think of a better location to express your
creativity than the exotic Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan,
to photograph local people with genuine smiles and
happiness, and to capture images that will exhume a personal style.
See you in Bhutan on November 6.
Oliver Klink has been photographing in Bhutan for the past 4 years. He has visited many minority cultures across the country. His image, “Herding Instinct” won the grand prize at the Rayko International Photocontest in 2014, others have received “mentioned” in the Black and White Spidar Awards for the past 5 years. “Bhutan is getting modernized (especially in the West) but their values are still based on GNH (Gross National Hapiness). When you travel away from the main hubs (Paro, Thimpu, Bumthang) traditions are still vivid and you truly feel happiness. We travel with unique privileges from local guides and field experts, staying at private monasteries and having access that you can only dream about!
Nima Dorji, field expert, has been my guide in Bhutan for the past 2 years. He is a painter and will provide access to private monasteries that him and his dad painted. His strength is to connect with the local people and make us feel “welcome with them”. His attentive demeanor and attention to details enable us to travel safely and give us privileged access that will make your images “stand out”.
One local guide, and two local drivers, born in Easter Bhutan, who enrich our stay with the most current information, special activities, and “ways in” to places you again can only dream about!
- Photographing “street” people
- Photographing with special access to private monasteries
- Photographing people in their grand landscape
- Access to the Radi Festival
- Model shoots
- Daily review of images (emphasis on “what else can I do”)
- Brainstorming sessions (theme, story telling, portfolio, hero shots)
- Post processing and workflow (efficiency, accuracy, quality
- 10 days of guided photoshoot
- Accommodation, meals, ground transportation
- Special permits, private photoshoots, all entrance fees
- Instruction booklet emailed before the workshop
Not Included :
- Transportation to and from Guwahati, India (GAU)
- Transport from Guwahati airport to hotel
- Personal expenses, alcoholic beverages
- Travel Insurance
- Extra night(s) in Guwahati
- Tips to local staff
Double Occupancy: $4,900
Single Supplement: $600
Deposit (non-refundable):
$500 (Double Occupancy)
$600 (Single Occupancy)
Full payment due by August 20, 2016 (payable by check)
Registration: $4,900
Deposit: $600
Terms and Conditions
- Moderate walking on trails and uneven rocky paths.
- Weather can be challenging. Be prepared for moody sky.
- We are staying in local hotels, private monastery, guest houses, and tents.
- We eat freshly cooked local Bhutanese cuisine with lots of vegetables, soup, local meat (not spicy).
- We are traveling on ultra-modern highways and the local unpaved roads.
- However, the photographic opportunities are incredible. It is an amazing adventure and photographic experience.
Where: Eastern Bhutan
When: November 6 - 15, 2016
Who: Oliver Klink, Nima Dorji, one local guide, and local drivers
Airport: Guwahati, India (GAU)
Accommodations: Local hotels, private monastery, tents (single or double occupancy)
Weather: 40 – 70F. Moody Sky
Cost: $4,900 (+$600 single supplement)
11-04-2016 Bhutan: Private Monastery, Off-the-Beaten path Culture
Read More
Join Our Community :
Subscribe to our eNewsletter and receive exclusive information about photography. Fine Art Images, travel tips, exhibits and workshops. You may unsubscribe at anytime. Your information is kept private.
Check out other inspiring fine art websites
