With a long history, diverse terrain and various cultures, China has so much beauty worth recording, especially mountains, which hold a special place in Chinese culture. Stories are told about their creation and their effects on the lives of the Chinese people.
This workshop will take you to a special place, called the Zhangjiajie National Park, where mountains have been an inspiration for centuries for Chinese painters and for James Cameron for his movie Avatar. The scenery is out of this world and can be described with one word: magical.
We also travel to remote villages to photograph the Tujia minorities. The Tujia are renowned for their singing, song composing abilities and for their tradition of the Baishou Dance, a 500-year-old collective dance which uses 70 ritual gestures to represent war, farming, hunting, courtship and other aspects of traditional life. They are also famous for their richly-patterned brocade, known as xilankapu, a product that in earlier days regularly figured in their tribute payments to the Chinese court.
We travel by mini van, buses, scenic elevator and cable cars, and on foot. Daily hikes on moderate terrain will vary between 1 to 4 miles. All steep ascend is done by cable cars. We access places that are ideal for photography and that will also nurture your creativity.
Our accommodations are a combination of 3 to 4 star hotel and hostels at the top of the mountains. We are staying at places that enable us to beat the morning crowd for sunrise and evening light. Sherpa will transport luggage to our nightly location, which makes the hiking more enjoyable and photo prolific.
The instruction is about taking you to the right places, getting your creative juice flowing, integrating philosophical approach of Chinese painters to photography, and combining story telling with outstanding imagery.
The workshop is all inclusive (meals, transportation, guiding, and instruction) out of Zhangjiajie. You just need to get to Dayong International airport (DYG), where we’ll pick you up and drop you off at the completion of the workshop.
The region we are visiting is still unknown to foreign travelers, is a gem for landscape and ethnic minorities photography, and has been an inspiration for centuries for artists. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to discover something that is so unique that the movie Avatar was based on. Remember that China is going thru rapid changes and modernization.
Come and experience this landscape and ethnic minorities with your own eyes and soul.
See you in China in November.
Interested in experiencing and photographing Minority cultures?
Check out the pre-workshop extension: Yi Minority Workshop (China Sichuan Province)
Dates Recap:
Optional Extension: Yi Minority Workshop
November 1: Start workshop in Xichang (XIC)
November 8: Conclusion of the workshop in Chengdu (CTU)
November 8:Direct flight from CTU to DYG
Avatar Mountains Workshop
November 9: Start of the workshop
November 20: Conclusion of the workshop in Zhangjiaje (DYG)
Oliver Klink has been photographing in China for the past 13 years. He has visited many minority cultures and National Parks in Hunan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Fujian and more provinces. 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. “China is changing rapidly, as the traditions in remote villages are vanishing. We travel with unique privileges from local guides and field experts, and where Westerners have seldom been seen”.
Jeffrey Tang, field expert, has been my guide in China for the past 8 years. 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 expert at each location we visit. The person is a well-regarded artist (photographer, painter, calligrapher), which will enhance our vision with local inspiration.
Local staff members (drivers, helpers) who enrich our stay with the most current information, special activities, and “ways in” to places you only dream about!
- Photographing Mountain Scapes, composition, light
- Photographing Ethnic Minorities
- 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)
- 12 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 Dayong/Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (DYG)
- Personal expenses, alcoholic beverages
- Travel Insurance
- Tips to local staff
Double Occupancy: $3,900
Single Supplement: $600
Deposit (non-refundable):
$500 (Double Occupancy)
$800 (Single Occupancy)
Full payment due by August 20, 2017 (payable by check)
Registration: $3,900
Single Supplement: $600
Terms and Conditions
- The workshop takes place during fall, where temperatures fluctuate between early morning, middle of the day and evening. Be prepared for 30F+ shift. Weather can be challenging. Be prepared for moody sky.
- We will walk between 1 and 4 miles on trails and wood platform to gain various viewpoints in the Mountains. Pace is slow so we can focus on photography and enjoyment of the unique nature and landscape.
- We are staying in local hotels and rustic guest houses to gain early access to the Mountains. Beds can be hard.
- We travel at altitude up to 7,000 feet (2,000 meters). Most of the elevation is gained by cable cars.
- We are eating freshly cooked local Chinese cuisine with lots of vegetables, soup, and local meat (not spicy). Chopsticks are the common “silverware”.
- We are traveling on ultra-modern highways to the local unpaved roads.
- However, the photographic opportunities are incredible. It is an amazing adventure and photographic experience.
Where: Hunan Province (China), Zhangjiaje Avatar Mountains and Tujia minority villages
When: November 9-20, 2017
Who: Oliver Klink, Jeffrey Tang, local staffs
Airport: Dayong/Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (DYG)
Accommodations: Local hotels (single or double occupancy)
Weather: 40-70F. Moody Sky
Cost: $3,900 ($600 Single supplement)
11-09-2017 Zhangjiaje Avatar Mountains
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
