Technical Skills - Creative Inspiration - Exciting Destinations
Tigers-13

China: Tigers and Ice Festival

Heilongjiang Provinces

January 31 - Feb 6, 2019

8 participants only


NOTE: As a heads up, this is the last time this workshop will be taught. Don't delay your registration.

During this workshop you'll have a chance to photograph the iconic Chinese wildlife species (Siberian Tigers) and the very unique ice festival in Harbin.

The Siberian tiger is the largest felid in the world and is known as the King of the Forest. In the 1980s, it was listed as one of the first-class national protected animals of China. We'll photograph the tigers at the Siberian Tiger Park, which host over 500 purebred Siberian tigers and is the largest natural park of its kind in the world. We'll observe their behavior roaming in vehicles in a similar fashion as wildlife is photographed in Africa. At this time of the year, we’ll have a winter fairy tale landscape and full access to the park with little distraction from other visitors.

The Harbin ice festival is truly unique. Local artists carve exquisite scenes from around the world out of ice and snow. Huge palaces, mythical creatures, famous people, religious icons are illuminated at night and provide photographic opportunities like nothing you have seen before. The festival is over 50 years old and still unknown to most Westerners.

This workshop is all inclusive: Lodging, all ground transportation, meals, special fee to photograph the tigers, special fee to photograph the pandas, entrance fees, English speaking guide, all meals, and photo instruction.

Our goals are multiple folds, with the following cropping to the top: We want to make your experience memorable by taking you to places most Westerners don't know about. We want to share more than just photography so you can discover new ways of thinking and improving your personal photographic vision. We want you to come back with renewed appreciation for older traditions and wildlife.

China is changing like the rest of the world, except that changes in China are rapid and much more pronounced. Chinese philosophers have been praising the places we visit for centuries and for good reasons. Come and experience it with your own eyes and soul.

See you in China in January/February.

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Registration (January 31 - February 6, 2019)
Double Occupancy: $3,900
Single Supplement: $500

Deposit (non-refundable):
$600 (Double Occupancy)
$800 (Single Occupancy)

Deposit (Non-refundable)


Balance payment due by December 20, 2018 (payable by check)

Questions? Need additional information, please contact Oliver Klink


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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 wildlife with special access (tigers)
- Photographing ice festival (night photography)
- 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)



- 7 days of guided photoshoot
- Accommodation, meals, ground transportation
- Special permits, private photoshoots, all entrance fees
- Instruction booklet emailed before the workshop

- Not Included :
- International Transportation to Harbin (HBR)
- Personal expenses, alcoholic beverages
- Travel Insurance
- Tips to local staff



Double Occupancy: $3,900
Single Supplement: $500

Deposit (non-refundable):
$600 (Double Occupancy)
$800 (Single Occupancy)

Full payment due by December 20, 2018 (payable by check)



Registration: $3,900
Single Supplement: $500

Terms and Conditions




- The workshop takes place during winter, where low temperatures are the norm in the region we visit. Weather can be challenging. Be prepared for moody sky and cold temperature.
- Up to 1 mile walking on trails and wood platform to gain various accesses to the tigers and the Ice Festival.
- We are staying in local hotels and rustic guest houses. Beds can be hard, heating might be sub par, you might get warm water only at certain time of the day.
- 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: Heilongjiang Provinces (China)
When: January 31 to February 6, 2019
Who: Oliver Klink, Jeffrey Tang, local staffs
Airport: Harbin Airport (HBR) Start and conclusion of workshop
Accommodations: Local hotels (single or double occupancy)
Weather: 0 – 30F. Moody Sky
Cost: $3,900 ($500 Single supplement)


Workshop details for China Tigers and Ice Festival (click on a tab)

Agenda

January 31 - February 6, 2019

Note: Itinerary and activities might change based on weather conditions

7 days on the ground to photograph Siberian Tigers and the Ice Festival in Harbin.

Day 1 (D) January 31, 2019:
- Arrive at Harbin Airport (HBR)
- Transfer to hotel
- Recover from jetlag

Day 2 (B,L,D) February 1:
- Travel to the Siberian Tiger Park
- Private Photoshoot – Afternoon
- Visit the ground of the Siberian Tiger Park

Day 3-4 (B,L,D):
- Travel to the Siberian Tiger Park
- Private Photoshoots – Morning
- Visit the ground of the Siberian Tiger Park
- Private Photoshoots – Afternoon

Day 5 (B,L,D):
- Fast speed train to Harbin
- Visit the Ice Festival

Day 6 (B,L,D):
- Morning: Harbin Downtown
- Visit Visit Harbin old street, Harbin Opera, enjoy the first day Chinese spring festival with local people
- Evening: Ice and Lantern Festival

Day 7 (B,L,D) (February 6):
- Transfer to Harbin Airport
- Conclusion of workshop

What to Bring

Upon signing up for the workshop, you’ll receive a detailed coursebook describing what to bring, recommended camera gears, booking your flight, and more.

Clothing: (temperature ranges from low 0F to 30F)
- Warm Clothes (layers, dawn jacket, Gore-Tex shell, ski pants, winter hat, gloves, and thermal underwear)
- Winter boots
- Hands and feet warmers
- Knee pads (for low angle shooting)
Camera Equipment:
- DSLR (bring your camera manual), extra battery (and charger)
- Recommended Lenses:
Wildlife portrait: 100-400mm
Wildlife environmental: 70-200mm
Ice festival: 16–70mm
- Tripod (Optional, will be mostly used at the Ice Festival and for landscape shots)
Other Equipment (Optional):
- Small notepad (notes, observations, write down questions)
- Camera raingear (Kata, Kirk, or just heavy garbage bags) to protect against water and condensation


Photography Review Equipment (Recommended):
- Laptop (with power cord), memory card downloader
- Post processing software (Lightroom, Photoshop, plug-ins)
- External hard drives (backup)


Other:
Valid passport and visa for travel to China

Logistics

This is an all-inclusive workshop (ground transportation, lodging, meals, local guide, private photoshoots, photo instruction). It also includes all the entrée fees for the Siberian Tigers Preserve. The workshop does not include flight to Harbin (HBR) – start of the workshop on January 31 and return flight from Harbin (HBR) on February 6 (anytime)

Workshop comprises...
- 7 days on the ground in China
- All meals, accommodation, private car transportation
- All entrance fees
- Feeding fee at the Siberian Tiger park
- Private photoshoots at the Tiger park
- Coursebook and orientation materials
- Small group (maximum 8 people)
- Daily reviews (including tips on post processing, file management, idea to build portfolio)
- One instructor, One local expert, two local guides, drivers


Not Included:
- Visa Application
- Transportation to Harbin Airport (HBR) – start and conclusion of workshop
- Personal expenses, alcoholic beverages
- Travel Insurance
- Tips to local staff


Travel Recommendations:
- Plan on arriving in Harbin (HBR) on January 31 (anytime) or sooner if you want additional time to recover from jetlag. Your return flight can be booked any time on February 6 from Harbin airport (HBR).
- We can assist with booking extra nights in Harbin (pre workshop) and airport transportation.


Trip Cancellation & Travel Insurance Suggestions:

Here are a few recommendations but please browse around as services and prices vary.

• Travelex Travel Select http://www.travelexinsurance.com (800) 228-9792
• Travel Guard http://www.travelguard.com/ or Travel Insurance Services http://www.travelinsure.com.
• Travel Insurance Services (Walnut Creek, CA) http://www.travelinsure.com/cobrand/select/photoex (800) 937-1387
• Atlas International Insurance (HCC Medical Insurance Services) http://www.visitorsmedical.com/atlasinternational.html
• TEN (Travelers Emergency Network) Emergency Evacuation Coverage https://www.sevencorners.com/insurance/HW7C6YH
• Medjet Assist 1-800-527-7478 https://medjetassist.com


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