Workshop
Sri Lanka "Elephants’ Culture"
August 20 - September 2, 2023
Itinerary
Note: Itinerary and activities might change based on weather conditions and activities we find on the spur of the moment. Our local experts and the contacts made over the years are incredible source of information to locate unique activities. As the group is kept small, we are able to attend special events, without overwhelming the local communities and be welcomed with open arms.
14 days on the ground to photograph and explore the Elephant’s culture
August 20 - Day 1: Arrival Negombo
• Transfer to the hotel
August 21 - Day 2: Anuradhapura
• Visit Isurumuniya, ancient rock temples with very fine carvings
• UNESCO sites
August 22 - Day 3: Anuradhapura, Drive to Habarana
• Visit the Tallest Buddha Statue in Sri Lanka in Aukana
• Visit Dumbola cave
August 23 - Day 4: Veddah tribal people
• Visit the Veddah tribal people (Ceremonial tradition, walk in the wood, etc.)
August 24 - Day 5: Polonnaruwa and Minneriya National Park
• Visit Polonnaruwa ancient ruins
• Afernoon safari at Minneriya (Asian elephants, …)
August 25 - Day 6: Sigirya
• Morning and evening elephant and mahout shoot in front of the Lion Rock
August 26 Day 7: Kandy
• Morning shoot around Habarana
• Cultural dance show Kandy
August 27 - Day 8: Kandy Perahara
• Visit temple where elephants are staying
• Elephant prep for the parade
• First Parade
August 28 - Day 9: Kandy Perahara
• Visit 2nd temple (elephants, mahouts, priest)
• Visit Sacred tooth temple
• 2nd Parade
August 29 - Day 10: Kandy Perahara
• Visit tea plantation
• Photograph staging area of the parade
August 30 - Day 11: Pinnawala
• Visit elephant orphanage
August 31 - Day 12: Elephant Orphanage
• Two photoshoots daily with elephants (early morning, late afternoon)
• Photoshoots with natural and/or artificial light
• Learn to choregraph scenarios. Daily themes
• Photograph large group of elephants bathing in the river
September 1 - Day 13: Elephant Orphanage - Transfer to Airport
• Morning shoot
• Transfer to Airport
September 2 - Day 14: Departure Day
• Recommend flying out on September 2 (12:50AM flight)
Logistics
Upon signing up for the workshop, you’ll receive a detailed coursebook and recommended reading material.
Logistics
- Plan on arriving in Colombo, Sri Lanka on August 20 (anytime) – Airport (CMB)
- Departure on September 2 (recommend the 12:50AM flight) from Colombo
- All ground transportation and accommodation provided
- All meals included
- All entry fees included
Recommended equipment
Clothing: (temperature ranges from 70 – 90F)
- Comfortable and warm layered clothes (neutral color recommended)
- Shorts and t-shirts to photograph elephants in the water
- Sandals, walking shoes
- Hat, sunglasses, and sun screen
- Rain gear/windbreaker
Camera Equipment:
- Camera with extra batteries and memory cards
- If available... two camera bodies
- Recommended lenses
• Elephant parade: 16 - 200mm. Fast lens recommended (F2.8)
• Telephoto lens for elephant in the wild: 200-400mm
• Portraits: 24 – 200mm
Accessories (Optional):
- Tripod for evening/night photography/elephant photoshoot
- Flash (off-camera) + diffusers
- ND Filters (3, 6, 10, 15 stops)
Photography Review Equipment (Recommended):
- Laptop (with power cord), memory card downloader
- Post processing software (Lightroom, Photoshop, plug-ins)
- External hard drives (backup)
Equipment Rental and Purchase (if you need to rent lenses we recommend the following places):
- borrowlenses.com
Workshop Structure
- The itinerary is built with flexibility so we can leverage the atmospheric conditions
- Early morning rise to catch the sunrise. Late evening for sunset
- Night shoot during the elephant parade
- We will drive to photoshoot locations and then walk (parade)
- During the day, we will explore venues at the festival, photograph elephants bathing in a river, and brainstorm on creative idea for set up photoshoots
- When we return to the lodge in the evening, you will have a chance to relax and get ready for dinner
- At the end of the workshop, you will have experienced the “elephant’s culture in Sri Lanka and understand their importance among the villagers
Participants' Responsibility
- Book transportation to Colombo, Sri Lanka – Airport (CMB)
- Have a valid passport to travel to Sri Lanka (expiration at least 6 months)
- Apply for Visa (Sri Lanka)
- Bring your certificate of full COVID vaccination
Not included:
- Personal expenses, meals, alcoholic beverages
- Extra night(s) in Colombo (for early arrival or late departure)
- Travel Insurance
- Tips to local staff
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
Difficulties (Medium)
- We are going to walk about 2 miles (certain days) on easy surface to follow elephants during the parade
- We are eating freshly cooked local cuisine with local meat, vegetables, and soup (not spicy)
- We are photographing around elephants, which requires careful attention
- Temperature: Average mid 80F
- Possibility of rain showers
- Sunrise at 6:15 AM, Sunset at 5:30PM
Is it for me?
YES, if …
- You want to mingle with and photograph hundreds of elephants.
- You need a gateway, find inspiration for your photography, and come back home with images that wow you
- You want to expand your photography comfort zone, create images with natural light and also enhanced with artificial light
- All levels welcome. You need to be familiar with operating your camera as the instruction focuses on creativity
Rules for attending IncredibleTravelPhotos workshops during the Covid 19 pandemic and Legal Disclaimer
As we live in a pandemic world, we want everybody to have a safe, productive and creative experience during the workshop. We are following the recommended guidelines set by the CDC and Santa Clara County Health Department. By signing this document, you understand and will adhere to the rules to protect yourself and others.
1. You need to vaccinated against Covid 19.
2. You need to bring your own mask. Bandannas are not a mask.
3. Wearing a mask is recommended upon arrival at the workshop. Mask will cover mouth and nose at all time.
4. You will sanitize your hands upon arrival. Hand sanitizer will be provided.
5. Not adhering to the above rules is a reason for immediate dismissal from the workshop. No refund will be provided.
6. We want everybody to feel comfortable. Thank you for the understanding!
I have read and will adhere to the rules. _______ (initial)
LEGAL Disclaimer:
I acknowledge the contagious nature of the Coronavirus/COVID-19 and that the CDC and many other public health authorities still recommend practicing social distancing.
I further acknowledge that IncredibleTravelPhotos as put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus/COVID-19.
I further acknowledge that IncredibleTravelPhotos can not guarantee that I will not become infected with the Coronavirus/Covid-19. I understand that the risk of becoming exposed to and/or infected by the Coronavirus/COVID-19 may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of myself and others.
I attest that:
* I am not experiencing any symptom of illness such as cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell.
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* I have not been diagnosed with Coronavirus/Covid-19 and not yet cleared as non-contagious by state or local public health authorities.
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Instructors
Oliver Klink has been photographing in Asia for the past 15 years. He has visited many minority cultures and wildlife in Mongolia, China, Thailand, Myanmar, Bhutan, India, Sri Lanka and more. He received the coveted 2018 Best B&W photographer of the year by Dodho Magazine and has published an award-winning book, Cultures in Transition. “Sri Lanka is a really unique place. It offers multitude of photo opportunities, cultural enrichment and wildlife sighting. Truly truly one of kind places.”
Oliver Klink is a fine art photographer based in Los Gatos, CA. His book Cultures in Transition won nine awards for best photography book of 2019. He was selected as B&W photographer of the year (2018) by Dodho magazine, the Best” Emerging artist in 2016 by BWGallerist. Cultures in Transition body of work was selected as Top 50 Critical Mass Award (2016 & 2018). 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 and Color Awards in the past 5 years. “Processing images with a personal style is a passion. You can relive what you saw at the point of capture with your artistic mind”, says Oliver.
Oliver’s images have been exhibited om four continents. He is a master print maker using various technology.
Local staff members (Guide, drivers, helpers) who enrich our stay with the most current information, special activities, and “ways in” to places you only dream about!
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call Oliver Klink (408-910-6701) or email oliver@incredibletravelphotos.com
