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A picture may be worth a thousand words, but these five photo expeditions will leave you speechless as you learn to master your craft. Professional guides will demonstrate how to photograph the expansive nature around you, while they will also show you how to capture the cultural landscape as well. Everyone from shutterbugs to experienced photographers can find the perfect trip and the perfect shot on one of these photo tours.
What: Wildlife Photo Tour's eleven-day "The Great Migration Tour" sweeps through the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park on a photo safari tour.
Where: Round-trip from Arusha, Tanzania
When: August 2014, January-February 2015; Check website for upcoming tours or to schedule private tour
Equipment: Bring a film or digital camera, flash, tripod, and lenses, including a macro, zoom, and lenses that range from 28mm to 400mm. A wide-angle lens (14mm to 16mm).
Who: Your guide is Arizona native and instructor Tom Whetten.
More Info: tel. 520/444-9080; www.wildlifephototour.com
What: Light & Land’s tour through Myanmar (Burma) will introduce you to ancient cities dotted with thousands of Pagodas, breath-taking landscapes, and local peoples who share a rich culture and history.
Where: From the arrival port, Yangon, travel to Bagan, and then on to Mandalay.
When: February 2015; Varies by year
Who: The tutors are experienced guides, authors, and friends Clive Minnitt and Phil Malpas.
More Info: tel. 01747 824727; www.lightandland.co.uk, admin@lightandland.co.uk
What: National Geographic Expedition's "Morocco Photography Expedition" is an 11-day adventure that includes riding a camel into the Sahara at sunset, shooting the ancient adobe village of Aït Benhaddou, and snapping memorable shots like a snake charmer in Marrakech.
Where: Begin in Casablanca and stop in Marrakech, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aït Benhaddou, and Ouarzazate. Then it's off along the Road of 1,000 Kasbahs to Boumalne Dades, Erfoud, Merzouga, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, and Meknes, Morocco's 17th-century capital. Wrap up the trip in Fez.
When: October 3-13, 15-25 2014; May 8-18, May 22-June 1, October 30-November 9, 2015
Who: The tour is guided by Italian photojournalist and National Geographic Traveler and National Geographic contributor, Massimo Bassano.
More Info: tel. 888/966-8687; www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com
What: Exotic Birding's nine-day "Belize Tropical Birds Photography Tour" focuses on tropical birds in lowland forests near San Ignacio, at Pook's Hill Sanctuary in western Belize, and a variety of aquatic birds and hawks in the wetlands of Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. It also takes in the birds near the Mayan ruins of Tikal, Guatemala. Although not a workshop tour, the guide will help with photographic techniques.
Where: Start in Belize City and visit San Ignacio, Pook's Hill Sanctuary, Crooked Tree Sanctuary, and Tikal.
When: Schedule tour in advance.
Who: Your guides are nature photographer and bird enthusiast Laura Fellows and native Belizean Jeronie Tut.
More Info: tel. 877/247-3371; www.exoticbirding.com
Where: Round-trip from Arusha, Tanzania
When: August 2014, January-February 2015; Check website for upcoming tours or to schedule private tour
Equipment: Bring a film or digital camera, flash, tripod, and lenses, including a macro, zoom, and lenses that range from 28mm to 400mm. A wide-angle lens (14mm to 16mm).
Who: Your guide is Arizona native and instructor Tom Whetten.
More Info: tel. 520/444-9080; www.wildlifephototour.com
Where: From the arrival port, Yangon, travel to Bagan, and then on to Mandalay.
When: February 2015; Varies by year
Who: The tutors are experienced guides, authors, and friends Clive Minnitt and Phil Malpas.
More Info: tel. 01747 824727; www.lightandland.co.uk, admin@lightandland.co.uk
Where: Begin in Casablanca and stop in Marrakech, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aït Benhaddou, and Ouarzazate. Then it's off along the Road of 1,000 Kasbahs to Boumalne Dades, Erfoud, Merzouga, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, and Meknes, Morocco's 17th-century capital. Wrap up the trip in Fez.
When: October 3-13, 15-25 2014; May 8-18, May 22-June 1, October 30-November 9, 2015
Who: The tour is guided by Italian photojournalist and National Geographic Traveler and National Geographic contributor, Massimo Bassano.
More Info: tel. 888/966-8687; www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com
Where: Start in Belize City and visit San Ignacio, Pook's Hill Sanctuary, Crooked Tree Sanctuary, and Tikal.
When: Schedule tour in advance.
Who: Your guides are nature photographer and bird enthusiast Laura Fellows and native Belizean Jeronie Tut.
More Info: tel. 877/247-3371; www.exoticbirding.com