Mumbai – Gokarna – Hampi – Goa- Mumbai (Photography Expedition)

THE OVERVIEW:

14 Days backpacker street photography workshops in India with use of wireless external flashgun light.

Deep in the heart of Karnataka, lies the ruined city of Hampi-Vijayanagar, the once fabulously wealthy capital of the Vijayanagar Empire, a Hindu kingdom which, from 1336, ruled for 200 years over a vast swathe of peninsular India stretching from Orissa in the north, to Sri Lanka in the south. In the early 16th century, when the Vijayanagar capital was at its zenith, it was said to be “greater than Rome”.

Now a Unesco World Heritage Site, Hampi-Vijayanagar is spread over an area of 26 square kilometres along the river Tungabhadra. As the most important capital of the Deccan between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries, Vijayanagar attracted thousands of artisans, poets, sculptors and scholars. Their houses, together with the ruins of royal palaces, temples, elephant stables, open air pools, and fortifications lie scattered in a surreal – and highly photogenic – landscape of huge granite boulders, lush sugar cane and banana plantations.

The enormous rocks are so absurdly placed that their existence has been attributed to the actions of the Monkey Gods who inhabited this ancient site in its mythological origins, when this was the kingdom of Kishikindha. Now little known outside of India, the magnificent remains of this ancient capital whose name means ‘City of Victory’ present outstanding photographic opportunities across a range of subjects.

Home to the one of the holiest religious sites in India, Hampi attracts scores of Hindu pilgrims who come to worship at the Virupaksha Temple, whilst many sadhus (ascetics) find shelter in the dilapidated edifices and the surrounding rock crannies. The combination of opportunities to photograph the magnificent landscape and architecture, as well as people and their rituals, makes Hampi-Vijayanagar an extraordinarily rich subject for photographic exploration.

Current Expedition Dates: NOVEMBER 2012 – exact date to be confirmed

Next Expedition Dates:  Coming Soon

This Expedition begins and ends in Mumbai, India. Dates refer to actual days on the ground (13 nights).
Expedition Leader: Jarek Jarosz
Participants: 1-6

Cost: From £950

Includes:
-Tuition.
-12 nights accommodation, on twin-share basis, with breakfast and lunch daily.
-Transfers  between Mumbai Goa and Hampi.
-Translator and local guides.
-All entrance fees.
-(optional) Dedicated photography exhibition in London presenting photos taken during the expedition.

Not included:
- Flight tickets from and to: Mumbai (average £420 per person)
- Indian visa costs (currently ~ £50)
- Tipping: drivers / guides / hotel staff etc..
- Expenses not covered by the program (laundry, bills from the bar, drinks, phone calls, etc.)
- Other personal expenses
- Expenses not listed in the “price includes”

Programme:
Detailed programme might vary and may be modified according to group demand.

Day 1 – (Mumbai) Meet  at the The Chattrapathi Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai and transfer to the hotel. Evening welcome party.  Night in the hotel located in Colaba district.
Day 2 – (Mumbai)  After breakfast – photography and lighting theory lecture and discussion, after which we will start taking photos on the streets of Mumbai. That will include “City must see” sightseeing. Optional – boat trip to Elephanta Island. Remaining day at participants’ leisure to explore Mumbai night-life. Second night in the hotel.
Day 3 – (Mumbai)  A day of intensive street photography and lighting techniques. We pass through the streets of Mumbai visiting some of the most prestigious places where the younger Bollywood generation superstars like Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Sushmita Sen, Sanjay Dutt live, but also we will not forget about the places like Dharavi, one of the largest slums in the world. Later,  we will spend the night in transit travelling by coach to Maragao, arriving there by morning. From there we will be heading directly to Gokarna by local buses.
Day 4 – Day 8 – (Gokarna) As Gokarna is famous for its beautiful untouched beaches and paradise landscapes this is expected to be the most relaxing time of our trip. However, we will not forget about the cameras and after a long spell of lazy sunbathing, we will take advantage of  a guaranteed clear Indian sky and with the use of filters and circular reflectors we will learn how to apply  sunlight to our photography.
Day 9 – Day 10 – (Hampi) Early morning departure from Gokarna to reach Hampi by mid-afternoon. Once we check in at  our hotel you are free to explore Hampi for yourself. Hampi is a photographic Mecca with more than 500 monuments, including many temples, ancient market streets, treasury buildings, bastions, and royal pavilions.
Day 11 – Day 13 – (Palolem Beach) Another day by the sea, in south Goa. Palolem is largely known for its unspoiled beach and thick forest of coconut palms and as an area inhabited by local fishermen and quiet tourists alike. The night-life at Palolem is as eclectic as the people that the beach attracts. This is the last opportunity for sun-bathing and enjoying the sea breeze before our journey back home. During the night we will have an opportunity to discuss your photographs and learn some tips about retouching photographs in editing software. The second night we will be returning to Mumbai from Goa by train.
Day 13 – (Mumbai) Back in Mumbai and a chance to photograph the streets of this great city anew, after all you have learned and experienced. This will also give you a last opportunity for shopping or your own activities.
Day 14 – (Mumbai) Lastly, goodbyes, and the transfer to the Mumbai Chattrapathi Shivaji International Airport.

Please note:

-This expedition begin and end in India. It is the responsibility of participants to reach the designated meeting point on the day of commencement of the expedition.

-All foreign nationals require a visa to enter India. To obtain a visa you will need a passport with at least 6 months validity.

-Caution should be exercised over your belongings when travelling on trains or buses and it is strongly advisable to make sure you are up to date with your travel insurance policy.