BHARATPUR BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY

Before the Workshop
We will ask you for:

• some basic information about your equipment
• your photos/portfolio
• your expectations from the workshop

Whatsapp group of the participants will be formed 1 month prior to the workshop dates so that your learning starts much in advance and you are well prepared for the tour. Communicating your expectations beforehand will ensure that Sudhir addresses them during individual interactions with you.

During the Workshop

• Sudhir will demonstrate the best way to approach and shoot the subjects and give deeper insights on their behavioural aspects.
• He will introduce the advanced custom function settings of your camera. A firm understanding of these settings will be your first step toward shooting like a pro.
• In the park, he will continually guide you based on the field conditions and subjects.
• Knowledge sharing and image review will continue through the evenings as Sudhir interacts with you with focused inputs to reinforce the day’s learning.
• You will have assignments to complete, giving you ample scope to assimilate and apply all that you have learnt.

Wildlife Photography Learning:

As a part of the workshop, the 4 important pillars of photography – Subject Knowledge, Fundamental concepts of photography, Shooting Techniques / Understanding your equipment and Post processing will be covered.

The below topics from the advanced fundamentals of photography will be covered and you will learn how to apply these concepts in Wildlife photography.

– Importance of Subject Knowledge and understanding natural history
– The key to getting right colours – Use of White Balance
– In-depth understanding of Manual exposure (ISO, shutter speeds, Aperture)
– Understanding exposure – the 18% grey concept
– Diving deep into Metering modes (evaluative / matrix / Multi, spot metering)
– Exploring the AF points (both DSLR and Mirrorless)
– Exploring the advanced AF points for subject tracking
– Understanding the advanced menu options for auto focusing (for both DSLR and Mirrorless)
– Depth of field

– Motion (freezing, blurring and panning)
– When to use what: Aperture priority, shutter priority or Manual
– Shooting techniques
– Accessories in wildlife photography

Topics of Composition (framing):
– Understanding light
– Rule of 1/3
– Vertical vs Horizontal
– Angle of shooting
– Avoiding Distractions
– Getting complementary foreground/background
– Catchlight and head turn

Creative Photography:
– Backlit / rim lighting image creation
– Capturing Behaviour
– Extreme Close-up
– Eye Level
– High / Low key images
– Foreground OOF Images
– Portraits vs Habitat
– Using Reflections
– Complementary background
– Signature Shots
– Story Telling

Post-Processing:
During the course of the workshop, you will be taken through the fundamentals of image processing and the following topics will be covered (Processing using Lightroom and ACR / Photoshop will be covered):

– Fundamentals of colour management.
– Lightroom essentials: The Library and Develop modules of LR
– Importing and metadata of images into LR
– Key wording
– Filtering images
– RAW processing workflow covering advanced tools of LR
– Exporting images

During the Field Outing:
During the field outing, your mentor Sudhir Shivaram will help you make memorable images. Inputs provided on the field will enable you make the most of the opportunity.

Day 1

• Arrive and check in to Hotel Sunbird by noon.
• Lunch by 1:30pm and at 3pm we meet for a round of hands on session on white balance, exposure, metering and focusing.
• Relax for an hour in the evening after the above session.
• At 7pm we meet for a presentation on creative composition, the points of which you will use for the rest of the workshop.
• Each of you will then be given an assignment sheet which will outline the various kind of creative images we expect you to shoot during the course of the workshop.
• Dinner and lights off.

Day 2-3-4

• Start early in the day with a sumptuous breakfast at 6:00 am and enter the park by 6:30 am.
• Sudhir will be at hand to constantly guide you with any queries you may have with respect to your bird photography.
• Sudhir will review your images in the field and provide areas of improvements which you can implement.
• Hot packed lunch is delivered at the park and we have lunch at the canteen area by 1:30pm
• Return to resort after park closes at 6:30 pm.
• Freshen up and convene for interactive sessions and more photography-related discussions.
• Dinner and overnight stay at the resort.

Day 5

• Same as pervious days, early breakfast and head to the park.
• Morning ride into the park and checkout by 10:30am.
• Depending on your individual departure times, you may choose to spend some more time in the park.

Hotel Birders Inn, Bharatpur, Rajasthan

 
Hotel Birders Inn is ideally located a stone’s throw away from the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. With well appointed and spotlessly clean rooms, delicious food, and efficient staff, this is the ideal place to put up your feet and relax after a busy day of photography learning and shooting.

Workshop Cost:
INR 65,000/- per person, double occupancy (Plus 5% GST)
INR 75,000/- per person, single occupancy (Plus 5% GST)

Inclusions:
– 2 photographers per eCycle rickshaw (new eRickshaw launched at Bharatpur which can comfortably seat 4 people).
– 4 nights / 5 days Accommodation in deluxe A/C Rooms at Hotel Sunbird with all meals.
(this includes packed hot lunch delivered to the park)
– National park entry, camera fees, rickshaw charges, mandatory guide fees etc.

Exclusions:
– Laundry and any other personal expenses not mentioned under inclusions.
*All costs are ex-Bharatpur. Transportation will be arranged at an added (actual) cost.
**Any other expenses outside of the above will have to be borne by the participants.

Terms and Cancellation Policy:
INR 35,000 is non refundable once the payment is done.
75% of the remaining amount will be refunded if cancellation is done 45 days prior to the workshop start dates.
No refund if cancellation is done between 0-45 days of the event.

Payment Terms:
Full amount to be paid 60 days prior to the workshop starting date.

Please note: The date of written (email) communication of intent to cancel is the date considered for calculation of the cancellation fees.