This very unique and special Myanmar photography workshop and holiday with ‘Photographic Journeys’ starts in the capital city of Yangon.

We take some time there to visit the monasteries and temples, markets and public areas before flying north to Bagan. Famous for its thousands of Buddhist temples and monuments rising through the green forest canopy we’ll be spending several days here to take in sunsets, sunrises, and the local Mandalay way as it has gone on for centuries.

We then head to Amarapura and on to Inle Lake and the hill tribe area of Loikaw before returning to Yangon. We fly between the major cities as this cuts our travel time and offers us maximum time to see, photograph, experience. eat and relax.

Myanmar is a fast changing country that in the few years since it was freed from it’s oppressive regime has seen a big increase in tourism.

However this increasing tourism will take some time to change ancient ways in a country that is said to have over 100 cultures, and for photographers it is this ancient and unchanged land that is the visual and cultural magnet, and for almost all visiting it, they return saying it was like stepping into living pages of ‘The National Geographic Magazine’. circa 1910.

Rudyard Kipling wrote of Burma ‘This is Burma….it will be quite unlike any land you know about.’ and we want you to be able to visit this amazing country before it does change and become like so many other SE Asian countries that are hungry for Westernisation.

In effect the country of Myanmar (Burma) was like a time capsule until 2011 and we are only in its sixth year of being fully open to visitors.

Life takes on a very much slower pace here and you’ll be able to meet, travel amongst and interact with these charming and traditional cultures that Myanmar so proudly still clings on to

Transport in the rural areas is still by horse-cart, trishaw and bicycle.  Men proudly wear the traditional long skirt (longyi) and most people will be covered in the traditional make-up of thanakha.

Betel nut chewing faces are still very much a way of the lifestyle here and the British Colonial introduction of tea drinking is found everywhere in Myanmar’s thousands of tea houses.

Monasteries still function the way they did hundreds of years ago, monks and nuns are seen going about their daily lives undisturbed while markets and trade starts at sunrise and goes on into the hours of darkness.

We’ll rise before dawn to capture spectacular sunrises and transfer back to base and discuss our work together in a small group. Rest time is important too. Time in the comfort of the beautiful 4* air-conditioned hotels will allow you one-to-one time with Hamish to work on your images and discuss new ideas for the next day’s visual experience.

From the point that you land in Myanmar until the point you return you will find photographic opportunities in all directions and we’ll help you build a portfolio of images which you’ll be proud to present on return as well as assisting you with basics of photography to more complex aspects of post production as we take time in the hours of high sun and afternoon to review work and help you gain a better understanding of your photography.

We have carefully chosen the accommodation with guidance from our Myanmar experts to enable us to relax and unwind after day’s shooting

While this is a photography workshop it’s important to remember that comfort is important too and it is a holiday also and rest needs to be built in to busy schedules of travel.

During the day we can eat together at lunch or explore independently (should this be part of the plan) but we meet back at night after a rest and eat together with both breakfast and evening meal being included for all photographers to ease the hassle of finding the right place.

We’ve chosen this time of year as it best suits the light we are looking for both in Yangon and up country when we fly internally  to Bagan, on to  Inle lake, and then Mandalay & Loikaw and take 4x4s to the hill tribes.

We have specifically resourced the right guides and connections in Myanmar, and worked alongside our partners in Yangon to create an amazing itinerary that covers the dawn and dusk landscapes, small artisans working in wood, forestry workers, noodle makers, kitchens and local open air markets in off the beaten track villages. We have also considered too that full on workshops are tiring too and we’ll take time each day to recap on our work, discuss results, look at post processing in Adobe LightRoom and give you guidance on how best to bring your work ‘alive‘ with techniques in Adobe Photoshop and give you feedback to assist you as we progress through the workshop.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Myanmar is a country that is changing fast and moving forward quickly to join it’s other South East Asian counterparts, but there does remain that ancient mysticism and culture to be found both in the cities and in the outlying areas.

Rather than focus on the landscapes, we encourage our photographers to build a portfolio of the culture, the people, the smells and tastes, the dawn light and the fading amber sun at dusk. While we understand that not everyone feels comfortable working on people studies and portraits we will help you overcome any fears you have approaching relative strangers but care must also be taken to embrace the destinations differing cultural values and etiquette.

Markets will provide opportunities to photograph people, still lifes, food, animals and the special locations we will be visiting for genuine artisans at work, local fishing, and fabrications, as well as the train we take in Yangon near the start, will be a most special opportunity. Rather than drive everywhere, we know that photographic opportunities are missed and we’ll dive right into the real Myanmar and experience it at it’s very best.

WHERE WE’LL BE STAYING

Yangon :  Chatrium Hotel, Yangon

Bagan  :  Bagan Lodge, Bagan

Mandalay :  Mandalay Hill Resort, Mandalay

Inle Lake :  Pristine Lotus Spa Resort, Inle Lake

Loikaw :  Kayah Resort, Loikaw

HOW WE’LL TRAVEL

International travel (flights to Yangon) should be arranged by yourself to coincide with the tour starting from Yangon on January 15th.

We are happy to advise you on what times and suitable flights can be arranged and suggest you enquire on the Emirates Airlines option for simplicity, comfort and timings that co-incide or you could just contact Avocet Travel Management who will be happy to organise you with the right flight and any insurance that you may need.

Avocet are our ABTA & IATA bonded travel partners based here in the UK and manage our SE Asian tours in Vietnam and have access to special flights and rates for economy and Premium economy travel from Heathrow and regional airports.

There are 4 Internal domestic flights to (i) Bagan/Nyaung U, (ii) Mandalay, (iii) Heho and the drive up to Loikaw with the final internal domestic flight (iv) to Yangon from Loikaw. These internal flights and logistics are managed by our partners in Yangon and fully included in the price of the photographic holiday to Myanmar.

Dollars are the preferred currency to exchange in Myanmar. New clean dollars bills are more readily exchanged for the local currency (kyat) and exchange rates will vary significantly depending on where you go, which is why we have opted for meals to be taken care of in our destinations, hotels and restaurants. ATMs are still in a minority and Credit Card payments can be made when VISA/AMEX and Mastercard is available.

Water is also supplied each day along with cooling towels when we arrive at each destination.