The Silk Road has lured explores, traders and conquerors for centuries. Our journey takes us through two of the 'Stans' Uzbekistan the crossroads of civilization and Turkmenistan with its mountain ranges and the Karakum 'black sand' desert. Our small group Photography Tour will visit the exotic bazaars, historic UNESCO World Heritage Sites and dine in family homes.
Through formal lectures, critiques and on-location demonstrations, students will learn how to photograph in a variety of challenging lighting while developing their styles. Lectures and demonstrations include working in low light conditions and at night, learning how to document a foreign culture and how to produce a photo-essay with impact.
The trip starts in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, known for its unique monuments, museums and lively teahouses. We travel by high-speed train to the ancient Islamic city of Samarkand. Here we will photograph the back streets of the Old Town and the glittering turquoise tiled Bibi-Khanym Mosque. We next travel through the Kashkadarya desert to photograph the Holy City of Bukhara and Shakhrisabz, known for its carpets and fine wine.
In Turkmenistan we drive through the Karakum desert to the ancient city of Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Merv we fly to the capital city of Ashgabad to photograph the Tolkushka Bazaar where merchants trade cattle, and sell carpets and sheepskin caps. After returning to Uzbekistan we spend a night living in a traditional Yurt, a tent made of felt. Live alongside the locals in a small village, where you can photograph daily life.
This trip is for those who are passionate about their photography, and amateur and professional photographers looking to perfect their still photography & video skills. Travel alongside a professional photographer for onsite instruction and inspiration. This is a unique opportunity to produce great photographs and video that capture a sense of place, its people and culture.
Learn to:
- Work with people on location
- Photograph a foreign culture
- Light on location
- Photograph at night
- Photograph the landscape and architecture
- Expand your photography vision
- Produce photographs that have impact
- Shoot video
Trip Features:
- Ancient Bazaars
- Live in a small village, where you will sleep in a Yurt (Gur tent)
- Dining in a family home
- Photographing UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Traveling on the Tashkent – Samarkand High speed train
- Visit the Talkuchka Sunday Bazaar
Media:
Participants may shoot still images or video using either a dslr or a point & shoot camera.
Tuition Note
At the time of registration, Maine Media Workshops will collect an initial deposit of $600, plus a $55 registration fee. All other payments will be billed & collected by Collins Photography Workshops. Arlene Collins Photography, LLC, reserves the right to cancel a reservation if full payment has not been received by the stated due date.
Itinerary May 5 – May 22, 2013
Sun. May 5 depart the US for Istanbul Turkey
Mon. May 6 arrive in Istanbul
Day 1 Via Turkish Airlines depart Istanbul at 00:15 Tashkent Palace Hotel
Tues. May 7 6:50 am arrive in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Flights from Istanbul to Tashkent depart at 12:15am and arrive at 6:50 am in Tashkent, (4:30 Hour flight time) airport transfer to the hotel check in and morning rest & afternoon city tour - evening group welcome dinner
Day 2 Tashkent - Samarkand Grand Samarkand Hotel - 2 nights
Wed. May 8 8 am departure for a 2.5 hour the high speed train to Samarkand and after hotel check in and lunch we visit Registan Square and the Sunday bazaar, where we spend most of our time photographing. This evening is our first night shoot. (B)
Day 3 & 4 Samarkand Grand Samarkand Hotel
Thur. May 9 Visit Shahi Zindi Ensemble - the ancient necropolis, the Bibi Khanum Complex,
Fri. May 10 and the Guri Emir Mausoleum, Daniel's Tomb, the Jewish quarter, Ulugbek's Observatory Dinner in an Uzbek home (B&D)
Day 5 Samarkand - Bukhara Grand Bukhara (Sasha) Hotel (B) 2 nights
Sat. May 11 Our drive to Bukhara takes us through the Kashkadarya desert and to the town of Shakhisabz the birthplace of Amir Temur - the founder of the Temurids state in the 14th century. Here we visit the ancient ruins of Al-Saroy, the summer residence and the blue titled Kok Gumbaz Mosque.
Day 6 Bukhara Grand Bukhara Hotel (B&D)
Sun. May 12 The Memorial Complex of Khoja Bakhautdin Naqshbandi is one of the most important Muslim shrines and considered to be the Central Asian Mecca. Here we will photograph the many pilgrims who come to be healed and for the fulfillment of their wishes. Explore the historic Labi Khaus complex with its Mosque, intricately designed domes and the ancient bazaar. This evening is dinner and a folk show in Medreseh Nodir Divan Begi.
Day 7 Bukhara - Mary (Turkmenistan) Yrsgal/Margush Hotel (B)
Mon. May 13 This morning we depart for our drive and border crossing to Turkmenistan. We drive through the Kara Kum desert to Farab and onto the town of Mary.
Day 8 Mary-Merv-Ashgabad Grand Turkmen Hotel (3 nights)
Tue. May 14 Explore Merv a World Heritage Site, formally known as Margiana, in the VI century BC in the Achaemenian Empire, until Alexander the Great invaded. This evening we fly to Ashgabad. (B&D)
Day 9 & 10 Ashgabad Grand Turkmen Hotel
Wed. May 15 On Sunday morning we travel to the outskirts of Ashgabad to the lively
Thu. May 16 Talkuchka Sunday Bazaar ,which features an animal bazaar, where brokers bring their livestock and camels to trade and in the bazaar merchants sell carpets and sheepskins. The bazaar is the largest open-air market in Central. This is a unique opportunity to photograph an authentic market not seen by many outsiders. On Monday we travel to the ancient ruins of Nissa. (B)
Day 11 Ashgabad - Dashoguz-Urgench-Kalas (Uzbekistan) Yurt Camp (1 night)
Fri. May 17 Fly to Dashoguz and drive to Kunya Urgench, continue on to the Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan border crossing point at Dashoguz. After crossing the border we drive to the traditional rural village of Shavat to photograph daily life. Lunch is with a local family. We end our day in the town of Kalas, where you sleep in a Yurt. (B&D)
Day 12 Kalas - Khiva Shakhrezade Hotel (2 nights)
Sat. May 18 Start your day with a camel ride or hike around the lake. Later that morning we drive to the towns of Turkkul and Beruni to photograph the local people. In the town of Nukus we visit the famous Savitsky Museum, which is home to the second largest Russian avant-garde art collection outside of the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg. We end our day in the town of Khiva. (B&D)
Day 13 Kiva Shakhrezade Hotel
Sun. May 19 Today we explore the Ichan Kala 'Old City', which is surrounded by high walls of air-dried bricks and decorated with intricate tiles, the West Gate and the Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, The Tash Hauli Palace, with its harem, the Juma Mosque and the 19th century summer Palace of Khiva Khans. (B&D)
Day 14 Khiva – Urgench- Tashkent Tashkent Palace Hotel (close to the airport)
Mon. May 20 Morning transfer to the Urgench airport for our flight to Tashkent.
Hotel check in and spend our final day exploring the city. Tonight is our group farewell dinner. (B&D)
Day 15 Tashkent - Istanbul
Tue. May 21 Depart Tashkent for Istanbul, Turkey
The workshop fee is $ 7,995.00, and includes shared accommodation, private touring, a private guide and all regional transportation, some meals and evening entertainment performances, and museum entrance fees. See Special Terms and Conditions in the next section for deposit & payment information.
NOT INCLUDED: International air flights, the round trip airfare between Istanbul and Tashkent, airport taxes, visa fees, gratuities for our guides and drivers, personal expenses and most meals. The single supplement charge is $ 750.00. Trip cancellation/interruption insurance is mandatory. For more information contact Arlene Collins at studio@arlene-collins.com.
THE ABOVE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
COLLINS PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS
Special Terms & Conditions
The Silk Road 2013
- Reservations & Payments
A deposit of $1,500.00 per person is required to confirm your reservation for the 2013 Silk Road Photography Workshop. At the time of registration, Maine Media Workshops will collect an initial deposit of $600, plus a $55 registration fee. The remaining $900 deposit and all other payments will be billed & collected by Collins Photography Workshops. Final payment in full is due by March 1, 2013. Arlene Collins Photography, LLC, reserves the right to cancel a reservation if full payment has not been received by the stated due date.
2. Cancellations
All cancellation notices must be received in writing and will become effective as of the date of the postmark. If you cancel 90 days or more prior to departure, a refund less an administration fee of $ 500.00 and less any payments made to travel agents, hotels and sub-contractors will be issued. No refunds are issued if you cancel within 90 days prior to departure. For payments not refunded consult your insurance carrier. Refunds cannot be made to participants who do not complete the workshop for any reason at all.
3. Basis of Rates
All prices are quoted in US dollars. Due to unforeseen circumstances including but not limited to the rising cost of airfares, ground transportation, fuel surcharges, accommodations and currency fluctuations prices are subject to change. Therefore, Arlene Collins Photography, LLC reserves the right to amend trip prices or levy a surcharge on the cost of the trip without prior notice.
4. Insurance
Trip Cancellation, Baggage, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Accident and Sickness Insurance Protection is strongly advised. Camera equipment, computers and baggage are carried entirely at the owner’s risk, and we accept no responsibility for lost, damaged or delayed property. Suggested insurance companies are CSA and Access America.
5. Itinerary Changes
The itinerary is subject to change without prior notification.
6. Passports and Visas
A valid passport is required for all travels. You are required to notify Arlene Collins Photography under which nationality your passport is registered. Collins Photography Workshops will notify you, if your destination requires a visa for U.S. citizens. Non -U.S. citizens are required to contact the appropriate consular office for entry requirements pertaining to their trip. Participants are responsible for obtaining their passports and visas. Your passport must have an expiration date of at least 6 months upon completion of this trip.
7. Medical Issues
All participants must be in good health. You must advise Arlene Collins Photography, LLC, prior to booking, of any health, physical, emotional or mental condition that may require special attention or adversely impact the other participants.
8. Single Travelers
Arlene Collins Photography LLC makes every effort to honor shared and single supplementary requests. However, shared accommodations cannot be guaranteed and the single supplement rate will apply, if we cannot provide accommodations.
9. Liability Waiver
Every participant is required to sign the liability waiver before the trip, acknowledging awareness and acceptance of the risks associated with the workshop and related travel.
10. Responsibility & Photography
To ensure a safe photographic experience you are required to obey local customs and be considerate when photographing people or sensitive locations. Arlene Collins has the right to eject any person from the workshop for disruptive behavior, compromising the group’s safety, enjoyment or violating the law.