|
Updated Thursday the 17th of May, 2012
|
|
|
|
|
 TRAVEL IMAGES is synonymous with guided photography tours and expeditions, photo travel and workshops, photo adventures and field trips and photo safaris, nature, landscape, wildlife and macro photography, and whatever 'label' one can put on what we do.
If you prefer smaller groups of up to 8, would like to learn as you shoot, and return home as a better photographer, I hope you'll consider a photography tour or workshop with Travel Images. I'm John Baker a British Photographer based in Boise, Idaho . . . continued here
|
|
|
|
PHOTO TOUR DESTINATIONS
Travel Images runs the following photography tours . . . Polar Bears, Nova Scotia and the Canadian Rockies in Canada
England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, London in the British Isles
Normandy, Brittany, Loire, Burgundy, Provence, Paris in France
Cinque Terre, Venice, and Tuscany in Italy
the European Alp regions of Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland
the Galapagos Islands and Cloud Forest in Ecuador
Machu Picchu in Peru
the Patagonian regions of Argentina and Chile
Tasmania and Sydney in Australia
South Island, New Zealand
America's best photography locations in the United States of
 Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Washington, Oregon,
New Mexico, Colorado, California and Vermont.
Go here for the complete photography tour calendar.
|
|
|
|
|
HEADLINES . . .
 Featured photo tour: Wales / Cymru
I'm English but lived in Wales, and would like to show you why I love the land and culture so very much.
Go here for the Wales brochure.
Go here for the Wales photo gallery
New: Polar Bears of Churchill, Manitoba
Runs in November of 2012 but is now full. Go here for all the details, and to be wait-listed for a possible second trip.
Photo galleries: Updated and/or new
A number Travel Images galleries have been updated of late, and to find them look for the 'updated' symbol in the alphabetical list here.
The most recently updated photography galleries are . . .
Wales
Scotland
Bryce and Zion
Red Rock Country winter
Idaho
The newest galleries are . . .
Burgundy, France
California's Central Coast
Still Life on the Run
Before and after
You can help shape the 2012 and 2013 calendars
Should you have a particular trip you'd like to see included, or have preferred dates, your feedback will help shape 2012 or any other photography tour year.
Start at top, or go straight to 2012 or 2013.
Discounts for repeat clients, referrals and so on: All clients, new or old, get 5% off their total when room sharing. Share a room with a friend or spouse to get the discount.
For all the available discounts go here.
Newsletter: The latest updated edition of the Travel Images Snippets newsletter is here.
|
|
A QUOTE FROM A CLIENT, AUGUST 2011
"The enclosed web photo album represents the images I exhibited at my one man photography show back in June at the San Dimas Festival of the Arts. I feel that I have improved considerably since handing my camera to our European Alps guide, John Baker, in July of 2008, and asking him, 'How do I work this thing?!'. My photography odyssey has been nothing less than amazing since then."
Randy Howard, San Dimas, California
|
|
PHOTOGRAPHY PREPAREDNESS
Getting ready for a photo workshop or tour? Read my 'Photography Preparedness' recommendations here.
Practical reasons for early enrollment here
|
|
|
Images captured during photography tours listed from A to Z
 = NEW  = UPDATED
|
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Before and after
Bits and Bobs
Bryce and Zion
Burgundy, France
California's Central Coast
California's Mendocino Coast
Canadian Rockies
Cinque Terre, Italy
Colorado Rockies
England
European Alps
Favorite locations
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
How was that done?
Idaho
Ireland
It's You!
London, England
Machu Picchu, Peru
New Zealand
Normandy/Brittany/Loire |
Nova Scotia, Canada
One to a Hundred
Pacific Northwest
Palouse
Paris
Patagonia
Pictures of the 'Whenever'
Provence, France
Red Rock Country
Red Rock Country winter
Scotland
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Still Life On The Run
Tasmania, Australia
Tuscany, Italy
Utah east, Colorado west
Venice, Italy
Vermont
Wales
Yellowstone-Tetons autumn
Yellowstone-Tetons winter |
Pictures of the 'whenever' are here
A selection of images of clients on trips are here
Galleries without a live link are due to be added in the near future
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| I'd love to be able to do a picture of the day or week, but frequently my travel schedule is quite hectic, hence 'Pictures of the Whenever'. Be sure to check out the previous images via the link below. |
| |
| YELLOWSTONE + TETONS WINTER, 2012 |
Wolf sightings in Yellowstone tend to be distant ones except on rare occasions, but just outside the park on our recent Yellowstone and Tetons winter photo tour, a dawn excursion yielded this shot of a lone Wolf. A magic moment to tell the grand-kids about . . . if I had any. ;-) |
|
RED ROCK COUNTRY WINTER, 2012
Arches to Zion |
The recent Red Rock Country winter photography tour was hardly 'winter' at times, as just a skiff of snow was to be found in several iconic locations. Above is Delicate Arch, and below is Turret Arch as seen through North Window at dawn. This is two images stitched together, and includes a chunk of South Window at left.
|
|
Finally to Zion national park. Leaf-less trees look great when set against Zion's illuminated canyon walls. However, choose your tree carefully as a 'busy' tree will carry less impact.
|
Sentinel Peak and the Virgin river at dawn. No HDR here as I exposed for the mountain, and then selected the bottom half of the image and made adjustments until it looked 'natural'. There is nothing worse than a dark foreground converted to tones of a 'pale, mushy gray'. Let's debate this further!
|
Snow fell following this evening shoot, so we were just in time to capture the texture in the dunes. This is the Totem Pole collection in Monument Valley, and one can only get this close with a Navajo guide. |
Our second dawn at Monument Valley was 'blessed' with howling winds and cold which can't be captured with a lens! The rock formations are the right and left Mittens. |
Yep, what is it?! While in Bryce in early March a client and I photographed 'Thor's Hammer' by painting the rocks with a flashlight. 30 seconds at around f.8 worked well for this, and as my flashlight has a laser pointer too I thought I'd experiment a bit more with another formation . . . and this is the result. |
Previous 'Pictures of the 'Whenever'' | For more pictures from my photography tours go to here.
All image material on TravelImages.com is from Travel Images' photo tours, and are copyrighted by John Baker Photographer LLC
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Introduction continued . . .
TRAVEL IMAGES is synonymous with guided photography tours and expeditions, photo travel and workshops, photo adventures and field trips and photo safaris, nature, landscape, wildlife and macro photography, and whatever 'label' one can put on what we do.
If you prefer smaller groups of up to 8, would like to learn as you shoot and return home as a better photographer, I hope you'll consider a photography tour or workshop with Travel Images. I'm John Baker a British Photographer based in Boise, Idaho, and Photographer/Leader of Travel Images specializing in small-group photo tours.
Photography Tour and Workshop calendar
IT'S ABOUT THE LIGHT . . . AND YOU
My goal is to place clients in enriching photographic situations whereby the 'classroom' is the location, and to get you there at the right time and light for highest quality photographs of the world's best landscapes, natural history subjects, and accessible wildlife. If you don't return home a better photographer then I will have failed . . . and I'm not about to let that happen!
Along the way participants enjoy cultural experiences, are taught to 'see' new photo subjects and experiment with rarely used techniques, plus each is given photography instruction in a very practical and relaxing manner. This includes help in getting the most out of your camera settings, and how they apply to each photographic situation.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Personalized photography instruction throughout the trip by John; all accommodations; all breakfasts; lunch on day one of the trip; dinner on the last night of the trip; on-vehicle snacks and bottled water; all ground transportation; airport transfers unless you're arriving early or leaving late; entrance fees for sites and activities listed under ‘Admissions’ on the trip brochure page; then following the trip, field notes describing the time, place and subject of each photo stop, and a disc containing images of clients 'in action' on the trip.
GROUP SIZES and CUSTOMIZATION
Except for our South American and Polar Bear photo tours, the group maximum is 7 or 8, and my photo-clients seem to like it that way as per the client responses link, and below. I customize trips for individuals and Camera Club groups, and can adjust trip dates by a few days to accommodate special requests if asked early enough.
DETAILS, DETAILS and the QUALITY of LIGHT
To make your trip memorable it's important that I pay attention to detail when planning and running my photo tours. I give practical, personalized photography instruction throughout the trip, and get the group to the right places when the light is at its best, which is early and late of course.
PHOTO TOUR CALENDAR
To peruse my scheduled photography tour list, go here.
YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, I'VE GOT ANSWERS
If you have questions regarding Travel Images you'll find answers either below under the link
A Few Pointers
, or on the Questions and Answers page. There is a search option, or you can also use the links at the top and bottom of each page you visit to access the information you're looking for. You can also search the list of photo tours by date.
If you have a photography or photo travel question, you can e-mail me directly. Calling 1-800-325-8320 is another option.
JOHN BAKER and TRAVEL IMAGES
Lastly, the About John link will lead you to details regarding myself as I lead all the photo trips, and you'll probably want to know as much as possible about me before signing up. You'll find my photographic work all over the site, embedded in the graphics, and on the photo gallery pages.
The remainder of this page contains overviews of particular aspects of my photo tours, but for more details please follow any of the links.
If after exploring TravelImages.com some of your questions are still unanswered you can go here, or e-mail me, or call 1-800-325-8320. With the latter I may be traveling and might not be able to return your call right away. Email is however is the best way to get in touch for most of the year.
Warmest regards and thanks,
John Baker, Photographer/Leader
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
SMALL GROUPS
Large groups and photographic opportunities just don’t mix very well, and since Travel Images' establishment in 1991, the group size has never gone beyond 10 participants which is the limit for the Galápagos Islands, Machu Picchu and Patagonia.
However, for all other locations my photo trips are for a maximum of 7 to 8 people, which is ideal for photography of course, as are smaller groups.
Small group advantages are many and include more hands-on attention, quick exit from the van, and minimal waiting for the optimum camera angle.
|
CUSTOMIZED TRIPS
Can I help your photo travel dreams come true?
Would you like a personalized trip with a few friends or with your Camera Club or Photographic Society ?
Let me know where you want to go and I'll customize an itinerary along with a trip fee that won't cost more than a comparable scheduled Travel Images photo tour if there are at least 4 of you.
More details here.
|
PHOTO TOUR CALENDAR
Go to photo tour and workshop calendar for up to a two year schedule of photography tours.
Once there, follow the destination links for trip cost and more relevant details.
I also customize photo trips by request.
|
|
CLIENT RESPONSE 1
“Thanks again John and Laurie for a truly great trip, one of the best I've been on if not the best.
I really learned quite a bit this trip (e.g.; live view, importance of turning off auto focus, move to get side light . . . and some Photoshop tips to boot) and I think it shows up in my pictures.
Thanks also to our travel mates, each of you are super and you make a super group. I really enjoyed your company.
Thanks again all and hope to see ya'll in a future trip - I'm sure I'll be trying to sign on another with you John.”
Wayne Love
St. Petersburg, Florida
More Client responses
Detailed client response
|
NEED MORE ANSWERS?
. . . go to questions and answers where you’ll find comprehensive Travel Images information. Also take a look at the client responses, about John links.
Then there is a newspaper article written about one of my Pacific Northwest trips in the Sunday News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware at 'What The Paper Said'.
Also see what Frommers had to say about Travel Images here.
|
|
CLIENT RESPONSE 2
"Excellent! I was relieved to find a warm and friendly guide!
At the same time, it is necessary for the guide to maintain control and not have 7 people trying to go off in 7 different directions to fulfill different preferences. Having a fairly detailed itinerary was useful in that sense because the guide could point out that people had come along to do that itinerary (within reason) and therefore he couldn't just throw things out if someone wanted to do something different.
He [John] was certainly very accommodating in trying to help people follow their preferences as long as it didn't interfere with the group's [photography] agenda. In evaluating the guide's interaction with group members, I was struck by his recognition [consciously or intuitively] that people had different psychological or emotional needs and his willingness to try to meet them as well as the more obvious photographic or physical needs."
Judith Ewell
Williamsburg, VA
More Client responses
Detailed client response
|
PICTURES TELL STORIES
To see more images from my trips, you'll find them on the photo gallery pages, incorporated into the web-site graphics, and randomly scattered around the pages on this site.
There is also 'Picture of the Whenever' here.
I hope they give you a true insight into the type of images you’ll capture should you decide to trust your photo travel to Travel Images.
|
|
|
|
|
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT TO LEARN?
At the start of every photography tour I present a digital slide show to give you ideas on how to approach many of the photography subjects you'll encounter. This can range from a flower to a castle, or from action to wildlife.
Early in the trip I'll also open my laptop and give impromptu 'lessons' with images as examples. Typical subjects covered are exposure, perspective, composition, long exposures, deliberate blur and background distractions etcetera.
Whenever we make a photo stop I make 'collective suggestions' to the group in regard to composition, lens, shutter speed, aperture and so on, then 'let you loose' to step out and make your own interpretations. I'll always be on hand should you need further inspiration or have a question.
You’ll learn a lot more on one of our photography tours than in a ‘static’ classroom workshop situation because it is a hands-on experience that is repeated many times each day, and every day. There is no better, or faster, way to learn, remember, and have specific techniques become second nature to you.
If you don’t return home a better photographer then I will have failed, and is why I pull out all the stops to see to it that you improve . . . and have fun too.
Subjects and techniques discussed and demonstrated are composition strength, shutter speeds, exposure compensation, how aperture choice influences depth of field, lens choice, filter use, long exposure effects, deliberate blur, macro and so on. Better than that, you will be learning in some of the best places to photograph our world has to offer.
In the course of each day my groups enter into conversations in regard to equipment and/or photography techniques at meals or when traveling, and those are good times to ask some additional questions.
Throughout each trip I go one-on-one with each client individually to make sure that all their needs are being met, and offer further help. You can also request assistance at any time, so please don't be shy.
All assistance is given in a casual, friendly, practical, 'non-classroom' manner.
I invite clients to bring along images for review be they one-on-one critiques with myself, or discussions involving other members of the group. A laptop is ideal for this, or I suggest you place your images on a disk or USB drive for review on my own laptop. These initial critiquing sessions should take place early during any given trip so that you can glean the most benefit.
I also encourage you to 'see' an image when the opportunity presents itself, i.e. to be on the lookout for those less obvious shots that are no less stunning.
Lastly, I conduct image critiques both on location - digital camera screens are ideal for this - and via the use of laptops. PhotoShop sessions are also included as time permits.
For the photographically adept
If you just want to be taken to the best spots at the right time to 'do your own thing' without being 'mothered' by me, that's not a problem either as I will never be far away. Basically though, I'll still offer up suggestions and be available whenever you need me.
Something I want all my clients to acquire
Literally 'seeing' an image in your minds-eye is the first step to a great image. So, when guiding, nurturing, encouraging and hopefully inspiring you, I start by making verbal suggestions which I hope will lead to your own ideas that manifest as great images.
After you've 'seen' the image, I'll guide you with the technical side so that you can accomplish all of your photographic goals. In a nutshell your skill level will improve no matter where it was when you started the trip.
Photo snobbery
I'm sure you dislike it, and so do I. You are probably justifiably wary of 'camera snob' types, but you'll find that I photographically guide and teach in a very practical manner and don't consider myself 'superior' to anyone else. If you like humor, then I have plenty of that to offer too!
I absolutely love nothing more than passing on what I have learnt over the years and guiding clients to better images throughout each day.
Everyone is considered an equal, be they a beginner, intermediate or 'mature' photographically speaking, and regardless of whatever equipment they use.
Photo Insights
Photography Tips
Preparing for a photography tour
|
|
|
|
THE LIGHT
Leading photo tours means striking the right balance in all situations, but one aspect needs no second thoughts, as getting out early and being out late for the best light is most important. Midday needn't be 'dead' photographically as one can concentrate on close-ups or take advantage of the light created by a changing weather pattern and so on.
EARLY STARTS
Early starts aren't 'compulsory' but I do encourage my clients to take advantage of some of the best light of the day. For most clients it's a one-time-visit situation, and the effort is invariably worthwhile.
DOWN TIME
Except on 'travel days' when we're on the move, we'll take an hour or more off at our hotel in an effort to stay fresh. On travel days when a break at the hotel isn't feasible, we sometimes make a stop in a photogenic location for around a half an hour which gives those in need of 'forty winks' a chance to re-charge their energy levels. Those not needing the break can take pictures.
|
|
| |
|
|
My ultimate goal for each client on each and every photo tour is the quest of providing 'quality subjects in quality light', with the target of helping everyone return home with many, many memorable images. Also to be armed with much more photographic knowledge, and have enjoyed a colorful variety of travel experiences.
But, because not every photo stop is blessed with great light during a trip, I'll be right there and guide you in seeing and creating quality images from ‘average' lighting situations too.
I stand firmly by this . . . 'It's about the light . . . and you.'
Warmest of regards,
John Baker, Photographer / Leader
Photo Insights
Photography Tips
What you will learn
Preparing for a photography tour
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
