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Q | WHY TAKE A TRAVEL IMAGES PHOTO TOUR WITH JOHN BAKER ?
Well, you know how it goes. You spend your time booking hotels, rental
car, reading books and all that other stuff, and when you get out there
you're not really sure of where all the best spots are, and what time
you should be there. Then ya' gotta find places to eat, and do all the
driving yourself. Then you get tired, and decide to pass on some dawn
shooting, and . . . as I say, you know how it goes!
With the group dynamic I find that my clients not only learn an awful
lot, but make the effort to join the group for all the early and late
shooting, plus everything in-between. Nothing is missed, so there is no
need to repeat the trip a few years on. Just a few thoughts for ya'!
Then on top of that
I'm sure you would prefer to travel
with a full time photographer-leader who . . .
 knows
where the best photo opportunities lie
is
aware of the best time to be at any given spot
has
scouted the itinerary and has led photo-groups over it
on multiple occasions
knows
locals, and how to communicate with those who are willing to be
'models'
knows
wildlife behavior and knows
where to find and photograph each species
is
a teacher of photography who advises in a practical manner at every
photo stop
averages
just 6 or 7 photo travelers per trip
chooses
the accommodations carefully, and often in photogenic locations
arranges
the transport, and can drive comfortably on the 'wrong' side of the
road
understands
cultural differences, and how to create photo opportunities
will take care of
your heavier luggage
if not arriving early, meets
you at the airport and returns you there at the end of the trip
is
very friendly with a 'can do' attitude at all times
treats
everyone equally, be they a beginner or advanced
has
29 years professional photo experience, with 19 of those as a photo tour Leader
has experience with digital, 35mm, medium and large formats
carries
your equipment on trails if the going gets a bit tough for clients
will
fetch an item from the van so that you can keep on shooting
answers your questions, and gives
photo guidance throughout
has
many stops planned but will also stop whenever you ask
records
detailed field notes for a useful memento of your trip
provides
a DVD containing images of yourself and the group taken on the trip
has
a long list of satisfied clients
who have become close friends
can loan out spare equipment for those that run into problems or forget
an item
recovers lost image data from any media while out in the field, yada,
yada, yada!!
Add to
the above the fact that you'll be traveling with
like-minded photo travelers who will most likely become life-long friends.
For more reasons just keeping on reading below! . . .
Q | WHAT ARE TRAVEL IMAGES' TYPICAL GROUP
SIZES ?
A glance
at the
photo tour
schedule link will
reveal that most of my photo trips are for a maximum of 7 to 9 people, which is ideal for
photography of course, as is 6 people. I will also run trips with groups
with less than 6 with
either the small group supplement added, or an individual quote if you wish
to have your own trip.
Q | DO YOU MAKE A LOT OF STOPS FOR PHOTOGRAPHY ?
As
many as possible! I always have stops loosely mapped out, but am flexible if anyone requests a stop that appeals to them personally.
Unless the terrain dictates it, I never bypass one good photo opportunity
while in pursuit of another. From wildlife to landscape, natural history
to still life, or people to cityscapes, I'll offer them all to you with quality
and a varied assortment of images the ultimate goal. In a nutshell,
yes, I make many stops throughout each day.
Q | DECIDING THE LENGTH OF
ACCOMMODATION STAY AT EACH LOCATION ?
This
is a dilemma as it's a compromise of 'must-do's' and length of the trip
balanced with cost. Weather is a factor too, and allowances have to be
made for that. For instance, one night in Page, Arizona, for an Antelope
Canyon trip the following morning is sufficient in any weather, plus the
prior evening is spent on the shores of Lake Powell. On the other
hand Cannon Beach, Oregon, is plagued by coastal fog yet the sunsets there
are among the best. This is why 2 nights are scheduled to increase the
chances of success, though even that is no guarantee. Ideally I choose to
spend as many nights as possible in one central location depending upon
photo opportunities, but in the case of Nova Scotia the trip consists of
some
one-nighters as the photography tends to be scattered around the coastal
areas.
Q | WHO IS THE PHOTOGRAPHER/LEADER ?
Exclusively this is going to John. For more
information click on the
about your guide link.
Q | WHAT ABOUT MULTIPLE TRIPS WITH OVERLAPPING DATES ?
Well,
first off the intention is to offer a good deal of choice in relation to
the photo tour schedule, but that does
cause conflicts with scheduling of course. The answer is to run the
trip that gets initial interest for a particular set of dates, and delete the other. For
example, if say the Wales and Ireland trips are scheduled for the same
dates and folk start to sign up for Ireland, I would delete the Wales trip
or run it the following year or at another time if there was a custom request to do so.
Q
| IS A PARTICULAR LEVEL OF EXPERTISE OR TYPE OF EQUIPMENT REQUIRED ?
It matters not if you have equipment that's simple or
sophisticated, as I treat everyone with the same
respect and patience whether you be a beginner or advanced. Of course, if
you're a beginner you're going to need and will receive as much help as
you want . . . one more question sent my way is never one too many. I've heard of trips where you're
required to use the exact film and equipment as the the Leader, and others
where you have to be an 'advanced amateur' to participate. Well, I make no
such demands on my clients and consider that to be photo snobbery which I
really dislike. I'm fortunate to have many clients who think that
way too, so my trips tend to be enjoyable, relaxing and learning
experiences for all.
Q |
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE TRIP COST ?
Included in your trip fees is accommodation
with private facilities, ground transportation throughout the trip, photography tuition,
specific admissions as per the online brochure for said trip, all breakfasts, plus snacks
and liquid refreshments on the van. Lunch, dinner and alcohol are not
included.
If not arriving a day early or departing a day late, your transport to and
from the airport is also included in the trip cost.
Q | DO YOU CATER TO VEGETARIANS ?
Lunch and dinner
selections are your own personal choice
at each restaurant or hotel. Many establishments will produce
vegan meals when asked even if something you fancy isn't on the menu. You may choose
a different place to eat than the remainder of the group as long as it
is nearby, and won't delay getting back on the road for specific
photographic opportunities.
Q | AM I LEFT TO MY OWN DEVICES AT THE AIRPORT ?
No, unless you arrive a day or two early, or stay
over after the trip is finished. You are never left to your own devices
with heavy bags and additional expense. I meet all my clients at the
gateway airport wherever in the world that may be.
Q | WHAT TYPE OF TRANSPORT DOES TRAVEL IMAGES USE ?
Since October, 2007, all trips in the western United States and Canada
have the benefit of a 15 passenger van with a high roof and additional
storage. The van is configured to best suit my group sizes of up to 7 or
8 photo travelers, and if
need be a luggage trailer is attached.
For the British Isles and European trips, April to August, the vehicle
used is another high top van, also with additional storage. Both of
these vans have a large LCD screen in the roof for picture critiques.
For
locations such as the eastern seaboard of the United States, Canada and
New Zealand I rent vans locally, and images are viewed on a large
portable LCD screen . A luggage trailer is attached when needed.
You
can trust me to be a courteous, careful and law-abiding driver. I take my time
and make frequent stops each day, just to make sure you don't miss any quality serendipitous images,
or those I have scheduled.
Q | I FOUND OUT LATE ABOUT A TRIP. CAN I STILL JOIN ?
The record so far for someone signing up late is one week from departure! Even if you want to join a
trip that is just two days from commencement, or even less, I'll make it
happen for you too. The reality is though, if you're thinking about
joining a trip months from commencement, it's more likely to fill once we have
one or two people aboard, because there comes a time when we have to withdraw a
trip and move it into the next year's calendar.
Q | HOW ABOUT NON-PHOTO SPOUSES AND FRIENDS ?
Over the years I
have had several non-photography folk on my trips, and they have
enjoyed the slow pace and opportunity to interact with the locals. As of
January, 2004, spouses and friends sharing a room have been able join any of my photography tours at 10% off the trip cost.
If single rooms are desired and a single supplement is applicable, or
there is a small group supplement, the 10% discount does not apply to
these fees.
Q | ARE YOUR TRIPS FOR USA CITIZENS ONLY ?
Well, a majority of my clients
are US citizens with a fair sprinkling of Canadians, but yes, my trips are
open to everyone regardless of nationality. In 2005 and 2006 Travel Images
has also entertained
clients from Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia, Finland, England,
Japan and India. The 'gateway city' for a given
trip is still the meeting point for the group wherever it is you might be
coming from.
Q | WHAT ITEMS ARE KEPT ON THE VAN ?
For general photography needs:
Knee pads, light-fill reflectors, 110 volt power supply for recharging
batteries with your own charger, AA/AAA battery charger, battery tester, basic camera repair equipment,
film changing bag, spare digital camera body and lens for clients,
'throws' to 'hide' equipment, 'stuck' filter clamps, and the use of my tripod by
clients if
needed.
For digital photography needs:
A
10", 15"
or 17" monitor
for previewing digital images. Front and rear monitor connections. Rescue software for those clients who may have
corrupted memory cards or accidentally deleted files. The ability to burn back-up CDs and DVDs
for clients if needed.
For
personal needs:
Tissues, hand sanitizer, lotion, hand wipes, bug repellant, sunscreen, first-aid kit, bottled water,
juices, fruit and other snacks,
spare fleece tops and light gloves, electric powered cooler for summer
trips in the western US, and spare clothing items and insulated mugs
on winter trips.
Other
items:
Binoculars, natural history reference books, rubbish box, and newspapers/photo magazines as the situation
warrants.
Q | PHOTO WORKSHOP versus PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR
- WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE ?
The best answer is that the trips are photography vacations on which you will learn at least as much as
during a workshop as it is hands-on experience. The answer then is a
combination of both. Yes, I do teach both individually and
'collectively' throughout each trip, and by 'collectively' I'm referring
to giving lens, composition and exposure advice at photo stops to the
entire group. The biggest difference between the two is the manner
in which you learn. Of most value is helping my clients ‘see’
pictures not normally considered, and it is all delivered in relaxed
but 'real' situations. It would be apt therefore to describe the trips as 'workshops in the field',
as a static workshop is limiting in terms of hands-on
experience. That is certainly not the case with my photography trips.
I'll also help you get the best out of your equipment because
photography preparedness is vital for maximum success on a Travel
Images photo tour. In the evenings you're out shooting, so for group or
one-on-one critiquing, it's done during free time, during meals, on the
van LCD screen, after dark or during extended rainy periods.
Q | 35 mm versus MEDIUM versus LARGE
FORMATS
versus DIGITAL FORMATS ?
Whatever photography format is your preference, be it stereo,
film, digital, video, and whatever else is on the horizon, everyone is given the
same time and consideration. I will never take you to a great spot and
then leave you to your own devices especially if you're a beginner, as my trips are designed to meet my
clients' photography needs regardless of the type of equipment being used.
Q | CAN I EXPECT SOME MEMORABLE CULTURAL EXPERIENCES ?
I
firmly believe in 'Travel
not Tourism’
as a
Travel Images' commandment, and this means that I'll
avoid where possible
those ‘gaudy’ tourist traps, though a handful of them are tolerated out
of picture necessity! I’d much rather give you the true flavor of a
nation or region, which means travel along quiet back lanes,
visits to homes, ranches and ‘quiet icons’
that make a culture what it is. I pass on snippets of cultural and historical information as the trip progresses, and much of it appears in the field
notes which are compiled during each trip. These are
e-mailed to each
participant after the trip are also included in the photo tour
cost.
Q | ARE THERE ANY HIDDEN EXTRAS TO THE TRIP PRICE
?
None
whatsoever. Just add your air fare, lunch and dinner cost plus personal spending money.
All costs and fees are detailed
in
Terms and Conditions.
Q | WHAT PAYMENT OPTIONS DO YOU OFFER ?
Checks, credit cards or
PayPal. Refer to the
Sign Up
page for detailed steps on how to enroll and available payment options.
Q | WHAT SETS TRAVEL IMAGES
APART ?
I believe it is the ability to meet people's
needs on every level, not
just photographically, but seeing to needs that may be emotional and
physical etcetera. It's about attention to detail and the influx of new and
repeat customers convey to me that I
must be doing it right! I'm also different in that I can often do
camera repairs in the field, do battery checks, carry your tripod,
answer many, many questions and generally be a trusted friend.
The one consistent theme is that I constantly stop for pictures. You will
never hear me say "We don't have the time" or "There's no place
to stop" and so on. I can only say that I run photo tours if I make every
effort to see that my clients get every picture they seek and more. That's
all there is to it really.
I also believe in offering clients a healthy variety of subjects too, and
I need to be the type of photographer that not only 'sees' images, but has the
technical know-how to get the subject onto film or into pixels just how I
saw the picture in my minds-eye . . I then have to have the ability of
conveying this with clarity to my clients. For samples of the variety of which I
speak and to see my work go to photo essays.
Q | MEAL TIMES versus EARLY AND LATE PHOTOGRAPHY ?
To have meal times get in the way of photo
opportunities would
defeat the whole purpose of photography tour. So, breakfast is always taken
after an early run, except in the winter months when it is timed so that my
groups are at the right spot as the first light hits. I'll always try and avoid feeding the
group late, so if the sunset/twilight is at say, 8 p.m., we'll eat at
around 6 p.m. and be ready to shoot after that. If sunset/twilight is around 7 p.m. we'll shoot
until the photography is done and then eat. It's all a question of balance,
and no, you won't go hungry, I guarantee. It's appalling I know, but since
1991 I don't
think anyone lost weight on a Travel Images photo tour until someone said
they had done so this summer [2007]!
Q | WILL WE SHOOT EARLY AND LATE ?
For sure.
Weather and other conditions permitting we'll be out most mornings at dawn,
and late too. I say most, as sometimes when we have a multiple night stay at
one spot we get in our dawn photography runs, then on the third morning for
instance, permit you the option of shooting around the accommodations. This
only happens when the classic shots are in the bag first. To compensate for the inevitable tiredness this brings I
schedule 1 to 4 hours of free time somewhere between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. If
you don't personally feel up to making an early run with the group I'll just
suggest an 8 a.m. breakfast rendezvous, and you'll still have the option of
shooting near our accommodations if you want to.
Meal
times can vary due to early or late shooting and other photo opportunities
that may arise, but, fear not as I always have a selection of
quality snacks and drinks on the van to see you through. The group eats in
the main at the same establishments so that we are all on the same
photography schedule,
and photo opportunities are not missed, but a rainy evening may see
clients opt for restaurants of their own choice.
Q | DO YOU STAY WITH THE GROUP AT ALL TIMES ?
An emphatic 'Yes' to that question. When
you join one of my trips the, ahem, 'focus' is entirely on you, and I am your 'employee' as it
were. This means a total 100% commitment to being available at all times,
and never be off doing our own thing. It adds up to something like an
average of 16 hours of
commitment per day, but I see it as an absolute privilege to serve my clients
this way as they have put an awful lot of trust in my ability to give them
the very best photography vacation possible.
Q | ARE YOUR TRIPS STRENUOUS ?
Not at all, though each trip is different in that
respect with a majority of images being very simple ambles or short walks
from the van. There are some trails that the group will get on for vistas,
flora and wildlife, and how far you want to go is up to you. There a few
longer 'must do' walks such as up to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park
at sunset. That
particular walk is a mile and a half, but you'll have plenty of time, and
have the option of taking a break by taking pictures as you go.
Q | DO YOU CATER TO DIGITAL
PHOTOGRAPHERS ?
In so many ways the answer is yes. I have a
screen attached to the sun visor
in the van which is useful for previewing, editing, and critiquing images.
As time permits, though not promised on 'busy' trips, I conduct
PhotoShop sessions with the use of a laptop and/or an LCD projector, and
encourage clients to bring along their questions. I also offer digital storage, can burn CDs and
DVDs in any of the CD/DVD±RW formats, and rescue lost
files should the need arise.
There are of course differences between shooting digital and conventional
film, but the basic techniques are still the same.
In other words all the old shooting techniques still apply to both
formats.
Q | CAN YOU CUSTOMIZE THE DATES OF A
SCHEDULED TRIP ?
If it's a case of right photo trip, wrong dates, for you or your group just let me
know your preferences, and I'll do what I can to run the trip on your
preferred dates.
Being the first to sign up for a
trip makes date changes easier, so it helps if you are able put forward your preferences as early as
possible.
Q | I'VE DECIDED TO SIGN UP FOR A TRIP, BUT
WHERE CAN I FIND THE BEST AIR FARES ?
Whoa!, hang on a mo! Well, assuming we have our minimum group number and I
have declared the trip a go, then rush off to a site such as
Orbitz to find a good round-trip air-fare
from your city. Kayak.com
has a unique but excellent interface, or you can go straight to your favorite
airline's site. A comprehensive list of websites and toll free numbers for all
the air carriers can be found
here. I also suggest that you
sign up for weekly newsletters issued by the airlines as there are often
'web only' specials to be pursued! Specifically for our New Zealand trips, Air
New Zealand specials are tucked away
here.
Q
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CAN YOU
CLARIFY THE LENGTH AND PRICING OF A TRIP ?
If one one of my trips is scheduled for 11 nights, I state that the trip is
for 11 nights and 12
inclusive days. If it's an international trip it would be remiss of me to
include the travel days in the total
even though other entities indulge in this deceiving practice.
To compare prices with photo tour companies such as Travel Images make a note of how
many nights both the Travel Images and the other trip run, and divide
that into the total trip cost. That will give you the cost
per day.
Also note how many photographers will be along. I stop at 7, and
is to your advantage unless you like crowds!
Q
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WHAT
CAN I EXPECT TO LEARN ?
. . . answer
taken from the Travel Images home page
Literally
'seeing' an image in your minds-eye is the first step, so when teaching,
guiding, nurturing, encouraging you, and suggesting ideas I start by
making verbal suggestions at each stop. I also have the option of displaying a digital
image on a portable monitor or I set up a camera and lens on a tripod. Via
these tools I'm
able to immediately and visually convey some suggestions in regard to a
particular idea or composition I hope you'll consider. I'm unable to
convey in a few words everything you'll learn during a trip as there will be a
new technique or idea with almost every subject, but after 'seeing' the image,
I'll guide you on the technical side so that you accomplish all your goals.
Q
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CAN I PURCHASE A TRAVEL IMAGES GIFT CERTIFICATE ?
Yes, and for any amount you choose. I can provide a gift certificate with the
recipient's name at no charge, or customize one for a flat fee of $25 including
images of your choice and so on. Go
here for more information.
Q
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HOW DO I SIGN UP
FOR A TRIP ?
Choose your trip from the
photo tour schedule, and follow
the steps on the sign-up page. The Enrollment Form is
here. Please note
that places are reserved on a first come-first served basis with a $300 deposit,
but on some occasions we will hold a space for 24 or 48 hours if you want to
mull your decision over for a while longer, and not risk losing a spot.
Q
| WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE ON A TRAVEL IMAGES
PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR ?
This will vary from trip to trip with considerations for
the length of daylight hours, weather and so on. Typically we leave before dawn
to be in position for the rising sun, return for breakfast, and then shoot
throughout the day. If it's not a 'travel day', meaning we're not moving to a
new home base, we arrange for anything from one to four hours off when the sun
is high, though there are days when this is not possible because of the
proximity of the images to our accommodations. We eat around 6 to 7 p.m. during
the summer months, and that allows us plenty of time for late light photography.
On autumn, winter and spring trips when the sun has set by around 7 p.m., we eat
dinner after the sun is down. Lastly, we make many, many stops for images,
including those that I've planned, plus the wonderful serendipitous subjects one
sees going from location to location. Clients can also request stops at any
time. I do try to schedule in a PhotoShop session on each photo tour, but they can't be promised because of plentiful subjects and good light!
Q
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WHAT TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION DO YOU USE ?
First off, all accommodations are included in the
tour fees. We don't use 5 star hotels, but what probably
could be termed as 2 through 4 star accommodations depending on the location, and the country we
happen to be in. All rooms have private facilities, and in the USA are at least
of a 'Best Western' standard. In some important photography situations whereby
we want to be as close to the subject as possible, i.e. Mt St. Helens for the
early and light late, we have to use what is available in regard to locally
owned motels,
and these might be 'rustic'. In Europe and such we
use Guest House/Gasthof type places which usually have wonderful olde world
character combined with modern facilities, around 6 to 15 rooms, and
owners who like to meet people and be generally helpful.
Q
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IS IT BEST TO SIGN UP EARLY OR LATE ?
Yeh, I know, it's a bit
obvious! A trip that fills early benefits everyone as you're able to get
lower air fares in comparison to the approaching weeks before a trip and so
on. Some folk monitor my photo tour activity
section with the intention of jumping aboard 'late', but that doesn't work
if 2 or 3 folk join at once and the last places are taken. Yep, it's
happened more than once! If the trip is important to you I suggest you hold
your place with a refundable deposit - see terms
and conditions - and your place will be available should you decide to
take the last step. All photo tour spaces are sold on a first come, first
served basis only.
If you have
another photo
travel or photography question
you'd like to ask me please send me an
E-mail.
You
can find more snippets of information on the Home page
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