Raindance with Photography
Learn the basics of travel photography at a setting described below:
A thousand year old village atop a lush green hill is inviting you to walk through its quaintly winding lanes. The fascinating play of light & shadow among earthy houses and gorgeous green paddy fields.
Photograph beautiful landscapes, vibrant cultures, and very rebirth of mother nature. Discuss photography and exchange life-stories with the group over tea. Sing. Dance if you feel called to move to a more primeval rhythm all while you experience authentic village culture and genuine hospitality.
Swim in refreshing rivers, feel the soft new green grass as you welcome the rains. The fragrance of Nature permeating the fields of medicinal herbs & healthy grain. An immense variety of birds calling out for your attention in birdsong.
Eat delicious food cooked on firewood with simple ingredients & a pure heart, in the company of the village folk at their homes. If you’re up for it, you could even lend a hand with the cooking!
The complete package is priced at Rs. 6,000/- only. It includes travel to the village and back in air conditioned cars, all meals, accommodation, local guides, village activities and photography lessons.
What is the impact of you booking a weekend photography workshop?
18% increase in average annual household income of over 80 households
Over 2000 days of employment created annually
Reduction in migration
Conservation of traditions & biodiversity
Connecting urban & rural communities
We endeavour to contribute towards the UN’s MDG’s through Rural Tourism.
Do I need to have an SLR/DSLR/Micro-four-thirds camera with me?
The scope of understanding the core technicalities of professional photography on a camera that’s not an SLR/DSLR/Micro-four-thirds is limited. But if you don’t have one, you are more than welcome to bring whichever camera that you have and master the art of using it to its full potential.
I rarely see anyone take the time to set a point and shoot camera as per the available light before using it. The fact of the matter is that even a point and shoot camera needs to be set in accordance to the available lighting conditions if one wants to make effective photographs.
Staying Arrangements at our villages:
Both the villages will have tents pitched in a common area. The tents are provided with mattress, blankets, bed-sheets, pillows & pillow-covers. There are common washrooms in the campsite.
Once there, the guests are briefed on the accommodation. If the guest is unable to accommodate in a tent then we have villager’s houses that can be used.
Please note that this is not a luxury holiday. It is an experiential and rustic weekend village getaway.
The food is always vegetarian consisting of Chapatis, Rice, Dal and 2 vegetables along with pickle or salad.
Non-vegetarian meals: eggs for breakfast, chicken for either lunch or dinner can be arranged at additional costs.
What should you carry?
Pair of good walking shoes
Personal medications if any
Basic Toiletries (towel, soap, toothbrush, paste etc.)
Clothes
Cap
Torch
Mosquito repellent coil or ODOMOS (generally the mosquitoes are well behaved, but you never know if they may have an affinity for you)
Raincoats/Umbrellas during the monsoons
A Bottle of Water – 1 Litre is good enough (We have Aquaguard and Purified water and you can re-fill as and when required)
Spirit of Adventure
What you should not carry?
Electronic Gadgets like iPod etc. (You won’t get time to listen to it.)
Expensive jewellery
Lots of Cash (Unless you plan to buy a cow…)
Alcohol
Office-work and Laptops. (The Cows in this Village don’t like IT; and may attack the Laptops)
What is expected of you while on tour?
Behave in a manner and dress in attire that respects the villager’s culture, traditions and environment. There should be no indecent exposure with clothes.
No littering in the village, dustbins are provided in the tents and cottages.
To maintain accountability in the village, please do not give any money/tip any individual villager.
Keep an open mind and have fun while you’re at it.
PHOTOGRAPHY FAQ
What topics will be covered?
Ever wondered why some photos are more appealing than others: some too bright, others too dark, blurry, out-of-focus or grainy?
Here’s your chance to learn the principles of exposure & composition i.e. achieving optimum exposure by light metering, understanding & setting the shutter-speed, aperture & film-speed etc. taking the subject, intensity & direction of light into consideration.
The immediate outcomes of this workshop are:
You will be able to use the camera in the Manual or ‘M’ mode for effective exposures: no more over/under-exposed photos!
No blurry photos in low light! You will be able to achieve crisp and clear photos in any lighting conditions
Make powerful pictures by choosing the most relevant focus point and understanding the simple rules of composition
Understand and read histograms and curves.
Additional things to remember
Electricity can be a problem so please ensure that the camera batteries are completely charged.
Bring spare batteries if possible.
Mobile connectivity is rather poor.
