The Mentor Series Heads to Vietnam & Angkor Wat.- Feb.16-26,2011

Join the Mentor Series as we lead you into Vietnam and Angkor Wat, Cambodia – two locales with histories as rich as their landscapes are breathtaking, people as welcoming as their cultures are unique, and visual palettes so bold, your portfolio will awaken with new energy and life.
MENTORS:
DANIEL J. COX & LAYNE KENNEDY
HANDS ON LEARNING • EXCULSIVE PHOTO OPS • DIGITAL REVIEW SESSIONS

Join the Mentor Series as we lead you into Vietnam and Angkor Wat, Cambodia—two locales with histories as rich as their landscapes are breathtaking, people as welcoming as their cultures are unique, and visual palettes so bold, your portfolio will awaken with new energy and life. With Nikon professional photographers Layne Kennedy and Daniel J. Cox at your side, your lens will witness all the exotic beauty these gems of Asia have to offer.

Arriving first in Hanoi, we’ll take a morning jaunt to the outskirts and visit the remains of the once-grand citadel of Hoa Lu. Formerly the palace for the royal family more than 1,000 years ago, this site maintains a striking presence you’ll be anxious to capture. We’ll then head to the caves of Tam Coc and Bich Dong, passing rice paddies and large rock formations along the way. Practice your architectural shots when we explore the temples of Dinh Tien Hoang and Dai Hanh, as well as the Bai Dinh pagoda, the largest in Southeast Asia.

Halong Bay is nothing short of remarkable, with over 3,000 limestone monoliths that seemingly rise from the water, many crowned with thick jungle and some hollowed out, containing expansive caves and grottos. Use the amazing shapes of these prehistoric formations to create dramatic compositions and images far from ordinary.

Great photos are often found off the beaten path, which is precisely where we’ll be when we journey to Ta Phin village. Keep your camera in hand as we pass through the lush pine trail of Sapa and the Black Hmong village of Ma Tra, where we’ll observe the daily life of this ethnic minority hill tribe. Occupying Ta Phin is a similar tribe called Red Dao, a people with colorful garb and friendly smiles.

We won’t skip a beat on our way to the Angkor region of Cambodia, starting first with an elephant ride around Bayon Temple, a 12th-century treasure at the heart of Angkor Thom. Next it’s on to the magnificent Hindu temple Angkor Wat, the world’s largest single religious monument. With intricate bas-reliefs, soaring towers and stone carvings, you won’t want to put your camera down for a second. Later, floating down the Ton Le Sap Lake and Mekong River on a small shaded vessel, you’ll find a new perspective on Cambodia’s captivating countryside.
Don’t miss out on the photo opportunity of a lifetime! Sign up today and experience a side of the world your portfolio has never seen.

A Note from Mentor Layne Kennedy

Traveling and photographing places like Vietnam and Angkor Wat easily stir the imagination. As I plan for this magnificent photo trek rich with temples, the Ton Le Sap Lake, elephants and quaint villages, I feel the urge to do some homework. In February, it’s still considered the dry season here and temps are moderate. Expect nice days and cool evenings. Also known to have a little “Rain Dust” this time of year with light sprinkles off and on, I want to be prepared and packing away items like the Storm Jacket camera cover is not a bad idea. Bring an umbrella too. I like to carry a variety of lenses with me too. A wide angle for those tight places in Temple’s as well as glass like my 80-200mm to capture the hustle bustle in the markets and rice fields. I’m not expecting tons of wildlife, like one might see in Africa, so lenses of focal lengths up to 300mm should be plenty sufficient. But, if you like the longer glass, bring it. And, I always bring a flash and tripod in my travels. If you can find a bag to carry your tripod in with a shoulder strap, it will make your life will be easier when walking around. Your most valuable resource is your itinerary. Look it over carefully and anticipate situations. I like to be able to move freely and not be bogged down with too much gear hanging off me all the time. Bringing a small camera bag to use for those times like our elephant ride can come in very handy. See you in Southeast Asia this February!
Pricing Details

Air and Land Workshop Cost: $5,299* Includes international roundtrip economy airfare from JFK to Hanoi and from Saigon to JFK on Cathay Pacific Airlines, local airfare between Hanoi/Siem Reap and Siem Reap/Saigon, deluxe and superior accommodations based on double occupancy for 5 hotel nights, 1 night on board cruise ship in superior cabin, 2 nights on board Victoria Express train, 9 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners, entrance fees, English-speaking guides, transportation to all shooting locations, government and security taxes and fees, airline fuel surcharge, daily lecture series, presentations, Mpix photo book, and group review sessions. Does not include entry visa, gratuities and optional excursions.

Land Only Workshop Cost: $4,299* local airfare between Hanoi/Siem Reap and Siem Reap/Saigon, deluxe and superior accommodations based on double occupancy for 5 hotel nights, 1 night on board cruise ship in superior cabin, 2 nights on board Victoria Express train, 9 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners, entrance fees, English-speaking guides, transportation to all shooting locations, government and security taxes and fees, airline fuel surcharge, daily lecture series, presentations, Mpix photo book, and group review sessions. Does not include entry visa, gratuities and optional excursions.

Singe Supplement: additional $850 and based on availability
Lodging Details

Hilton Hanoi Hotel - Deluxe Rooms
Victory cruise - Superior cabin
Overnight in a 4-berths sleeper compartment (sharing) of Victoria Express Train
Victoria Sapa Hotel - Deluxe Rooms
Le Meridien Angkor Hotel - Superior Rooms
Before You Go

Buzzing motorbikes, packed with people, animals and whatever else fits on them. Screaming horns. Strenuous street hawkers. The air a mélange of all kinds of different smells. From Hanoi, the cultural hub in the North, to gleaming Saigon in the South - a slumbering country on the move, Vietnam with its bustling cities will captivate you. For more information, visit: http://www.vietnam.com/

Weather
We are very casual on the treks. We will be shooting mainly outdoors, so bring a variety of clothing you can layer. Dress comfortably, with good walking shoes. Make sure to have rain gear with you at all times to protect your camera bag and camera.
http://www.weather.com/

Map
http://maps.google.com/

Travel Insurance
Access America (tel. 866/807-3982; www.accessamerica.com) Travel Guard International (tel. 800/826-4919; www.travelguard.com) Travel Insured International (tel. 800/243-3174; www.travelinsured.com) Travelex Insurance Services (tel. 888/457-4602; www.travelex-insurance.com).

Digital Review Sessions
We will have digital review sessions throughout the workshop. You will be asked to select 5 images for each review session that you will review with your mentor on your own laptop.

Equipment
Bring a camera, lenses, flash, lightweight tripod, filters, lens hoods, lens cloth, battery charger, batteries, storage device or portable hard drives, card reader, all cables, power converters, memory cards and adapters, a rain cover for your backpack and camera, cable release and your cameras manual.

Non-Photographers/Spouse Policy
We would like to notify you that spouses or non photographers of trek participants who travel with them to mentor series trek destinations advertised as part of the mentor series will be charged the prevailing workshop cost. This is because of limitations in the workshop classes, transportation and seating at the many venues we work with on the treks.

Incidentals
You are responsible to pay for all charges to your room when we check out of your hotels. Incidentals such as room service, drinks, phone calls, business services, laundry, etc. are not included.