Walker Bay & Farmlands 27 - 31 Aug 2020 | R15 000

During this course we will focus on capturing the best possible images and our time and energy will be prioritised towards being out in the field as opposed to sitting indoors doing presentations. While shooting, Hougaard, will be looking over your shoulder to answer any questions and help you out, whether it is a simple issue like which filter to use or a complex one like how to compose the scene. All questions will be welcome, from simple composition or technique tips to complex creative or technical ones. The small group size allows a lot of in-depth tuition tailored for each person's needs and skill level.

In spare time we will download, edit and review the images captured up until that point.

Technical Difficulty Level

This is a photo tour, which means that our time and energy will be focused on shooting, exploring compositions and discussing the destination and images captured. You should have a decent amount of experience shooting landscapes and be 100% comfortable operating your camera in manual mode.

Do not expect presentations on technical basics like how to use manual mode or jpeg vs. RAW.

Physical Difficulty

This workshop is not physically challenging. There will be an average walking distance of 1-2km/day on easy terrain. 

De Kelders is an easy 2 hour drive from Cape Town airport, via Hermanus. 
Any car is suitable for the workshop - a 4x4 is not necessary whatsoever. Access to the farmlands is via good dirt roads. 

Dinners

An evening braai with a glass of wine is where many great photographic conversations are had and this has become a favourite part of our workshops. Unfortunately, the cooking duties are too much for the guide and taking someone along to do the cooking is too expensive. Leaving everyone to look after themselves is too wasteful and unsociable.

Our tried and tested method is to supply all the food and split the cooking duties evenly amongst the participants. This way no one will have to spend too much time in the kitchen or break the bank on food.

The guide will do the braai work, while each participant will have a turn to make sides for dinner. You are welcome to team up with someone to split the work. We will contact all participants in advance to discuss the food options and what grocery items are required for the meals they would like to make.

Brunches

We will have brunches at a restuarant on our morning outings, depending on where our outings take us. The cost of this is included in the workshop price. 

Light Pre-Sunrise Breakfast and Coffee

A light pre-sunrise breakfast and coffee is included 

We will provide:

Light pre-sunrise breakfast - Coffee, tea, rusks, fruit, yoghurt, granola bars 


A large english breakfast for brunch.

Meat for Dinners - Braai meat of excellent quality and sufficient quantity for each dinner. There will also be crayfish, but this is subject to availability at the destination. 


Sides for dinners - one fresh/healthy option like veggies or salad and one more indulgent option

Dessert for dinners - something simple that doesn't require cooking/baking

Each person will be individually responsible for their own:

Snacks/Light Lunch 
 + Bottled Water/Beverages 
 + Alcoholic Beverages 


PARTICIPANTS DO NOT HAVE TO CLEAN/DO DISHES 



Day 1 – Arrive De Kelders: Meet and Greet

On the first day, we need everyone at the house between 12:00-15:00. We'll do an introductory talk and then go for a reconnaissance shoot on the cliffs. After sunset we'll return to the house for dinner and to discuss the days to come. 

During the first shoot, the guide will assess the skill level of each participant in order to identify how best to help each person at their level.

Day 2 + 3 + 4 - Capture De Kelders, Die Plaat and Farmlands 

During our three full days at De Kelders, the schedule will go roughly as follows, but we do chop and change things depending on what the weather is doing -

Sunrise Shoot: 06:00 - 08:00

During our stay the sun rises at 07:30. In ideal conditions we can start shooting from 06:30, which means coffee at 05:30. Our shoot will last until about 08:30 after which we’ll get brunch. 

Brunch: 09:00 - 10:30

The outings into the farmlands can take us far and wide. We will have brunch at the nearest nice restaurant once shooting is done. This could be in De Kelders, Napier or even Riviersonderend. 

Editing Time: 10:30 - 12:00

This time will be dedicated to downloading, editing and image review.

Afternoon Break: 12:00 - 15:00

We will try to give the participants and the guide enough time each afternoon for a power nap or personal time.

Sunset Shoot & Dinner: 15:00 - 20:00

During our stay sunset is at 18:00, which means that we need to leave for our sunset shoot between 15:00 - 16:00 depending on the weather conditions. After sunset we’ll head back to our accommodation and get the braai going.

Star Shoot: 20:00 - 22:00

De Kelders is not a good location for capturing the night skies. There is a lot of light pollution from Hermanus and the shadows below the cliffs are too dark to capture adequately, even at ISO6400 and f/2. If the conditions are absolutely perfect (no wind, clear skies) then we can do a few shots for the fun of it, but energy will be prioritised towards sunrise and sunset shoots. We will not jeopardise the main goal for a failed attempt at capturing the night skies. 

Day 5 – End of Tour: One Last Sunrise


On our last morning everything will happen exactly as it did on the three days before - coffee, and a final sunrise shoot. 

Participants can then pack up and depart at their own leisure.

We do not do a big breakfast/brunch on the final day as participants normally want to get going and there is no shortage of excellent restaurants along the N2 back to Cape Town.  

Camera Body - There was a time when we could simply say you need a Nikon or Canon DSLR, but times have changed. You need a camera, preferably digital, with manual mode. A full frame with good high ISO performance, Live View and Focus Peaking makes landscape photography much easier, but pretty much anything goes. 
Lenses - The most important lens is a wide angle. Hole in the Wall is extremely wide and fits just comfortably into a 16mm frame. If you want to shoot stars, then it will count in your favour to have a fast-aperture wide like f/2.8 or faster. The Sigma 20mm f/1.4 is a fantastic, affordable astro lens. You will also find a mid-range lens like a 24-70mm very useful. A telephoto lens is not a necessity, but you might find a use for it. 

Backpack - We will be walking a lot, so it is critical to have a comfortable backpack to carry your gear in. We are big loyalists of f-stop gear, which is widely regarded as the world's best camera carry solution. 

Tripod - Please make sure you have a solid tripod with an easy-to-operate head that reaches up to your eye height. We will be shooting amongst rocks and on slopes, where you will need some extra length. We recommend Leofoto, SIRUI or Gitzo.

L-Bracket - An L-Bracket is the simplest, greatest tool out there for landscape photographers. It makes portrait and pano shooting a dream. Get in touch to find out which model you need. 

Filters - De Kelders is a long exposure paradise and any seascape photography demands a comprehensive set of ND filters. Graduated filters are also very important to balance the exposure difference between land and sky. We recommend a 0.6 and 0.9 Soft or Medium Grad. Ensure that you have a holder with an independently rotating polarizer like the NiSi V6/M75 or S5 system. 

Cleaning - Be prepared for seaspray, you'll need a few cloths handy to keep your filters and lenses clean in case the first cloth gets wet. 

Clothing

August is still high winter in the Cape and you need to be prepared for cold, wind and rain. If you are someone who gets cold very easily, then a thermal layer is not out of the question. 
You can pack beanies, gloves and your warmest jacket - you can always take a layer off if you are too warm, but being cold will ruin your experience. 

Shoes

It is very unlikely that we will get our feet wet as all seascape shooting will be from atop the cliffs. Make sure you have a comfortable pair of walking shoes, preferably something with ankle protection. 

Headlamp

All our days will start and end with a short hike in the dark, so a headlamp is very important. Please ensure that you have a bright, modern headlamp with enough batteries. You become an instant liability to the group if you don't have a light source. 

Laptop

As our time and energy will be focused on shooting and not editing, you do not have to bring a laptop along. We will however do some light editing and image review sessions, so it is useful to have.

Payment

This tour is costed in RAND and that is thus the only constant price. All prices shown in other currencies are merely for your convenience and are subject to the fluctuation thereof. We do our best to update foreign currency prices regularly, but we advise that you do a calculation at the current exchange rate for an accurate price in your preferred currency.

In order to secure your spot on this tour, a deposit of R4 000.00 / R5 000.00 (depending on option) is required. This deposit can be paid via EFT or Card (Payfast) and it is non-refundable. Please note that your spot on the workshop is NOT confirmed until we have received the deposit payment. 


Full Payment must be made 60 days prior to the start of the tour. We will send out a final invoice for the full amount to remind you of the due date in safe time. If we have not received your full payment 60 days prior to the start of the tour and you did not inform us of a valid reason for a late payment, Landscape Travel reserves the right to consider your booking as cancelled.

You will need to complete and sign a standard liability disclaimer in order to participate in this tour. 


When booking within 60 days of the start of the tour, immediate full payment will be required to 
secure your spot. 


If you have a valid reason for a late payment like being out of telecommunication or waiting for 
investments to be cashed out, please inform us. 


Medical & Camera Insurance

We do not require participants to take out any insurance to participate in this tour/workshop.

Cancellation

The deposit is not refundable under any circumstance. When you book a spot on the tour, we make all the necessary bookings with all the third parties and pay their required deposit. Most of the deposits we pay are not refundable and thus we cannot refund your deposit. Whatever we still hold is used to defray the administrative work of changing all the bookings made on your behalf. The only exception will be if you can find a substitute to attend the workshop in your place. 


If you need to cancel your participation once you have made full payment, a 75% refund (excluding deposit) will be given up to 30 days prior to the start of the tour. 


Landscape Travel reserves the right to cancel the tour if it is necessary or advisable due to events such as outbreak of conflict, government intervention, expiry of concessions or access right or insufficient booking numbers being available. The operation of the tour is at the sole discretion of Landscape Travel, having in mind the welfare of all participants and the safe and prudent operation of the itinerary and program. In such a case all monies paid by participants for the tour, in holding by Landscape Travel, will be refunded to the participants. This excludes deposits or full payments made to 3rd parties involved in the tour like lodges, charter companies or travel agents. 
 

1. The client who signifies his acceptance of a booking does so on behalf of himself and persons under his authority, which means that all are bound by the terms and conditions of Landscape Travel as if they had made the application themselves.

2. Landscape Travel - HM Landscape Photography (PTY) LTD trading as Landscape Travel is a company registered in South Africa with sole director CH Malan. Landscape Travel guides participants on the tour advertised in this document.

3. Payment Terms

This tour will start on the date stipulated in the product title and again repeated under the section 'Itinerary', listed below the introductory paragraph for the product. The cost is R15 000 for a standard room and R14 000 for a groundfloor room.

The cost for a non-photographic participant/friend/spouse is R10 000.00 and such a person has to share a room with a photographic participant.

This tour is costed in RAND and that is thus the only constant price. All prices shown in other currencies are subject to the fluctuation thereof. We do our best to update foreign currency prices regularly, but we advise that you do a calculation at the current exchange rate for an accurate price in your preferred currency.

As stipulated in the payment and cancellation terms, a non-refundable deposit of R5 000.00 (standard room) or R4 000.00 (groundfloor room) is payable when booking.

A final payment of R10 000.00  will be payable 60 days prior to the start of the tour.

4. Included in the Tour

Single Occupancy Accommodation in an en-suite sea-facing room at De Kelders.

Meals and Drinks as stipulated on page under the 'food and catering' section.

Continuous assistance with your photography and image processing by the guide.

A highly experienced tour leader with great knowledge and experience of landscape photography and the destination.

5. Not Included in the Tour

Lunches

Transport to and from De Kelders

Transport at De Kelders

Non-meal-time snacks and drinks

Optional activities not indicated as included above.

Alcoholic beverages

Travel visas and associated costs, if applicable

Expenses of a personal nature, not specifically included above.

Credit card surcharges

Guarantee of any specific weather conditions. We always do our absolute best to make sure we visit

a destination in the ideal season and this tour is planned in hope of windless days with good sunsets and sunrises.

6. Health Considerations

This photo tour is designed to be within the capabilities of average people in good health. Some of the time participants may be required to walk over uneven terrain or trails, stepping into and out of high super Jeep type vehicles and occasionally hiking. All with a load of sometimes heavy camera equipment. If you have concerns about your own capabilities and/or fitness as it relates to this photo tour, please contact us to clarify any uncertainties.

By paying the initial non-refundable deposit, you warrant that, to the best of your knowledge you do not have any physical or other disability that would create a risk for you or other participants.

Landscape Travel assumes no responsibility for medical care. We will advise the lodges/hotels of any dietary requirements or restrictions for individual participants, if sufficient notice is provided, but we do not assume responsibility for the delivery of such special dietary requirements.

If you sustain an injury or become ill on the photo tour, Landscape Travel reserves the right to continue the photo tour for the benefit of other participants. Landscape Travel will make every effort to assist you while at the same time trying to minimize interruption to the photo tour.

Landscape Travel reserves the absolute discretion, in the event of behaviour detrimental to other participants, to decline any person’s participation at any time during the photo tour and cancel that person’s participation in the photo tour, in which case any refund will be on a recoverable cost basis only.

7. Liability

Landscape Travel does not accept any liability of whatever nature, whether in contract, tort or otherwise, for the acts, omissions or default, whether negligent or otherwise, of third party providers. To the fullest extent permitted by law, CapturEarth disclaims liability in contract, tort or otherwise for any injury, damage, loss (including consequential loss), delay, additional expense or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by force majeure or any other event which is not preventable by reasonable diligence on the part of CapturEarth.