COSTA RICA: A NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS PARADISE! DATE: April 1-11,  2024 - SOLD OUT MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE: 6 Photographers (4 min) FROM: San Jose, Costa Rica WORKSHOP LEADERS: Jess Findlay & Local Guide - GET TO KNOW YOUR GUIDE EMAIL GLENN TO JOIN THE WISH LIST FOR 2025 COSTA RICA WORKSHOP VIDEO - HERE
		AN INTRODUCTION TO THIS PHOTO WORKSHOP The Central American country of Costa Rica is world famous for its coffee, as a surfing destination, and above all else for its astonishing diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty. The country is home to over 9000 species of flowering plants, over 600 species of butterflies, more than 200 different mammals as well as prehistoric looking reptiles and boldly colored amphibians. And, for those of you interested in photographing birds there are few better places on earth. With over 875 species Costa Rica is home to more avian species than Canada and the United States combined. Opportunities for landscape photography are equally diverse with mountains, beaches, volcanoes, tropical forests, waterfalls and much, much more. What more could a nature photographer ask for? PHOTO ITINERARY Our Photo Adventure starts In Costa Rica's capital city of San Jose. We will meet at our charming hotel and after a first evening of getting to know each other head off first thing the following morning into the Costa Rican rainforest. Our first destination takes us to the Caribbean lowlands and it is a magical place with opportunities to see and photograph hundreds of species of birds. Here we will be focusing on hummingbirds using multi-flash photography techniques. We will also be working hard to photograph a variety of colourful birds that come to the lodge to feed on fruit and seed. Participants will learn how to use flash effectively to take pleasing bird photos. We will also have opportunities ta create images of butterflies, insects and frogs and will cover some techniques to take compelling macro images. After 3 nights at this rainforest retreat we will travel to our second destination in the Caribbean foothills. This is the true jungle and there are some amazing photography opportunities here. We will spend 2 nights here searching for birds as well as doing some more multiflash hummingbird photography. There will be loads of amazing wildlife to photograph! The final two lodges on this trip are both up in th highlands. Tucked away in the mountains near "Cerro de la Muerte" we will spend the next 4 nights photographing highland birds. The most spectacular target for us is the unbelievably beautiful Resplendent Quetzal. I was so enchanted by this bird during my last visit to Costa Rica that I wrote an article about it - TO READ IT CLICK HERE. Overall this trip offers some fantastic opportunities to photograph some spectacular birds. We hope you can join us! PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES On these photo workshops we will focus on the following opportunities: Multi-flash Hummingbird Photography: Learn techniques to use 4-6 flashes to achieve otherwise impossible flight photographs of these flying jewels. What makes this workshop special is that Glenn or Jess will be sharing their techniques for taking multi-flash images that actually look natural (unlike most others out there). Using flash effectively as a source of fill light: Because tropical regions are often cloudy - it is extremely important to learn how to use flash - either as fill or as a main source of light. Participants will also learn how to do set-ups for birds using more than one flash. These skills can easily be taken home and applied in your very own backyard! Attracting birds to a perch setup: Participants will learn strategies to attract birds to a given perch and how to achieve images that have attractive light, an outstanding perch and a smooth background. Strategies for successful tropical photography: Glenn has spent over a year and a half photographing wildlife in the tropics. Throughout the workshop Glenn or Jess will share tips and tricks that he has learned along the way. Macro photography of tropical insects and frogs: At each of our locations there will also be opportunities to find and photograph an amazing diversity of colourful frogs, butterflies and insects. Spectacular landscape photography: The rainforests of Costa Rica are spectacular places and the opportunities for landscape photography are superb. We will also keep our fingers crossed for a clear day up in the mountains where we may be able to create beautiful mountain images. Digital Workshops:  During the evenings for those who wish to participate, we will have image review sessions and talk about techniques and what we can expect to see the next day.  In these post processing workshops participants will have ample opportunities to improve skills in Adobe Photoshop.  Guided by Glenn or Jess, participants can learn how to take their images from straight out-of-the-camera RAW images to stunning final works of art (ready for printing or websites). A Few Highlight species include: Resplendent Quetzal Golden-browed Chlorophonia Green-breasted Mango Fiery-throated Hummingbird Violet Sabrewings Green Thorntail Toucans A variety of colourful tanagers Poison Dart Frogs And much, much more! KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES: On this photo adventure participants will focus on the following learning objectives: How to use multiple flashes to achieve natural looking photos of hummingbirds and other birds Proper exposure settings for challenging tropical lighting conditions Proper use of flash as fill or ambient lighting How to "set up" a nature photograph and get pleasing images Techniques for macro photography of tropical insects, butterflies and frogs How to place your subject in the frame and get beautiful backgrounds Image workflow and digital processing that will ensure your images are the best that they can possibly be  WHY TRAVEL ON BARTLEY'S PHOTO WORKSHOPS? Glenn focuses on more personalized attention,instruction and guidance. Glenn is regarded one of the world’s top professional photographers in bird portrait photography. Just go pick up a birding magazine and you will almost certainly find his images. Glenn often utilizes local guides with years of experience in their home areas. Glenn has more experience.  He has been to the places that he will take you – not for a week or two – but for months!!  Glenn knows where to get the best possible images and can show you how to achieve them.  Having completed his Msc. in Environmental Studies Glenn is very environmentally and socially aware.  When we visit communities around the world we give something back to these places and the people who live there.  At the end of the day Glenn’s goal is simple – To give you the best possible photographic workshop imaginable.  PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS This is a fairly relaxed trip. All of the shooting is done near the lodges or vehicle. When searching for Quetzals we may have to walk around to find them. LOGISTICS This workshop/tour is limited to 6 photographers to ensure the best photographic opportunities and instruction possible. Note that there will be 2 instructors to ensure lots of personalized attention. Price: The cost of this photo workshop is USD $6599 / person. I preffer payments and deposits to be made by check. Paypal can also be arranged (send email). Accommodations are designed to be two persons per room. If you will be traveling alone and would like a private room there will be an additional charge of $650. Once we have received your deposit we will send you a confirmation invoice and registration package. Prices include: All expert photo instruction Local guides and drivers. All entrance fees to natural areas visited All accommodations, based on double occupancy All meals from the first morning of the tour to departure day Land transportation during workshop Airport transfers to hotel Bottled water for the duration of the workshop Price does not include: International airfare to place of tour origin Any additional nights accommodation outside of the tour dates Meals while in San Jose at the arrival hotel (arrival night) Additional tips for staff such as guides and camp staff Fees for passport, visas, immunizations and insurance Bar bills at lodges Laundry, phone and other items of a personal nature Cost of hospitalization and evacuation if necessary Payment Terms: A $1500 USD non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a space on this tour.  The balance of the payment is due before November 1, 2023. Suggested Equipment: It is recommended that each participant bring the following equipment: A digital SLR and a lens of 300mm or greater. A wide angle lens (if you are interested in landscape photography) A tripod is recommended A flash or two (if you have more than one) HOW TO JOIN THIS PHOTO ADVENTURE? WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NEXT? We like to keep our workshops small, so space is extremely limited. Once the workshop seats are full – that’s it…  If this exciting photo workshop sounds like fun to you, then now is the time to register. STEP 1 - Read the booking and refund policies below. STEP 2 - To confirm your registration you will need to mail a check for the $1500 USD deposit to Glenn Bartley. Payments can also be arranged through Paypal. Please email me to let me know that you are sending a deposit or for paypal instructions. Once a deposit is received it is understood that you have read, understood and accepted all terms and conditions as outlined in the Booking and Refund Policies. Please make checks out to:Glenn Bartley  - Email me for mailing address Once I have received your deposit I will send you your complete registration package by mail. Please see the complete booking and refund policy by clicking the link below. If you have any questions before registering, send me an e-mail with any inquiries to: Please note: Glenn Bartley Nature Photography strongly recommends that you purchase travel insurance. All funds are quoted in USD dollars and subject to exchange rate fluctuation and gas surcharge if we are billed additionally. We will attempt to stay true to this itinerary. However, certain unforeseeable conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or wildlife migrations) may require changes to the itinerary. We reserve the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will do our absolute best to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. TO SEE MORE IMAGES Or visit Glenn's Favourite Photographs from Costa Rica Page COSTA RICA WORKSHOP VIDEO - HERE

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