Aztatlan Offline Upload & Sell: Off
|
GroovyGeek wrote:
Budget? Time off available? There is nowadays a gaggle of photographers running these, some do little more for you than take your money to take you to places you can easily access yourself, on a fixed schedule that does nothing to work around weather conditions. Before signing up with anyone look at their portfolio and see if there is something there you like. Then look at other's portfolios and see if they are the same images.
Here are a few that I am more or less familiar with:
One of the earlier leaders of organized trips to Patagonia that I know of was Thom Hogan. Long trips (3+ weeks), pricey even by Patagonia standards ($10k+), includes stuff like shooting tango in BA. He got caught up in the semi-violent strikes in TDP in 2010 and I don't think he has run a workshop to Patagonia since then.
Ian Plant started running very popular Patagonia trips in 2011 that sell well. Ian's strength is a great eye for subtlety, his ability to capture images that speak to you, with fairly minimal processing is pretty amazing. I just LOVE looking at his work, it has this feel of subtle elegance to it. His weakness is that he (used to) not actively teach during his workshops - that may have changed lately. He will share anything and everything with you, but you have to ask. I believe that Ian is now moving out of the tour business and the Patagonia trips are run by others. You will have to decide if that is worth your time and money. Duration is about 2 weeks, cost nowadays is around $6k which I think includes accommodation.
Marc Adamus used to run trips to Patagonia with similar parameters, 2 weeks, $6k not including accommodation. Marc's style is very different from Ian. He will actively teach in the middle of even the most amazing light, making sure that every workshop participant has a good shot at at the best possible image. He will drive around like a maniac and make on-the-go adjustments to get you to a good location, you have to be prepared to do 100+km/hr on gravel roads, stand in water with 60km/hr winds, and be willing to loose a camera or two to water damage (no, this is not an exaggeration). Marc's style of photography is best described as "in your face", there is a lot of subtlety to his images that tends to get overshadowed by bold post processing. If I have to vocalize a complaint about his worshops is that he is after great images and will often not give his groups enough space to capture "environmental" shots that some may find useful as mementos or just for sharing with friends and family.
Since both Chile and Argentina have made it a hassle for professional photographers to go anywhere but the few well established trails, Marc will no longer be leading his Patagonia workshops. Starting next year he is transitioning to an expedition style trips that will take you on boats to fijords that likely few others (if anyone) has shot, while making you sweat with aggressive hiking. I am sure it is an experience of a lifetime, but it is priced accordingly - $13k, 3+ weeks. If you can swing it financially and can wait till 2019 this would be the one to go for, IMO.
Best time to go is second and third week of April. Second week of April is full-blown fall color in Chalten, third week the fall color starts to turn in TDP. I just came back, some images at the link below, best viewed an somewhat dim artificially lit environment (they look like sh*t on your typical office monitor under fluorescent lighting)
Link
Patagonia is an amazing place, the only place in the world I have ever wanted to go back to....Show more →
Some great info here. I have not toured with any of the workshop operators GroovyGeek mentions but it sounds like a good rundown of some of the options.
GroovyGeek - you mention that Chile/Argentina have made it more difficult for professional photographers leading tours. I've heard this also, but as I understand it the only additional requirement imposed (at least by Argentina) is that the tour hires a local guide, who is apparently permitted to then take the group "off trail". I can't confirm this info is accurate, but it's what I've heard.
I've done Patagonia twice - 2015 and again in 2016. I'm seriously contemplating a return trip in 2018.
If you aren't concerned with "teaching" and such, and are comfortable self-touring, it's actually a really easy place to visit without a tour/workshop especially if you're happy with the classic spots for your first visit. This also gives ultimate flexibility and you can tailor it all to your budget. For the best photographic opportunities, avoiding being tied down by a fixed itinerary (especially with accommodation) will help as you can go days and days between any good light at times. I will second the suggestion that second week of April is the best time to visit Chalten/Fitz Roy. The fall colour opportunities here are (IMO) far better than TDP especially if you stick to the easy spots in TDP. Valle Frances may look pretty special at the peak of the colour though.
My gallery containing images captured across both trips is here: http://www.craigholloway.com.au/patagonia/
|