Photography + Sailing in Thailand or Greece/Turkey

Experience a photography adventure under sail. Pack your digital camera gear, swimsuits and sunscreen lotion and head for the "Land of Smiles" — Thailand — or the beautiful Aegean Sea, including the classic islands of Greece and romantic coastline of Turkey. These are some of the world's most photogenic destinations but we take care to avoid the crowds of tourists.

There'll be practical instruction on a daily basis. Then we apply the techniques with our onshore expeditions, meeting the locals, exploring villages, temples and churches, and capturing the scenery of these remarkably locales.

We'll enjoy both sunrise and sunset shoots, and adapt to the challenges that photographers encounter in warmer climates: for example, balancing the shimmering light that reflects off pristine white beaches, or exposing the delicate details revealed in the shadows among palms and mangroves.

We adapt the basics of good photography to the marine environment. But to ensure stunning photos, I offer plenty of personal tips from experience as well as some special tricks that really get results.

At the end of the day we'll relax in the yacht's spacious lounge (equipped with wi-fi) and critique our photos.

 

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THAILAND

Away from the bright lights of Phuket, Thailand's little islands are reminiscent of that country as it existed some 40 years ago, before being discovered by the backpacker scene, and later, the big hotel chains. The “Land of Smiles” still exists; fishermen smile and wave as we pass, and local kids scurry with excitement at having their photo taken!

Highlights include:

• Sheer limestone cliffs on islands that jut from the Andaman Sea
• Cliff-face crevices that lead to narrow tunnels, opening to awe-inspiring oases on the interior
• The Tiger Cave and Temple with attending monks, reflecting a deeply spiritual, calm Buddhist ambiance
• Phi Phi Li, location for the Leonardo DiCaprio movie "The Beach" with its unbelievably deep turquoise waters

GREECE & TURKEY

The Hellenic Republic features all those atmospheric white-washed buildings with blue trim, and fishing fleets painted in vivid colours; orthodox priests climb narrow alleyways and old dears in black go about their daily chores. In Turkey we cruise the famous "Turquoise Coast", which features a fascinating cultural melange of ancient ruins, unspoiled little anchorages and active modern-day ports.

Highlights include:

• Greece's Dodecanese islands, including Patmos — St John wrote the Book of Revelations here — which features a 12th century monastery
• Nearby Lipsos, which boasts at least 52 blue-domed churches
• The tiny paradise-island of Marathi — home to just three families
• The Turkish city of Knidos, which remains the thriving trading port it was as far back as 300BC
• The little port of Bozburun that still carries on its tradition of building wooden yachts
• Modern-day Datca, with its lively waterfront of bars, restaurants and carpet shops

The tour's logistics have been organised by SeaScape Sailing (22 years in the business) and photography enthusiasts — with or without experience — are all welcome. And for partners who aren’t into the photography scene, no worries! There are still tonnes of fun stuff to do — sea kayaking, snorkelling, hiking or relaxing on deck with a pina colada.