Patagonia Sur

 

General

Photographing this region of Patagonia can be a life-altering experience.  One should consider that nature's finest compositions may be found in the area.  Participants should expect the unexpected: the wildlife, the light, the weather.  Most of the wildlife within the park is seemingly unaffected by humans, allowing for remarkable images.  The light will, can, and does change by the second, as may the weather.  It is not unusual to experience all four seasons in a single day, especially at this time of year, the shoulder season at the beginning of autumn.  Due to the fact that we are photographing during this time, the park is relatively empty and quiet from the madness associated with the summer tourist season.

Our goal for this workshop is two-fold.  First, we will sharpen our visualization skills through a series of perception exercises allowing us freedom to begin seeing in a new manner.  Second, each participant will have his/her own private room/bath for the workshop duration.  Experience has shown that with the privacy of one's own room comes the possibility of a good night's rest as well as a more relaxed attitude, affording the participant(s) a positive mental approach to creativity.  This in turn is reflected in the work produced.  As an end result, the chance for successful image capture is greatly enhanced.  By workshop's completion, we will have had the opportunity to add to our photographic library a stunning collection of landscapes -- earth, sky, water -- and wildlife images.

While in the park, our base is Hosteria Pehoe.  This hotel, situated on an island in Lago Pehoe, is in close proximity to several outstanding compositions.  Many of the signature Patagonia landscapes that you may have seen were recorded within thirty minutes of this hotel.  Here, we have the assurance of a friendly staff, good food, and a room with a view.   Having a base for our workshop is central to our mental approach, eliminating distractions such as noisy hotels and the hassles of relocating to different rooms each night. 

Distances to and from and within the park are considerable.  Each participant should be aware of the fact that most, if not all, of our morning departures are early.  Some breakfasts will occur before departure, some will occur after several hours of morning work.  Lunches, for the most part, will be of the brown bag/picnic variety, occurring where ever our sessions have us at the time.  Having a water bottle along at all times is highly recommended.  See the essentials/considerations list for more suggestions.

Sky and Lan Airlines offer several daily connecting flights between Santiago and Punta Arenas.  Check their websites for pricing and availability.   Consider having your arrival flight into Punta Arenas in early to mid-afternoon, if possible.



Camera Equipment

Each of us have our favorite camera gear.  However, necessities for this workshop include your camera(s), lenses, and a sturdy tripod.  Due to the early morning/late evening photography sessions, and the sometimes extreme wind conditions, hand-holding your camera during these periods will result in complete disappointment at editing time.  Bring the sturdiest tripod your budget allows and one that you are comfortable carrying.  Regarding your tripod, consider substituting the tilt and pan head that is standard on most tripods with a ball head.  Its ease of operation, especially with the animals, is unsurpassed.  Also consider a quick-release attachment for your camera and tripod. 

Although much of my work has been done with large and medium format equipment, a very nice DSLR has recently captured my fancy.  Combined with two lenses, a 24-105mm and a 100-400mm, most of the photographic opportunities presented in the park are covered.  Note, if you desire exceptional wildlife images from the park area,  a 400mm lens would be considered essential.  As our time together will be focused on enhancing our vision, a basic technical grasp of your camera is required.



Clothing

Frequent changes in the weather can be handled with ease when proper clothing is considered.    There are no guaranties, but most assuredly one can expect sun and wind and rain and snow and cold weather during this workshop, with an emphasis on cold and wind. And most likely rain, or  at the very least, cool and damp conditions.  Although cotton is comfortable, it is virtually worthless for this workshop, save for the evening's dinner indoors.  A personal favorite is wool, as it retains its warming qualities even when wet.   Gloves, waterproof cap, quality rain gear and quality hiking boots are mandatory.  See the essentials/considerations list for a comprehensive breakdown.



Inclusions

Making your photographic journey while in Patagonia as enjoyable as possible, we have the following program to help in that regard.  The workshop fee includes seven nights accommodations (private room/bath for each participant), dinner on day 1, with breakfast, lunch and dinner on days 2-7, and a final breakfast on day 8 (see meal schedule).  Also included is the road/entrance fee to Pinguinera de Seno Otway, round-trip ground transport between Punta Arenas and Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, park entrance fee, Glacier Grey boat and trek fee, and workshop instruction. 



Exclusions

Your airfare to and from Punta Arenas, taxes, insurance, airport shuttles/transfers.  Also not included are drinks, tips, camera gear, proper clothing, and personal expenses (chocolate, for example).



Health

Although the land is daunting, the park itself affords photographic opportunities seemingly every step along the way and around every bend in the road.  There are, however, several hikes, mostly short in nature, with the ice trek  probably being the longest of these, approximately 3-4 hours.  As we will have our own guides for this particular trek, without additional participants, we are afforded the luxury of frequent stops to photograph this remarkable glacier.  Several of the mirador (lookouts) hikes require short uphill distances, one requiring approximately an hour.



Schedule

Day 1  Travel day, arriving in Punta Arenas, hotel check-in.  Time permitting, our evening photo session will be spent at the city's remarkable cemetery.  Return to hotel for dinner.  After dinner, a short stroll over to one of Chile's finest chocolate/coffee shops, stocking up on a week's ration of chocolate, if desired.

Day 2  After an early breakfast, depart toward Parque Nacional Torres Del Paine, via Seno Otway, where the morning session will find us photographing the sound's penquin colony.  Note:  dependent on penguin population, as they depart the sound in mid-late March.  Afterward, approaching Puerto Natales, weather permitting, we will photograph some of the beautiful wind-sculpted trees of the region.  Hotel check-in.  Afterward, time spent with the bird population along the shoreline of Seno Ultima Esperanza.  Dinner.

Day 3  Early breakfast, departure for Parque Nacional Torres Del Paine.  This day may change your life.  We will photograph the many compositions of  Torres Del Paine that are afforded us along the way.  After lunch, our hotel check-in at Hosteria Pehoe will be the base for our duration in the park.  This hotel is centrally located, allowing easy access to many of the area's classic Patagonia landscapes.  The views from our rooms are, quite simply, breathtaking.  Evening photo session in the Lago Pehoe area.  Dinner.

Day 4  In-room/early breakfast, head for Glacier Grey boat tour and ice hike.  Here we have the opportunity to photograph the glacier up close and personal.  This is the one part of the workshop where we will not use our tripods, simply due to the logistics of the trip and the fact that we will be in constant motion, from the cruising speed of the boat to the trek upon the glacier itself.  This will not detract from our ability to photograph, instead giving us the opportunity to work under different conditions.  Our afternoon/evening session will be spent photographing the western side of Cerro Paine Grande.  Return to Pehoe.  Dinner.

Day 5  Hike up to Mirado Pehoe for morning session.  Return to hotel for breakfast.  Afterward, we will spend the remainder of the day in the Salto Grande area, photographing the falls and the views above the falls.  Return to hotel.  Dinner.

Day 6  In-room breakfast, early morning trip over to Laguna Azul for photographing the towers.  We spend our afternoon session with guanacos and perhaps rheas and condors.  Return to Pehoe.  Dinner.

Day 7  Our last session in the park, sunrise near Pehoe.  Breakfast.  Depart Hosteria Pehoe, returning to Punta Arenas late afternoon.  Hotel check-in.  Time permitting, one last session in that fabulous cemetery. Farewell dinner.  Pick up chocolate for trip home, if desired.

Day 8  Breakfast.  Sad goodbyes.  Depart Punta Arenas.  Travel.


  

Meal Schedule

Day 1 - Dinner

Day 2 - Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 - Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 - Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 - Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 - Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7 - Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8 - Breakfast



Essentials

Camera gear - body, lens, tripod, lens cleaner, dust-off, filters, camera bag.

Clothing - quality rain gear, quality hiking boots, wool pants, wool shirt, under liners, gloves, cap.

Misc. - journal, sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, water bottle, personal toiletries. Consideration should be given to the park's sensitive ecology, therefore you should carry with you a ziplock bag and toilet paper, packing out what you pack in.



Considerations

Extra gloves, gaiters, headlamp, binoculars, laptop computer, cellphone (there is no service in the park, but some participants find it convenient while in Punta Arenas).



Workshop Fee

$3,895.00 USD per participant.  Workshop is limited to six participants.



Discounts

For couples, 5% on the workshop fee.  For participants enrolling in both the Patagonia Sur and the Lakes District workshops during the same season, 10% discount on each workshop.