(Max Müller)

Photography Courses for the Year Out

 

GeckoWorkshops invites you on a unique journey of discovery. Come and immerse yourself in the intoxicating beauty of a tropical paradise. Discover the ways and the people of a land fabled for its magic since time immemorial. Learn how to capture your wonder under the expert guidance of a professional photographer.

If you are looking for a gap programme that will enable you to explore some of the most beautiful corners of the world whilst developing your photographic skills, then look no further; our unique combination of travel and photography will open your eyes to an entirely new way of travelling and introduce you to a dazzling, colourful and truly fascinating country.

GeckoWorkshops photography courses will take you face to face with one of the oldest civilizations on earth and offer you the opportunity to capture a range of stunning images. Whether you are seeking to develop a photographic portfolio and gather first-hand experience of travel photography, or whether you are looking for the excitement of an exotic adventure and the chance to learn how to use your camera effectively before you set off around the globe, GeckoWorkshops offers you the opportunity of a lifetime.

 

Exotic, Exclusive, Adventurous, Unique

GeckoWorkshops Year Out itineraries traverse the South Indian state of Kerala and include an optional extension on the remote island of Bangaram, in the Lakshadweep archipelago.

Stretching for hundreds of kilometres along the shores of the Arabian Sea, and covered in lush tropical vegetation, Kerala is also frequently referred to as “God’s Own Country”. Ranked by National Geographic Traveller amongst the “50 Destinations of a Lifetime” and boasting a stunning variety of scenery that range from the tropical rain forest of the Western Ghats, to the glistening waterways of the Backwaters and the palm-fringed beaches of the Malabar Coast, Kerala is, without a doubt, one of the most exotic places in the world.

The little-known archipelago of the Lakshadweep lies 200 kilometres off the Malabar Coast in the azure waters of the Arabian Sea. Bangaram is one of its 26 uninhabited islands; a white coral atoll sheltering in a lagoon of unsurpassable tranquillity, Bangaram is a truly exclusive destination. To protect the island’s fragile ecosystem only a limited number of visitors are allowed on its shores. The coral reef surrounding Bangaram teems with marine life including dolphins and turtles, amongst a multitude of other species. Snorkelling, scuba diving, canoeing and night fishing are amongst the activities available on the island and the resort’s certified diving centre offers a wide variety of courses. (For more information please click here.)

On the mainland, we trek through the tropical forest of Periyar National Park, on the slopes of South India’s highest mountain range, for a chance to see the elusive Indian tiger. We take our time bamboo-rafting above the submerged forest of Periyar Lake, where families of wild elephants come to bathe. After crossing the emerald green spice plantations of the Cardamom Hills, we explore the unique eco-system of Kerala’s Backwaters, aboard Kettuvalams, the magnificent Houseboats that glide silently along this spectacular network of waterways. In the ancient port town of Kochi, we venture into the narrow alleyways of Jewtown, where pepper, ginger, vanilla, cardamom, nutmeg, and a myriad other spices have been traded for thousands of years.

But the greatest adventure of all is the day-to-day hunt for images; with its intense colours, magnificent landscapes, and often unusual light conditions, Kerala is a photographer’s paradise. Yet, if the surroundings are perfect, it is the gentleness of its people – who have a millennia-old tradition of contact with the rest of the world – that makes Kerala a perfectly suited environment for an introduction to travel photography.

Under the expert guidance of your Tutors, you will delve into the magic nooks and crannies of this tropical land, and explore the history, mythology, and customs of an ancient culture. In Kerala, Christians, Hindus and Muslims have long-peacefully coexisted alongside the oldest Jewish community in Asia, their traditions giving rise to a singularly cosmopolitan society. GeckoWorkshops offers you a unique opportunity to discover the sheer wonder of this kaleidoscope of races, religions and rituals, in the company of highly experienced Tutors who are entirely dedicated to ensuring that your journey is an enriching, unforgettable experience.

 

A Course like no other

Our Year Out course is designed to challenge your creative abilities and help you discover how photography can change the way you look at the world. As an art based on a close observation of the outside world, photography heightens our awareness of the environment and offers fascinating insights into a foreign culture. An exhilarating combination of learning and adventure that takes you through a range of stunning locations, the courses are also unique in introducing young travellers to a safe, culture-conscious approach to travel through a wide range of photography-based activities.

For students preparing to explore a career in photography, GeckoWorkshops Year Out courses offer an invaluable opportunity to work closely with professional photographers and gain first-hand experience in a highly competitive field that requires confident technical skills, resilience, adaptability, sensitivity to others, and a boundless sense of adventure.

 

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