2/3 Weeks Itinerary

 

Below is a sample itinerary of our 2/3 week-long photography course for gap year students.

Photography takes us to unusual places at unusual times; every day, we set out in pursuit of images and always welcome the opportunity to witness local customs and festivities. Often, it is the unexpected that presents the best photographic opportunities so we may occasionally vary the order of the places we visit to make the most of our stay in Kerala.

We want you to enjoy a true taste of Keralan life, so throughout the course, you will also have the time to practice Yoga with expert teachers, and benefit from Ayuvedic health and beauty treatments for which this part of India is justly famous. Of course, you could chose to spend you free time enjoying the glorious surroundings of each of the places we visit during our journey.

The most exclusive leg of our journey is the Bangaram Extension. This week-long option, which is only available as an extension to the land trip between October and March, takes us to the remote coral island of Bangaram in the Lakshadweep archipelago. Please note that to protect the island’s fragile ecosystem, access to it is restricted making early booking essential. Entry permits for the Laksahdweeep Union Territory, as well as all transfers to and from Bangaram are handled by our host CGH Earth.

For our 4/5 weeks itinerary click here

Day 1	AM: Arrival at Mararikulam, introduction and orientation.
	PM: Familiarization with photographic equipment.
	Eve: Seminar: “A Fabled and Ancient Land”. Introduction to travel and photography in India.

Day 2	AM: Early morning shoot on the beach; fishermen and their catch; Workshop: light and exposure in the tropics.
	PM: Visit to the Hindu temple of Mararikulam. Workshop: photographing religious rituals. (Composition Stage I)
	Eve Seminar: “Travel & Photography, or Travel Photography?”.

Day 3	AM: Excursion to Kayamkulam and visit to the 18th century Palace of Krishnapuram. Workshop: photographing architecture.
	PM: visit to fishing village. Workshops: understanding local customs and photographing women and children.

Day 4	AM: Travel by minibus to Kumarakom, and onwards by boat to Coconut Lagoon.
	PM: Introduction to Vembanad Lake. Workshop: composition, reflections and waterscapes. (Composition Stage II).
	Eve: Seminar: “How close? - The elusive art of photographing people.”

Day 5	AM: Beginning of 24 hours cruise along the Backwaters and introduction to your first assignment: working with light and capturing moods. You will be working on this throughout the day.
	PM: Seminar: "Working in low light conditions".

Day 6	AM: Early morning shoot: dawn on Vembanad Lake. Return to Coconut Lagoon by mid-morning.
	PM: Free Time
	Eve: Seminar: “The ‘One Rupee’ dilemma. Travelling wisely in India.”

Day 7	AM: Early morning shoot: Kalari (Martial Art). Workshop: photographing movement. Visit to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.
	PM: The Butterfly Garden. Workshop: macro-photography. Seminar: “Digital or Traditional –which is for you?”

Day 8	AM: Travel by minibus through the Cardamom Hills to Thekkady.
	PM: Boat trip on Periyar Lake inside Periyar National Park. Workshop: Introduction to wildlife and landscape photography.
	Eve: Guest : “Project Tiger and the ecosystem of the Western Ghats.”

Day 9	All day trekking and bamboo rafting inside Periyar National Park. Workshop: Wildlife and landscape photography.
	Eve: “Cooking with Spices.”

Day 10	AM: Visit to tea and spice plantations. Assignment II: people in the landscape.
	PM: Guided tour of 19th century botanical park. Free Time.

Day 11	AM: Travel by minibus to Kochi.
	PM: Shoot of Fort Kochi’s famed Chinese Fishing Nets. Workshop: interacting with your subject.
	Eve: Performance of Kathakali dance-drama.

Day 12	AM: Early morning cruise of Kochi harbour, shoot of the old town from the water Workshops: skyline.
	PM: Visit to the XVI century murals that decorate the Dutch Palace, in Mattancherry. Workshop: Introduction to photographing markets.

Day 13	AM: Visit to Kochi’s Jewish quarter and the Pardesi Synagogue. AssignmentIII: environmental portraiture.
	PM: Free time for shopping and personal exploration of the spice warehouses in Mattancherry.
	Eve: Seminar: “Comparing notes: how far have you come?”

Day 14	After breakfast, End of Kerala Workshops. Transfer to Kochi airport if required.
	Bangaram Extension
	AM: Free time for personal exploration of Kochi
	PM: Workshops: advanced interaction techniques.

Day 15	AM: Transfer to Bangaram Island, via Agatti, Lakshadweep Archipelago.
	PM: Arrival on Bangaram Island, introduction and orientation.
	Eve: Guest: “A fragile Paradise” Introduction to the unique ecosystem of the Lakshadweep Islands.

Day 16	AM: Exploration of the shoreline. Workshop: Advanced Light and Composition.
	PM: Assignment IV) Light, textures and patterns.
	Eve: Guest: “Life and Conservation of the Coral Reef”.

Day 17	AM: Exploration of the interior of the Island. Workshop: high contrast light conditions.
	PM: Assignment V) Colours, shapes and reflections.

Day 18	AM: Free Time
	PM: Excursion to Tinnakara Island. Workshop: silhouettes and high contrast light conditions.
	Eve: Seminar: “Getting your work published.”

Day 19	AM: Personal, tailored assignments
	PM: Feedback and Discussion

Day 20	AM: Personal, tailored assignments
	PM: Feedback and Discussion

Day 21	Free Day

Day 22

End of Bangaram Extension. Return to Kochi airport for onward travel.