A late addition to my 2019 workshop and expedition line-up is a brand new Winter Workshop to Hokkaido in Japan in early December this year. Hokkaido has long been on my list of destinations to offer a workshop and now after some extensive scouting with my friend and co-leader for this workshop, Martyn Lucas, we are excited to open this up for bookings. A different take on the usual sort of offering available in Japan, this workshop is designed with contemplative slow paced landscape photography in mind. We will not visit the tourist saturated snow monkey park or stand shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of others trying to photograph eagles or Snow Cranes. Instead it is our intention to immerse ourselves into the subtle monochromatic and quiet landscape of Hokkaido in Winter – A Visual Haiku.
On this adventure you will experience snowy landscapes, simplicity of trees, lines of fence posts and restless seas pointing to infinity, also lakes of stillness, expansive terrain and poetic, Zen like minimalist scenes. Such moments in time we will capture from unique view points whilst immersing ourselves in Japanese Shinto and Buddhist culture and enjoying the tastes of authentic local cuisine.
We will have the pleasure and company of Hokkaido’s most knowledgeable and adventurous guide who will provide landscape encounters we could never be aware of on our own. Absence of colour, majestic trees, wild settings and a reduction in colour encouraging our landscape focus – a minimalist point of view. Together, we will be surrounded by water, mountains, trees and landscapes transformed by snow and ice and we will interact and concentrate on capturing the beauty and starkness which is Hokkaido.
While in Kamifurano we will plan to visit the Goto Sumio Museum of Art – exhibiting some 130 landscape paintings by this iconic painter who has become a national treasure of Japan. A painter who freely comes and goes between the worlds of realism and spirituality. Similarly, while in Yoichi we will enjoy a tasting of Nikka Malt Whiskey at Japan’s oldest distillery where we will most likely enjoy lunch too.
All inclusive Commencing evening of December 11, 2019 ending after lunch December 20, 2019. Investment: $8800 USD per person – Includes:
- Nine nights bed and breakfast
- Nine evening meals (six hotel and three, local restaurants
- Ten lunches at local Japanese restaurant
- Snowshoes, Hand Warmers, Hot Coffee and Tea
- All Transportation between shooting locations
- All Photographic instruction and tuition
- Local Guide and Driver
Limited to just eight participants in total this workshop is for those who want to work at a slower more methodical pace who want to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the Japanese landscape. A Full PDF itinerary will shortly be available for download from the workshops page of my website. If you would like to register your interest please drop me an email for further details.
www.WILDNATUREPHOTOTRAVEL.com 