The Exotic Silk Road Photo Tour 2 - Better Photography

The Exotic Silk Road


Photo Tour 2 UZBEKISTAN

1 - 10 OCTOBER 2023 10 DAYS/9 NIGHTS

PHOTOGRAPHY INVESTIGATION

Book Both

Tours 1 + 2 and

save US $1000!

REGISTAN SQUARE, SAMARKANDThis is one of The highlighTs of The Tour.

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Silk Road Photo Tour 2 • 10 Days US$5995An invitation from Peter Eastway...

In 2019, I travelled through Uzbekistan,

Kyrgyztan and Kazakhstan with a group of keen

photographers and a long time friend and

European photo guide. Mehmet Ozbalci.

The trip was so successful that we’ve planned a

return photo tour for 2023 that will be bigger and

better!

As we travelled around the ‘three Stans’ in 2019,

both Mehmet and I made extensive notes on how

we could extend the itinerary so we had more

time in these amazing loctions; how we could add

in extra locations we had to drive past because

there wasn’t time in 16 days; and how we could

optimise our photography shoots to come back

with even more amazing photographs.

The outcome is two different Silk Road photo

tours, one of 14-days, the second 10-days. You

are invited to join just one or sign up for both of

them (there’s a discount if you join them both),

but don’t ask me to suggest which one will be the

best - they are both going to be simply amazing.

The second tour explores remarkable Uzbekistan.

While there are lots of wonderful landscape, we’re

a little more focused on the architecture and the

people. Highights include Samarkand’s Registan

Square (you’ll recognise it when you see it) and

the ancient towns of Khiva and Bukhara.

On the following pages, you can read a brief

synopsis of what we have planned. We need 6

intrepid photographers to accompany us in 2023

(maximum number is 10) to make it happen. So,

do you have a sense of adventure? Would you like

to add one, two or three Stans to your passport?

Bookings and further inquiries via email to Kim

Valenti - [email protected]

A musician poses in Khiva


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The Travel Program - Silk Road Photo Tour 2

DAY 1 OCTOBER 1: TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN

Arrival in Tashkent and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in a 5-star hotel.

DAY 2 OCTOBER 2: TASHKENT

In the morning, we will photograph the colourful

Chorsu Bazaar where the local people shop for

almost anything and everything, including fruit,

vegetables, meat, bread, dried fruits, textiles,

brooms, baskets etc... This is a great opportunity

to photograph people. We will also take a short

walk to visit the Kukeldash Madressa, which is still

an active religious school, and also Juma Mosque.

In the late afternoon, we will photograph the

impressive Khasti Imam religious complex, in the

old city.

DAY 3 OCTOBER 3: SAMARKAND

In the morning, we will take the fast train to

Samarkand, the ancient capital of Tamerlane. It’s

an enjoyable train trip of two hours.

In the afternoon, we will discover the scenic Siab

Bazaar where you will see women in colorful local

dresses. This is one of the most interesting bazaars

in Central Asia, offering a tremendous amount of

people photography.

Next to the bazaar, is the Bibi Hanim Mosque, built

in the 15th century, an impressive photogenic

building with its great big blue dome.

We will then go to the Registan Square, which

consists of three photogenic madrassas and it is a

real jewel in the heart of the old city.

We will photograph it at night. Overnight in a

4-star hotel.

DAY 4 OCTOBER 4: SAMARKAND

In the morning, we will photograph Shakhi Zinda,

which was once the burial place of the noble

Siab Bazaar, Samarkand

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and elite people. There are several mausoleums

built in this 15th century complex and it is an

important pilgrimage site... great opportunities

to photograph the pilgrims with beautiful

backgrounds of blue tiled walls.

Next we will go back to Registan Square to see

the interior of the Madrassas and the beautifully

decorated mosque.

In the afternoon, we will to go a village with a

workshop making traditional silk paper, using the

bark of mulberry trees. We will photograph the

people working in the silk paper making process.

In the late afternoon, we will visit the Gur Amir

Mausoleum where Tamerlane and his descendants

are buried.

DAY 5 OCTOBER 5: BUKHARA

We drive to Bukhara which was once the largest

commercial and religious center on the Great

Silk Road. After arriving, we’ll take a walking tour

around the old city, including domed bazaars, Poi

Kalon religious ensemble and the Ark fortress.

Dinner will be in the house of a family, where one

room is converted into a cosy restaurant. They will

show us how to make the traditional Uzbek dish

of ‘pilav’. Overnight in a boutique hotel.

DAY 6 OCTOBER 6: BUKHARA

Early in the morning, we will photograph the

impressive domed buildings and minarets of

Bukhara at dawn, then we’ll head back to the

hotel for breakfast and have time to rest (or go

shopping)!

In the afternoon, we will visit and photograph a

blacksmith workshop and keep exploring the old

city. Dinner will be in an old madrassa with a show

of Uzbek traditional clothes and a performance of

local dancers. It’s an ideal place to photograph the

models in traditional dresses.

DAY 7 OCTOBER 7: KHIVA:

We drive to Khiva through the Kyzylkum Desert,

with a stop in the desert to photograph the

square-shaped ‘sand stoppers’.

We arrive at Khiva in the late afternoon. Khiva

One of the towers in Bukhara

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Early morning, Khiva

is a thousand-year-old fortress city, with its

old section well preserved and it is also one of

the most interesting cities in Central Asia for

photography. We will photograph the impressive

city walls of Khiva from one of the towers.

Overnight in a 3 star superior hotel.

DAY 8 OCTOBER 8: KHIVA

In the morning, we will be out to photograph a

number of interesting spots in the pre-dawn light,

including a mosque with wooden columns, an old

graveyard with the city walls in the background

and people.

In the afternoon, we will photograph musicians

playing in an old Madrassa, which will be private

to our group, and then we’ll explore the part of

the city where the local people live.

DAY 9 OCTOBER 9: BACK TO TASHKENT

Today we’ll take a flight back to Tashkent from

Urgench or Nukus, for overnight in Tashkent.

Overnight in 5 star hotel.

DAY 10 OCTOBER 10: DEPARTURE

Transfer to the International airport in Tashkent.

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How Do You Like To Learn?Everyone has different ways of learning. For some,

it is sitting back and watching an expert at work,

noting how he or she positions and uses the

camera, reacts to the light and the weather, or

interacts with people to achieve the best posing

and expression.

Others like to be given suggestions, to understand

what the experts are seeing and thinking, and

then left to experiment and discover on their own.

They are looking for guidance, but not too much.

And yet other photographers like to be shown

how to find the photograph, how to compose

the image and what camera settings are required.

They want help with their camera controls

and detailed instructions on how to frame and

compose.

Different photographers at different stages require

different levels of assistance and that’s fine! Peter

provides all three levels of interaction, all you have

to do is ask. Importantly, you will never be made

to feel silly because you asked a basic question -

chances are others in the group don’t know the

answer either!

Peter will be shooting as well. He is just as

passionate as you are about photography. He also

feels it is important to practice what he preaches

and to show participants what he has captured as

the tour/workshop progresses.

However, he is very aware that his primary role

is to act as your instructor and guide. And he

wants you to return on other workshops and trips,

which you will only do if you are happy. (A high

percentage of photo tour participants are repeat

customers, so he must be doing something right!)

So, please don’t be shy to ask for help at any time

and it will be cheerfully provided with a smile!

Lots of colour in SamarkandMadrassa, regisTan square

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How Physical Is It?You don’t need to be super fit to enjoy this

photography tour. If you can walk along well

maintained tracks, you will have no trouble on the

Silk Road.

However, there will be some walking involved

when we leave the hotels or the vehicles to get to

the best photographic locations.

Sometimes we will only be walking a few hundred

metres. Most of the time it is no more than a

kilometre or so.

The weather will also determine what walks

are possible, but at this time of year, we’re not

expecting there to be any major difficulties!

Bring Your PartnerNon-photography partners are most welcome

to come along, but they will be expected to

participate on most of the activities. Sometimes

we may leave early to take photographs, and then

continue on to our next destination, so everyone

has to come along.

However, there will be other mornings when we

will return to the hotel, so if your partner wanted

to sleep in, that would certainly be okay!

What we find is that non-partners really appreciate

our itinerary. Rather than being centred around

meal times, it’s based on experiencing the

countryside and what it has to offer. It’s a varied

and exciting program, and whether you’re using a

camera or not, the experiences will last a lifetime

for both of you.

Baker, Chorsu Bazaar, TashkenT

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Peter EastwaygM PhoTog., MnziPP, hon faiPP, hfnziPP, faiPP

Sydney-based photographer Peter Eastway

is a Grand Master of Photography and a two

time winner of the AIPP Australian Professional

Photographer of the Year. Known best for his

landscape and travel photography, he has worked

in most areas of the profession and also loves

sport, studio still life, portraiture and wildlife.

Peter is the editor and publisher of Better

Photography magazine and website, a position

that has given him special access to many of

the world’s leading photographers over the past

30 years. His ability to communicate both the

technical and aesthetic sides of photography

makes him a sought after speaker on the

international circuit.

Peter was the chairman of the Canon AIPP

Australian Professional Photography Awards for

many years and is still involved in all aspects of

photography competitions, both as a judge and

as an active participant. He judges and speaks

internationally on a regular basis.

Peter’s work has been published internationally

in photography and travel magazines, and he

was also the author of the Lonely Planet’s Guide

to Landscape Photography. His photography has

featured on the cover of the Lonely Planet’s guide

to Australia, an Australian postage stamp, in

articles in the Qantas inflight magazine, and in an

Apple television commercial. And he has worked

with Phase One researching and promoting its

Capture One raw processing software, and with

Adobe on its Lightroom software.

In 2015 he featured in the National Geographic

Channel’s Tales By Light six-part photography

series produced in partnership with Canon.

He is familiar with Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm and

Phase One camera systems.

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Checklist

Here’s an incomplete list of some of the things you

may need.

Recommended Camera Stuff

• DSLR or CSC camera recommended

• Back-up camera, just in case

• Standard zoom - cover everything

• Wide-angles - as wide as you have

• Telephoto - 300mm is not too long, but a 70-

200mm is pretty good too!

• 1.4X or 2.0X Converter

• Spare camera battery & battery charger

• Backpack style camera bag

• Tripod (with a quick release plate)

• Plenty of storage cards for your camera

• Polarising filter

• Neutral density filters (0.9x, 4.0x optional)

• Card reader and cable if necessary

• Laptop computer (Mac or PC)

• External back-up drives

• Photoshop, Lightroom or Capture One

• Mouse or stylus/tablet

• Hat, sunscreen

Camera Equipment For The ExpeditionPeter is not an equipment snob! Yes, he uses

professional equipment, but that’s his full time

job.

So, whether you turn up with the latest DSLR or

an older camera you’ve loved for many years, it

really doesn’t matter. However, there are some

lenses and accessories that will certainly help you

capture a wider range of photographs.

We do recommend you bring everything you

think you might need, but not so much you

can’t carry it with you. You will be able to leave

equipment behind in the hotel or in the bus/cars

- so bring that extra lens and pack it in some extra

socks to keep it safe!

Old City Walls, Khiva

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS These terms and conditions relate to the

photography tours and workshops organ-

ised by Pt 78 Pty Ltd [Pt78], ABN 75 003 152

136, trading as Better Photography, and run

by Peter Eastway, the workshop leader, in

association with Mehmet Ozbalci of Turfan-

tastik Tours, Turkey.

RESERVATIONS Bookings can be made on the Better

Photography website at

www.betterphotography.com in the online shop, or you can email Kim

Valenti at [email protected],

or call her on +612 4388 6851.

The workshops are limited to a

maximum of 10 participants (plus the

workshop leaders). A mininum of 6 par-

ticipants is required for the workshop to

run. Workshop places will be confirmed in

order of receipt, payment or deposit.

PRICEThe Exotic Silk Road Photo Tour 2 - 10 days

1 - 10 October 2023 US $ 5,995Single Room Supplement: US $ 600Deposit to secure place US $ 500Discount for both tours US $ 1,000The price includes photographic counsel

and all transport ex-Tashkent

PRICE INCLUDES/EXLUDES:• Accommodation in double/twin

rooms in the kind of hotels as de-

scribed in the itinerary.

• All breakfasts, lunches and dinners as

per itinerary.

• Water, tea or regular coffee, soft

drinks (like Coke, Fanta, mineral wa-

ter, fruit juice in the can) at lunches

and dinners.

• All admission fees to the museums

and places to visit in the itinerary.

• English speaking photo guide and

local guides.

• Comfortable A/C van, driver, gas,

parking etc..

• Bottled water in the vehicle.

• Private arrangements for photo

shooting as in the itinerary.

• 4WD vehicles as per itinerary

• Fast train from Tashkent to Samar-

kand.

• Domestic flight from Urgench or

Nukus back to Tashkent

• Arrival and departure airport trans-

fers only on the official start and

departure days of the tour (1 and 10

October 2023).

The order of the visits and sites to pho-

tograph, as well as the itinerary, can be

changed depending on the circumstances

like weather, light, crowd, availability,

closing / opening hours, domestic flight

schedule etc…

The price does not include:

international airfare to Tashkent, tips to

the bell boys at hotels, gratuities to the lo-

cal guide and the driver, travel insurance.

NB If you are coming on both tours, the

prices does not include the international

flight or transportation from Bishkek to

Tashkent on 3 October (although the

$1000 discount will help!). We recom-

mend you book this flight at the same

time you book your flights to Almaty and

from Tashkent.

DEPOSIT & PAYMENT Payment details are as follows:

1. A deposit upon booking to reserve your

place of US $500 (or equivalent in AUS$).

2. Final payment by 20 June 2023.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDSShould you wish to cancel your booking,

you must advise us in writing (email is

fine). We try to have a fair refund policy

that works for both you and us:

• Deposits are refundable, up to 90 days

prior to the event. If you don’t

request a refund of your deposit 90

days out or longer, we will assume

you wish to come and the full bal-

ance is payable.

• if you are cancelling more than 90 days

from the workshop date, we will

refund your deposit in full;

• if the workshop is not full and, after your

cancellation, we still have the mini-

mum number of bookings to run, we

will refund your deposit in full;

• if the workshop is full, and we have

turned away other customers, and

you are cancelling within 90 days of

the workshop date, we won’t refund

you unless your place is filled by

someone else;

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• if after you cancel your booking the

workshop numbers fall below the

minimum number required to run,

and you are cancelling within 90

days, we won’t refund you.

No part refunds are made for unused por-

tions or services of a workshop.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTSThe workshop is designed to be suitable

for people of all ages in good health and

moderate fitness. While activities are not

strenuous, on some workshops we may

be taking hikes for several kilometres on

tracks in National Park and wilderness

areas, which may involve short steep

descents and climbs.

We will comply with the National Parks’

safety requirements, but these are wilder-

ness areas and you need to be careful

when you are in them.

It will be necessary to carry your own

camera equipment and water for these

activities.

Should you have any concerns about

your own capabilities and/or fitness,

please contact your doctor to discuss

before booking your place.

You are required to disclose any medical

or physical condition that you have which

could create a risk for you or any other

participants. We assume no responsibility

for medical care nor guarantee to meet

any special dietary requirements.

INSURANCE: We have public l iabil ity insurance,

but we have no insurance for par tici-

pants, their health, their equipment

or personal belongings. We strongly

advise you to obtain your own insur-

ances suitable for your needs.

LIMITED LIABILITYAs we are a small company, we are not in

a position to insure your travel arrange-

ments with Turfantastik Tours. If Turfan-

tastik Tours were unable to provide the

services for which you have contracted

and paid, Pt78 will not be liable to you for

any loss you incur. We strongly suggest

you take out travel insurance.

In such an unlikely event, we would

naturally refund the tuition component

of the course. We are not opting out of

our responsiblities to you, only those over

which we have no control. We are asking

you to take the same risk you would were

you to book your travel directly with Tur-

fantastik Tours.

RESPONSIBILITYThe responsibility of Pt78 is strictly lim-

ited. As a tour/workshop operator, Pt78

may organise, promote, and sell programs

consisting of services that it purchases

from various suppliers. Pt78 does not own

or operate any of these suppliers and as

such is not responsible for any negligent

or wilful act or failure or omission of any

supplier. By taking part in the tour/work-

shop, you agree that Pt78 shall not be

liable for the above failings.

Pt78 cannot accept responsibility for

losses or extra expenses caused by, but

not limited to, delay or changes in any

transportation services, weather, illness,

injury, strike, quarantine or other causes.

All such losses or expenses will be the

sole responsibility of the participant.

Pt78 reserves the right to cancel any

workshop prior to commencement,

whereupon paid funds will be refunded

in full, but is not liable for any other trip

preparation expenses such as, but not lim-

ited to, air ticket penalties, visa fees and

medical treatments.

Pt78 reserves the right to substitute

accommodations (if any) of similar

category for those indicated and to make

any changes in the itinerary or transport

where deemed necessary. Where weather

conditions or forces of nature restrict or

prohibit workshop activities, it reserves

the right to alter the trip program and

substitute alternative activities.

Prior to commencement of any work-

shop, an Acceptance of Risk Release form

is a term of sale.

The Acceptance of Risk release must

be agreed to by each participant prior

to the commencement of the workshop.

No alterations to the Acceptance of Risk

Release will be accepted.

If a participant attends a workshop

without signing an Acceptance of Risk

Release, their attendance confirms their

acceptance of all parts of these Terms and

Conditions, and the Acceptance of Risk

Release.

These Terms and Conditions, and the

Acceptance of Risk release, shall be gov-

erned in all respects by and interpreted

in accordance with the law within New

South Wales, Australia.

That’s it! Any special requests, please let

us know beforehand!

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For more information and bookings, contact Peter Eastway

at [email protected]

or his assistant Kim Valenti - [email protected]


The Exotic Silk Road Photo Tour 2

UZBEKISTAN 1 - 10 OCTOBER 2023

10 DAYS/9 NIGHTS

The Exotic Silk Road Photo Tour 2 - Better Photography

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Transcript of The Exotic Silk Road Photo Tour 2 - Better Photography