MAGWA FALLS PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP MAGWA FALLS TRIP OVERVIEW

DATES 19th – 21st October 2018 START/FINISHES Lusikisiki,

South Africa

DURATION 2 Nights/3 Days COMFORT Dinner, bed and breakfast.

LOCATION Magwa Falls, Eastern Cape TRIP GRADING Easy

South Africa PRICE R 9,940.00

• Spend three days developing your photography skills in the company of photographer Western King. • Dusk and dawn photography at one of South Africa’s forgotten spectacles, the breath-taking Magwa Falls • Dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the picturesque Mbotyi River Lodge. • Tutorials and critiques sessions with individual feedback. • Workshop restricted to six clients.

DESCRIPTION

The Mbotyi River Lodge is situated on the west bank of the picturesque Mbotyi River lagoon. The setting is a true Wild Coast hideaway and the perfect base from which to explore Magwa Falls. Magwa Falls is a breathtaking 142 m waterfall that plunges into a narrow slot canyon, one that has been etched into an Eastern Cape plateau. The falls are located 23 km from the town of Lusikisiki and 18 km from the Mbotyi River Lodge on the property of the Magwa Tea Estate. From the lodge, reaching the falls requires a 30-minute drive and a 5-minute walk. Seasonal fluctuations in the river level means that Magwa Falls is best photographed in summer. Summer also sees the sun rising early and setting late so, to make the most of the golden hours, participants can expect to leave the lodge at 4.15 am each morning (returning at 9.00 am) and at 4.30 pm each evening (returning at 7.30 pm).

2 MAGWA FALLS However, accessing the locations requires wading TRIP DETAILS across the river upstream of the falls. The difficulty of this crossing varies according to the river level at the WHAT IS INCLUDED time and can be challenging during heavy flow. • Two nights at the picturesque Mbotyi River Lodge. TRIP ITINERARY • Private accommodation with en-suite facilities including breakfast and dinner. What follows is a representative itinerary, one that • Personal tuition, tutorials and critique sessions. will undoubtedly change to take advantage of the prevailing environmental and weather conditions. DIFFICULTY GRADING: EASY Photography at Magwa Falls can be broadly divided All the photography locations at Magwa Falls are into three windows of opportunity: sunrise, sunset and a located in very close proximity to the parking area. period just before midday when the 142 m deep gorge

3 sees light reaching the river below. Shooting at midday that compositions for the mornings shot must have been period is an unusual practice, but one that can prove established during the previous day’s exploration, thus fruitful at this location. avoiding any time being wasted on scouting. You can expect to be back at the lodges at 9.00 am for breakfast. DAY 1– MEET AT LUSIKISIKI Between 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, Western will Magwa Falls is located en route to the Mbotyi River conduct a tutorial and critique session. The aim is to Lodge and for this reason, the first day’s photography take a step by step walk through the digital developing begins before checking into the Lodge. process using the best image captured by each client. Western will meet workshop participants in the Every participant will have an opportunity to see how parking lot of the Lusikisiki Plaza (31°21’27.5”S their image might be developed using Adobe Lightroom 29°33’53.3”E) at 11.30 am and depart directly for and, to a lesser degree, Adobe Photoshop. Magwa Falls at 12.00 pm. The period following the tutorial session will be The first visit to the falls is dedicated to scouting and private time before a 4.30 pm departure for the falls general familiarisation with the various photography once more and sunset photography. You can expect to locations on offer. We will depart the falls at 2.00 return to the lodge at 7.30 pm for dinner. pm and make our way to the Mbotyi River Lodge for DAY 3 – FINAL SUNRISE check-in. At 4.30 pm we will set off back to the falls for Once again, a 4.15 am start is required with an sunset photography. You can expect to be back at the appropriately hasty ascent to the falls. The second lodge at 7.30 pm. morning will allow participants to take advantage of the tremendous morning glow and to capture images DAY 2 – MAGWA FALLS of the impressive falls from a different angle. An early 4.15 am start is required to catch the light of Proceedings will be somewhat abbreviated in the rising sun. Despite the advanced start, though, it order to allow time for breakfast and checkout. You remains important that we depart promptly and move can expect to be back at the lodge at 8.00 am for as quickly as possible to the falls. Time pressures mean breakfast with departure for home at 10.00am.

4 MORE MEETING INSTRUCTIONS INFORMATION Western will meet participants in the parking lot outside Shoprite store inside the Lusikisiki Plaza. Western will be GETTING THERE unmistakable with his dark green Land Rover Defender Magwa Falls is located in the heart of the Eastern Cape and yellow jerry cans.. and travel in the region is inherently slow. All roads to ACCOMMODATION Lusikisiki are sealed but feature significant pedestrian and animal activity, as well the occasional pothole. Mbotyi River Lodge offers the best accommodation in Workshop participants are urged to be cautious and the area and it takes the form of sea and lagoon facing to avoid the temptation to hurry the journey. rooms each with their own unique view and ambiance. From Lusikisiki, the route to and from the falls and, The units are comfortable, upmarket and cozy with en indeed, the Mbotyi River Lodge, makes use of gravel suite bathrooms. roads. In general, these roads are in good condition FOOD AND BEVERAGES however, there are some uneven areas. The route can be navigated using most motor vehicles although some Along with the accommodation, the workshop price ground clearance is required. The road is not suitable includes dinner, bed and breakfast beginning with for low-clearance vehicles. dinner on the Friday night and ending with breakfast FROM JOHANNESBURG (±820 KM) on the Sunday morning. Additional meals such as lunch The most direct route to Lusikisiki is via, Harrismith, and snacks are available from the hotel restaurant. Underberg and Kokstad. The expected travel time is TRIP PRICING 10h00 (view route using Google Maps). FROM (±320 KM) The workshop price is R9,940 per person. Group size The fastest way to reach Lusikisiki from Durban is via the is limited to six clients and this ensures that Western can and Port Shepstone. A portion of this journey, from give one-to-one tuition and critiques. Port Edward to Bizana, is particularly slow owing to NON-PHOTOGRAPHIC PARTNERS extensive roadworks (view route using Google Maps). FROM OR UMTATA (±127) KM Non-photographic partners are allowed but kept to Umtata is the nearest town of any significance. The a maximum of one per photographic client. The fee route to Lusikisiki remains slow, though, with roadworks for the non-photographic partner is R3,790. Non- as well as sections of the journey being significantly photographic partners are permitted to join photo twisty (view route using Google Maps). sessions, but will not receive photographic instruction.

5 6 THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE at all times and the consequences of any negligence • Transport to and from the workshop. could be fatal. • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary. Furthermore, the local inhabitants of the Magwa • Alcohol and soft drinks. Falls area are naturally curios and are inclined to want • Gratuities. to watch as visitors peer into and photograph the • Personal equipment. falls. Western has neither experienced nor heard of • Travel insurance. any kind of hostility arising from the presence of these • Any other items not mentioned as included. residents, however, it remains important that workshop participants practice a common-sense approach to RECOMMENDED PERSONAL protecting their belongings. Never leave equipment EQUIPMENT unattended and try, as far as possible, to keep camera Summer along the Eastern Cape Wild Coast is hot gear that is not in use zipped inside your camera bag. during the day and cool at night. The coastline is Additionally, please ensure that vehicles are locked also subject to periods of intense rain which can whenever unattended, regardless of how close the be unexpectedly cold. These cold fronts sometimes parking area may appear. approach rapidly and it is essential that participants Please be aware that participation in this are equipped to adapt to the changing conditions. photography workshop and, by extension, visiting Magwa Fall is done completely at your own risk. For ESSENTIAL ITEMS further information on this topic, please see our Terms • Waterproof jacket (and trousers if you own a pair). and Conditions. • Good hiking boots. INSURANCE • Hat for sun protection. • Sunscreen and lip balm. It is a condition of booking that you are insured • Head torch or suitable torch for hiking in the dark. against medical and personal accident risk. This must include cover for activities to be undertaken during the HEALTH AND SAFETY trip. We strongly recommend you take out cover for Magwa Falls is a completely undeveloped location. cancellation and curtailment and baggage cover. The 142 m deep gorge is entirely without fences, guard rails or any other form barrier designed to prevent visitors from falling into the chasm. When photographing the spectacle, extreme care is required

7 PHOTOGRAPHY impossible with hand-held shooting. There are a wide EQUIPMENT range of models available on the market today, all of which do a great job of holding your camera still when GENERAL PHILOSOPHY the going gets tough. For more advanced photographers, Camera equipment is very much a personal choice carbon fibre tripods offer a lighter weight solution but and dependent on individual preference, budget and essentially do the same job as their aluminium brethren. experience. Whether you shoot with a 35mm DSLR or LENSES a mirror-less system is unimportant. What is important, though, is that you are familiar with your camera’s layout Again, lenses are dependent on personal preference, and menu structure and understand the difference budget and also the subject pursued by each between the shooting modes. photographer. For landscape photography, an excellent Carrying equipment for every eventuality is also solution is to have two zoom lenses 24-70 mm and a counter intuitive and you should avoid your outdoor 70-200 mm. With these two lenses, a range of 24- experience being over shadowed by the weight of your 200mm can be covered which will account for 95% of bag. The information below is intended only as a guide your images. If you use a crop-sensor camera, a wider to help you get the most from your experience. 16-35mm would strengthen this line-up and open up more photographic opportunities. CAMERA BAG BACKUP AND STORAGE Bring a camera bag that allows you to comfortably carry your equipment over rugged and sometimes loose Ensure that you have adequate memory cards and a terrain. Backpacks distribute the weight between your means of backing up your work either on a laptop, shoulders and hips making walking easier than with a iPad or supplementary storage drive. Bringing your own sling bag. Also, regardless of the bag you choose, be laptop will allow you to see what you have shot each sure that its waterproof or that you have a way to keep day and will facilitate critique sessions. it dry! REMOTE RELEASE TRIPOD An indispensable accessory which eradicates vibrations The ideal tripod needs to be light enough to carry but when the camera is mounted on a tripod. Whichever heavy enough to perform well in windy conditions. A remote you choose, be sure that it can be operated tripod is essential for landscape photography, allowing from behind the camera, typically this is not the case with the use of camera settings that would otherwise be infrared models.

8 SPARE BATTERIES become an important choice in contemporary Batteries can be recharged daily if photography. There are a host of software suites necessary, however, it makes sense to available today, all of which have individual bring a spare battery to maximise your pros and cons. Personal preference and price opportunities of taking photographs. are the two factors that contribute most to the final choice. Adobe’s subscription service offers SOFTWARE great value with their photography package While not strictly equipment in the traditional which permits the use of Lightroom and Photoshop sense of the word, photo editing software has for $9.99 per month.

9 HOW TO BOOK

DESCRIPTION GET IN TOUCH

We accept bookings on line, by email or by phone. If you have any questions or comments, please don’t Before booking, it is important that you read the hesitate to get in touch. We are available week days relevant Trip Brochure as well as our Workshop Terms from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm (CAT), and can be reached and Conditions. If you have any doubt regarding your at any of the following: suitability for a trip, please contact us. EMAIL To book, simply click the relevant Book Now button and complete the booking form. We will provisionally [email protected] confirm your reservation by email and include a copy TELEPHONE of the trip brochure, booking form (for signing), T&Cs and an invoice for payment. The provisional booking +27 (0)84 496 5475. will stand for 7 days. A signed booking form and a POSTAL ADDRESS deposit of 50% is required to secure your reservation. If you are booking less than 56 days before the 15 Churchill Road commencement of the workshop, full payment is Winston Park required. We accept payment by Visa, MasterCard Gillitts or electronic funds transfer (EFT) and use PayFast as a 3 610 payment processing service. KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

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