The Hidden Treasures of the Mountains PHOTOGRAPHY INVESTIGATION The Hidden Treasures of the Caucasus Mountains: 1 & Armenia 24 Oct – 7 Nov 2022

Tatev Monastery, Armenia Low cloud in the late afternoon. The Hidden Treasures of the Caucasus Mountains

PHOTOGRAPHY INVESTIGATION The Hidden Treasures and Fall Colours of the Caucasus Mountains 4 Ancient roads. Historic buildings. Curious in Istanbul. He is a gentleman. He has over 25 cultures. You’re invited to join Peter Eastway years’ guiding experience in these areas. His on a photographic investigation along the less English is first class. And importantly, he is a keen travelled paths of Georgia and Armenia. photographer and knows where to take us!

“After my first journey to Georgia and Armenia “We get on really well together and I know this with my friend and guide Mehmet Ozbalci, I’m will be yet another great trip. Are you interested? really keen to go back. There is a new mountain valley we’ll visit and fingers crossed, we’ll get “We will fly to , the capital of Georgia, from some great autumn colours or perhaps some early where we will do a circuit dropping down into snow. Armenia and back.

“But that’s just for the landscape and while I love “If you’re interested in dramatic landscapes this aspect of photography, Georgia and Armenia punctuated by ancient buildings and woven are equally about history, culture, architecture together with vibrant and diverse cultures, this and its people. This is a true travel destination photography trip is for you.” with opportunities to investigate many genres of photography. Bookings and further inquiries via email to Kim Valenti – [email protected] “Mehmet is a photography tour guide, based

Cathedral Interior Photo by Mehmet Ozbalci The Hidden Treasures of the Caucasus Mountains

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The Travel Program - US $7995

DAY 1 - OCTOBER 24 - TBILISI impressive architecture and Church right 6 Arrival in Tbilisi where you will be picked up from on the River Mtkvari. the airport and transferred to the hotel. DAY 3 - OCTOBER 26 - KAZBEGI Depending how participants feel, it is possible to Drive towards the scenic Caucasus Mountains start touring and photographing the picturesque and visit a quaint mountain town where we will city of Tbilisi, strolling through the old streets. photograph the snow capped Mount Kazbegi Our hotel is a 4 star - 1st class hotel located in the which is one of the tallest peaks of the Caucasus heart of the old city. Mountains. We will also drive in 4x4 vehicles to get to the scenic Trinity Church with mountain DAY 2 - OCTOBER 25 - TBILISI backdrops. Overnight in a 4 star superior hotel. Early in the morning, we will photograph the lit up Narikala Castle and catch the blue colour in DAY 4 - OCTOBER 27 - ANCIENT CHOLCHIS the sky with the city lights in the background, Today we leave for Kutaisi, located in Ancient followed by the sulfur baths with their photogenic Cholchis (from the story of Jason and the Golden brick domes. Fleece in Greek Mythology).

We return to the hotel for breakfast and then Along the way, we will stop at Jvari to photograph we’re out to photograph the frescos of the Sioni the interesting shapes of the two rivers coming Church and explore the old part of Tbilisi. We will together. Our next stop is Uplistsikhe, an ancient spend the afternoon photographing the people cave city. Katskhi Pillar is another ‘cool’ image, a 40 in the Tbilisi market, Sameba Cathedral with its metre high, natural monolith with a chapel and

Inside Sioni Church, Tbilisi Photo by Peter Eastway The Hidden Treasures of the Caucasus Mountains

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monk’s hermitage on the top. of the impressive Mt Skhara (17.000 ft), offering breathtaking views. Arrival in Kutaisi and photograph the beautifully lit Bagrati Church. Our hotel is a 3 star superior After photographing the villages with its 8 hotel with rooms of a 4 star - 1st class hotel. wonderful towers in Ushguli, we will drive back to Mestia in the late afternoon. DAY 5 - OCTOBER 28 - CAUCASUS MOUNTAINS Drive to Mestia, located up in the famous DAY 7 - OCTOBER 30 - BATUMI Caucusus Mountains. The scenic drive to Mestia Departure for Batumi, quaint city along will offer many beautiful vantage points, including the Black Sea, through the scenic Caucasus canyons, snow-capped mountains, rivers and Mountains making stops to photograph the interesting ‘tower villages’ looking like castles. scenic landscapes. In the late afternoon, we will photograph the interesting art works along Arrive in Mestia and photograph this quaint the pebble beach on the Black Sea with scenic mountain town with towers and the impressive backgrounds. Overnight in a 5 star hotel. Caucusus Mountains in the background. DAY 8 - OCTOBER 31: AKHALTSIKHE Our hotel is a beautiful boutique, alpine hotel Travel day to Akhaltsikhe crossing Georgia from with the characteristics of a 4 star - 1st class hotel. north to south, via a scenic road. In Akhaltsikhe, we will photograph beautifully lit up 13th century DAY 6 - OCTOBER 29 - CAUCASUS MOUNTAINS castle of Rabat, which was recently restored. Early departure to drive on the mountain roads The castle was developed under the influence of the Caucasus. Our 4x4 vehicles will take us of different cultures and this is reflected in its to the village Ushguli, a community of villages architecture. Our hotel is a 4 star hotel. located at an altitude of over 7000 ft, at the foot

Ushguli and its many towers Photo by Mehmet Ozbalci The Hidden Treasures of the Caucasus Mountains

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DAY 9 - NOVEMBER 1- YEREVAN a duduk player. Duduk is a national Armenian Drive to Armenia. After border crossing at Bavra, flute. Our next stop will be “symphony of stones”, before we get to the hotel, we will photograph impressive basalt column formations along the the impressive remains of the Zvartnotz Temple side of a river gorge. 10 with Mount Ararat in the background. DAY 11 - NOVEMBER 3 - YEREVAN Overnight in a 4 star -superior hotel, located in In the morning, we will photograph the Church of the centre of Yerevan. Khor Virap with Mt Ararat in the background.

DAY 10 - NOVEMBER 2 - YEREVAN Khor Virap is one of the most important churches Early in the morning, we will go to “Cascade”, a 400 in Armenia, as Gregory the Illuminator who step stairway built on the side of a hill offering a introduced Christianity to the Armenian nation great view, to photograph the two peaks of Mt. was put in prison in this location before the Ararat with Yerevan in the foreground. acceptance of Christianity.

Return to the hotel for breakfast then visit to After lunch, we will visit Eicmiadzin Cathedral, seat the Genocide Memorial and drive to Geghard of the Armenian Church and you will have time Monastery “Monastery of the Spear”. to rest in the afternoon or explore the Vernissage Market. In the afternoon, we will photograph the Garni Temple built in the 1st century, in Greco-Roman DAY 12 - NOVEMBER 4 - TATEV style which is the only Greco-Roman building not Today we drive to Tatev, an impressive monastery only in Armenia, but in the whole territory of the located on top of a high cliff looking like an eagle former Soviet Union. Possibility of seeing women nest. We will cross two canyons to get to Tatev, a making famous Armenian “lavash” bread and also very scenic drive.

Khor Virap with Mt Ararat Photo by Mehmet Ozbalci The Hidden Treasures of the Caucasus Mountains

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Tatev has also the longest cable car ever built to Haghpat Monastery, a world heritage site like facilitate the journey of visitors and pilgrims. many others in Armenia.

Our hotel is the best available in this area. It is a 3 Border crossing to Georgia and arrival in Tbilisi. 12 star hotel with very comfortable rooms. Farewell dinner and overnight in a 4 star hotel.

DAY 13 - NOVEMBER 5 - LAKE SEVAN DAY 15 - NOVEMBER 7- DEPARTURE In the morning, we will photograph the Transfer to the Tbilisi airport and flight home. interesting stones with holes called “Armenian Stone Henge” . It is beleived they were built in 6000 BC and used for astronomical observations.

The ancient Noraduz cemetery with its almost 1000 year old “Kachkars”, tomb stones with crosses beautifully carved out, is our other great spot to photograph. Drive to scenic Lake Sevan and overnight in a 4 star hotel with a view over the lake.

DAY 14 - NOVEMBER 6 - TBILISI Drive to Tbilisi with a stop at Dilijan, one of the most beautiful towns in Armenia surrounded with scenic mountains.

We will then drive to Haghpat to photograph the

Street Scene, Tbilisi From a great cafe we hope is still there! The Hidden Treasures of the Caucasus Mountains

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How Do You Like To Learn?

Everyone has different ways of learning. For some, to do is ask. Importantly, you will never be made 14 it is sitting back and watching an expert at work, to feel silly because you asked a basic question - noting how he or she positions and uses the chances are others in the group don’t know the camera, reacts to the light and the weather, or answer either! interacts with people to achieve the best posing and expression. Peter will be shooting as well. He is just as passionate as you are about photography. He also Others like to be given suggestions, to understand feels it is important to practice what he preaches what the experts are seeing and thinking, and and to show participants what he has captured as then left to experiment and discover on their own. the tour/workshop progresses. They are looking for guidance, but not too much. However, he is very aware that his primary role is And yet other photographers like to be shown to act as your instructor and guide. And he wants how to find the photograph, how to compose you to return on other workshops and trips, which the image and what camera settings are required. you will only do if you are happy. They want help with their camera controls and detailed instructions on how to frame and So, please don’t be shy to ask for help at any time compose. and it will be cheerfully provided with a smile!

Different photographers at different stages require different levels of assistance and that’s fine! Peter provides all three levels of interaction, all you have

Matriach, Areni Village, Aremenia With an introduction by Mehmet! The Hidden Treasures of the Caucasus Mountains

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How Physical Is It? Bring Your Partner

You don’t need to be super fit to enjoy this Non-photography partners are most welcome photography tour. If you can walk along well to come along, but they will be expected to 17 maintained tracks, you should have no trouble in participate on most of the activities. Sometimes Georgia and Armenia. we may leave early to take photographs, and then continue on to our next destination. However, there will be some walking involved when we leave the hotels or the vehicles to get to However, there will be some mornings when we the best photographic locations. will return to the hotel, so if your partner wanted to sleep in, that would certainly be okay! Sometimes we will only be walking a few hundred metres. Most of the time it is no more than a What we find is that non-partners really appreciate kilometre or so. our itinerary. Rather than being centred around meal times, it’s based on experiencing the The weather will also determine what walks countryside and what it has to offer. It’s a varied are possible, but at this time of year, we’re not and exciting program, and whether you’re using a expecting there to be any major difficulties! camera or not, the experiences will last a lifetime.

Ruins with Exotic Landscapes Photo by Mehmet Ozbalci The Hidden Treasures of the Caucasus Mountains

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Peter Eastway

G.M. Photog., MNZIPP, Hon FAIPP, HFNZIPP, FAIPP photography competitions, both as a judge and as an active participant. He judges and speaks 19 Sydney-based photographer Peter Eastway internationally on a regular basis. is a Grand Master of Photography and a two time winner of the AIPP Australian Professional Peter’s work has been published internationally Photographer of the Year. Known best for his in photography and travel magazines, and he landscape and travel photography, he has worked was also the author of the Lonely Planet’s Guide in most areas of the profession and also loves to Landscape Photography. His photography has sport, studio still life, portraiture and wildlife. featured on the cover of the Lonely Planet’s guide to Australia, an Australian postage stamp, in Peter is the editor and publisher of Better articles in the Qantas inflight magazine, and in an Photography magazine and website, a position Apple television commercial. And he has worked that has given him special access to many of with Phase One researching and promoting its the world’s leading photographers over the past Capture One raw processing software, and with 30 years. His ability to communicate both the Adobe on its Lightroom software. technical and aesthetic sides of photography makes him a sought after speaker on the In 2015 he featured in the National Geographic international circuit. Channel’s Tales By Light six-part photography series produced in partnership with Canon. Peter was the chairman of the Canon AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards for He is familiar with Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm and many years and is still involved in all aspects of Phase One camera systems. The Hidden Treasures of the Caucasus Mountains

20 The Atacama and Patagonia with Peter Eastway

Checklist Camera Equipment Here’s an incomplete list of some of the things you For The Expedition may need. Recommended Camera Stuff 21 Peter is not an equipment snob! Yes, he uses • DSLR or CSC camera recommended professional equipment, but that’s his full time • Standard zoom - cover everything job. • Wide-angles - as wide as you have • Telephoto - 300mm is not too long, but a 70- So, whether you turn up with the latest DSLR or 200mm is pretty good too! an older camera you’ve loved for many years, it • 1.4X or 2.0X Converter really doesn’t matter. However, there are some • Spare camera battery & battery charger lenses and accessories that will certainly help you • Backpack style camera bag capture a wider range of photographs. • Tripod (with a quick release plate) • Plenty of storage cards for your camera We do recommend you bring everything you • Polarising filter think you might need, but not so much you • Neutral density filters (0.9x, 4.0x optional) can’t carry it with you. You will be able to leave • Card reader and cable if necessary equipment behind in the hotel at any time. • Laptop computer (Mac or PC) • External back-up drives • Photoshop, Lightroom or Capture One • Mouse or stylus/tablet • Hat, sunscreen

Fresh snow on Caucasus Mountains Photo by Peter Eastway The Hidden Treasures of the Caucasus Mountains

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

These terms and conditions relate to the • All breakfasts, lunches and dinners as CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS photography tours and workshops organ- per itinerary. Should you wish to cancel your booking, ised by Pt 78 Pty Ltd [Pt78], ABN 75 003 152 • Water, tea or regular coffee, soft you must advise us in writing (email is 136, trading as Better Photography, and run drinks (like Coke, Fanta, mineral wa- fine). We try to have a fair refund policy by Peter Eastway, the workshop leader, in ter, fruit juice in the can) at lunches 22 that works for both you and us: association with Mehmet Ozbalci of Turfan- and dinners. • Deposits are refundable, up to 90 days tastik Tours, Turkey. • All admission fees to the museums prior to the event. If you don’t and places to visit in the itinerary. request a refund of your deposit 90 • English speaking photo guide and RESERVATIONS days out or longer, we will assume local guides. Bookings can be made on the Better you wish to come and the full bal- • Comfortable A/C van, driver, gas, Photography website at ance is payable. parking etc.. www.betterphotography.com • if you are cancelling more than 90 days • Bottled water in the vehicle. in the online shop, or you can email Kim from the workshop date, we will • Private arrangement for models in Valenti at [email protected], refund your deposit in full; the Caucasus Mountains. or call her on +612 4388 6851. • if the workshop is not full and, after your • Arrival and departure airport trans- The workshops are limited to a cancellation, we still have the mini- fers only on the official start and de- maximum of 12 participants (plus the mum number of bookings to run, we parture days of the tour (24 October workshop leaders). A mininum of 8 par- will refund your deposit in full; and 7 November 2022). ticipants is required for the workshop to • if the workshop is full, and we have The order of the visits and sites to pho- run. Workshop places will be confirmed in turned away other customers, and tograph, as well as the itinerary, can be order of receipt, payment or deposit. you are cancelling within 90 days of changed depending on the circumstances the workshop date, we won’t refund like weather, light, crowd, availability, you unless your place is filled by PRICE closing / opening hours, domestic flight someone else; The Hidden Treasures of the Caucasus schedule etc… • if after you cancel your booking the Mountains - Georgia and Armenia The price does not include: workshop numbers fall below the 14 days 24 Oct - 7 Nov 2022 US $7,995 International air fare to Tbilisi, tips to the minimum number required to run, Single Room Supplement: US $1,050 bell boys at hotels, gratuities to the local and you are cancelling within 90 Deposit to secure place US $ 500 guide and the driver, travel insurance. days, we won’t refund you. The price includes photographic counsel No part refunds are made for unused por- and all transport ex-Tbilisi, Georgia. DEPOSIT & PAYMENT tions or services of a workshop. Payment details are as follows: PRICE INCLUDES/EXLUDES: 1. A deposit upon booking to reserve your HEALTH REQUIREMENTS • Accommodation in double/twin place of US $500 (or equivalent in US $). The workshop is designed to be suitable rooms in the kind of hotels as de- 2. Final payment by 1 August 2022. for people of all ages in good health and scribed in the itinerary. The Hidden Treasures of the Caucasus Mountains

moderate fitness. While activities are not any loss you incur. We strongly suggest category for those indicated and to make strenuous, on some workshops we may you take out travel insurance. any changes in the itinerary or transport be taking hikes for several kilometres on In such an unlikely event, we would where deemed necessary. Where weather tracks in National Park and wilderness naturally refund the tuition component conditions or forces of nature restrict or areas, which may involve short steep of the course. We are not opting out of prohibit workshop activities, it reserves descents and climbs. our responsiblities to you, only those over the right to alter the trip program and We will comply with the National Parks’ which we have no control. We are asking substitute alternative activities. safety requirements, but these are a wil- you to take the same risk you would were Prior to commencement of any work- derness areas and you need to be careful you to book your travel directly with Tur- shop, an Acceptance of Risk Release form 23 when you are in them. fantastik Tours. is a term of sale. It will be necessary to carry your own The Acceptance of Risk release must camera equipment and water for these RESPONSIBILITY be agreed to by each participant prior activities. to the commencement of the workshop. The responsibility of Pt78 is strictly lim- Should you have any concerns about No alterations to the Acceptance of Risk ited. As a tour/workshop operator, Pt78 your own capabilities and/or fitness, Release will be accepted. may organise, promote, and sell programs please contact your doctor to discuss If a participant attends a workshop consisting of services that it purchases before booking your place. without signing an Acceptance of Risk from various suppliers. Pt78 does not own You are required to disclose any medical Release, their attendance confirms their or operate any of these suppliers and as or physical condition that you have which acceptance of all parts of these Terms and such is not responsible for any negligent could create a risk for you or any other Conditions, and the Acceptance of Risk or wilful act or failure or omission of any participants. We assume no responsibility Release. supplier. By taking part in the tour/work- for medical care nor guarantee to meet These Terms and Conditions, and the shop, you agree that Pt78 shall not be any special dietary requirements. Acceptance of Risk release, shall be gov- liable for the above failings. erned in all respects by and interpreted Pt78 cannot accept responsibility for in accordance with the law within New INSURANCE: losses or extra expenses caused by, but South Wales, Australia. We have public liability insurance, not limited to, delay or changes in any but we have no insurance for partici- transportation services, weather, illness, That’s it! Any special requests, please let pants, their health, their equipment injury, strike, quarantine or other causes. us know beforehand! or personal belongings. We strongly All such losses or expenses will be the advise you to obtain your own insur- sole responsibility of the participant. ances suitable for your needs. Pt78 reserves the right to cancel any workshop prior to commencement, LIMITED LIABILITY whereupon paid funds will be refunded in full, but is not liable for any other trip As we are a small company, we are not in preparation expenses such as, but not lim- a position to insure your travel arrange- ited to, air ticket penalties, visa fees and ments with Turfantastik Tours. If Turfan- medical treatments. tastik Tours were unable to provide the Pt78 reserves the right to substitute services for which you have contracted accommodations (if any) of similar and paid, Pt78 will not be liable to you for The Hidden Treasures of the Caucasus Mountains

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PHOTOGRAPHY INVESTIGATION

26 The Hidden Treasures of the Caucasus Mountains 24 October - 7 November 2022

For more information and bookings, contact Peter Eastway at [email protected] or his assistant Kim Valenti - [email protected]