Leica Photo Adventure: Greenland | August 7-12, 2023
$6,195 ($1,995 Deposit)
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Join Leica Store Miami on a once in a lifetime adventure to Greenland, home of the most incredible icebergs in the world! We will be based out the coastal town of Ilulissat in western Greenland which is about 220 miles north of the Arctic Circle. This quaint town is situated right on the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are no highways in Greenland and getting around by land is challenging. So we've chartered two private boats for the entirety of our adventure. Much of our traveling and photography will happen at night, when the "midnight sun" offers the best light to work with and the conditions are unlike anything you've ever experienced.
We'll explore the Icefjord as well as Disko Bay, known for its humpback whales, seals and other wildlife. Out on the Icefjord, the water is glassy calm and there are next to no waves, so we should have plenty of opportunities to photograph amazing icebergs, spot wildlife and capture incredible mirror-like reflections.
More often than not we will begin our sessions late in the evening and early in the morning, chasing the best light and the most spectacular scenes. With the sun low on the horizon the light will become more saturated, with deep icy blues and a sky tinged with fiery reds. This magical light lasts between 2 to 4 hours, so we will try and make the most of it!
But this trip isn't only about icebergs. We will use natural waterways to visit several Greenlandic settlements, including Qasigiannguit, Aasiaat, and Oqaatsut where you'll have a chance to photograph the indigenous people and their culture.
This tour is suitable for all levels of experience and ability. While other cameras are certainly allowed, the focus is on Leica camera systems and learning how to use them to their full potential. Current owners as well as those wanting to try Leica gear out for a week of real shooting are encouraged to attend. We’ll share our favorite tips and tricks so you can get the most out of this exceptional gear.
Leica experts David Farkas and Peter Dooling from Leica Store Miami along with an expert photographer/guide from the region will be on hand to give assistance and advice as you photograph this extraordinary part of our world.We’ll have two experienced captains who are accustomed to working with photographers, know the area well, and have an uncanny knack of sussing out great spots from behind the helm. Please note that the itinerary proposed is subject to the weather conditions. One thing we can promise is that we’ll take you to the best locations and help you walk away with a catalog of inspiring photographs you’ll be proud of.
Why this trip is differentMany Greenland trips are spent aboard the cramped cabin of a large ship, but we'll spend our down time at the 4-star Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat. This guarantees that the group will be well rested, properly fed, and within walking distance of plenty of Greenlandic culture for varied photo opportunities when not at sea.
Unlike most photo workshops, we'll do the majority of our shooting after dinner and into the early morning as this is when we'll find the best light. During the day, we'll rest up, gather for post-processing and critique sessions and explore the town. Ilulissat is known for its colorful houses, dog sleds, museums, fish markets, and hospitable locals. In short, there’s plenty to do when we're not chasing down picture-perfect postcard shots on the water.
What to Expect
- Capture the beautiful landscapes and seascapes of the Ilulissat Icefjord and Disko Bay. We'll sail among the greatest icebergs in the world in amazing light!
- Enjoy walks through Greenlandic settlements reachable only by sea and have plenty of time for travel and people photography during the tour.
- See whales and other animals up close and personal.
- Stay in a comfortable 4-star hotel and have a unique taste of Greenland with gourmet 3-course dinners each night.
- Cruise each night on two private boats each day of the tour.
- Learn from in-field instruction, as well as post-processing and critique sessions during the daytime.
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Dates:
Monday, August 7 - Saturday, August 12, 2023
Cost:
$6,195 - Double occupancy lodging (Single room available for $900)
*We have booked standard rooms for this trip, but the Hotel Arctic does offer luxury room/suite upgrades. If interested, email us for pricing and availability.Size:
Limited to 16 attendees
Included in the cost of the trip:
- Double occupancy lodging in the 4-star Hotel Arctic - (Single room available for $900) *We have booked standard rooms for this trip, but the Hotel Arctic does offer luxury room/suite upgrades. If interested, email us for pricing and availability.
- All meals except lunches, snacks and alcohol
- Private boat charter
- Transfers to and from airport
- Port taxes, fees and fuel
- In-the-field photography instruction
- Post processing instruction and photo critique
Signing Up
To sign up for this photo adventure, call 305-921-4433, email us (workshops@leicastoremiami.com) or checkout here on our website. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.
We look forward to seeing you in Greenland!
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Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Ilulissat
We recommend booking a flight that arrives in Ilulissat in the early afternoon. If you're flying from Europe, you can take AirGreenland from Copenhagen (usually connecting through Kangerlussuaq). If you're flying from North America, you can take a direct flight on Icelandair from Keflavik International Airport - KEF. Keep in mind that Icelandair doesn't daily flights to Ilulissat. Whichever flight you choose, make sure to arrive before 5:00pm. The Hotel Arctic provides an airport shuttle so we will coordinate pick-up times once we have everyone's flight information.We'll meet at 6:00pm in the hotel restaurant to get to know one another, talk about the trip and enjoy a welcome dinner. After dinner we'll board our vessels and depart to the Icefjord! We'll photograph amazing icebergs during 2 or 3 hours of magical light and arrive back at the hotel at about 10:30pm.
Day 2 - Kangia, Qasigiannguit, Ilimanaq, Ilulissat
You'll have the morning to yourself during which time you can have breakfast, rest up or explore Ilulissat. We'll get together in the afternoon for a post-processing and Q&A session. Afterwards, we’ll have a fairly leisurely afternoon and plan for the evening ahead.
After dinner we will once again sail out into the icefjord. We’ll start a little earlier on day two, as in addition to our usual ice hunt, we will visit several small villages including Kangia, Qasigiannguit, and/or Ilimanaq. The final stop will depend on the conditions of the ice. Greenlandic settlements tend be colorful, with colonial buildings full of character.
On our journey back to port, we will hunt for some open-water icebergs which vary in size and shape. Be prepared to see castles, archways, towers and more under the midnight sun.
Days 3 - Oqaatsut, Rodebay, Sermermiut
We'll head out for an early sunrise and then back to the hotel for breakfast or rest. Following a quick lunch, we’ll hop aboard our boat and head to the village of Rodebay. Rodebay is a small settlement to the north of Ilulissat. There, we will take a walk through the village which currently has under fifty inhabitants.
We will eat out that evening, in what is known as the “whalehunter’s pub”, a small restaurant with a big history.
After eating we will head back to Ilulissat and begin a night hike to Sermermiut and the nearby Sermeq Kujalleq glacier. This is where all of the Disko Bay icebergs begin their journeys. Our walk will start from the outskirts of Ilulissat, before heading past Seqinniarfik, and up to the hilltop where local people meet the first rays of sun on January 13th every year. The path is straightforward and fitted with wooden planks most of the way.The walk takes about one hour each way, with striking views and comfortable slopes. We'll have plenty of stops on the way and enjoy the midnight sun while keeping an eye out for local wildlife. We will spend a couple of hours setting up our tripods and taking long exposures of the Icefjord.
Day 4 - Ilulissat, Icefjord
We'll head out for an early sunrise and then back to the hotel for breakfast or rest. After lunch, we'll meet for another post-processing and critique session. As evening rolls around again, we’ll prepare for another night out on the water. Just before midnight we will once again set sail, skirting around the Icefjord in search of the best compositions and light conditions. The area is a UNESCO world heritage site after all, so it’s definitely worth visiting as much as possible. After several hours gliding over the wave less expanse, we will head back to port.Day 5 - Icefjord
After breakfast we will spend some time on post processing and critique. By this point in the expedition, you will have a ton of photos to process and edit. As evening falls we will once again set sail in search of icebergs, wildlife and amazing light.Day 6 - Departure
Day six will be our last in Greenland. After a hearty breakfast we will have a farewell meeting and say our goodbyes. Transfers back to the airport are included, but you may want to consider more time in Greenland or perhaps a short Iceland tour. -
Payment
A $1995 deposit, along with the single supplement room fee if you choose it, is due at the time of registration. The balance will be due on May 7, 2023.
Withdrawal and Refund Policy
Enrollment is limited to 16 participants, and once you sign up, we are counting on your attendance. If you need to withdraw from this workshop, please notify us in writing (email is acceptable) as soon as possible. This is our refund policy:
If you cancel and we find someone to fill your seat, we will refund you the full amount you have paid towards the tuition, minus a $250 service charge. If you cancel and we cannot find someone to fill your seat, then you will be refunded according to the following schedule:
At least 90 days before the start of the workshop: Full refund minus $250 service fee.
Between 89 and 60 days before the start of the workshop: 75% refund
Between 59 and 45 days before the start of the workshop: 50% refund
Less than 45 days from the start of the workshop: No refund
Course Cancellation and Other Terms
Leica Store Miami reserves the right to cancel a reservation if full payment has not been received by 90 days prior to the start of the workshop.
In the event that this workshop must be canceled due to inadequate enrollment, all fees and deposits will be refunded in full or may be transferred to another workshop within 24 months.
In the unlikely event of illness, accident or injury to one of the instructors, Leica Store Miami reserves the right to replace that instructor with a comparable instructor.
Covid-19 Protocols
Our main priority during our workshops is customer safety. To that end, we will follow all CDC and NIH guidelines (i.e. mask wearing, social distancing, hand hygiene, etc.) for Covid-19 safety during our trips. We will continue to monitor these guidelines as conditions may change over time.
Please be aware that some destinations may require proof of a vaccine and/or negative Covid-19 test upon arrival.
If a participant exhibits Covid-19 symptoms during the trip, we will isolate them from the group and get them medical attention. In this event, we reserve the right to cancel the rest of the workshop.
In the event that the CDC or other government agencies have restricted travel at the time of this workshop, we will allow participants to transfer their workshop fee to another workshop or to store credit, or receive a full refund.Medical Insurance (required)
Emergency medical insurance through a provider like Allianz or similar is required to participate in any of Leica Store Miami's international workshop.
Travel Insurance (optional but recommended)Leica Store Miami is not responsible for cancellations due to medical or personal emergencies so we highly recommend purchasing travel Insurance. Companies like Travelex and Allianz are reputable but you can choose any provider you like. Just make sure that they have an A+ rating from the BBB. Travel insurance generally costs 5-7% of your total trip cost. Leica Store Miami is not responsible for reimbursement of non-refundable airline tickets in the event of a workshop cancellation.
Single Room Policy
If you sign-up for double occupancy room sharing and there are no other attendees to pair you with, you will be responsible for paying the single room supplement.Transfers
If for any reason you wish to transfer your deposit or workshop fee, please notify us by email. You must register and complete a new workshop within 24 months of the withdrawal. We reserve the right to accept or deny any transfer.
There are no exceptions to our Cancellation and Transfer Policy.
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