AUTUMN IN JAPAN

Experience an explosion of color, culture and scenic beauty

NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 7, 2027

Japan in autumn is a kaleidoscope of color that is a photographer’s dream. Mixed with amazing food and unmistakable culture and we have a must do photography workshop that touches all of the senses. From temples to gardens, markets to night time city scenes there is so much to photograph and experience in this wonderful country.

Japan is a country of immense beauty and culture. On this 11 day/10 night Photography Workshop in the Land of the Rising Sun we will spend half of our time based out of Kyoto as fall colors come alive throughout the region, and also venture into the the Gifu, Nara, and Wakayama prefectures. In Kyoto our focus will be the unique gardens and shrines adorned with buddha statues and Japanese maple trees turning a rainbow of colors with the changing of the season. As we move into the other prefectures it will be photogenic countryside villages that will draw our attention. Japan is truly a special place any time but particularly in autumn. This will be as much of a photography workshop as it will be a cultural experience as we do our best to show you all Japan has to offer. All transportation and lodging (single occupancy) are included in this workshop. All throughout you will be provided with expert instruction on how best to capture the scene. The goal of the workshop is to give you the ability to explore, learn, and fine tune those photography skills both in the field as well in post processing development to bring your images to life. Helping clients create images they are excited about is priority number one on all of our workshops (along with having a good time).

INSTRUCTORS: CHRIS BYRNE & MARK DAVIS             

GROUP SIZE: 8 PARTICIPANTS

COST: $8950 USD

INCLUDED: All Transportation and Lodging (Single Person Occupancy Room)

NOT INCLUDED: Airfare, snacks, meals, alcohol, tips & gratuities

DEPOSIT: A 50% deposit is required to secure a spot, with the final balance due 120 days prior to the workshop. Please Contact Us for a more flexible payment plan.

ITINERARY

The workshop will begin on Saturday November 27 and this day will be set aside for arrivals into the airport into Osaka, Japan. Guests will be received and transferred to our first night’s hotel. The following morning we will begin our travels into the countryside prefecture of Gifu with the potential to visit quaint villages such as Shirakawa, Takayama, Narai-Juku. After a couple days here we will make our way south into the Wakayama and Nara prefectures to visit the extraordinary temples at Nachi Falls and Tsubosaka-Dera. Our final leg of the workshop will be in Kyoto where we will spend our time taking in the abundance of Japanese gardens at their peak of fall color. Our final 4 days here will be a mix of photography, culture and Japanese cuisine as we will visit numerous temples, shrines, gardens, markets and restaurants for a complete experience of this enchanting country. Potential locations in Kyoto include Arashiyama, Yusai-Tei gallery, Kiyomizu-Dera, Daigoji Temple, Kifune Shrine, Eishoin Temple, Fushimi Inari and so much more. Be advised that our itinerary may change depending on accommodation availability and reservations at various temples. Our final day will be December 7 with transfers to the Osaka Airport or Kyoto Station.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

A photography workshop in the Land of the Rising Sun experiencing a special slice of Japan during the peak of fall colors. Japan is a vast and photogenic country with many great regions that make it impossible to do all of in one trip. On this photography adventure we will be focusing on Kyoto and the nearby country prefectures to give participants as much of a complete experience without traveling to every corner of the country. One could easily spend months here exploring Japan and what we have planned will be the perfect taste of this country both photographically and literally with the delicious food. Unlike other photography workshops where we get up at the crack of dawn and stay out late chasing sunsets, this will be as much about the photography as it will be experiencing the culture. Yes there will be some early mornings, but there will be just as much daytime photography and visits to temples and shrines at any time of day. With the explosion of colors during the changing of the season and the bustling activity in Kyoto, there are photographic opportunities all day and night.

As stated previously there will be some early mornings, but with the sun setting before 5pm we will plan on a good dinner every night at a reasonable time. The days are structured to not wear anyone out and get the most enjoyment of the surroundings and scenery. We will provide tips in the field to capture images correctly "in camera" as well as composition techniques with the goal being that part becomes second nature and students can then focus on the creative aspects of photography. Post processing instruction will run the gamut of importing and organizing files into Lightroom to processing images in Lightroom and Photoshop and finally prepping images for the internet or for print. Our skilled professional photography guides are an open book and willing to share any tips or tricks they have picked up along the way to help you create a portfolio of images that you will be proud of.

MEET THE INSTRUCTORS

CHRIS BYRNE

Hello there! I’m Chris and I spent way too many years aimlessly wandering the earth and working for the man before finding my true passion in nature and landscape photography. My love of nature started very early in life as I would study the photographs in my dad’s huge collection of National Geographics, and also spend as much time as I could out exploring in the woods with my younger brother. Fast forward many years and after getting a finance degree in college I went to work in the stock market for over fifteen years (and didn’t get rich). During my time, I saw first hand two of the most devastating financial crises in our country’s history, and after the second go around I completely lost interest in my profession and desperately needed something more. I found myself in a place in life without any inspiration or excitement for what I was doing.

Then on a trip to Glacier, Montana I rediscovered my love of nature. However, the photographs I was trying to get just didn’t do the place any justice. It was then that I decided to get serious about photography and quickly poured all of myself into the craft, learning as much as possible as quickly as I could. I was a super sponge and had a new passion for life! As soon as I became proficient in my skills, I wanted to share my knowledge and began teaching others.

Now I lead workshops to some of the best places on the globe and have a gallery in Portland, Oregon where I call my home. I am proud to be able to inspire others and spend as much time as I possibly can with each person in helping them connect with nature while teaching the techniques to capture the images that they want to create. Seeing people make breakthroughs in their art is something that I cherish. I truly believe that nature is good for the soul. The more you explore, the more you will be inspired. www.chrisbyrnephotography.com

As an American nature and landscape photographer, I have fallen in love with the breathtaking landscape that Japan has to offer. This incredible country has ignited an extraordinary passion for photography within me.

Prior to discovering photography, I dedicated 24 years of my life to military service, which included multiple combat deployments and the challenges of military life. In the midst of these demands, I found my best way to escape was in nature and a camera in my hand. Photography became my gateway to reconnecting with nature and rekindling my love for the natural world.

My mission is to capture and appreciate the often overlooked intimate details within nature that so many of us simply walk past without a second glance. There is an undeniable magic I have found in the chaos of a woodland or forest scene that captivates me like nothing else. It is within these untamed chaotic environments I feel most at home and where I find endless inspiration.

Through my photographs, I invite you to share in the joy of these fleeting moments that I have been fortunate enough to experience and capture. Each image serves as a reminder to pause, appreciate, and find beauty in the seemingly mundane aspects of our natural world. It is my hope that my work resonates with you as it has with me. www.markdavisphotography.com

CANCELLATION POLICY & TRAVEL INSURANCE

We reserve the right to cancel the workshop if minimum participants are not met or in the event of an emergency. In the event of emergency where a primary guide cannot personally attend, then a replacement guide will be the first option. If a cancellation does occur, participants may either use the fee towards a future workshop or receive a full refund. We are not responsible for travel expenses incurred and therefore strongly recommend getting travel insurance to cover such costs. Two companies that we recommend are Ripcord and Squaremouth.

A $500 admin fee will be charged for changes or cancellations, regardless of when that occurs. Participants who cancel prior to 120 days before the workshop will receive either a full refund or credit to a future workshop minus the change fee. Cancellations (for any reason) within 120 days of the workshop will only be refunded if the space is filled. Again travel insurance is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.