Japan photography workshop

Early in the morning the group walk up to the “valley of hell” where Jigokudani snowmonkeys are located. The Japanese macaques are coming down from the mountains after spending the cold night. Some individuals are sitting by the river that flows through the park while those who are frozen crawl down in the hot water to warm themselves up. Here you can have relaxed monkeys that both enjoy and sometimes fall asleep in the warm water. The monkeys are curious and like to pose for the camera. You will be so close that the monkeys can touch the lens. Spending a whole day at Jigokudani makes plenty of time to try different photo techniques, close-ups and catch them in varying environments.

In the afternoon the group heads towards Tokyo, to explore this buzzing city’s culture. The next morning starts an experience of this amazing city with crowds of people, markets, temples and other photogenic places. In the evening there will be night photography. Because Tokyo is actually the most beautiful at night with lots of neon signs, illuminated streets, hordes of people and trucks with flashing lights passing by our cameras.

Early morning our flight go north to Hokkaido and lands in Kushiro. There is a rich wildlife such as Blackiston’s fishowl (the world’s largest owl), the giant stellar eagle, whooper swans, cranes dancing, fox and sikadeer. The group travels in a comfortable minivan or large car, which gives us the opportunity to stay in selected places along the way or change our plans based on weather to get the best shooting conditions.

Departing in the afternoon for a location to shoot cranes in evening light. Then when the light slowly disappears the group head for the hotel - dinner and some rest. The next morning is a pretty special experience… morning light, cranes and a misty river which is an iconic image that many associate with Japan. The cranes warm up for long day of posing in front of our cameras. Then breakfast is served at a local restaurant. Next location you can capture incoming but also individual cranes.

Further, the trip goes north through Hokkaido’s amazing landscape. On the way to Lake Kussharo some stops can be made at various places to get close contact with whooper swans with ice-covered scenery as a backdrop. The swans swim in warm pools that are heated by underground volcanic activity. Overnighting in close proximity so it´s posible to get both evening photography and morning photography of whooper swans. There is also visit to a mountain pass get a chance to catch Japan’s landscape from a whole new angle. Furtehermore there is a visit to the smoking mountain that is an active thermological site.

The program continues with stellar eagles, sikadeer, kitsune (japanese fox) and more...