Greetings!
Greetings from Mexico City! I've been busy traveling - first to Guatemala on a photo assignment for Freedom from Hunger. Then scouting and planning for upcoming trips; first in Guatemala for my November Guatemala trip, and then here in the heart of Mexico for my 2016 Colonial Mexico trip.
Karl recently finished leading his Angkor Photography Workshop, and is preparing to lead his upcoming Amazing Myanmar photo tour. To see some of his recent images check out his blog, here.
Meanwhile Ralph is getting ready to go on a scouting trip for his 2015 Romania photo tour.
We are very excited about all of our upcoming photo tour and workshop offerings. We hope you can join us on a trip soon!
Cheers,
Jim
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Photo Tours and Workshops this year
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Ensenada/Tecate 3 Day Photo Tour/Workshop
October 11-13, 2014 with Jim Cline
only 1 space left!
There are a great variety of photographic subjects on this trip for just 3 days - the colorful fish market, sea-lions, mariachis, seascapes, vendors and their products, local people, the beautiful Riviera Cultural Center (formerly a casino owned by boxer Jack Dempsey), a boat trip in the morning light in the working harbor, wineries with wine-tasting, a very rustic pottery factory, and finally the tranquil town of Tecate with its typical Mexican plaza. Also during the trip, Jim will give slide show lectures on creating more dynamic photographs and on maximizing your results with digital cameras.
To view Jim's images from our January 2014 trip, click here.
To take a look at some of the testimonials we received from the same trip, click here.
For the tour itinerary or to reserve your space, click here.
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India: Pushkar & Rajasthan
Oct 23 - Nov 6, 2014 with Karl Grobl
Trip full - waitlist available
To add your name to the waitlist for 2014 or the Interest list for 2015, click here.
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 Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Oct 27 - Nov 5, 2014 with Jim Cline
Trip full - waitlist available
To add your name to the waitlist for 2014 or the Interest list for 2015, click here.
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Guatemala: The Living Maya
November 14-24, 2014 with Jim Cline - only 2 spaces left!
From the Spanish Colonial town of Antigua, to volcano-ringed Lake Atitlán, to the many wonderful little villages and their energetic markets filled with indigenous locals in colorful dress, you'll find plenty of subjects to explore with your camera in Guatemala. The Mayan traditions are alive and well in this sometimes mysterious, and always captivating country.
To view the itinerary and reserve a space,
click here.
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2015 Photo Tours and Workshops
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Thailand, Laos & Cambodia
January 17 - February 1, 2015 with Karl Grobl
This adventurous tri-country tour begins in Bangkok, Thailand's bustling capitol city, where we will explore the Grand Palace, cruise the canals, photograph vendors in the floating markets, and much more! Then it's off to northern Thailand, where we get to know and photograph hill tribes. A two-day boat journey is next, traversing and photographing largely unexplored areas down the mysterious Mekong River, while en route to Luang Prabang, Laos. Once there, we'll photograph its green hills and gold temples, and see hundreds of Buddhist monks take their morning alms walk through town. A flight to Cambodia will position our group in the bustling fascinating capitol city of Phnom Penh. Then it's onto Siem Reap, Cambodia to explore and photograph Angkor, a stunning ancient collection of over 100 temples set against the dramatic backdrop of lush jungle greenery and verdant fields.
To view the itinerary and reserve a space, click here.
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Yucatan: The Mayan World
January 30 - February 9, 2015 with Jim Cline
Only 3 spaces left!
The Yucatan peninsula is an area of natural wonders and a fascinating history, being the initial home of the great Mayan civilization. This photo tour offers the chance to photograph the Mayan ruins / archeological sites of Chichen Itza, (declared one of the New 7 Wonders of the World) Uxmal, and Tulum. The beautiful capital city of Merida, with its bustling plazas and colonial buildings and churches is also a noteworthy stop. We'll relax on the white, pristine beaches on the shores of the turquoise Caribbean Sea, and explore underground cave systems filled with stalactites and crystalline fresh water. This trip offers a wide variety of photography opportunities both on ancient lands, and the sea.
To view full details and reserve your space,
click here.
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Southern India
February 19 - March 4 with Karl Grobl
Trip full - waitlist available
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Baja Gray Whales
February 24 - March 3, 2015 with Jim Cline
Only 3 spaces left!
Every winter, thousands of California gray whales and their newborn calves migrate to Baja California. On this most memorable tour, you'll have the chance to view the whales as they blow, sound, mate, and calve in their natural habitat, sometimes within feet of the our boat! Also awaiting us is Baja's most spectacular desert scenery, the Catavina Boulderfields, where we'll shoot the world's tallest cactus, a wide variety of photogenic desert flora and massive granite boulders. Rounding out this tour is the charming palm oasis town of San Ignacio with a colonial atmosphere, friendly inhabitants, and one of the most beautiful missions in Baja.
To view the itinerary and reserve a space,
click here.
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Vietnam Explorer
March 17 - 31, 2015 with Karl Grobl
Trip full, wait list available
To add your name to this
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 Turkey: Bridging Two Continents
April 18 - 30, 2015 with Ralph Velasco
Trip full - waitlist available
To add your name to the wait list,
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Philippines
May 1-15, 2015 with Karl Grobl
The Philippines is the hidden gem of Southeast Asia. It boasts a fantastic landscape, including its amazing rice terraces, colonial architecture and palm-fringed, white-sand beaches on a scale and beauty that one might have expected to find in Hawaii decades ago. Beyond the scenic beauty, you'll find it's the Filipinos themselves who make the country such a joy to visit. They are photo-friendly and full of beautiful smiles.
For full details or to reserve a space, click here.
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Peru: Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley of the Incas
May 6-16, 2015 with Jim Cline - only 2 spaces left!
Peru deserves its reputation as a mystical travel destination. From the beautiful colonial gem of Cuzco, to the incredible Inca site at Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley with its picturesque towns and majestic Inca ruins, Peru is a place rich with photo opportunities.
For full details or to reserve a space, click here.
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Highlights of the Adriatic: Slovenia,
Croatia & Montenegro
May 21 - June 2, 2015 with Ralph Velasco
We'll start our adventure in the capital of Slovenia and browse a picturesque and charming old town filled with plenty of hidden treasures just awaiting our capture. The group will then explore mountain landscapes, glacial lakes and rivers of the beautiful Julian Alps and the town of Bled. Castles, the Alps, waterfalls and several local villages beckon our cameras. In Croatia, we'll experience colorful lakes and waterfalls, lavender fields - overall scenery that can only be described as stunning. Following historical Dubrovnik, those wanting to explore more of the region, may consider the optional extension to the charming cities of Kotor and Perast located in the country of Montenegro.
For more information or to reserve a space click here.
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Angkor Photo Workshop
July 22 - August 5, 2015 with Karl Grobl
The purpose of this hands-on instructional workshop is to push yourself to the limits of your ability and imagination, to have an outstanding and unusual cultural experience and to enjoy and learn from the company of others. The workshop includes a multitude of activities including lectures, one-on-one instruction, critiques, assignments, and exploration of all things photographic. During the course of the workshop you will learn new skills and techniques, then apply them in real-life situations. Your results will be reviewed and then you will go back out and improve your craft. If you're looking to improve your photography skills in a big way, this workshop is for you.
To view the itinerary and reserve your spot, click here.
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Mexico's Copper Canyon
August 2015 with Ralph Velasco
During this special tour, participants can shoot while travelling on one of the greatest train rides in the world; featuring 37 bridges and 86 tunnels along the route. The canyon's beauty abounds with sheer cliff walls and lush landscapes. The layered gorge is akin to America's Grand Canyon, though four-times deeper and bigger! During the journey, we'll explore and photograph the areas around the rim of the canyon in the towns of Creel and Divisadero, and photograph locals who inhabit the area. Plus, a chance to see how daily life operates in a charming town located 6,000 feet below the rim of the canyon. If you enjoy outdoor photography, exploring, trains, and nature - hop on board and join us!
To be added to the interest list for this tour, click here.
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Exploring Historic Central Europe
Aug. - Sept. 2015 with Ralph Velasco
Join award-winning travel photographer, author and international tour guide, Ralph Velasco, as you discover five of Central Europe's most exciting and photogenic cities: Berlin, Prague, Krakow, Bratislava, and Budapest. Ralph's personal knowledge of these cities will surely make for some great photo opportunities.
For more information or to add your name to the interest list click here.
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Amazing Myanmar
September, 2015 with Karl Grobl
Join us as we explore what is perhaps the least discovered country in Southeast Asia and is truly one of the few "authentic" destinations there. Our itinerary includes Yangon's Schwedagon Pagoda; the ancient city of Bagan, where the landscape is dotted with more than one thousand temples; and Inle Lake, wherein life seemingly unchanged for centuries. Each location affords a wide variety of photographic opportunities including street photography, landscape photography, environmental portraiture and still life.
To view the itinerary and reserve a space, click here.
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Chiapas: The Mayan World
November 2015 with Jim Cline
Chiapas is located right in the heart of the Mayan world. We will experience many of the mystical Mayan traditions and ceremonies, and explore exotic Mayan ruins, beautiful landscapes, and the superb colonial city of San Cristobal de las Casas. A fascinating and exciting place to visit, the photographic opportunities are endless on this unique journey.
For full details or to be added to the interest list for notification when this trip is released, click here.
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Tours in the works ~ interest lists forming
If any of the tours below are of interest to you, send us an email and you'll be notified when more information becomes available.
Papua New Guinea
August 7-21, 2015 with Karl Grobl
Romania
October 2015 with Ralph Velasco
Colonial Mexico: Land of the Aztecs: Highlights of
Mexico City, Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende
April 2016 with Jim Cline
The Wonders of Baja: Cabo San Lucas, La Paz,
Loreto and Mulege
2016 with Jim Cline
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Participant Spotlight
Congratulations go out to JCPT alumna, Kim Griffin. Her image above, titled "Jumping For Joy", was recognized by Adobe Photoshop World with a Guru Award. Kim was one of only seven photographers to receive the award. This lively action shot was taken on our Amazing Myanmar photo tour led by Karl Grobl.
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Jim Cline Photo Tours LLC
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Who we are:
Where to find us:
info@jimcline.com
11387 Ocean Ridge Way
San Diego, California 92130
(858) 350-1314
JimClinePhotoTours
@jcphototours
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Testimonials!
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We are very proud of
the testimonials we've received.
I hope you'll take a look at
what some of our participants
have had to say about
our tours. Click here to read or take a look below.
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Past Newsletters
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(click on month to view)
June 2014
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Karl's Blog
In spite of his busy schedule, Karl does a great job of keeping his blog up to date. You can follow him on his journeys at his blog address:
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We're in Rough Guides!
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We are already listed in Moon Handbooks and Frommer's guidebooks. Now we have been written up in Rough Guides, as well! |
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"Oaxaca resulted in some of the best people images I have ever shot. Wouldn't have happened without you providing all those many opportunities. -Dan Nougier, 2013 participant.
"Thank you for a marvelous trip, it was fantastic! The photo opportunities were excellent and varied; I got some shots that I'm very happy with and my photography improved. Jim did a great job of attending to people's needs both photographic and logistic. The local guides that Jim works with provided a great deal of information and both were congenial and really seemed to be involved in the group's activities. If someone wants a vital experience with another culture, solid instruction photographing people and places in that milieu and an out-and-out good time, this is the trip to take."
- Louis Sasso, Peru tour participant
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"Karl, you are an experienced leader and run a great trip. I see why you have a loyal following. i appreciate the help and photo advice. All I had to do was listen and remember when to show up. I think taking people pictures will be easier for me now."
-Chuck Thompson, Vietnam tour participant |
"It was a great trip, Jim was wonderful. He was well prepared, patient and has a
good sense of humor. He was very easy to travel with; I feel like I'm traveling with a friend. The individual attention is so valuable...I learned several things ... that helped me to get better photos. I really liked the opportunity to interact with and photograph the locals. Jim's many relationships with locals is what makes the trips special and will keep me coming back again and again. Jim did a great job."
-Terri Huizinga, Guatemala tour participant
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"There are many choices for photo tours to India, but I felt this [tour] was well-priced. The locations were ideal for northern India and Karl's photographic expertise and personality made this THE only choice for me."
-Barbara Colbert - India tour participant |
"The Day of the Dead festival was truly amazing. I am definitely traveling with you again. The tour was perfect and Jim was great; really easy going, organized, attentive and generous. I enjoyed everything being centered around photography and travelling with other photographers. Jim would let us be if we wanted ,and if we wanted more instruction, he was there to help. I learned a lot (technique and equipment-wise) and got shots that I was really happy with. I had a great time ... and would definitely recommend this trip to my friends."
-Chantal Levesque, Oaxaca-Day of the Dead participant |
"My overall feedback: Outstanding! Extraordinary value and highly recommended. I have never been on a photo workshop that offered so many different photographic opportunities in such a short period without feeling rushed: coastal scenery, colorful fish markets, harbor scenes, and markets; underground winery bottle and barrel storage; night photography overlooking a harbor and later of neon signs against setting sun; pottery factory lit by rays of light through eerily dusty interior; urban and rural landscapes; colorfully attired cultural events; and wildlife in seals and birds on a dawn harbor cruise. The trip was paced well, offered a good selection of food and accommodation; clean, comfortable van and driver used. Excellent knowledge of the area was shared by trip leader Jim, who has personal relationships with many of the locals we encountered. I will go with this trip leader again."
-Dale Thompson, Ensenada/Tecate tour participant
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"This is my second time traveling with you [Jim], and as before, I had a marvelous time. Your planning and execution of the itinerary is excellent. Your knowledge of the area and the personal relationships with the people there truly make your trips exceptional. It all adds up to a truly enjoyable travel and photographic experience. Thus, I always highly recommend you to anyone with interest in the areas that you visit. I'll look forward to traveling with you again at some point in time. Thank you!"
-Rita Florea, Chiapas tour participant
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"There is no way that this trip would have been so wonderful if it wasn't for all Karl's efforts on all of our behalf; his taking the time to teach, and his ability to be even handed at all times. He opened our eyes to photography in such a way and in such a short time. We feel that we got way more than we expected from the tour and Karl. We were deeply indebted to all the work done to make that trip (and every other trip) as satisfying as possible."
-George & Joan Saba, India Pushkar participants
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...One of the things I love about trips through Jim Cline is the standard of food and accommodation. After a day in the mud or dust of the streets of Asia or bumping over rough rails or roads, it is such a pleasure to retreat to a private and comfortable space!
I don't think you can do better than with a trip with Karl and Jim Cline photo tours."
-Ursula Wall, multi-trip participant |
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"I loved the trip and it was packed full of fun places to see with excellent photography instruction. The trip was not too long either which sometimes is really nice. Short, sweet and jam-packed full of learning! I liked the selection of places visited where the photo opportunities were terrific: the fish market, the evening view of Ensenada, the harbor cruise, the blow hole and markets, the winery, pottery factory, roadside tamale shops and the Tecate sign.
Jim was so helpful both in his presentation and while we were shooting. I liked learning new camera techniques and the opportunity to use a tripod. I got some great shots and learned so many techniques. The visit to the art gallery where Jim's photos were displayed was excellent. Talking about how each picture was captured was extremely valuable.
Again, it was a short trip so not everything can be accomplished and I thought Jim did a remarkable job packing in so much. Jim was terrific and made such an effort to be sure EVERYONE was happy. He wanted everyone to enjoy the trip and to learn new things about photography and he took every effort to make this happen. He has a great sense of humor and was flexible but kept the program on time.
I thought the entire trip was great -- definitely a TEN [highest]! Absolutely I feel the tour is good value for the money and would absolutely suggest it to others. Jim Cline provides high quality tours [4x tour participant] with loads of photography instruction, individual help, wonderful places to see, and Jim succeed to get our group to these places at the right time of day for the best pictures. Thank you." -Bonnie Stewart, Ensenada/Tecate tour participant
"I would rate the trip as an 11 (out of 10)! Karl could not have been better guide, and the local guide was great. I definitely improved my photography skills. I really enjoyed the cultural experience, seeing the sites, smelling the smells, being in the mix as much a big American could be in Myanmar. I had a great time and received good value for the money." -Kit Smith, tour participant
"It was a wonderful trip and it certainly exceeded all my expectations from each photo shoot, every hotel, our local Indian guide, Dv, the pace...all contributed to the success of the trip. Best of all, Karl was a most accommodating, patient, instructive, talented, good-natured, entertaining, tireless leader AND definitely well-connected. My only regret was not going on the extension. Thanks for everything." -Sally Bucko Pushkar tour paricipant
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"The Oaxaca trip was incredible. I absolutely loved it and want to do it again in a couple of years." -Becky Wallace, 2013 participant
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