Workshops

Tropical Photography Tour 2017
The Essence of Costa Rica

Co-Leaders Don Hamilton Jr. & Juan Carlos Vindas
Jan 4th thru Jan 15th 2017 (11 nights and 12 days!)
Price of this Photo Tour is $3.795 with double occupancy


Our goal for this workshop is teach you how to deal with difficult exposures that are quite common in the tropics. You will learn how to properly use manual fill flash and how to maximize your long-lens sharpness technique. During the workshop we will teach you how we set up our multi flash stations so that you can make use of this knowledge in your station back home. In short, we want you to go back home with a varied, colorful and masterful collection of images that will make your portfolio shine! (*Meals included where B-L-D indicated)

Day 1/ (Jan 4th Wednesday) Airport/San José

Upon your arrival to San José; Juan and Don will assist you in your transfer to your hotel for the evening. Depending on your arrival time, the gardens at our hotel offer a varied inventory of flower macro opportunities, as well as some avian photography. We have organized a meet and greet dinner; where we will discuss the itinerary and brief you on our photographic workshop/tour. *Dinner is on your own tonight.

Day 2/ (Jan 5th) Northern Plains
After a full breakfast we will leave the Central Valley and head to the northern plains. We expect to arrive at our first lodge before lunch. After a quick check-in, we’ll begin photographing many beautiful colorful species. We will focus on demonstrating perch set ups, fill flash techniques, along with a goal of creating tack sharp images with pleasing backgrounds. B-L-D.

Day 3/ (Jan 6th) Northern Plains
Bird photography morning session at the lodge. We can’t think of any other lodge in Costa Rica where there are so many species of birds that regularly visit the feeders. Target species: Keel-billed toucans, Black-mandibled toucans, Collared Araçaris, (a small toucan) Orange-chinned Parakeet, Brown-hooded Parrot, Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, Golden-hooded Tanager, Blue-gray Tanager, Palm Tanager, Great Kiskadee, Social Flycatcher, Baltimore Oriole, White-fronted Nunbird, Plain Chachalaca, Great Curassow, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Shining Honeycreeper and much more!

After a delicious lunch, we will travel a very short distance to a local private garden. Here we will photograph different colorful tanagers and woodpeckers. We will help you create unique images using the surrounding natural habitat B-L-D.

Day 4/ (Jan 7th) Northern Plains
Bird photography morning session at the lodge. We can’t think of any other lodge in Costa Rica where there are so many species of birds that regularly visit the feeders. Target species: Keel-billed toucans, Black-mandibled toucans, Collared Araçaris, (a small toucan) Orange-chinned Parakeet, Brown-hooded Parrot, Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, Golden-hooded Tanager, Blue-gray Tanager, Palm Tanager, Great Kiskadee, Social Flycatcher, Baltimore Oriole, White-fronted Nunbird, Plain Chachalaca, Great Curassow, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Shining Honeycreeper and much more!
After a delicious lunch, we will travel a very short distance to a local private garden. Here we will photograph different colorful tanagers and woodpeckers. We will help you create unique images using the surrounding natural habitat B-L-D

Day 5/ (Jan 8th) Arenal area
After a full breakfast we will leave the northern plains and head towards the rainforest. Today we’ll make a stop on the way to visit a nice garden where we will have the chance to photograph other species of birds including the amazing Boat-billed heron and other colorful birds. We will arrive to our lodge in the late afternoon. B-D-L

Day 6/ (Jan 9th) Arenal area
After breakfast we get our macro and wide-angle lens ready as we will take pictures at the lodge beautiful gardens and waterfall. We will also search for insects and reptiles so that´s why it´s a good idea to have the macro lens handy. B-L-D

Day 7/ (Jan 10th) Cloud Forest
Today we spend some time at the lodge gardens in order to capture the last shot of the many birds that frequents the gardens and bird feeder. We then leave towards the cloud forest of the Central Volcanic Mountain Range. We estimate to our lodge in the afternoon for lunch. Then we spend some time photographing the different birds and other animals that are common at the gardens. B-L-D

Day 8/ (Jan 11th) Cloud Forest
Immediately following breakfast multiple flash hummingbird photography begins. Juan Carlos and Don will set up two stations where you will photograph many of the most beautiful hummingbird species of Costa Rica. Our focus will be on many beautiful setups, with varying backgrounds and nectar filled flowers. We will spend the entire day working multi flash setups, and natural light perched hummingbirds. After a fantastic day and with many compact flash cards filled with award-winning images we’ll return to our lodge. B-L-D

Day 9/ (Jan 12th) Cartago area
After breakfast, we’ll depart to the highest mountain range of Costa Rica. The lodge offers a large variety of bird species, where the beauty of the environment will make for an unforgettable experience. We expect to arrive in the late afternoon. Tonight we’ll prepare and brief on the pursuit of the highly sought after Resplendent Quetzal. B-L-D

Day 10/ (Jan 13th) Cartago area
Today we start the day very early. Our mission today is finding and photographing the elusive resplendent quetzal. After a productive am, return to the lodge for breakfast. Full day of shooting birds on lodge grounds. Also included is a visit (in the afternoon) to a local garden for totally new species of birds. The number of endemic species is very high within this mountain range. B-L-D

Day 11/ (Jan 14th) Cartago area

Today is a continuation of yesterday’s itinerary. Capturing award winning images of the elusive resplendent quetzal is our target. Then we return to the lodge for breakfast after we drive a short distance to photograph other species of birds and hummingbirds, we return to our lodge for lunch. B-L-D

Day 12/ (Jan 15th Sunday) Airport
Early breakfast and then depart for airport, wrap up, pack up and say goodbye!! B
*Lunch is on your own today
*In case your travel plans require an overnight staying at San José Hotel instead of going directly to airport, we can gladly reserve a room for you.

Because of the varied micro-climates in Costa Rica and the diversity of places we will visit, we advise you to bring light clothing for the humid-low lands and a jacket/shell for the low-temperatures of cloud and oak forest where our lodges are located. It is also advisable to bring mosquito repellent, sunscreen and please let us know if you have a special diet that we should know.

Trip Details & Terms:
Please be advised that Travel Insurance is strongly recommended. It is very reasonable and includes medical evacuation, airline delays, and lost luggage protection.
Travel Guard, http://www.travelguard.com/quickquote/?cmpid=kac-001-IO-Google-8930216&gclid or http://www.travelinsure.com/what/selecthigh.asp?32940
This workshop/photo tour includes all lodging, all transportation within Costa Rica, and meals where indicated. All meals at the chosen lodging include a local beverage, example water or juice. Any additional items, such as beer, wine, soft drinks, additional beverages, and laundry will be charged to your room, and you will be responsible for paying the lodge directly. This
workshop has a six-person required minimum at this fee structure of $3795.00 dollars per person payable prior to your departure.

For PHOTOGRAPHER OR GUEST, a $500.00 dollar deposit is required to ensure a place on this tour. This deposit is refundable in the event of your cancellation IF AND ONLY IF; YOU THE REGISTERED PARTICIPNAT CAN FILL YOUR SPOT ON THIS WORKSHOP/TOUR. THE FIRST HALF OF THE BALANCE IS DUE BY SEPT 4TH 2016.Your FINAL BALANCE IS DUE BY Nov 4th 2016.

The above-stated costs apply to double room accommodations only. There is an additional cost of $350.00 if a single room is required.

The above-stated cost does not include airfare or departure airport taxes ($30 dollars).
Travel Logistics: My previous trips have departed Miami via American Airlines, for nonstop mid-morning departing flight. Having spent 10yrs of my youth in Venezuela; I’m fluent in Spanish. I would also suggest a group departure from Miami, as I could also assist with translation upon our arrival to Costa Rica.

After a deposit is received we will email a suggested equipment/gear list as well as the itinerary with names of lodges.

Feel free to email us with questions at flyinghamiltons@comcast.net or jcvpictures@gmail.com you may also reach us at 561-212-7358 and (506)8846-1695

 
 
     
 

Tropical Photography Tour 2017
The Colors of Costa Rica

Co-Leaders Don Hamilton Jr. & Juan Carlos Vindas
July 5th thru July 16th 2017 (11 nights and 12 days!)
Price of this Photo Tour is $3.795 with double occupancy


Our goal for this workshop is teach you how to deal with difficult exposures that are quite common in the tropics. You will learn how to properly use manual fill flash and how to maximize your long-lens sharpness technique. During the workshop we will teach you how we set up our multi flash stations so that you can make use of this knowledge in your station back home. In short, we want you to go back home with a varied, colorful and masterful collection of images that will make your portfolio shine! (*Meals included where B-L-D indicated)

Day 1/ (Jan 4th Wednesday) Airport/San José

Upon your arrival to San José; Juan and Don will assist you in your transfer to your hotel for the evening. Depending on your arrival time, the gardens at our hotel offer a varied inventory of flower macro opportunities, as well as some avian photography. We have organized a meet and greet dinner; where we will discuss the itinerary and brief you on our photographic workshop/tour. *Dinner is on your own tonight.

Day 2/ (Jan 5th) Northern Plains
After a full breakfast we will leave the Central Valley and head to the northern plains. We expect to arrive at our first lodge before lunch. After a quick check-in, we’ll begin photographing many beautiful colorful species. We will focus on demonstrating perch set ups, fill flash techniques, along with a goal of creating tack sharp images with pleasing backgrounds. B-L-D.

Day 3/ (Jan 6th) Northern Plains
Bird photography morning session at the lodge. We can’t think of any other lodge in Costa Rica where there are so many species of birds that regularly visit the feeders. Target species: Keel-billed toucans, Black-mandibled toucans, Collared Araçaris, (a small toucan) Orange-chinned Parakeet, Brown-hooded Parrot, Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, Golden-hooded Tanager, Blue-gray Tanager, Palm Tanager, Great Kiskadee, Social Flycatcher, Baltimore Oriole, White-fronted Nunbird, Plain Chachalaca, Great Curassow, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Shining Honeycreeper and much more!

After a delicious lunch, we will travel a very short distance to a local private garden. Here we will photograph different colorful tanagers and woodpeckers. We will help you create unique images using the surrounding natural habitat B-L-D.

Day 4/ (Jan 7th) Northern Plains
Bird photography morning session at the lodge. We can’t think of any other lodge in Costa Rica where there are so many species of birds that regularly visit the feeders. Target species: Keel-billed toucans, Black-mandibled toucans, Collared Araçaris, (a small toucan) Orange-chinned Parakeet, Brown-hooded Parrot, Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, Golden-hooded Tanager, Blue-gray Tanager, Palm Tanager, Great Kiskadee, Social Flycatcher, Baltimore Oriole, White-fronted Nunbird, Plain Chachalaca, Great Curassow, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Shining Honeycreeper and much more!
After a delicious lunch, we will travel a very short distance to a local private garden. Here we will photograph different colorful tanagers and woodpeckers. We will help you create unique images using the surrounding natural habitat B-L-D

Day 5/ (Jan 8th) Arenal area
After a full breakfast we will leave the northern plains and head towards the rainforest. Today we’ll make a stop on the way to visit a nice garden where we will have the chance to photograph other species of birds including the amazing Boat-billed heron and other colorful birds. We will arrive to our lodge in the late afternoon. B-D-L

Day 6/ (Jan 9th) Arenal area
After breakfast we get our macro and wide-angle lens ready as we will take pictures at the lodge beautiful gardens and waterfall. We will also search for insects and reptiles so that´s why it´s a good idea to have the macro lens handy. B-L-D

Day 7/ (Jan 10th) Cloud Forest
Today we spend some time at the lodge gardens in order to capture the last shot of the many birds that frequents the gardens and bird feeder. We then leave towards the cloud forest of the Central Volcanic Mountain Range. We estimate to our lodge in the afternoon for lunch. Then we spend some time photographing the different birds and other animals that are common at the gardens. B-L-D

Day 8/ (Jan 11th) Cloud Forest
Immediately following breakfast multiple flash hummingbird photography begins. Juan Carlos and Don will set up two stations where you will photograph many of the most beautiful hummingbird species of Costa Rica. Our focus will be on many beautiful setups, with varying backgrounds and nectar filled flowers. We will spend the entire day working multi flash setups, and natural light perched hummingbirds. After a fantastic day and with many compact flash cards filled with award-winning images we’ll return to our lodge. B-L-D

Day 9/ (Jan 12th) Cartago area
After breakfast, we’ll depart to the highest mountain range of Costa Rica. The lodge offers a large variety of bird species, where the beauty of the environment will make for an unforgettable experience. We expect to arrive in the late afternoon. Tonight we’ll prepare and brief on the pursuit of the highly sought after Resplendent Quetzal. B-L-D

Day 10/ (Jan 13th) Cartago area
Today we start the day very early. Our mission today is finding and photographing the elusive resplendent quetzal. After a productive am, return to the lodge for breakfast. Full day of shooting birds on lodge grounds. Also included is a visit (in the afternoon) to a local garden for totally new species of birds. The number of endemic species is very high within this mountain range. B-L-D

Day 11/ (Jan 14th) Cartago area

Today is a continuation of yesterday’s itinerary. Capturing award winning images of the elusive resplendent quetzal is our target. Then we return to the lodge for breakfast after we drive a short distance to photograph other species of birds and hummingbirds, we return to our lodge for lunch. B-L-D

Day 12/ (Jan 15th Sunday) Airport
Early breakfast and then depart for airport, wrap up, pack up and say goodbye!! B
*Lunch is on your own today
*In case your travel plans require an overnight staying at San José Hotel instead of going directly to airport, we can gladly reserve a room for you.

Because of the varied micro-climates in Costa Rica and the diversity of places we will visit, we advise you to bring light clothing for the humid-low lands and a jacket/shell for the low-temperatures of cloud and oak forest where our lodges are located. It is also advisable to bring mosquito repellent, sunscreen and please let us know if you have a special diet that we should know.

Trip Details & Terms:
Please be advised that Travel Insurance is strongly recommended. It is very reasonable and includes medical evacuation, airline delays, and lost luggage protection.
Travel Guard, http://www.travelguard.com/quickquote/?cmpid=kac-001-IO-Google-8930216&gclid or http://www.travelinsure.com/what/selecthigh.asp?32940
This workshop/photo tour includes all lodging, all transportation within Costa Rica, and meals where indicated. All meals at the chosen lodging include a local beverage, example water or juice. Any additional items, such as beer, wine, soft drinks, additional beverages, and laundry will be charged to your room, and you will be responsible for paying the lodge directly. This
workshop has a six-person required minimum at this fee structure of $3795.00 dollars per person payable prior to your departure.

For PHOTOGRAPHER OR GUEST, a $500.00 dollar deposit is required to ensure a place on this tour. This deposit is refundable in the event of your cancellation IF AND ONLY IF; YOU THE REGISTERED PARTICIPNAT CAN FILL YOUR SPOT ON THIS WORKSHOP/TOUR. THE FIRST HALF OF THE BALANCE IS DUE BY SEPT 4TH 2016.Your FINAL BALANCE IS DUE BY Nov 4th 2016.

The above-stated costs apply to double room accommodations only. There is an additional cost of $350.00 if a single room is required.

The above-stated cost does not include airfare or departure airport taxes ($30 dollars).
Travel Logistics: My previous trips have departed Miami via American Airlines, for nonstop mid-morning departing flight. Having spent 10yrs of my youth in Venezuela; I’m fluent in Spanish. I would also suggest a group departure from Miami, as I could also assist with translation upon our arrival to Costa Rica.

After a deposit is received we will email a suggested equipment/gear list as well as the itinerary with names of lodges.

Feel free to email us with questions at flyinghamiltons@comcast.net or jcvpictures@gmail.com you may also reach us at 561-212-7358 and (506)8846-1695

 

 
 
 

South Florida Custom Tailored Photo Tours
Workshops 2017 with Don Hamilton Jr.
(Everglades,Lake Okeechobee, East & West Coast Florida)

Join me for a 4 day adventure tailored to your subjects of interest. Your adventure starts with a Fort Lauderdale Airport pickup Thursday mid afternoon, where we’ll transition too burrowing owls, and local birds.This custom tour offers many options on our destination list. Based on your interests and preferences, we will travel too, and photograph these areas, and their fauna.

Options include early morning and evening landscapes, followed by avian shoots, of burrowing owls, barred owls, various raptors, shore birds, waders, and migrating birds as well. Our destinations include   the Everglades, East & West coast birding hot spots & Lake Okeechobee areas etc. As you can see we have a diverse region with many hot spots we can visit and photograph.

Included: Airport pickup, all transportation, Nat Park passes, State park passes, guiding, and photography from Thursday afternoon thru Sunday evening, with a return drop off at airport early Monday am if needed.

Not included: Your meals, lodging, beverages, and personal items.  Note if you are a camper, and wish to save your monies on hotel rooms… I have all of the necessary camping gear needed, including your own three person tent etc.  For a nominal fee all of this gear can be used for a total Everglades Experience. Kayaks are also supplied with this option, as we have the option for kayak photography as well… Ospreys, Pileated Woodpeckers, and wading birds are our targets… and of course the American alligator.

Price: Thursday PM thru Monday Am… $ 1500.00. Feel free to call and discuss your custom photo tour adventure.  Don Hamilton Jr. Photo Tours/ Workshops.   flyinghamiltons@comcast.net , or 561-212-7358
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Don Hamilton Photography
21749 Mountain sugar Lane ∙ Boca Raton, Fl 33433
561-212-7358

email: flyinghamiltons@comcast.net
   http://www.flickr.com/photos/78230469@N02      http://500px.com/DonHamiltonJr

All the images in this website are copyrighted, original works &  property of Don Hamilton Jr., and they are protected by the United States and international copyright law.
Use of any content from this site, for any purpose, is strictly forbidden without express, written permission from Don Hamilton Jr.