Photo Travel Review Magazine » PTR Recommended Photo Seminars

Alan Murphy – PTR Recommended Photo Seminar

Bill — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:45:18 +0000

By Bill

Years ago, when I first became serious about doing wildlife photography, I was inspired by the work of Alan Murphy, whom I regarded as the best bird photographer in the world. Since then, I have communicated with Alan about a variety of matters, and always Alan has responded with helpful assistance and guidance. In recent years, Alan and I have both served as moderators at Nature Scapes Net, the premiere Internet site for nature photography.

Alan now conducts photographic seminars. Photo Travel Review Magazine highly recommends that you consider what he has to offer, especially if your interest is bird photography.

Alan has been captivated by birds since his childhood in England. Even in his youth, Alan found himself inextricably drawn to nature; growing up he found solace from the trials of life under a canopy of trees while in the company of birds. His passion for birding thrived. As he consulted various publications, Alan was fascinated with bird photos and at a loss as to how anyone could get so close to capture such intimate views.

As a young adult, he traveled to roughly twenty countries and always made time to visit the natural areas his various destinations had to offer. Upon immigrating to the United States, Alan found himself overwhelmed and somewhat intimidated by the diversity of bird species, many with such subtle variations they were nearly impossible to distinguish from each other.

He used a camera with a borrowed 300mm lens to take bird photos, later poring over the prints with a field guide to help identify the birds he had seen. While this proved an effective method for learning about North American birds, he could not help comparing his rudimentary images to the published photos he continued to admire.

He adopted the too familiar photographer’s mantra for greater focal length and purchased an inexpensive 500mm lens, continuing to pursue photography voraciously. The more time he spent in the field, the more enamored he became with birds.

One photographer’s name that seemed to be everywhere was Brian Small, and due to fate, plus some planning on Alan’s part, they eventually met. In the photographer Alan admired he also found a great friend. They began to take photo trips together and Alan’s photography transformed. He learned from Brian how to find certain birds and get closer than he had ever dreamed possible.

This is at the heart of Alan’s workshops during which he teaches participants the techniques which lead to world-class images.

For over fifteen years now Alan has been photographing birds, while at the same time operating his own successful Houston business started twenty years ago. Over time he carefully added to his collection of camera gear and now uses a solid Nikon digital SLR system, where much of his work relies upon his 600mm f/4 lens.

He takes whatever time he can to photograph and is energized by the time he spends with birds. Drawing from the different forms of art in his background, he approaches photography with an artistic vision, pre-visualizing the images he wants to take home. He feels blessed to have been born with gifts allowing him to feel such passion for birds and capture images of them, and derives great joy in being able to share the world of birds with others through his images.

Alan conducts seminars in Texas and Alaska. In great demand, his seminars are booked months in advance by attendees. The reason is that his seminars are held in high regard by bird photographers world-wide.

Alan’s numerous photo credits include National Geographic, Birding, Birders World, WildBird, Bird Watcher’s Digest, North American Birds, Texas Birds, Texas Parks & Wildlife, Texas Highways, British Birds, Outdoor Alabama and more. His photos are also published in various field guides, books, CD-ROM’s, calendars, and postcards. Alan is both a Nikon and Wimberley Professional Services Member.

Photo Travel Review Magazine highly recommends the seminars offered by Alan Murphy. If you want to learn how to do world-class bird photography, you can’t go wrong attending his workshops. Details about his workshops can be found here.

PTR Recommended Photo Seminars — Africa With Andy Biggs

Bill — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 21:31:53 +0000

by PTR Team Member Bill Lockhart

This is the first in a series of recommended photographic seminars by the editors of Photo Travel Review Magazine.

Our purpose is to provide you with opportunities for photography and travel, ones which the editors of PTR believe are among the best offered.

We begin with Africa. Africa, the ultimate dream of all photographers, whether it is opportunities for incredible wildlife photographs, or landscapes that fill the imagination.

So, what seminar is the best of the best?

The PTR editors have chosen Andy Biggs. When it comes to Africa, there is no other seminar provider who is better.

A photographic holiday in Africa is the ultimate dream of many photographers. It is a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. When one spends lots of money to experience the dream of a lifetime, one should only consider the best.

Andy Biggs is an avid adventurer, conservationist, teacher, and outdoor photographer whose photography celebrates the African landscape and its rich wildlife, people, and culture. With a deep respect and understanding for African wildlife, Andy unfolds the world of the Serengeti onto our doorstep with striking emotional depth. His photographic safaris allow the traveler to not only enhance their understanding of photography, lighting, and wildlife, but to develop a life-long admiration for Africa ‘s beauty and culture.

In 2008, Banana Republic used thirteen of Andy’s photographs as the cornerstone of their Urban Safari campaign, and his images were seen in all 750 stores around the globe, as well as in their billboards, catalogs and annual report. Andy was also the winner of the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year in the ‘Wild Places’ category in 2008.

Andy offers you lots of different locations and opportunities for photography, all the while staying in camp sites that are among the best in Africa.

A photographic safari should be about freedom for one to shoot without worrying about how many other photographers are crammed in the same vehicle. One of the single largest mistakes that many photographers make when going to Africa is booking travel with inexperienced operators who pack many photographers into an ill-equipped vehicle, go to the same spots that all others have photographed repeatedly, and then take one to an inferior campsite. Not so with Andy Biggs.

Andy knows what a photographer wants and needs. Each participant has a full seat row with the ability to move from one side of a vehicle to another. Moreover, he brings along equipment that allows photographers to recharge batteries, view their shots of the day, and clean equipment for the next day’s shoot. As an avid photographer himself, Andy knows what to expect in harsh field conditions. He does all he can possible to make certain that your adventure is fulfilled.

It goes well beyond the basics of what a photographic holiday is about. The big difference with Andy’s seminars is that he seeks locations off the beaten path. There is nothing more frustrating on a photographic safari in Africa than to find yourself surrounded with other vehicles and an assembly of dozens of tour operators all vying for space while trying to photograph a single animal.

Andy offers seminars in Tanzania, Namibia, and Botswana. Each destination planned superbly, with outstanding tour guides and accommodations that excel beyond what one might expect on such a sojourn.

One only needs to read the testimonials from his participants to understand just how well appreciated his offerings are.

My own experiences with Andy have been extremely positive. Through the years as associates at Nature Scapes Net, and through numerous e-mails and telephone conversations, I have found Andy to be the consummate professional. Friendly, helpful, positive, encouraging — all describe Andy.

Bottom line. If you have always desired to go to Africa on a wildlife safari, there is only one person you should consider going with. Andy Biggs is that person.

What will it cost?

It depends on where you go and when.

Currently, a 12-day safari to Tanzania will cost you $8,990 per person.

What does it include?

- All Game Park fees
- All accommodations, based on double occupancy
- All meals inclusive of restaurant staff tips
- Services of guides and drivers
- Land transportation in safari Land Rovers. Each of the three rear seat passengers has a complete seat to themselves, including access to windows on both sides of the vehicle and empty seats for photographic equipment.
- Airport transfers to and from hotels
- Internal airfare from Serengeti to Arusha
- Bottled water at all times
- $30 Tanzanian Airport departure tax, if KLM / NW ticket purchased through Andy Biggs.

What is not included?

- Additional tips for staff such as guides and camp staff
- Fees for passport, visas, immunizations, and insurance
- Hot air balloon flight of $475
- Alcoholic beverages while on safari
- Laundry, phone and other items of a personal nature
- Cost of hospitalization and evacuation if necessary

If you are concerned about the costs, consider that it cost me $9,000 per person to go to Tanzania in 2005! And I did not go with Andy.

I met many others at camps who asked about my private vehicle. Seems they were paying $7,500 per person and found themselves in cramped vehicles with guides who only wanted to rush from one spot to another. I considered myself fortunate. My entire trip was privately planned and executed.

I should have gone with Andy.

Next time I will.

Photo Travel Review Magazine Five Star Rating: Andy Biggs