Kauai: Island Photo Adventure
March 27 - April 1, 2025 (Group 1) April 2 - April 7, 2025 (Group 2)
Location: Based in Kapaʻa, HI
Dates: March 27- April 1, 2025 (Group 1) April 2-7, 2025 (Group 2)
Tuition: $2,199.00
Instructors: Josh Merrill and Dusty Doddridge
Tour Overview:
Join us on an exploration of Hawaii’s wild and scenic island of Kauai. Beach vibes meet tropical rainforest and mountains of Jurassic cliffs. Opportunities for adventure and exploration abound on the Garden Island.
Kauai is an island that boasts dramatic scenery that beckons to be explored from land, air and sea, and there will be opportunities to do just that on this photo adventure. From the unbelievable fluted cliffs of the Napali Coast to the red and green of Waimea Canyon(The Grand Canyon of the Pacific) we’ll experience dramatic scenes on a large scale. We’ll have a chance to take in the relaxing beach vibes on several unique and picturesque beaches around the island, and there will be optional chances to snorkel with Sea Turtles and other marine life in the protected reefs of this Hawaiian paradise.
There will be opportunities to photograph a suprising variety of landscapes during this workshop. Beyond the obvious Napali Coast, Waimea Canyon, and stunning beaches on our location list, there will be potential to see lithified limestone sea-cliffs, lava tubes and pools, and waterfalls.
Topics:
All of our instructional workshops will cover two key areas: Craft and Creativity
Professional Craft for Landscape Photography:
• Getting fluent with your gear and developing a consistent workflow in the field
• Achieving an optimal exposure
• Managing depth of field
• Capture for multiple exposure blending
• Capture for panoramic stitching
• Using filters effectively
Creativity in the Landscape:
• Core compositional elements in the landscape
• Creative use of depth of field
• Long exposure techniques
• Learning and practicing new compositions
And we'll also do at least one image review session and share some advanced digital darkroom workflow techniques.
Tour Includes:
• Instruction in the field: craft and creative strategies for landscape photography
• Image reviews
• Instruction on digital darkroom workflow
Not Included:
• Food and Lodging
• Transportation (We’ve had good luck booking Jeep Wranglers through Avis at reasonable rates)
• Participants are encouraged to carpool
• Optional Doors-Off Helicopter Tour
• Snorkeling Equipment Rental (Available for rent at very reasonable cost in Kapa’a)
Fitness Level:
You'll need a moderate level of fitness to manage this tour comfortably and safely. We won't be hiking longer than 3-4 miles round trip but you'll need to be fit enough to manage hiking on uneven terrain, and across deep sand.
Suggested Equipment:
• Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera
• Tripod with Cable Release
• Wide Angle Lens and Telephoto Zoom Lens (Something in the range of 16-35mm and 70-200 would be ideal)
• Filters: Circular Polarizer, Neutral Density
• Drones: There are several locations where drones can be used, but many where they cannot
• Underwater Camera or Camera Housing: If you would like to take advantage of the opportunity to snorkel with sea turtles and other marine life and photograph it
• Lots of Memory Cards
• Extra Camera Batteries
• Micro-fiber Cloths
• Camera Bag/Backpack for Gear and Food/Water
Clothing for a variety of weather conditions
• Rain Jacket
• Trail Shoes or Hiking Boots as well as Hiking Sandals
• Moisture Wicking Base Layer
Lodging:
We have secured a room block at the Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay at a very well discounted rate. This location will allow us ultimate flexibility in reaching our locations in both the North and South of the Island, as well being able to take advantage of several great dining options in Kapa’a. This option also allows for those that would like to bring spouses, and there is the possibility of arriving early and staying late up to +-3 days at the discounted rate, if you would like extra time on the island.
Cancellation Schedule:
120 days or more prior to day 1 of tour = Refund of all registration fees and deposits (minus an administration fee if paid by credit card)
91-120 days prior to day 1 of tour = Josh Merrill Photography will retain tour deposit
90 days or less prior to day 1 of tour = Josh Merrill Photography will retain full tour tuition
We strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance if you need to cancel your tour and are unable to complete the tour for any reason.
We reserve the right to cancel the photo tour for any reason, including low enrollment in the tour. We also reserve the right to operate the workshop with one instructor if enrollment is lower than 6 participants.
Payment:
All you need to do is contact me via the form below and tell us which tour you'd like to attend. We'll e-mail you an invoice that allows you to pay online by credit card. If it's 90 days or less prior to the start of the tour, the full tuition amount will be due in order to complete your registration. Prior to 90 days out, we'll invoice you for a deposit of 30% of the total tuition to hold your spot. We'll then invoice you again for the balance prior to the 90 day point when the full amount is due.
Contact Us
We’re excited that you’re interested in our workshop. If you are ready to register, you may click on the link above. If you just have some additional questions, this form to the right will put you in touch me.
