India 2019

INDIA Shivaratri Festival – the very essence of Holy India

10 days of adventure with expert

Arne Hodaliďż˝ c

Better Moments means Thanks for choosing Better Moments for your next adventure workshop.

Better Moments was founded in 2011

by Philip Boissevain and me, two experienced veterans of the international professional photography industry. We met when working at Hasselblad, Philip as the Global Marketing manager and me as the Global Photographer Relations manager.

Today Better Moments has become the leading photo workshop platform organizing high-end workshops for photo enthusiasts worldwide.

Better Moments CEO and founder: Christian Nørgaard Graphic design: Håkan Andersson Text editor: Jeff Grant All images and text in this catalog are under International Copyright Legislation.

However, Better Moment’s guests and potential customers may download the catalog for private use, but not for any commercial use.

Any violation of the International Copyright Legislation will be reported

You will learn from the world’s most experienced photographers within their fields to refine your personal style and sharpen your technical skills.

Additionally, we want you to share your excitement for photography and enjoy great moments in life. And we want you to explore your passion and expand your photographic skills and vision.

Better Moments mission is to deliver exclusive workshops in landscape, wildlife and travel photography at unique locations around the world. I want you to explore your passion for photography and work and earn from the world’s most renowned photographers who all have excellent teaching skills, local knowledge and experience.

to the International Court of Justice of International Copyright Legislation Photo above by David Trud

Photography with passion,

Cover photo by Arne Hodali�c

Christian Nørgaard

s Photography with passion Our passionate experts Steve McCurry - National Geographic, World Press Photo first place Sisse Brimberg - National Geographic photographer Peter Eastway - AIPP Grand Master of Photography, Publisher Better Photography Magazine Steve Bloom - National Geographic photographer Arne Hodali�c – National Geographic photographer & photo editor Hamid Sardar-Afkhami - writer, photographer, award-winning filmmaker Lars van de Goor - Hasselblad Master Landscape photographer Tom D. Jones - Hasselblad Master & European Fine Art photographer Joel Santos - Travel Photographer Of The Year Michael Nichols - wildlife journalist, National Geographic editor Orsolya Haarberg - Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Marco Di Lauro - World Press Photo Award Christian Nørgaard - CEO Better Moments

" My life is shaped by the urgent need to wander and observe, and my camera is my passport."

Steve McCurry

PHOTO BY ARNE HODALIC�

Shivaratri Festival – the very essence of Holy India

PHOTO BY ARNE HODALIC�

This amazing workshop offers you a unique opportunity to explore some of northern India’s most spectacular places and at the end of the journey, you will be able to feel the real heartbeat of Shivaratri – one the most important Hindu festivals.

If you really want to feel the essence of ancient Hinduism, you have to be there during the Shivaratri time. A unique opportunity to get images you have only dreamt of and this will be a special photo journey that you’ll never forget.

PHOTO BY ARNE HODALIC�

India

PHOTO BY ARNE HODALI�C

PHOTO BY ARNE HODALI�C

India highlights

■ HIGHLIGHTS □ Learn how to approach the

unique challenges of travel and street photography.

□ How to capture images of

people in their natural environment and how to approach locations and subjects

□ Spectacular photos of Taj

Mahal from two different viewpoints

□ Wandering through Varanasi

– one of the oldest and holiest cities of India

□ Taking photos from a boat

on the river Ganges and see famous ghats from a different perspective

□ A powerful experience of

early morning bathing ritual of millions of pilgrims who come to Varanasi just for the Shivaratri festival.

■ ON LOCATION □ Instruction and training in

the best photography techniques, including personal hints and advice.

□ Composition and focus on

lines, golden section, perspective, foreground, background and middle ground.

□ How to work in different lighting conditions.

□ Portrait photography tech-

niques: depth of field, composition, selecting the best possible available light

□ The secrets behind travel and street photography.

□ Night/early morning street photography

□ Private hands-on lessons

■ IN CLASSROOM □ Expert review and constructive critique/feedback of the images taken during the day

□ Visual storytelling: Learn

from Arne Hodali�c – the National Geographic Photo Editor-in-Chief

□ As a professor of photo

journalism at two universities, Arne Hodali�c has extensive knowledge which he will share during evening lectures with projections, showing photos of India taken by different, worldknown photographers that will inspire you to see the country from a different angle

□ Photoshop courses on request:

The basics of digital darkroom and workflow How to get maximum out of your Raw files Effective conversion to black & white using NIK Software

that will help you take your photography skills to the next level.

□ How to approach local people in a natural way.

□ Unique experience of Maha

Shivaratri – a major Hindu festival in Varanasi where God Shiva married Parvati, goddess of fertility, love and devotion

PRICE & BOOKING

PHOTO BY ARNE HODALIC�

Better Moments’ mission is to deliver exclusive workshops and we want you to explore your passion for photography and work with one of the best photographers, Arne Hodali�c, during your India expedition.

PHOTO BY ARNE HODALIC�

Arne Hodali�c: Catch and release

PHOTO BY ARNE HODALIC�

Nikon Ambassador Arne Hodali�c is the photo editor of National Geographic Magazine Slovenia.

Originally studying biology in Ljubljana, his first trip to India in 1989 changed his professional career when his photos were published in a prestigious Swiss magazine, Animan. Since then he has travelled the world on photo-assignments. He is also a passionate adventurer and cave diver, participating in numerous sailing, mountaineering and caving expeditions. In 2008 he received an honorary doctorate at the University of Ljubljana, becoming a lecturer in photography and photojournalism.

His photos and photo stories have appeared in books, exhibitions and many of the world’s most prestigious magazines, among others National Geographic Magazine, Life (USA), Time, Figaro Magazine, GEO, Paris Match, Marie Claire, Die Zeit, Cosmopolitan and Stern.

PHOTO BY ARNE HODALIC�

PHOTO BY ARNE HODALIC�

PHOTO BY ARNE HODALIC�

PHOTO BY ARNE HODALIC�

Itinerary DAY 1

DAY 5

Upon arrival to New Delhi dinner with Arne Hodalic. He’ll introduce the workshop and present “his India” – his beloved country. In 1989, he visited India for the first time and he is regularly going back on photo assignments ever since.

In the morning, we drive from Jaipur to Fatehpur Sikri – the “City of Victory”. Here we will visit the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), 17th-century mosque and the World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri.

After that, we will drive to Agra to spend the night there.

■ ARRIVAL IN NEW DELHI

DAY 2

■ NEW DELHI - MANDAWA In the morning, we drive from New Delhi to Mandawa, where we’ll spend the night.

DAY 3

■

MANDAWA Mandawa is a fantastic photo opportunity, especially because of its fort and traditional havelis. We’ll visit some of the havelis and explore these ancient palaces from inside.

DAY 4

■ JAIPUR In the morning, we drive from Mandawa to Jaipur. Jaipur is the capital and the largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan.

After arrival, we will walk through the streets of Jaipur and visit Hawa Mahal, Palace of the Winds, and will ride the elephants to a nearby Amer fort..

PRICE & BOOKING

■ FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA

DAY 6

■ AGRA AND MAGNIFICIENT

TAJ MAHAL Very early in the morning we will cross Jamuna river to take photos of the spectacular Taj Mahal from a different angle. During the day, a visit to Agra’s famous Red fort.

In the evening we will visit the interior of Taj Mahal complex and we will try to capture more traditional views on one of the most visited Indian monuments.

We will then board the night train to Varanasi.

DAY 7

■ AGRA - VARANASI Morning arrival to Varanasi. Taking photos in one of the oldest and holiest cities in the world – Varanasi.

At sunset we will go to see Ganga Aarti ceremony on the main Dashashwamedh ghat. This is Pooja Ceremony, a performance conducted by Brahmins that is dedicated to Lord Shiva and to River Ganges.

DAY 8

■ VARANASI - FIRST DAY OF

SHIVARATRI FESTIVAL We will spend all day on the streets of Varanasi, visiting temples, ghats on the River Ganges taking photos of one of the major festivals in Hinduism – Maha Sivaratri. This is a Hindu festival, celebrated annually in honour of the god Shiva. This festival is solemn and marks a remembrance of “overcoming darkness and ignorance” in life and the world. It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, doing yoga, and meditating on virtues such as self-restraint, honesty, non-injury to others, forgiveness, and the discovery of Shiva.

DAY 9

■ VARANASI - NEW DELHI In the morning, we will go on the boat and take photos from the holy river Ganga. Late breakfast will be accompanied by the selection of the best photos from the trip, submitted by the participants.

Later this day, participants will have free time to wander in Varanasi streets or just relax.

Evening flight to New Delhi and farewell dinner.r

DAY 10

■ DEPARTURE Transfer to the airport will be provided.

PHOTO BY ARNE HODALIC�

PHOTOS BY ARNE HODALIC�

Quick guide We wish you to travel with the greatest possible comfort and to know that you have received as much information as possible.

■

GETTING THERE Indira Gandhi International Airport, situated 16km to the southwest of Delhi, is the main gateway for the city’s domestic and international civilian air traffic.

■ VISA Visitors to India must obtain a visa from an Indian diplomatic mission unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries or a country whose citizens may obtain a visa on arrival, or an e-Visa online. An application for e-Visa must be made at least four calendar days in advance of the date of arrival and can be made as early as 120 days in advance. The visa is valid for 60 calendar days from the date of arrival.

PHOTO BY ARNE HODALIC�

PHOTO BY ARNE HODALIC�

■ WEATHER Spring and is characterized by warm days and cool nights. The weather is pleasant and there is warm, brilliant sunshine during the day.

Spring rains are a characteristic of this season. These rains may be accompanied by hail and can be heavy. Spring ends by the latter half of March. Average temperature in March 23 °C, with a high of 30 °C (day) and a low of 16 °C (night).

■ LANGUAGE India has no national language.

Hindi, with the largest number of speakers, is the official language of the government. English is used extensively in business and administration and has the status of a “subsidiary official language”; it is important in education, especially as a medium of higher education.

■ CURRENCY Indian rupee (INR)

■ HEALTH Check with your doctor which vaccinations or medications are recommended for this destination.

Remember to plan well ahead with vaccinations. Allow up to six weeks to receive the full course, as some vaccinations require more than one dose, and some should not be given together.

■ QUICK GUIDE India can be a challenging destination, especially for first-time visitors, due to poverty being omnipresent and bureaucracy quite irritating. A ‘go with the flow’ attitude is advisable if you want to enjoy the Indian ride. With India boasting dramatic terrain, beautiful wildlife, a wide array of flavorful dishes, and even more sacred rituals and festivities, be assured you won’t get bored.

PRICE & BOOKING

Equipment Whether this is your first trip or your ”hundredth” workshop with us, it’s always helpful to have a rundown of what items you may want to pack so you have a travel checklist.

Bookmark this packing list, because you’ll want to refer back to it to make sure you’ve thought of everything you might want to pack.

■

CAMERA The camera list is for inspiration, since you know better than anyone what equipment you prefer.

□ B ring you own laptop computer

and storage medium Camera bodie(s) Tripod Lenses,If you are working with a 24x36mm camera system, lenses from 12mm to approx.

55mm is obvious. And a "long lens" such as a 180mm.

If you are working with a medium format camera, lenses from 28mm to approx. 80mm is obvious. And a "long lens" such as a 300 mm.

Bag for all camera gear Light bag for easy hiking with camera bodies and accessories Cleaning kit for cameras and lenses Rain/dust covers for cameras and lenses Charger for batteries Spare batteries Standard power converter Raw processing software Memory cards and card wallets Memory card reader USB key to exchange images

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■ NICE TO HAVE □ Lens extenders □ C amera straps for ease of □ □ □ □

changing from one camera to another Graduated filter set Filter holder High quality polarizing filter Lens belt

PHOTO BY ARNE HODALIC�

PHOTO BY ARNE HODALIC�

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