Many are aware the success of Nature PhotoCamp I in Ulu Dong, Raub in 8-9th Nov 2008. The event was managed by many extraordinary individuals headed by dR Ali. The photo camp was meant for newbies & it covered basic photography techniques with the application on nature photography like landscape & macro. Participants were also exposed to HDR tecnique by Mr Dashuki. Unfortunately I was not able to join the camp due to personal commitment.

This time, we plan to organise the 2nd Nature PhotoCamp deep in the jungle, the real remote area in Peninsular Malaysia, at Jeram Perahu, Ulu Tembeling, Jerantut, Pahang.

We don’t think we can bring LCD projector & computer to Jeram Perahu because it is really a remote area & definitely no electricity available. No more hostel or chalet. Everyone need to sleep inside tent. The maximum number of participant this time is only 21 persons. I can accept either 12 or 21 persons. No more, no less & no in-between to save cost. After a discussion with dR ali & boatman we will eventually bring back this outing to its original planned date, in March! Not really March tho’….it will be from 27th Feb to 2nd March 2009 (Friday – Monday). Why not other weeks in March? Because of school holiday. If school holiday there will be many weddings. The photographer will either busy with wedding jobs or attending weddings.

Where is Jeram Perahu?
View Larger Map

How the 2nd PC works?

For the 2nd PhotoCamp, we won’t be able to provide many theoretical input because we don’t have classroom facility while in the jungle. We will try to do a lot of hands-on instead. Sharing knowledge is encouraged.This is a non-profit programme. Everyone has to pay to join including myself & dR ali. There will be not even any special rate to anyone. What we hope is to be able to share experiences. To learn photography, ones must take a lot of picture. The best gears won’t guarantee best pictures. The more we shoot, the more we learn. No gear talk. No brand preference. No internet forum favoritism. No idol-ism (worshiping certain individual).

Organisations

I will in charge for the logistic & dR ali will be in charge for the Knowledge-Sharing sessions. Many volunteers (as instructor) are needed especially to share knowledge on basic photography. No worry, we just share what we know. In fact we can exchange knowledge.

The Programme

Day 1 – 24th Jan – Saturday
8:00 AM: Rendezvous at Jerantut (infront of Jerantut New Mosque) – Briefing I – About detail programme - Breakfast (Own Expense)
10:30 AM: At Kuala Tahan jetty – Briefing 2 – Safety briefing - Depart to Kampung Bantal using large boat (shade) ~ estimated 4 hours journey – Landscape (Wide) Mode & People (Tele) Mode
2:00 PM: Arriving at Kg Bantal – Lunch & solat here
3:00 PM: Depart to Jeram Perahu using small boats (no shade – sunglass, hat/cap & sunblock are essential)
6:00 PM: Arriving at Jeram Perahu – setup tents, gather woods for fire, acara berendam! (don’t forget to mark good spot for nature ‘business’)
7:30 PM: Solat & dinner
8:00 PM: Discussion 1 – Introduction to Nature PhotoCamp (dR ali)
8:45 PM: Free & easy (Those who are interested can try to shoot star trail)

Day 2 – 25th Jan – Sunday
6:00 AM: Solat
7:00 AM: Go to Lata Irak- Photo Shootout 1- Landscape Mode (esp. slow shutter, bracketing)
9:00 AM: Breakfast (at Lata Irak)
10:00 AM: Free & easy
12:00 PM: Go back to Jeram Perahu
13:00 PM: Lunch & solat
14:30 PM: Photo Shootout 2 (Jeram Perahu) – Macro Mode
16:00 PM: Free & easy
7:30 PM: Solat & dinner
8:00 PM: Discussion 2 – What we have learnt?
8:45 PM: Free & easy

Day 3 – 26th Jan – Monday
6:00 AM: Solat
7:00 AM: Photo Shootout 3 – Landscape Mode (around Jeram Perahu)
8:00 AM: Breakfast
9:00 AM: Go to Lata Menderu (bring all luggage) – Photo Shootout 4 - Landscape & Macro Mode
12:00 PM: Lunch
13:00 PM: Head back to Kg Bantal
17:00 PM: Check-in at Dali’s Guesthouse & Solat (Jama’ Takhir)
18:00 PM: Briefing 3 – About Kg Bantal
18:30 PM: Photo Shootout 4 – People, Landscape Mode (around Kg Bantal)
20:00 PM: Dinner & Solat
21:00 PM: Discussion 3 – What we have learnt?
22:00 PM: Free & easy

Day 4 – 27th Jan – Tuesday
6:00 AM: Solat
7:00 AM: Free & easy (try go around the kampung & shoot the morning scenery)
8:00 AM: Breakfast (Own Expense)
9:30 AM: Depart to Kuala Tahan using large boat
12:30 AM: Arriving at Kuala Tahan – Debriefing – End of Nature PhotoCamp II

Who can join?

Anyone who want to learn & to share knowledge. Nobody is superior than anybody. All can be learners & all can be teachers at the same time. Male & female are allowed to participate but female participant must come with their mahram & they MUST bring their own tent. No un-married couple allowed for whatever reason. This is to avoid fitnah.

Cost

We share the cost. Everyone pays, including myself. So, this programme is virtually FREE! I have calculated the cost for the entire workshop & everyone need to pay RM400 for all the followings:

1. Boats – all boats
2. Meals – 8 meals in total – 2 breakfast (at Jeram Perahu), 3 lunch & 3 dinners
3. Accommodation – tents & lodging at Dali’s Guesthouse (however you are encouraged to bring your own tent if you prefer privacy

Other expenses not covered:

1. Parking fee at Kuala Tahan – RM5-10 per day (last time we parked near the Police Station)
2. T-Shirt (optional)

Those interested to join this PhotoCamp II please contact me (019-9888-292). I’ll give you my bank account number. You need to pay full amount for confirmation of place for this camp. I also need the followings:

1. Full payment
2. Full name
3. IC number
4. Contact number
5. Contact number for any emergency

No refund will be given but change of name is allowed. If the trip is canceled for whatever reason, we will refund you the full amount.

What to brings?

1. Torchlight
2. Matches or lighters
3. Rope (optional)
4. Knife or machete – no need to be the long sabre – we are not going to war!
5. Insect repellent
6. Tent (optional for men, mandatory for female)
7. Tidbits (for own consumption – but sharing is better )
8. Suitable shoes or sandals – there will be a lot of water splashing
9. Towel
10. Sleeping mat (updated)
11. Sleeping bag (updated)
12. Raincoat (updated)

You don’t have to bring backpack. Simple sling bag should suffice as we won’t be trekking any jungle. But preferably bag that repel water. Those who want to fish can bring your own fishing rods. Don’t ask me about the bait because I know nothing about fishing.

Advise about camera gears

Water is the enemy for our camera stuff. So bring whatever protection necessary. A lot of battery also required because there won’t be any electricity at Jeram Perahu. Tripod is a must. Else how to shoot slow shutter unless you bring a bean bag. You don’t have to buy a new macro lens for this photocamp but having one give you huge advantage. Else just settle with a macro filter or add-on macro lens. A tracing paper & thick paper is necessary if you wanna learn to DIY special macro lighting system from dR Ali . Else just buy R1C1….ha ha ha

Communication

Based on my recent knowledge about Kg Bantal, there will be no telephone network there except Maxis. No phone coverage beyond Kg Mat Daling. Definitely no coverage at Jeram Perahu.

Disclaimers

1. All photograph taken during this workshop is yours & we don’t have any right to use any picture without your permission
2. Participants are responsible for your & your belongings’ safety – but I’ll give a copy of our name, IC & contact number to the local police
3. We have the right to change the date & the itinerary of this programme but we will do our best to inform all participants involved
4. We are not able to pay honorarium to the instructor because this is a non-profit programme

Fuhh….what a long blog!

Update: 20 Jan 2009

The participants registered so far are:

01. Jamal
02. dR ali
03. Jass
04. bigbro
05. We Jaseim
06. Zali
07. Ambo_az
08. buntalshoot
09. azliismail
10. emran mohd tamil
11. Taufik KEMAS
12. Sorang lagi dari Muar
13. Aminorazmi
14. Azri – PAID – CONFIRMED SEAT
15. Fototeacher’s member
16. Fototeacher’s member
17. Munif
18. Kapten Azhar
19.
20.
21.