WOJTEK STARK
KUMBH MELA WORKSHOPS
experience
DEEP
INDIA
Studios
This very special workshop offers all of the most desirable highlights available while providing you the highest comfortability in accommodations possible. For the passionate photographer of nearly any genre, the Kumbh Mela 2019, held in Allahabad, will be one of the best locations for photography of all kinds.
KUMBH MELA hosts the largest congregation of humans worldwide all at once in a single place. This event and time surrounding the event will be very crowded and extremely rushed, nearly unimaginable if never experienced before. Visitors traveling on their own must know exactly what awaits them in India at such an event and how to properly navigate the area once booked. Once again, the Kumbh Mela of 2019 will be the largest congregation of humans on earth in one place all at once! Awaiting over 120 million visitors! Without a proper and well executed plan, to would truly be a forlorn hope to enjoy this event, let alone attempting to take any great images while amidst it all... near impossible. In contrast to the hectic crowds of people I write about, once all tasks are properly and safely prepared, this event becomes the most enjoyable and amazing experience one can have while in India as a travel photographer! The photo workshop and all other educational or guided activities will be held and conducted in the English language.
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The holy river, Ganga, is intimately linked to a life actively lived in the Hindu faith. ​Beginning at birth with the “mundane” at the ghats (shaving the head of hair off a new born at the river banks) is considered an auspicious aspect in the final immersion of the ashes and yearly Shraadha (a religious anniversary service). It is here that Hindus arrive in the hopes of washing away not only their sins, but those of their ancestors.
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Also present and found in large numbers are the Sadhus who seek out divine guidance in their daily lives. These Sadhus, having set aside familiarity and given up what is considered to be a normal life, live the entirety of their years in Akharas. It is here where they learn, practice and subsequently teach the divine path to Moksha (release from the cycle of reincarnation). Gathered for the occasion of Kumbh are many in current practice from numerous Akharas, including the very reclusive, cave dwelling, Naga Sadhus.
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Imagine Kumbh Mela with Google.
Beginner
Professional
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6 places
4 Days
3 Nights
Summary of both Kumbh Mela Photo Workshops:
Day 1: Meeting in the base camp, lunch, introduction, photo walk in a small group (3- 4 hours), dinner.
Day 2: Photo workshop part I (4 hours), lunch, independent photo walk escorted by a local guide, dinner.
Day 3: Personal portolio review (1 hour), independent photo walk escorted by a local guide, lunch, photo walk (3 - 4 hours) in a small group including a boat ride (1,5 hours), dinner.
Day 4: Photo workshop part II (3 hours), lunch, end of the Kumbh Mela photo workshop.
Required equipment:
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DSLR or DSLM camera body, lenses
Recommended equipment:
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Tablet or Notebook with Adobe Lightroom
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standby memory cards and batteries
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external hard drive as storage
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tripod, camera bag and covers
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Detailed description:
Our first official meeting point will be during the morning hours at a tent camp in Allahabad next to the Kumbh Mela. Please note: any domestic transportation prior to arriving at the base camp, flight, bus, car, etc., except the chargeable addictional flight offer, will not be covered in the overall workshop cost and will be at the individual’s expense upon arrival. If booking the additional flight through us, all instructions concerning the flight will be sent via email upon us receiving your flight booking confirmation from the respective airline or booking agency. It is highly recommended to arrive in India one or two days in advance of your tour for appropriate assimilation. Especially for those who have never traveled through India before, as much as it is a beautiful and spectacular experience to behold it can also be overwhelming if never experienced before and we wish for you to receive the opportunity to assimilate into the mindset and culture before beginning your excursion with Wojtek Stark on this tour. It will also be beneficial for you as it will allow you, your own personal time to take in the unique experiences before focusing your attention to further honing your photographic skills. Should you book a connecting flight, bus, train etc. on your own before arrival into Allahabad or use our addictional flight offer and should this for any reason be missed than a refund will not be available. Please take careful consideration to times of departure and arrival to ensure that you will arrive on time and you get the most out of your experience! A private insurance plan is strictly recommended in case of any flight delays, cancellations, missed connections, etc.
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Over the course of these few days you will have numerous opportunities to attend Yoga sessions, witness the evening Aarti, visit any akharas to speak with the Sadhus and observe many of the practices associated with the Hindu faith.
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DAY 1. Meeting in Allahabad: We will conduct a short tour with an introduction into the workshop with a welcoming lunch held at the end in our base camp. The workshop will begin at 1.00 pm with a 3-4 hour photo walk as a group once we have completed our lunch. This will give us the opportunity to meet and greet one another and have our first mini excursion with each other in the center of many religious demonstrations on the Kumbh Mela grounds. As you arrive and begin to encounter these, oftentimes, overwhelming crowds, rest assured that we have taken this into consideration and will provide you with the most comfortable space possible from which to witness this event. Our tents will be set up close enough to the Ghats as to make you feel one with the experience of the devotees, while still maintaining an adequate distance to ensure your maximum comfort and enjoyment. Dinner. Overnight Tented Camp.
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DAY 2. In the morning Wojtek Stark will introduce every interested member of the group to his personal post processing methodology and techniques. He will lecture on the basics of composition, dynamic range, light, shadow and colors in a 4 hour seminar. This is to give ample time for everyone to learn the appropriate techniques while amidst a crowded and busy area. After our lunch you will have the opportunity of practicing these newly learned techniques on the grounds of the Kumbh Mela. A personal English speaking guide from the local area will be at your disposal for any assistance you may need and to show you the best areas to acquire truly exquisite and unique photographs. Your personal guide will be with you from the afternoon through the evening until dinner. Dinner. Overnight tented camp.
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PLEASE NOTE (opens an info box)
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DAY 3. During the morning hours of day three an individual portfolio review with Wojtek can be arranged by prior appointment. This will give you the opportunity to work directly with Wojtek on your personal photography skills and techniques while showcasing your greatest work for review. Additionally, the opportunity to practice your photographic skills and techniques on the Kumbh Mela grounds will be possible along with a personal English speaking guide to assist you along the way. Lunch. After our lunch is completed we will conduct another photo walk of approximately 3 - 4 hour’s duration. Included in this timeframe is a photo tour boat ride of 1,5 hours duration. Dinner. Overnight tented camp.
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DAY 4. After our breakfast we will begin the second part of our Photo Workshop where we will focus predominantly on the retouching techniques of your photographs using the aforementioned suggested version of Adobe Lightroom. This lesson be approximately 3 hours in duration. Lunch. The Photo Workshop ends after the lunch around 2 pm.
We provide helicopter flights over the Kumbh Mela ground during the workshops expect on 4. and 10. of February. This special offer is not included in the total price. Prices and availability dates will be provided during the workshop.
WORK
SHOP
Starting at 2312,- € the total base price includes the following:
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Air conditioned transportation as stated in the description, fuel cost, driver and insurance.
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3 meals each day with assorted non-alcoholic beverages.
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Basic facility costs and all taxes included in a 2 bed Deluxe tent.
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An English speaking guide during all excursions.
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One day of hands-on training in post processing fundamentals and special techniques, group lessons divided into two parts.
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One hour personal portfolio review. ​
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Individual photography advisory during the tour and personal support provided by appointment and time availability.
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Not included are all another costs caused by personal needs like: personal photography equipment, all flights not listed in the total workshop cost, necessary visa for entry and exit, train fare, any rides or flights before or after the tour, privately initiated car rides during the workshop, medical expenses, additional hotel services such as, mini bar, spa, laundry, alcoholic drinks, any tips to service staff or any other persons, etc.
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Additional offers:
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The deluxe Swiss tent, located at our base camp, is generally reserved as a two bed option within the first class western standard facilities and service. Single person tents are also available for an additional cost of 480 €. Should you choose this option the cost will be added to the price of your existent booking. To book this additional service please proceed with "Additional offers" on our booking page: Book Online.
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Domestic return flight packages or a fast train from Mumbai or New Delhi to Varanasi along with car transfers to Allahabad are available for an additional cost of 490 €. This cost will be added to your existent booking for the Kumbh Mela workshop. This allows for a more relaxed and stress free arrival to your final destination. To confirm this reservation please use the specific selection during the booking procedure. Flights and train rides are generally booked for arrival on the first day or departure on the last day of the workshop. The exact details and times will be sent to you via email once the flights have been confirmed by the airline. Please use the button below to proceed with this additional offer. To book this additional service please proceed with "Additional offers" on our booking page: Book Online.
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Please note: In the event you would like to combine the Varanasi workshop with the Kumbh Mela workshop and are in need of any support reaching your final destination, please feel free to contact us via email at: phototravel@wojtekstark.com before proceeding with your booking or use our contact form below terms and conditons.
We will help solve any trip planning or organizational needs quickly and efficiently by creating an individual plan for your transportation needs. In fact, we even offer, along with our other services, stress free transportation packages. These packages are connected specifically to workshops and tours only.
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A minimum of 3 adult participans is required to guarantee this departure. A non-refundable deposit of 400,- € per person is required to secure one place and it is included in the total price. Full payment is required. In case you would like to proceed with a part payment reservation ammount only, please contact us over email. At present we accept PayPal, credit cards, Sofortüberweisung payments and direct bank transfer (IBAN/SWIFT) over email. For the last mentioned method please contact us over email or use our contact form below. Travel insurance is highly recommend for traveling while on tour or participating in any one of Wojtek’s exclusive workshop excursions.
Please read the full terms and conditions below very carefully before you agree and proceed with the booking of the Kumbh Mela Photo Workshop. The deposit ammount of 400,- € for each place on the Workshop can't be refounded once the booking is confirmed!
20% OFF =
The available deluxe and super deluxe tents are made from German boards and are all fire, termite proofed etc. A blower is included. The pictures showcase an example of the provided tents. It may vary a little in its look. All tents have a similar standard of furniture and sanitary facilities.
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By accessing and using this service, you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and provision of this agreement. In addition, when using these particular services, you shall be subject to any posted guidelines or rules applicable to such services. Any participation in this service will constitute acceptance of this agreement. If you do not agree to abide by the above, please do not use this service.
02. February - 06. February 2019
2
of 6 places available!
07. February - 11. February 2019
3
of 6 places available!
Terms and conditions of the Kumbh Mela photo workshops in Allahabad:
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02. February - 06. February 2019
07. February - 11. February 2019
Wojtek Stark Studios uG (haftungsbeschränkt) is registered in Germany under the number: HRB 29345. All workshops and/or tours you book with us are organised and sold subject to the following conditions:
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​Booking and Payment
Registrations are allocated and guaranteed only upon receipt of full payment. At present we don't provide a part payment reservation in advance. A non-refundable deposit of 400 € is included in the total price at the time of booking.
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Additional offers to workshops or tours are always declared and can not be booked without an existing booking and can not be cancelled once confirmed.
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​Cancellation
You may cancel at any time although you will only receive part of the fee depending on how close to the workshop you cancel. No refunds will be given for withdrawal after the photo workshop begins.
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- More than 90 days you will be refunded 100% minus any non-refundable deposits.
- More than 60 days you will be refunded 50% minus any non-refundable deposits.
- Less than 60 days you will be refunded 0%.
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Wojtek Stark Studios reserves the right to alter or cancel any workshop at any time. For reasons including, but not limited to, too few participants, adverse weather, instructor illness, logistical problems such as strikes, wars, acts of God, or any other circumstances, which may make operation of the workshop inadvisable. If any workshop has to be cancelled prior to the start date of the trip all fees are refunded in full or you may choose to use the money for another date or workshop. If for some reason the workshop needs to be cancelled part way through the trip there are no refunds.
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​Wojtek Stark Studios reserves the right to cancel any photo workshop with inadequate enrolment 14 days beforehand. In the event that a workshop has to be cancelled due to inadequate enrolment, all fees and deposits paid are refunded in full or transferred to another photo workshop.
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​Wojtek Stark Studios is not responsible for any expenses or damages incurred by workshop members as a consequence of any cancellation, such as costs expended in preparing for the trip including non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, equipment, lost income, or any other trip-related losses or expenses.
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​Workshop Fees
The workshop cost includes the tuition fee, on-workshop transport, accommodation and services mentioned in the detailed descreption of the workshop/tour like guides, boat rides. All other expenses are the responsibility of the participants. Not included are any airfares, airport taxes, pre and post workshop accommodation or items of a personal nature. Price also excludes any insurance coverage for trip cancellation or interruption, travel accident, travel delay, baggage delay or baggage theft, medical or hospitalization expenses (we recommend you obtain coverage for these items).
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Insurance
You must have travel insurance, including coverage for personal health, emergency medical evacuation, emergency medical expenses, and trip cancellation, which would reimburse you for non-refundable airfare and trip cancellation fees. Wojtek Stark cannot accept liability for insurance costs, loss of deposits, airline cancellations or delays or penalties incurred by the purchase of non-refundable airline tickets or other expenses incurred by participants in preparing for this workshop. Wojtek Stark cannot accept liability for any insurance costs if a workshop is cancelled.
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​​Client Responsibility
You must be in good health upon arrival to a photographic workshop. You must have a level of fitness commensurate with your chosen workshop and you are responsible for bringing the appropriate equipment.
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Wojtek Stark Studios reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any member of any trip should such person's actions impede the operation of the trip or the rights or welfare or enjoyment of other members of the trip, and it is agreed that no refunds will be given in such circumstances.
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It is a fundamental booking condition that you accept the hazards involved with outdoor travel and photography. You must acknowledge that delays and alterations and their results, such as inconvenience and discomfort, are possible where unforeseen circumstances arise. In the event of medical emergency and/or repatriation from a workshop by whatever means, the responsibility of such costs will be borne by the client. It is therefore essential that adequate cover is in place. We strongly recommend that you take out an insurance policy at the same time as booking.
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Every participant voluntarily assumes all risks and will hold Wojtek Stark Studios, any co-leader or assistants, harmless from any and all liability, actions, causes of action, claims, debts, and demands which arise in connection with the workshop. The terms hereof shall serve as a release and assumption of risk for your heirs, administrators, and executors, and for all members of my family, including any minors accompanying you.
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​Limitation of Liability
Payment of your booking fee represents your acceptance of all terms and conditions outlined anywhere on our website.
Wojtek Stark Studios aims to provide every participant with a safe, educational and enjoyable experience during the workshops. As there is always certain risks and dangers associated with photography, the outdoors and travel, Wojtek Stark Studios accepts no responsibility or liability for injury, death, illness, accident, losses or additional expenses associated with workshop participation. Nor does Wojtek Stark Studios accept responsibility for damage to equipment, property or digital data loss. Every participant must assess their own suitability, in terms of fitness and stamina, for the workshop that they join. Medical, equipment and travel insurance is your own responsibility. You must notify us of any medical condition that we should know about. We assume no liability regarding provision of medical care. All information is completely confidential.
​Wojtek Stark Studios shall have no liability for any damages, losses, or expenses of whatever cause or nature, including those resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, detention, annoyance, weather, quarantines, strikes, civil disturbance, theft or criminal activity of any kind, government regulations, etc., over which we have no control.
​Wojtek Stark Studios shall have no responsibility for additional expenses due to unforeseen delays caused by weather, theft or criminal activity of any kind, political disputes, acts of terrorism, strikes, sickness, failure of flights or other transportation to arrive or depart on time, and other causes beyond our control. Wojtek Stark Studios is not responsible for additional accommodation not specified in the workshop itineraries which may be required en route, prior to or following a trip, caused by airline scheduling or schedule changes, or by individual clients' travel arrangements or by other factors. Wojtek Stark Studios cannot assume any responsibility for loss or damage to baggage or personal property.
​In no event shall Wojtek Stark Studios have any liability for incidental or consequential damages, however characterized.
Wojtek Stark Studios reserves the right to substitute hotels, venues and facilities, and to alter the itinerary when deemed necessary or advisable. The right is also reserved to cancel any photo workshop prior to departure upon the refund of all payments received.
​Wojtek Stark Studios is not responsible for additional expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for the trip (i.e. non-refundable advance-purchase air tickets, equipment, etc.)
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Wojtek Stark Studios reserves the right to take photographic or video records of any workshop, and may use any such records for promotional and/or commercial purposes.
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​​Changes
All workshop schedules and plans are tentative and made in the interest of exciting photographic opportunities. Wojtek Stark Studios reserves the right to change, at our exclusive discretion, schedules, plans and itineraries, depending on weather, health or safety considerations, or any other factors related or not related to the photographic opportunities, as we see them fit into the workshop.
​While significant efforts will be made to provide the workshop in a truthful manner, all participants acknowledge that landscapes photography is subject to many variables including but not limited to environmental conditions that cannot be guaranteed.​
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​Agreement
​By submitting the booking form and/or registering for a workshop you are agreeing to all the terms and conditions listed above. The person who submits the booking form does so on behalf of all the individuals included on it, so that all are bound by the booking terms and conditions.
After a suceeded booking you will recieve a confirmation email within the possibility to get useful informations connected to the individual organizational agenda around your Kumbh Mela 2019 photo workshop like visa or flight booking tips from your base destination or any another kind by appointment.
​In case you have any enqueries or questions to this offer have not been mentioned before please write an email to:
phototravel@wojtekstark or use our contact form just below.
