Papua New Guinea
Travel Portrait Masterclass
6-18 September 2022
CHF 6,995
€ 6,800 S$10,300
All-inclusive except international flight
13 DAYS
3-6 PEOPLE
4/3* HOTELS
VILLAGE STAY
The ultimate destination for people photography, and for a trip of a lifetime - Papua New Guinea is home to a dizzying diversity of authentic indigenous cultures. From painted faces & bodies to wigs, masks and feathers, Papua will bring to life your wildest exotic images, and easily exceed them.
We are going there at the time of two major festivals, giving us an opportunity to sample all this cultural variety in its full glory. We will also experience the ethnic diversity of the country, from fierce & short-tempered highland tribes to mellow polynesian vibe of Trobriand islanders.
Expect the most exotic people images & encounters of your life. Be prepared for 2 nights in a real polynesian village, living in people’s houses, with no electricity, toilet or running water.
Covid Restrictions
Papua New Guinea has now opened up for foreign visitors, so this trip is now confirmed.
Entry requirements:
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You need to be fully-vaccinated to enter Papua. Booster is not required.
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On arrival antigen test is required
Locations
Tari
Hidden deep in Papua's highlands, this is home to Huli tribe, famous for their elaborate face paintings and wigs. In Huli tradition, women do all the work, so that men can concentrate on their appearance - which they do with a great gusto. Especially during tribal wars - when you can see warriors in full colourful attire having a snack on the roadside before joining the fight.
Goroka Festival
Once a year, the highland town of Goroka hosts a 2-day festival, which brings over 100 tribes - with dazzling variety of stunning dresses, face paintings and masks - to perform their tribal dances. A hair-raising, other-worldly experience and an ultimate photographers paradise. With VIP tickets, we will be free to move among the dancing groups, as close as we want.
Hiri Moale
Hiri Moale is a festival held in capital Port Moresby on Independence Day, on a beach. It culminates with a beauty contest, where over 20 contestants compete in traditional dresses - topless with elaborate body paintings. The festival also features numerous dancing troupes in gorgeous Polynesian-style dresses - very different from the highland tribes in Goroka,
Trobriand Islands
Trobriand islanders, who are of Polynesian descent, are polar opposite of the highland tribes - gentle, soft-spoken and avoiding conflict. We will stay 2 nights in the local village, integrating with the villagers, watching their dances, and witnessing weekly Traditional Day at school, when all kids are required to show up in traditional dresses, complete with intricate face paintings.
Itinerary
Tue 6 Sep
Arrival in Port Moresby (5:00am)
Flight Port Moresby - Losuia
Wed 7 Sep - Trobriand Islands
Losuia street photography
Transfer to a village
Thu 8 Sep - Trobriand Islands
Village stay
Traditional dance at the village
Fri 9 Sep - Trobriand Islands
Village stay
Traditional Day at school
Sat 10 Sep - Trobriand Islands
Village stay
Transfer to Losuia
Sun 11 Sep
Flight Losuia - Port Moresby
Mon 12 Sep - Tari
Flight Port Moresby - Tari
Encounters with Huli tribe
Tue 13 Sep - Tari
Encounters with Huli tribe
Tari market
Wed 14 Sep
Flight Tari - Port Moresby
Thu 15 Sep - Port Moresby
Hiri Moale festival
Fri 16 Sep - Port Moresby
Hiri Moale festival
Sat 17 Sep - Goroka
Flight Port Moresby - Goroka
Goroka Festival Day 1
Sun 18 Sep - Goroka
Goroka Festival Day 2
Flight Goroka - Port Moresby
Mon 19 Sep
Departure to Singapore (14:50)
Photographic Coaching
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Full-time coaching by Pawel Lipski
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Creative techniques & tips for travel portraits - both candid & posed
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Camera settings for travel portraits
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Location-specific briefings & assignments
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Daily reviews of best photos
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Written feedback on your 15 best shots after the trip
Included:
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Full-time travel portrait coaching
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Accommodation in 4/3-star hotels, lodges and 2 nights village stay in Trobriand Islands
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All meals (with beverages)
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All 6 domestic flights
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Ground transportation in private minivan / 4WD where needed
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Airport transfers
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Performance fees
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Entrance fees
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Security where needed
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Tips for guides & people we photograph
Not Included:
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International flight into Port Moresby
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Visa
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Travel insurance
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Personal expenses (e.g. room service, porters, laundry)
This Trip Is For...
This trip has been designed primarily for people who have already completed my training "3 Steps To Stunning Portraits", and are already familiar with natural light and composition techniques for people photography.
During this trip, you will learn how to apply these techniques to travel portraits - both candid and posed.
You need a good camera with a telephoto lens up to at least 200mm (full frame) - plus a wider lens for the churches (inside & outside) & when we can get up close to our subjects.
Personally, I will bring 24-70mm f2.8 and 70-200mm f2.8.
Important To Know
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Information pack including a packing list and clothing recommendations will be sent 2 months before the trip
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Mandatory vaccinations (list available) + malaria prophylactic
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Visa on arrival for all developed and some South-East Asian countries. Check eligibility: PNG Visa
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If you don't have travel insurance, you can get it here: www.worldnomads.com
Recommended Flights
Currently the only option to travel into PNG is with Air Niugini from Singapore (CHF/€ 700 / S$ 1,000)
Pawel Lipski
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International photography coach, specialising in people photography in natural light - from posed to travel portraits
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30+ years of photographic experience
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An avid independent traveller with a passion for remote, non-touristy places with authentic cultures
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Polish based in Zurich, Switzerland
Cancellations
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100% refund if canceled at least 60 days before trip start
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50% refund if canceled 30-59 days before trip start
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No refund if canceled less than 30 days before trip start
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If the trip is cancelled within the last 60 days due to pandemic situation, we will reschedule it to the following year at no cost (also September to see the same festivals) OR you can withdraw and get 80% refund (the remaining 20% covers domestic flight tickets with are changeable but not refundable).
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If you test positive for Covid and unable to fully recover by the time of departure, or in case of any other medical emergency within the last 60 days, you can switch to the next year’s trip at the cost of CHF 300 (reschedule fee for domestic flights) or cancel and get 80% refund.