 |  | | |
| | | |
more information about our photo tours
better travel photography
•COM
Website, Images and text © Steve Davey/stevedavey.com 2010
A bespoke range of photographic tours, designed and lead by travel photographer Steve Davey with land arrangements provided by Intrepid Travel. These tours draw on Steve's years of experience and intimate knowledge of some of the most fascinating and evocative parts of the planet.
More than a holiday, you will benefit from many picture taking opportunities as well as tailored photographic tuition & encouragement.
Intrepid Travel have been running small group adventures for twenty years and you will be fully protected by their travel industry bonding.
FAQs for the Better Travel Photo Tours
Is my booking with Steve Davey?
Your booking is with Intrepid Travel, and you are covered by their industry bonding.
Do I have to pay a deposit?
There is a non-returnable £100 deposit that is payable when you make your booking. The balance of the trip cost is payable within 60 days of the departure date.
What is the local payment?
Intrepid trip prices used to include a local payment payable in cash. This is no longer the case, and the trip price is the only thing that you have to pay.
Are the departures guaranteed?
We will need a minimum number of people for the tour to go ahead. This will be stated on the tour page. The tour will be confirmed at least 90 days before departure, and you are advised not to book flights before this. If the tour subsequently doesn't go ahead then your deposit will be refunded in full.
Should I contact Intrepid Travel to discuss these tours?
No, in the initial stages contact Steve Davey, who has designed, and will be leading the tours. He will be able to answer your questions about the tours, what they include, and discuss whether they will be suitable for you.
How do I contact Steve Davey?
Steve is based in London, but is a working professional photographer and often overseas. The easiest way to get hold of him in the initial stages is to use the contact form here. This will allow Steve to agree a time to speak personally, depending on your time zone!
Should I pay Steve Davey for the tour?
All payments will be handled by Intrepid Travel, so that your money is protected by their industry bonding.
How do I make a booking with Intrepid Travel?
Once you have discussed the tour details with Steve Davey, he can supply you with a booking form, which should be completed and will then be forwarded to Intrepid Travel with your deposit.
What do I need to join the tour?
You are responsible for organising your own flights and any visas necessary. You have the responsibility to join the tour at the time and place stated. If you are late, for any reason, it is your responsibility to catch up the tour at your own expense. When you join the tour you will have to show proof of insurance. You will also be requested to sign the standard Intrepid indemnity form. A copy of this, can be found on the Intrepid website.
What if I am a single traveller?
The tour price is based upon a twin-share basis, but if you are a solo traveller, then you will share with another (same sex) member of the group. If there is no other single, same sex person on the group then you get your own room at no extra cost to the basic twin share price. If there are (for instance) three single people of the same sex in the group, then you can take it in turns to have a room on your own!
We are currently looking into the practicalities of having a single supplement price, so please contact us if you are interested in this.
What sort of people go on your tours?
As these are a new range of tours. it is hard to say for sure, but based upon the photo tours which Steve has lead for Intrepid, the ages range from 18 to 60+! Generally the vast majority have been solo travellers and a fairly even split of men and women. Predictably the more adventurous tours tend to have a lower average age, but what tends to characterise Intrepid travellers of any age is their vitality, spirit and willingness to get involved in all of the group activities.
Has Steve Davey run tours before?
Two Better Travel Photography tours ran successfully in 2009: Impressions of Morocco and Impressions of India. Steve has also lead three photo trips for Intrepid Travel: India Through the Lens, Thailand Through the Lens and Morocco Through the Lens. When they decided to stop running photo trips on a regular basis, they approached Steve Davey to run them himself, using Intrepid to provide the land arrangements. This means that Steve has built up a great deal of experience in running tours, and also a good working relationship with Intrepid Travel, and a knowledge of their way of travelling. In doing this, he has worked with a couple of their local leaders, who hopefully we will be able to secure for these trips. You can see some of the testimonials from Steve's previous tours here.
Is Steve Davey a working travel photographer?
Steve Davey is a working travel photographer and writer. He regularly travels around the world, shooting for publishers and magazines. He is the author and photographer of Unforgettable Places to See Before You Die, and Unforgettable Islands to Escape To Before You Die. Between them these books have been translated into almost 30 language editions. Steve writes a Travel Photography feature in every issue of Wanderlust Magazine in the UK and in Get Lost Magazine in Australia.
Why does this matter?
Anyone who travels with a camera will come away with a few good shots. Shove these on a website and they might look good. A working travel photographer will be used to short shoots and unpredictable conditions. They will be able to give you tips on coming back with great pictures when you have a couple of days in a location, the weather is bad and there is scaffolding everywhere! If they aren't a working travel photographer then do you really want a studio or wedding photographer, or even a journalist with a camera to be teaching you about travel photography?
Do I need an expensive camera to come on one of your tours?
You don't need to have an expensive camera, and dozens of lenses, but you will get more out of the tour if you have a camera that allows you more control over the exposure, shutter-speed and aperture, and also a range of lenses, or a zoom lens.
Do I need to be an expert photographer to come on one of your tours?
Decidedly not, but these are not tours for absolute beginners either. The ideal person will have some knowledge of photography, and an idea of their weaknesses in photography, and areas where they want to learn and develop. In short, if you are convinced that all of your pictures are fantastic, then there is probably little that Steve can do for you. Steve always starts off the tours by finding out what people want to learn and then tailors the tours to fit that. Typically areas that are covered include shooting RAW, exposure and composition, as well as more general picture taking techniques and scenarios that you will encounter on the tour.
Are these tours hard work?
These tours are designed for photography, which means that there will be some optional and non-optional early morning starts. We will also try to fit a lot into the average day! However, Steve is mindful that this is also a holiday for you and so he tries to balance these with personal time, where you have the option to take pictures or just relax. You will get more out of the tour if you put more effort in.
Are there lots of early starts?
Any keen photographer will know that the light is better in the early morning and Steve has arranged these tours to take in as many sunrises as possible. Sometimes these will be integral to the trip, other times they will be optional.
Will I be able to photograph everything in good light?
Any tour like this is a balance between how much you see, and the light that you see it in. A tour that shows you everything in the golden sunrise and sunset hours would have to last for weeks! There will be somethings that we see in the middle of the day, and some things that we have to stop and see as part of a longer journey. The tours have been arranged though so that all of the most important places will be visited in the early morning or late afternoon.
What sort of accommodation will we be staying in?
As these tours are a completely separate product we are able to use a mix of the Intrepid styles as appropriate. Sometimes these will be Intrepid Comfort style (which is typically 3 star) other times we will staying in places that conform to the Intrepid Original style which is more simple. There are times (such as at the Sonepur Mela) when we will be staying in very basic accommodation, in order to get close to the action. All of the accommodation choices will be spelt out in the tour notes, or you can contact Steve for more details. To see Intrepid Travel's definition of their styles, click here.
Having a mix of styles also allows us to have our own transport for much of these time, which you would only usually get on an Intrepid Comfort trip, but still stay in Original style accommodation where appropriate.
Will I get my own room?
These prices are based upon two people sharing in a twin room. If you are travelling on your own, then you will be paired up with someone else in the group to share with. Rest assured, that you won't be asked to share with anyone of the opposite sex!
Will I get much free time?
There will be free time throughout the tour, which you can use for relaxing, exploring, shopping or even photographing!
What is an Intrepid trip like?
Intrepid run small group adventures. This means that you have less of an impact on the places that you travel through. It also means that we get to stay in smaller, more intimate accommodation. Intrepid have a policy to stay in locally owned accommodation wherever possible, so that local communities benefit. For more information about Intrepid Travel and their style of travel click here.
How are your tours different from standard Intrepid trips?
As they are a completely separate product, Steve is able to take all of the best bits from different Intrepid styles and add to them to create a product which is totally unique. This gives you a range of accommodation, where appropriate, as well as our own transport for much of the tour, to allow us the freedom and flexibility to stop when we need to take pictures.
Some of the main differences with Intrepid trips are:
a). Tour specifically designed for photo opportunities and to be in the right place at the right time as much as possible
b). Presence of Steve Davey on the tour.
c). Ability to speak to Steve about equipment and other matters before the start of the tour.
d). Opportunity to join an (optional) discussion forum with Steve and other members of the tour before (and after) departure to discuss equipment, and also arrange to meet up with any of the members of the group before the tour starts if you arrive early!
e). Steve will be setting up galleries where group members can upload images from the trip. Should you require you can upload images and also receive a personal comment and opinion from Steve, who will suggest ways that you can improve and take your photography further. There will be reviews of work on the tour, but there is not always time to look at a lot of images. This way, you can review your own pictures, and then have Steve look at images that you have selected.
Will my photography improve on one of your tours?
If you come on the tour with an open mind, take part actively, listen to Steve and work at what he suggests then he is confident that your photography will greatly improve!
Can I shoot film?
Most people now seem to shoot digital, and these tours are predominantly set up for the digital photographer. Shooting digital will allow you to instantly review your work, and develop your skills as you go. However, there is no reason why you can't shoot film, and most of the techniques are the same as with digital photography. With his many years of experience of shooting film, Steve can help you to get the best results.
What equipment should I bring?
In part this depends on whether you are travelling just for one of my photo tours, or whether it is a part of a larger trip. I always take a lot of equipment to make sure that I have spare gear in case of loss, theft or damage. A tripod and a flash will certainly be useful. If you have a small laptop then it will be of use for post and RAW processing s well as archiving – if you can be bothered to carry it! You will probably get better results from the trip and learn more if you are familiar with the basic controls on the camera, rather than trying to use a new camera that you have just picked up at Duty Free! Probably the best bet is to contact Steve to discuss if you have any queries!
I want to be a professional photographer. Will your tours help?
There are a number of things that you will need to be a successful professional photographer. Originality, professionalism, an eye for a picture, ideas, dedication, luck and of course, photographic skills. Steve will definitely help you to improve your photographic skills and will happily advise on all of the others (often over a long cold beer). So I guess that the answer is yes!
I am a professional writer and want to get more work. Will improving my photography with one of your tours help?
If you are a professional or aspiring professional writer - of any discipline - then improving your photographic skills will make you far more marketable. In these difficult times publications are looking to spend less money, and are less likely to send a writer and a photographer to cover a story. If you can do both then you are more likely to get more work! Having a good selection of pictures can make an obscure story more saleable, and selling the odd picture to accompany your words can also be a useful revenue stream. These tours will definitely improve your photography, and if you are interested, Steve can make a lot of suggestions about how you can take pictures specifically to support features, and the best ways to caption and submit them to publications.
What is the local payment?
Intrepid trip prices used to include a local payment which had to be paid in cash at the start of the tour. This is no longer the case, which means the stated trip price is all that you have to pay - except for your own personal spending money. An estimate of this is shown on each tour page.
What about tipping?
As a point of principle, Steve does not accept any tips for leading tours. However, we will have a local Intrepid tour leader and possibly a driver for some of the time. Steve recommends that these people should be tipped if you are happy with the services that you have received. I am happy to advise a modest amount for any tips, but would like to stress that this is entirely optional.
Do you have any testimonials?
There are some testimonials from some of the photo tours that Steve has led previously here.
I have a question that isn't answered here, how can I contact Steve?
Click here and fill out the contact form, and Steve will get back to you as soon as possible.
By combining experience gained from years as working professional travel photographer, with that gleaned from leading a number of photographic trips for Intrepid Travel, Steve has designed and created a range of tours that are completely different from anything else that is available.
On Steve's tours, you will see some fascinating parts of the world in Intrepid's unique style whilst gaining a valuable insight into the life of a professional travel photographer. With Steve's patience, enthusiasm and experience you will drastically improve your travel photography and learn more about taking pictures than you ever thought possible.
What is Steve's vision for these tours?
Steve's vision for his tours can be seen here.
Why are Steve's Tours different?
Learn what makes Steve's tours different here.
How is Steve Qualified to run tours?
To see Steve's experience by clicking here.
What topics are covered on Steve's tours?
The subjects generally covered on Steve's tours are here.
Testimonials for Steve Davey
Some feedback from previous tours led by Steve is here.
Who are Steve's Tours suited to?
Click here to see if Steve's tours are right for you.
Is there a summary of booking conditions?
Click here to see a summary of the booking conditions.
Any press coverage of Steve's tours?
These tours were recently featured in the
Daily Telegraph and also in the Metro. We have also just been featured in Conde Nast Traveller.
Do you have a Responsible Travel Policy?
Our responsible travel and environmental policies can be found here.
How about some FAQs?
These are on the bookings page, but you can also see them here.
Photo tours with
Steve Davey