This photography tour takes in the colours and landscapes of northeast India with Richard l'Anson, author of Lonely Planet's Guide to Travel Photography, as the guide. Expect early morning wake-up calls to ensure the best light on this 16-day tour through through Kolkata, Darjeeling and Sikkim. There will be the chance to snap the Durga Puja Festival, one of the biggest festivals on India's calendar, as well as forest trails where yak graze in front of Mount Kanchenjunga. Other highlights include a visit to a hill station in Darjeeling and the chance to see a performance by the Gangjong Doeghar Tibetan performing arts troupe in the town of Kalimpong. The trip runs from October 20. worldexpeditions.com
Those wanting to learn more about landscape photography should book in to Lake Crackenback Resort's photography weekend. Acclaimed landscape photographer Michael Scott Lees will be having participants take images of snow gums at Charlotte Pass, as well as of mountain landscapes and waterways. Lees, who has been shooting for 32 years, knows all the secret spots, he is a Snowy Mountains local. Highlights include morning light photography with a fly fisherman on the Thredbo River and night photography on the Snowy River. Between shoots, Lees will be lecturing on the technical aspects of photography. The next weekend takes place on October 23-25. lakecrackenback.com.au/whats-on/landscape-photography-weekends
The rise in quality of smartphone cameras means you no longer need to haul cumbersome equipment but there are many tricks – and apps – to master to get the right shot. Find out how on a 10-day journey with New York-based smartphone photographers Benjamin Lowy and wife Marvi in Cuba. Adventure World's Snapshots of Cuba includes early morning strolls through Havana, a visit to a working cigar factory as well as the opportunity to see rehearsals of one of Cuba's leading dance companies. The tour offers the chance to take shots of a country which, with US travel bans lifted, is about to go through a major transformation. The tour departs November 21. adventureworld.com.au/cuba/snapshots-of-cuba-a-smartphone-journey/
World Heritage-listed Lord Howe could be one of Australia's most picturesque islands, best seen through the lens atop the spectacular twin peaks known as Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower – which is Lord Howe's Everest at 875 metres high. The week-long walking and photography tour organised by Pinetrees Lodge takes in all that "the last paradise" offers. There are 200 species of birds as well as rare flora to photograph with local experienced photographer guides showing different techniques. There's also a daily "best photo" battle for competitive types. The next Pinetrees Walking and Photography Week begins November 9. pinetrees.com.au/rates-packages/walking-and-photography-week
Many travel photographers dream of shooting the elusive northern lights. Get in with a good chance by joining Australian photographer Malcolm Fackender and American snapper Elia Locardi for an Iceland photo tour from the Snaefellsnes peninsula down to the southeastern coast. The two photographers will guide the group into shooting waterfalls, rugged mountainscapes, fields of moss-covered lava rock, glacial lagoons and black sand beaches on the nine-day tour. The highlight will be the chance to see and photograph one of nature's great displays, the aurora borealis, though, of course it can never be guaranteed. The tour starts October 9. dreamphototours.com
Picture the Sahara at sunset atop a camel with National Geographic photographer Massimo Bassano as a guide on this 14-day trek in Morocco. There will also be the opportunity to capture scenes at a Berber village in the Atlas Mountains and colourful souks of Fez and Marrakesh of Morocco. Get close-ups of architectural details at the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the ancient adobe village of Ait Ben Haddou, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. This adventure is guaranteed to make this the one slideshow the family will want to see upon your return home. The tours take place October 3-16 and November 14-27. nationalgeographicexpeditions.com/expeditions/morocco-photo-adventure/detail
