Macro Photography Bootcamp Borneo 2017

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The Macro Photography Bootcamp is a series of intensive workshops designed for intermediate to advanced macro photographers. The only requirement is a feverish passion for macro photography and entomology, with a strong desire to elevate your macro shooting skills to an advanced level. This will be a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself into the rich biodiversity of exotic insects, spiders, reptiles and amphibians of Borneo's pristine rainforests. At the same time, it will be an amazing bug-hunting experience with a group of like-minded, passionate individuals! To top it off, it is close to the end of the milky way season in the region and there should be ample opportunities for milky way photography!

Please also contact me separately if you wish to join as a non-photographer or wish to bring friends or family members who are non-photographers so that I can rework the costs for you.

For those who are completely new to macro photography and are interested in an introductory workshop, there is one suited for beginners in Singapore at Pulau Ubin, 3rd June 2017.

The workshop will be held in locations with convenient access to excellent trails suitable for macro photography. The Danum Valley segment is optional. Those who are restricted by time and cost can opt to just go for Tawau Hills.

• Tawau Hills: 16 to 20 July 2017 (Sun-Thu)
• Danum Valley: 20 to 23 July 2017 (Thu-Sun, very limited seats)

The lessons will be conducted in Tawau Hills with numerous field trips, while the second segment in Danum Valley will be dedicated to field trips and one-to-one consultations with the instructor.

Tawau Hills Workshop: US$1000 (twin/triple sharing)

• Upgrade to Single Room in Tawau: +US$200 (subject to availability)
• Upgrade to Air-Conditioned Room in Tawau: +US$100 (subject to availability)
• Danum Valley Extension: +US$500 (gender-separated dormitories only, very limited beds)
• Paypal processing fees: +5% of total

Price includes:

• Scheduled workshop lessons and private consultation during field trips and free time
• Access to Borneo's pristine rainforests with 2-3 field trips per day except travel days
• Minibus transfer from Tawau Airport to Tawau Hills
• 4WD transfer from Tawau Hills to Danum Valley
• 4WD transfer from Danum Valley to Tawau Airport
• Basic jungle cabin with ceiling fan
• Common toilets and showers only
• Simple local breakfast, lunch and dinner as indicated in schedule
• All entry and conservation fees to park and trails
• Camera permits
• Tips for local staff
• Pre-trip consultation to fine-tune equipment
• Access to private Facebook group for follow-up advice and discussions
• Impromptu lesson on shooting the milky way if weather permits (F/2.8 ultra wide angle lens recommended)

Price excludes:

• Airfare: International participants arriving via Kuala Lumpur should take the 0955h-1250 (AK5746) flight from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau via AirAsia on 16 July 2017
• Personal insurance - for visitors to Danum Valley, your travel insurance must cover helicopter evacuation (show a copy upon check-in)
• Photography equipment (bring your own gear!)
• Any additional food, drinking water, etc. apart from stated meals

1. Burning passion in macro photography.
2. Strong interest in insects, spiders, reptiles and amphibians
3. DSLR or a good mirrorless digital camera
4. Dedicated macro lens capable of 1:1 magnification, preferably between 60mm to 105mm
5. Close up filters: Raynox DCR-150 or Raynox DCR-250
6. External flash
7. Additional external flash capable of being wirelessly triggered (for back-lighting)
8. Tripod for natural light, ultraviolet and milky way shoot
9. Laptop with Adobe Photoshop CC installed for post processing lessons
10. Powerful lightweight torch/flashlight/headlamp for searching
11. Powerful lightweight light attached to camera for focusing
12. Basic proficiency in Adobe Photoshop (understand layers, levels, etc.)

Some things that you should know about the venue. Note that the jungle cabins are old and basic, do not expect a luxury stay!

• All rooms have a ceiling fan.
• Each room has limited power sockets. Please bring multi-plugs/power strips for charging multiple devices.
• Separate male and female toilets with private shower cubicles are just a few steps away from the rooms.
• Showers are not heated, and water pressure can be low at times.
• You may wash your clothes - there are shared clothes lines for you to hang your clothes out to dry.
• We can borrow some shared space in a fridge to store your beverages.
• Lessons will be in a sheltered common area just in front of the rooms.

We will be at a location closest to the trails and not in any resort. All facilities are basic.

• Male and female dormitories with showers will be in separate buildings
• Lockers available in office, do not leave valuables lying around (to be confirmed)
• Electricity available from 7:00am till 12:00am only

• All trails are within walking distance from the cabins.
• The terrain is relatively flat - there is minimal to no climbing involved in the trails.

Transport will depart from Tawau Airport after the arrival of participants via AirAsia AK5746 at 12:50pm on 16 July 2017. On the last day, we will arrive back to Tawau Airport at 1:00pm.

• 16 July 2017: Kuala Lumpur to Tawau

  AirAsia AK5746 09:55 - 12:50
  Have your lunch on the flight
  Transport leaves Tawau Airport at about 13:15

• 20 July 2017: Tawau to Kuala Lumpur (not attending Danum extension)

  AirAsia AK5747 13:15 - 16:00
  Transport arrives at Tawau Airport at about 10:30
  Have lunch at airport

• 23 July 2017: Tawau to Kuala Lumpur

  AirAsia AK5749 15:40 - 18:25
  Transport arrives at Tawau Airport at about 13:00
  Have lunch at airport

• Extending your trip

  Let me know if you are extending your trip to visit other parts of Borneo and have your own transport arrangements.

• Get a lightweight but powerful torch light for searching in the night.
• Get spare batteries and chargers that can handle multiple batteries.
• Borrow extra memory cards from your friends. I usually chalk up at least 20GB per day.
• Rig a focusing light on your camera instead of holding a light with your hand.
• Do more field shoots prior to the trip, note down any problems that you face.
• Bring a hat, it blocks the sun from your eyes while shooting.
• Bring leech socks (can also be purchased from park office at RM10).
• Bring mosquito repellent.
• Pack light.

	Day 1 16 Jul	Day 2 17 Jul	Day 3 18 Jul	Day 4 19 Jul	Day 5 20 Jul
7am	Most participants will travel from Kuala Lumpur via AK5746 from 09:55am to 12:50pm. Gather at Tawau Airport entrance at 01:00pm	Free time	Free time	Free time	Early breakfast at 6am and depart for Danum Valley Those not going to Danum Valley will leave for Tawau Airport at 9am, estimated to reach at 11am.
8am		Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast
9am		Field Trip	Field Trip	Field Trip
10am
11am
12pm					Refer to Danum Valley schedule below
1pm	Minibus to supermarket for personal grocery shopping	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
2pm		Field Trip	Field Trip	Field Trip
3pm	Check in at jungle cabins
4pm
5pm	Welcome to Borneo Bootcamp!	Free time	Free time	Free time
6pm	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner / Debrief
7pm	Lighting Composition Finding subjects Focusing techniques Tips	Photo Review	Photo Review
8pm		Image Processing Basic Focus Stacking	Advanced Techniques Ultraviolet photography Backlighting	Q&A / Open Discussion
9pm	Night Hike Milky Way Shoot*	Night Hike Milky Way Shoot*	Night Hike Milky Way Shoot*	Night Hike Milky Way Shoot*
10pm
11pm
12am

Note: Schedule may be subject to changes.
* Milky Way shoots are subject to weather conditions.

There are no classroom lessons in Danum Valley. It will be an intense schedule of shooting practice, but participants are free to take breaks as and when they wish, and to request for one-on-one consultation sessions with the instructor.

	Day 5 20 Jul	Day 6 21 Jul	Day 7 22 Jul	Day 8 23 Jul
7am	4WD from Tawau Hills to Danum Valley	Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast
8am		Trail Exploration	Trail Exploration	4WD from Danum Valley to Tawau Airport
9am
10am
11am
12pm	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
1pm	Rest	Rest	Rest	Lunch at Airport at own cost Flight from Tawau Airport
2pm	Trail Exploration	Trail Exploration	Trail Exploration
3pm
4pm
5pm
6pm	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner
7pm	Rest	Rest	Rest
8pm	Night Hike Milky Way Shoot*	Night Hike Milky Way Shoot*	Night Hike Milky Way Shoot*
9pm
10pm
11pm
12am

Note: Schedule may be subject to changes.
* Milky Way shoots are subject to weather conditions.

As with all trips, there are basic ground rules to follow. By signing up for the trip, you agree to the following rules.

Shooting etiquette

1. Finders shoot first

   The one who finds the subject will have the right to shoot first, the rest who are interested to shoot should take a "queue number".

2. Share your finds

   Share what you find with others, and let everyone take a basic shot before going closer for high magnification shots.

3. Slow shooters shoot later

   If you know that you take very long for your shots, let other faster participants shoot first.

4. Keep volume low

   Do not shout or talk loudly when others are shooting, loud noise can scare skittish subjects away.

5. Be magnanimous

   It is common for subjects to escape or disappear when you are shooting. It will happen to everyone, so refrain from blaming anyone when it happens, be magnanimous and move on.

Specimen collection

This is a photography workshop and not a collection trip for entomologists. Please discuss with me via email first if you have the permits and really have to collect specimens.

I usually keep stock of some equipment for the convenience of participants. Let me know in advance if you need anything listed here. Cheaper than retail but not the cheapest online, so get them for convenience only.

1. Handheld Search Light (US$40)

   Good search lights are essential for both day and night macro photography. This is the exact brandless torch that I am using, so you can expect it to be as bright as branded ones that cost well over $100.
   Includes 1x Panasonic 18650 3400mAh Button-Top Protected Battery
   

2. Headlamp / Focusing Light (US$30)

   This is a less powerful light that will be attached to the camera to aid in focusing both in day and night.
   Includes 1x Panasonic 18650 3400mAh Flat-Top Non-Protected Rechargeable Battery
   

3. UV Light (US$50) (very limited stock)

   Required for UV photography, not all UV lights are suitable, this is chosen after years of trial and error. Note that sometimes the listed wavelength may not be accurate.
   Includes 1x Panasonic 18650 3400mAh Button-Top Protected Rechargeable Battery
   

4. Panasonic 18650 3400mAh rechargeable battery (US$12-US$15)

   Extra batteries for the torches above.
   Either Button-Top Protected (longer, can't fit focusing light) or Flat-Top Non-Protected

5. Soshine H4 Battery Charger (US$40)

   4-bay universal battery charger
   Up to 1000mA charging per battery
   Supports Li-ion / NiMH / LiFePO4 (most others don't support LiFePO4)
   Supports 14500 18350 18650 26650 CR123 AA AAA C
   

6. Step-down Ring (US$10)

   Step down ring for Raynox DCR-150 and Raynox DCR-250, let me know your lens filter size.
   Much more secure, and ensures center position of filter (recommended!)
   

7. Venus Optics Laowa Lenses (ask for prices)

   I am partnering with Venus Optics to bring Laowa lenses and flashes to workshop participants. Prices will be cheaper than retail, with full warranty. Links to products provided for reference.
   
   • Laowa 60mm f/2.8 2X Ultra-Macro Lens
   • Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Wide Angle Macro Lens with Shift
   • Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-Distortion
   • Laowa 105mm f/2 Smooth Trans Focus Lens
   • Kuangren Macro Twin Flash KX-800
   • Laowa 7.5mm f/2 for M4/3

Seats are limited, and secured only after confirmation of payment. If you encounter any problems with the form below, contact me at nicky@bay.to with the relevant details to register manually. This page will be updated should all the seats be filled. Register early to avoid disappointment!

Name in Passport

Email

Passport Number

Passport Expiry

Nationality

Date of Birth

Gender

Male   Female

Contact Number

Emergency Contact

Any medical conditions that I should be aware of

Dietary restrictions (if any)

Camera Equipment Models (Camera, Lens, Filters, Tubes, Flash, etc.)

Describe your macro photography experience. Include online album URLs if applicable.

Expectations for this bootcamp

Remarks / Requests / Questions? / Roommate with friend?

Paypal Email

Trip Options (Subject to Availability)

Tawau Workshop (Twin/Triple)

US$1000

Tawau Single Room Upgrade

US$200

Tawau Air-Condition Room Upgrade

US$100

Danum Valley Extension (20-23 July, Dormitory)

US$500

Equipment Options (Subject to Availability)

Handheld Search Light + Battery

US$40

Focusing Light + Battery

US$30

UV Light + Battery

US$50

Soshine H4 Universal 4-Bay Charger (US Plug)

US$40

01234 Panasonic 3400mAh 18650 Protected Button

US$15

01234 Panasonic 3400mAh 18650 Non-Protected Flat

US$12

---Lens Filter Diameter---46mm49mm52mm55mm58mm62mm67mm Step-Down Ring for Raynox DCR-250/150

US$10

Laowa Products Price Enquiry

Laowa 60mm f/2.8 2X Ultra-Macro Lens

ask

Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Wide Angle Macro Lens

ask

Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-Distortion

ask

Laowa 105mm f/2 Smooth Trans Focus Lens

ask

Kuangren Macro Twin Flash KX-800

ask

Laowa 7.5mm f/2 for M4/3

ask

5% Paypal Surcharge

US$90

Expected Total

US$1890

Indemnity Agreement

I declare that I am physically fit for the above mentioned activities, and agree to assume any and all risks which might be associated with this workshop and I will indemnify and not hold the organizers of this workshop responsible or liable in any way for, and that no right of action shall arise from, any loss or damage (including, without limitation, personal injury or property damage) caused by or sustained as a result of my participation in this workshop.

Payment request and securing of seat will be made after verification of registration details.

• 50% refund (excluding Paypal fee) for cancellations made before 16 June 2017.
• No refund on or after 16 June 2017.
• No additional fees to transfer your seat to someone else.

Have questions? Ask in the comments section at the end of this post! Alternatively, send me a message on Facebook or just send me an email at nicky@bay.to.

If you are absolutely keen on this bootcamp but are not available during these dates, contact me regarding your interest so that I can notify you for the next bootcamp. Please also contact me directly if you wish to join as a non-photographer or wish to bring friends or family members who are not photographers.

Meanwhile, here are some shots that I have taken at the bootcamp venue recently. You can also read the photo journal entries from the previous bootcamp. However, as all macro photographers would know, there is no guarantee in sighting any particular subject as some are only prevalent during certain months of the year.

Note that I will normally respond to emails within a day. If you did not receive any reply, please resend your email in case it got lost!

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1. Giant shield bug (Tessaratomidae) Buy this Photo
   Some of the most colourful shield bugs could be found here. We found one just outside the toilet.

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2. Lantern bug (Pyrops whiteheadi) Buy this Photo
   The venue is home to at least 3 different species of lantern bugs. Sighting them is not difficult, but getting an angle to photograph them depends a lot on luck!

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3. Lantern bug (Pyrops sidereus) Buy this Photo
   Some of the lantern bugs have distinct host trees, and the chances of finding them would be much higher with an experienced guide.

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4. Lantern bug (Pyrops sultanus)
   Some can even be spotted at night, when they are less skittish.

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5. Huntsman spider (Sparassidae) Buy this Photo
   This giant and colourful huntsman spider was spotted just 50m away from the cabins.

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6. Golden blue ant (Polyrhachis sp.) Buy this Photo
   These ants were brilliantly coloured with a metallic blue abdomen.

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7. Broad-headed bark spider (Caerostris sp.)
   A rare genus of orb weavers that can weave strong orb webs spanning several meters.

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8. Bird dung crab spider (Phrynarachne sp.)
   Many arachnologists like to look for this cryptic crab spider mimicking bird dung.

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9. Stick insect (Phasmatodea)
   There were a number of huge stick insects around.

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10. Giant shield bug (Tessaratomidae) Buy this Photo
    Unfortunately we also found many shield bugs infected with cordyceps fungus.

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11. Longhorn orb web spider (Macracantha arcuata) Buy this Photo
    Probably the longest horns on any spider in the region, the longhorn orb web spider is a common sight near to the cabins.

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12. Giant black forest scorpion (Heterometrus sp.)
    One of the topics covered during the bootcamp will be ultraviolet photography. This scorpion was found next to the path between our cabins and the canteen.

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13. Harvestman (Opiliones) Buy this Photo
    Who would have imagined that a harvestman could be blue?

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14. Trilobite beetle larva (Platerodrilus sp.)
    The famous beetle that resembles the extinct trilobite. Check out my trilobite checklist.

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15. Giant river toad (Phrynoidis juxtasper) Buy this Photo
    Some of the toads by the river were huge, spanning 20cm in length.

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16. Long horn orb weaver (Macracantha arcuata)
    These flamboyant orb weavers are not too uncommon in the workshop area.

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17. Knob necked stick insect (Calvisia hennemanni)
    Stunning stick insect that we found during one of our night walks.

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18. Rhino beetle (Dynastinae) Buy this Photo
    This rhino beetle flew to us near the cabin, which gave us the opportunity to take some wide angle shots when we were checking out on the last day.

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19. Dragon snake (Xenodermus javanicus)
    Rare dragon snake found just a few meters into the trail.

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20. Great anglehead lizard (Gonocephalus grandis)
    Not uncommon, but still a delight to sight this male great anglehead lizard.

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21. Milky Way in Borneo
    If weather permits, we will be able to photograph the milky way under the low light conditions. This was shot in Borneo, although not at the exact workshop location.

Read the journal posts from the previous Macro Photography Bootcamp here: [ Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 ]