São Paulo – Nothing is better than travelling for practice of the art of photography. That is the idea of school Imagens e Aventuras (Images and Adventure), in Rio de Janeiro, which not only promotes photography courses, but also organizes expeditions to exotic places. In November, the school is going to promote its first trips to the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Registration is open to amateur and professional photographers from all over the country.
Groups should include from six to 12 people, at the most. According to company director Fabio Elias, who is also a photographer, he himself planned the routes for both expeditions, as he travelled to the Emirates and Oman late last year. "I plan to escape the traditional route. My route is finger picked," he said, adding that he will accompany the groups.
The differential of Imagens e Aventuras tours is the route and the objective of the trip itself, which goes beyond adventure tourism, and focuses on photography. According to Elias, during the trip, photography classes and workshops are given. "I teach the technical part, which is the use of equipment, and the aesthetic part, in composition. It is not just the mechanical part of clicking the button," he said, adding that he has already travelled to over 70 countries to photograph.
The first trip to the Arab world should be promoted from November 7th to 19th, to Oman. The participants should visit Muskat, the country capital, and also see caravans in the desert, dunes, beaches, Bedouin tents, mosques and souks. "It is a route that mixes adventure and culture," said Elias. In the countries, he works in partnership with local guides.
The second expedition, to the United Arab Emirates, should take place from November 18th to 28th. On the first day in Dubai, the group should visit Al Bastakiyah, Al Fahidi fort and the Gold souk. In the evening, they will have dinner on board a typical dhow. The route also includes photographing at Burj Al Arab, from the beach, a visit to an ecological reservation to picture flamingos and a day in Abu Dhabi, the country capital. "I try to promote a trip with a great mix of places for photography of people, culture and architecture," said the director.
According to him, there are clients who have already participated in 10 different expeditions. "There is great exchange between those participating. That is excellent. One helps the other," said Elias, who always grants the travellers support.
The company has already promoted over 40 photography expeditions in Brazil and abroad. Elias, whose grandparents were Lebanese, has never travelled to Lebanon, but he knows several Arab countries, like Jordan, Egypt, Algeria and Morocco, as well as Oman and the Emirates. "I surely plan to include other Arab countries," he said, adding that he should include new destinations in the expeditions. "I loved the receptiveness of the Jordanians. The same happened in Oman. I was surprised," he added.
Among the lessons Elias passes to his students are respect to people, mainly when pictures are taken of locals. "My great focus is people, so I talk to people very much. It is essential to show respect, patience and manners, no matter where you are," he added.
Personal project
The idea of setting up the school and then promoting photography exhibitions was a personal project of Fabio Elias. "I have always liked travelling to different places," he said. The company works with several exotic destinations, like Nepal, Tibet, India, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Zambia, Mali, Senegal and Namibia, among others. Imagens e Aventuras has already taken around 400 participants to 28 countries.
Elias is specialized in documental, nature and travel photography. Graduated from the School of Visual Arts, of Nova York, and from the Centre of Photography, also of Nova York, he works as a freelance photographer for several travel magazines.
Contact
Imagens e Aventuras
Tel. (+55 21) 2494-5250
E-mail: contato@imagenseaventuras.com.br.
Site: www.imagenseaventuras.com.br
*Translated by Mark Ament
