Frontier Photography - High School Summer Programs (800) 321-4353

From the lush hilltribe regions of northwestern Thailand to the arid plains of central Laos, Frontier Photography is a workshop that will give you the eye to document the world around you. For experienced and passionate photographers, this new adventure to the bucolic corners of these two fascinating countries will act as your educational setting.

Troves of photographs await you in Thailand

Spend your days in Thailand making astonishing images as you explore Lahu, Akha, Lisu and Karen villages. You’ll work closely with our altruistic photography staff as you photograph daily assignments, generate photo stories, and participate in supportive critiques. We’ll utilize a central location as our daily jumping off point to explore, photograph and develop a strong portfolio of images from this incredible Kingdom. You’ll learn the skills that will allow you to make the eye-catching images that will document this beautiful mountainous region.

Capturing the decisive moments in Laos

After a week of exploring the hill tribes of Thailand you’ll jump the border into the neighboring Laos. Our base near the World Heritage site of Luang Prabang will serve as the makeshift newsroom as you adventure through the undiscovered corners of Laos. You’ll learn how to work on deadline as you journey through caves filled with ancient Buddhist statues along the Mekong Ricer, immerse yourself in the kind Laos culture as you photograph in the homes of welcoming villagers, and educate yourself on the pertinent issues facing photography today. As you spend your time here, you’ll learn about the recent history and hardships of how Laos became one of the most bombed countries in the world.

Who should come?
This program is meant for passionate photographers that already have a working understanding of photography and the use of their cameras. Students will work intensively in this workshop and will be expected to be actively involved in completing daily assignments. Sean McGann and our other fabulous photo staff will enthusiastically provide feedback, tips, tricks, and educate you in the world of photography from their deep backgrounds and experience in the realm of photography.

Have questions? Please contact Sean McGann at sean@rusticpathways.com or Scott Poniewaz at scott@rusticpathways.com.

• Any type of camera is fine, just plan on getting better!

• Staff carry computers and portable hard drives to edit and back up your photos.

• I do recommend rechargeable batteries and extra memory cards.

• Film can also be purchased in larger cities. However you may have to wait to get home to process it.

• Southeast Asia is a wet environment so please have a good case that keeps your camera safe from elements like rain and dirt. Keep a couple of small plastic grocery bags in your camera bag just in case.

• We do a good deal of exploring on foot. So however much or equipment you choose to bring make sure you have a comfortable way of carrying it around.

• If you are traveling with expensive equipment, I’d strongly suggest you have it insured. We do our best to stay in safe areas, but theft and accidental damage are always possible. Ask your parents for help! If equipment isn’t already covered by an existing insurance policy, Personal Articles Policies are a great inexpensive way to protect your gear against just about anything.

Carry-On Luggage: A small backpack is the best carry on bag
• Passport and Wallet *Travel Wallet that can be hidden under clothing is a good idea.
• Photo Copy of Passport (2 additional photocopies should be carried in checked luggage)
• Sunglasses
• Journal and Pens
• Good Book (trade with buddies)

Make sure everything you pack in your carry-on complies with the new carry on regulations of the TSA: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Checked Luggage: A medium sized duffel bag or large backpack work best. Wheeled bags are OK as long as they are medium sized and can easily be carried like a duffle over rough terrain. 15 kilos is often the weight limit on SE Asian airlines overage costs are the responsibility of the student
CLOTHING ITEMS *Please bring at least a few items appropriate for temple visits, (knees and shoulders covered)

1 long pants or skirt
Underwear (5 to 7)
Socks (7 to 8) * Lightweight quick dry athletic socks like Smartwool are the best.
T-Shirts and tank tops and sports shirts (3-5 cotton t-shirts + 3-5 quick dry shirts like capilene or polypropylene) approximately 10 t-shirts total
1 light sweater/sweatshirt
Rainproof Jacket (1)
Shorts (3-5 pairs of shorts)
Swim Suit (1 or 2)
Athletic Shoes *Shoes that dry quickly, you can hike short distances in and protect your feet are best. Shoes will get muddy and dirty so don’t get too attached to your footwear.
Sandals and/or Flip-Flops *it is recommended to have a pair of strap on sandals that will not fall off in water (Teva or Chaco brand sandals work great) YOU WILL LIVE IN THESE SHOES IN SE ASIA
Hat for Sun
towel (NOT white) *Large travel towels are great.

TOILETTRIES (Please pack all items that could leak in a PLASTIC or ZIPLOCK bags)

Shampoo and Soap (preferably with little or no fragrance because of bugs) *you can find non-fragrance and biodegradable soap at natural food stores and outdoor adventure stores. Dr. Brauner’s and Mountain Suds soaps are both good.
Non-Fragrant Deodorant
Toothpaste and Toothbrush
Sunscreen (2 bottles of strong Sunscreen)
Insect Repellant (2 bottles 35% DEET)
Anti-itch Cream (1 Benedryl Anti-itch Gel works great)
Hand Sanitizer (1 or 2 small bottles per week)
Contact lenses and accompanying paraphernalia PLASTIC BAG

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

Flashlight/Headlamp w/ Extra Batteries (to read at night or in the case of power outages)
Watch or Clock with an Alarm
Heavy Duty Garbage Bags (2) *for packing wet and dirty clothes/shoes
Large (one gallon) Ziplock© Freezer Bags (4)
Medications (must tell staff about)
Small Personal First Aid Kit (our guides will have comprehensive first aid kits on hand, but having a small personal kit is always helpful)

Band aids
Triple Antibiotic Ointment
Medical Tape
Moleskin or preferred blister care
Preferred Mild Pain Reliever
Antihistamine (Benedryl or preferred type)
2 Non-adherent, sterile dressing
2 Gauze dressing
5-8 After Cuts and Scrapes Wipes

*Note: See the following link for ideas on small, personal first aid kits:
http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/kit_detail.asp? series=300&seriesNav=Dom&kit=302&kitNO=0125-0292
OPTIONAL ITEMS:

Thai or Laos/English dictionary
Deck of Cards

1 - How long is the flight to this country?
Flights to Thailand generally depart from Los Angeles International Airport via Singapore. The total flight time LAX-Singapore-Bangkok is about 21 hours.

2 - Will there be a flight leader to this country?
Yes. All flights between the USA and Bangkok, and the return, will have a flight leader.

3 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
Students from the United States will be issued tourist visas upon arrival to Thailand and Laos. Students from other countries should check with their consulate.

4 - What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
Please contact your family physician or see the CDC or WHO websites.

5 – What countries will we be visiting on this program?
Thailand and Laos.

6 - How does this program connect to other programs?
Students will begin and end this program in Bangkok International Airport. Staff members from their next trip will meet any student transferring to another program in Thailand, Vietnam, or Cambodia, at the Bangkok international Airport. Students transferring to China, Australia, Fiji, or New Zealand will transfer out from BIA. Their flights leaders for the trip home will meet students returning to the United States.

9 - What costs are not included on this trip?
Everything is included in the cost of the trip excluding airfare and spending money.

10 - What kind of food will we be eating? Where?
Typically we will be eating Thai and Laotian food. We may eat meals at guesthouses or restaurants. There may be the occasional chance to have a break with western food.

11 - Will the kids be drinking bottled water?
Yes.

12 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
We will be staying in small guesthouses with western style accommodations. This program may also include a home-stay.

13 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
There will be a maximum number of 15 students on this program. Demographics tend to vary.

14 - How often (if at all) will students be able to do laundry on this program and what will it cost?
Most guesthouses offer laundry services for a couple of dollars per kilo.