Photo Tours

Photo Tour OOTY (UDAGAMANDALAM) OCTOBER 18 - 20, 2019

Dear Members,
PSM is happy to announce a photo tour to OOTY, Tamilnadu. This is a three day trip, including the day of arrival, from 18th to 20th October, leaving Chennai on 17th evening. Though Ooty is a popular location for tourists and many of us would have visited several times, there is a special reason for PSM choosing this place.

Our own member, a renowned photographer of many genres and repute and a sought after mentor, Mr Ramesh Raja, has agreed to be the mentor for this photo tour.

With his protégés he visits Ooty on a regular basis and conducts practical photography training programs on various locations in and around Ooty

He has suggested the following places for the purpose of our visit in Ooty
Botanical gardens
Pine forest
Pykara falls ( Visit subject to weather conditions)
Sunset point
Sunrise shoot- lovedale (Visit subject to weather conditions)
Lovedale
Carrot farm
Emerald Lake
Sunrise shoot at Kotagiri (Visit subject to weather conditions)
Coonoor drive shoot
Train ride from Coonoor to Ooty - subject to train timings
Ooty lake
Camping site shoot
We will select locations based on availability of time and intent.

Cost of the tour is Rs.7200/ per person.

Room on twin sharing basis

This includes hotel stay , breakfast and dinner on all the three days and local travel. Lunch expense will be borne by participants. All other expenses apart from this will be taken care of by participants.

We suggest members to book sleeper coaches (Luxury Bus) as they reach Ooty directly so that we can save time as our stay in Ooty is only for three days.

Parveen travels operates A/C sleeper coach service to Ooty daily . Fare is around Rs 1100/

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

Lens - 18-55/24-70mm and 70-200mm.
TRIPOD and Shutter release, Polariser filter (optional)

EXCLUSIONS:

1. Anything not mentioned in Inclusion
2. Any expense of personal nature

BOOKINGS:

Full payment (100%) at the time of registration.

For any questions or clarifications, please contact:

98401 72468 or narayananmuthiah98@gmail.com : Mr. Narayan M, Director – Programmes - PSM

Mail clarifications sent to PSM Google group will not be entertained
Do not ask for clarifications via registration forms

DANG Forest - Gujarat September 18 - 21, 2019

Dear Members,
PSM is happy to announce a photo tour to Dang forest in Gujarat. This a four day trip, including the day of arrival, from 18 Sep to 21 Sep.

This tour is being arranged by the same person who splendidly arranged the tour of “Rann of Kutch “ for us in February this year . He is known for his dedication, commitment and knowledge of the places of visit.

Dang forest is located near Surat, a four hour drive from Surat airport. It is an enchanting destination in Gujarat with waterfalls, dense forest and tribal villages. As photographers we have an amazing opportunity to shoot Girma, the highest water fall in Gujarat surrounded by dense forest. Trekking into the forest guided by locals (tribal men), there will be ample scope for macro photography. "Tribal Life", an important subject for many photographers, will be one of the main attractions of this tour. We will be visiting tribal villages, shooting their daily life and chores steeped in tradition and age old techniques adopted by them for various tasks.

NOTE:
Cost of the tour includes food ,non a/c accommodation and local travel in A/C coach.
We will be picked up at Surat airport and dropped back.
Air fare from Chennai to Surat and return will be borne by members.
Maximum members for this tour will be limited to sixteen, considering convenience and hassle free travel; hence we request our members to book swiftly to avail this rare chance of visiting a picturesque location in Gujarat.

Tour Cost: Rs 12,500/-

FLIGHT DETAILS:

Onward journey
Chennai to Surat - Indigo
Flight: 6E-319 at 15:20 hours

Return journey
Surat to Chennai - Indigo
Flight: 6E-475 at 18:00 hours

Inclusions:

• Non AC Accommodation on double sharing basis
• Transfer in AC coach (From Surat to Dang and return)
• Food as per itinerary
• Activity Charges
• Coordinator Charges
• Local Guide Charges

Exclusions:

• Anything not mentioned in Inclusion
• Any expense of personal nature

Bookings:

Full payment (100%) at the time of registration

Last date for payment:18th August 2019

Cancellation Policy:

Rs 8625/- refund of the package price if cancellation is done before 2nd September end of day No refund later.

Total number of participants: 16 only

Payments have to be made according to the payment terms and schedule indicated earlier., either by online transfer or by cheque as mentioned below:

"The Photographic Society of Madras"
A/c No: 0938101010226
Canara Bank
Royapettah, Chennai
Bank's IFSC code: CNRB0000938
OR

Cheque in favour of "The Photographic Society of Madras" can be submitted at the nearest Canara Bank branch to the above mentioned account number.

Registration: Click Here

For any questions or clarifications, please contact:

98401 72468 or narayananmuthiah98@gmail.com : Mr. Narayan M, Director – Programmes - PSM

Mail clarifications sent to PSM Google groups will be deleted
Do not ask for clarifications via registration forms

Tour Itinerary

Day 1:

• Pickup from Surat Airport by 6:00 pm (Arrive Surat by direct flight of IndiGo 6E-319, arrival by 17:35 from Chennai to Surat)
• Arrival and Check In to farm house
• Dinner and Relax

Day 2:

• Breakfast
• Leave for picturesque village Don to explore beautiful landscape and culture
• Back to the farm house for lunch
• Village welcome by Tribes
• Participate or photograph daily chores of Tribes - Engage into any of these routine activities: Milking cattle, dehusking rice in traditional way, making flour using chakki (a pair of cylindrical stone), Dung Flooring, Chopping wood, Paddy Farming, etc.
• See the traditional tools of hunting
• Back to farm house for Dinner
• Evening walk and relax

Day 3:

• Breakfast
• Depart for Forest Trek
• This will be guided by local tribes. Tribes will showcase forest resources used for their living. You will also see the less explored insect life (a good opportunity for macro photography)
• Return back for Lunch
• Visit to Shabridham Temple (It is believed that Ma Shabri met Lord Ram here). Immerse in panoramic beauty of hills.
• Visit to Pampa Sarovar (It is believed that Ma Shabri used to do tapasya for Lord Ram on bank of this waterfall)
• Visit to Girma Water fall (This is Gujarat’s highest waterfall located into dense forest of Dangs. Active from July to February). Experience magnificent flora and fauna while driving.
• Return to farm house and Dinner
• Relax

Day 4:

• Village walk in the morning
• Breakfast
• Explore Wagai Fall, Gira Fall & Botanical Garden while returning to Surat
• Drop to Surat Airport by 4:00 pm (take direct flight of Indigo to Channai IndiGo 6E-475 – 18:05 pm)

PSM TRIP TO TADOBA

PSM is organizing a trip to Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve between 14 and 20 May 2017. PSM has managed to get a very good deal with the resort for this trip, at Rs.19900/- for 8 safaris.

The inclusions are:

• Travel by II AC
• Transfer from station to the resort and back
• Stay on twin accommodation for 4 nights (***)
• 4 breakfast, 5 lunches and dinners
• Entry fee and Jeep charges for the for 8 safaris into the forest
• A Certificate of participation from PSM

Exclusions

• Breakfast in train in onward and return
• Tips to the guide and driver at the park
• Tips to the hotel staff
• Any other extra food outside the standard menu
• Any other outside the standard package
• Lens and camera rentals
• Any personal expenses

The Cost of the above package is Rs.19,900/-, however the EC has decided to make it into two installments ie.Rs.12,000/- by 12 January so as to book the train tickets and safaris as they open 120 days prior to the travel and the balance Rs.7,900 by 15 March 2017.

The payment can be made by account transfer or through cheque so as to reach the administrative office of PSM at Ms.Marundeeswara enterprises by 12 January.

The numbers of participants have to be in lots of 4 and restricted to 16 on a first come basis after the payment of the requisite fee (I instalment of Rs.12,000/-) for various logistics reasons.

Links to some albums of our members who rocked at Tadoba are herewith:

Prof Chandrasekaran

Rags Raghavan:

For any questions or clarifications, please contact:

98400 26723 : M. Swaminathan, Director – Programmes - PSM

94447 28580 : Ramanidharan, Mentor

98411 13024 : B. Ramana Kumar, President - PSM

Register at the earliest. THIS IS AN “ONCE IN A LIFE TIME” DEAL !!

TADOBA Tour Pix

Biking Photography Expedition 2-days to Pondicherry

PSM TRIP TO TADOBA

PSM is organizing a trip to Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve between 14 and 20 May 2017. PSM has managed to get a very good deal with the resort for this trip, at Rs.19900/- for 8 safaris.

The inclusions are:

• Travel by II AC
• Transfer from station to the resort and back
• Stay on twin accommodation for 4 nights (***)
• 4 breakfast, 5 lunches and dinners
• Entry fee and Jeep charges for the for 8 safaris into the forest
• A Certificate of participation from PSM

Exclusions

• Breakfast in train in onward and return
• Tips to the guide and driver at the park
• Tips to the hotel staff
• Any other extra food outside the standard menu
• Any other outside the standard package
• Lens and camera rentals
• Any personal expenses

The Cost of the above package is Rs.19,900/-, however the EC has decided to make it into two installments ie.Rs.12,000/- by 12 January so as to book the train tickets and safaris as they open 120 days prior to the travel and the balance Rs.7,900 by 15 March 2017.

The payment can be made by account transfer or through cheque so as to reach the administrative office of PSM at Ms.Marundeeswara enterprises by 12 January.

The numbers of participants have to be in lots of 4 and restricted to 16 on a first come basis after the payment of the requisite fee (I instalment of Rs.12,000/-) for various logistics reasons.

Links to some albums of our members who rocked at Tadoba are herewith:

Prof Chandrasekaran

Rags Raghavan:

For any questions or clarifications, please contact:

98400 26723 : M. Swaminathan, Director – Programmes - PSM

94447 28580 : Ramanidharan, Mentor

98411 13024 : B. Ramana Kumar, President - PSM

Register at the earliest. THIS IS AN “ONCE IN A LIFE TIME” DEAL !!

Yelagiri tour

Photo trip to SHAR Road on 31st Dec., 2016

Brief report BY Murali narayanan, Member PSM

In response to the call from the birds at SHAR Road to visit their winter home, PSM-EC and the supportive members swung in to action on Thursday the 29th Dec for photo road trip to SHAR road near Sullurupeta. Within a day the trip was “sold out”. All went on very well as planned and 25 members with 6 cars rolled out to meet at Koyamedu SAF at 4:45 am on the 31st December for the adventure. Even as the city was just waking up, the car pool volunteers’ meticulously coordinated with others for the pickup. Around 5 am all the cars assembled at the Koyamedu meeting for a quick roll call.

The EC had a unique way of greeting us with a packet of biscuits that was a pleasant surprise so early in the morning. Also it was decided to have a break for tea/coffee enroute. We were all set bubbling with enthusiasm for the road trip and in the photo shoot. It was a distance of circa 86 kms to be covered and we rolled out around 5:40 am and after travelling for about an hour we did break for coffee and proceeded thereafter to the destination.

As we entered the SHAR road at around quarter past seven we were received by a group of flamingoes. Looked as I they were all set for a breakfast get together. It was a fascinating sight such a huge population of the birds at one spot and the sun just peeping out by breaking the foggy morning. A wonderful pitch to take the gears out and quietly start shooting. That is what all the member did diligently without disturbing our birdy friends.

Getting an Early Start

Though we got an early start without waiting for the subject (birds) to arrive, the ambient light was not good enough for long shots and BIF. Here we had to wait for the sun God to appear through the thick fog. Patience did pay off with intermediate sunshine bringing out about magic in the atmosphere.

Time for Patience and Perseverance…..

After spending some time at first sighting, each car group members started exploring the left and right banks of the marsh land. Traffic was not much and we could freely move about, giving us ample opportunity to shoot the variety of stationery birds.

While the members where busy with their photography. A thought flashed to me as to why it is so special to form a group event ,which I would like to share with you.
The very getting to gether for this photoshoot is an excellent model which indeed one was able to experience….

• An experience of comradeship and fellow ship, to mention a few are the concern we had for each other to meet at the right time and place so that we do not lose time and efforts to track and trace.The concern we kept to travelling safely and comfortably and reach the destination.
• An experience of oneness ,like the birds of the same feather flock to gether ,this was true.It ws a such wonderful sight to see a row of photograher at SHAR road in a ‘fitting reply to the flock birds in the water’.
• An opportunity to share our photography experience and knowledge .





• An opportunity to share information, as one group met the other, we did stop and exchanged our spotting of the birds.
• An excellent way to get a break from the monotony of the grinding day to day activities, so as we could chat ,know each other ,crack jokes and feel light and rejoice the nature and the magical atmosphere.

Let us keep this experience fresh by participating in more and more of such Group Photo trips in large numbers .Those who could not make it ,no worries ,it is something like passing of 2016.Let us look forward to join, rejoice and experience in many more 2017 Photo shoots.

SHAR Road

Looks like the birds also have a plan for the new years eve…….No idea where they are heading to and what is there agenda!!!! Lo ..Lucky to get a clear sky while taking this shot which was around 10am.

SOJOURN AT YELAGIRI HILLS 10TH AND 11TH DEC 2016

From the time the mail came on Yelagiri trip I was looking forward to having a good time with our photo friends. It all started moving very fast when the whatsapp group was created. Great coordination, great sharing of info about Yelagiri hills , and its birds , parks and water bodies. 21 members were accommodated in two tempo travellers which gave good travel comfort, given the size of our luggage particularly the camera gear.

Around 20 PSM members, assembling on Saturday the 10th Dec 2016 was a breeze, every one showing up at the agreed time. The two vehicles left on time. Coffee on the way was a refresher and so was the welcome kit from Ramana; very thoughtful of him. The rising sun hid behind morning clouds and so we went straight to Vellore for breakfast after skipping a few choices of hotels on the way.

After good pongal vada dosa coffee we climbed the hills and reached Yatri  nivas around mid-day. Quite a decent place run by the local tribal association. Spacious rooms with decent beds furniture and bath with heater. After some coffee we walked out of the hotel looking for birds around the hotel. We found some bulbuls robins and honey combs.

Back at the hotel we had a good lunch and moved to the local forests full of tall eucalyptus trees. We found some domesticated country fowl(nattukozhi) with their offsprings(kunjus) with a single majestic cock that ruled the roost in that place. We sighted red whiskered bulbuls, bablers and rufus tree pies. We could get some insects for macro. We trekked the mountainous terrain to capture the sunset. Before returning to the hotel for a good dinner we went to the park to see the dancing water fountain. A few trials later we perfected the art of capturing dancing water.

We all enjoyed the funny punny jokes from guys of all ages. The new comers picked up a lot of ideas from the veterans and the veterans relived their young age experiences. Overall we had great fun.

The next morning was started with tea and coffee and a walk to the lake. Though the lake provided very few bird sightings ,VV became the model of choice for serious portraits. We did sight some wagtails and a solitary king fisher. Some of our friends showed interest in seeing locals washing their dirty linen on the banks of the lake. We returned to the hotel for lunch and went to swami malai. The village was a sight to see. Each lane and house was an example of cleanliness par excellence. We sighted some Indiand roller birds on the way to swami malai.  We had our share of misfortune with one the vehicles conking off for bad tyre and without spare wheel. That did not upset our schedule. We packed and left the town by 4.20 pm.

The return journey was great fun by way of sharing a lot of info and overall fun and frolic. Close to Chennai we had modest dinner before reaching home by around 10.30 pm.

This tour was memorable and we all look forward to having another tour of this type for more number of days. All this was possible because of the efforts, thougfulness and caring attitude of the organisers and the youngsters who helped them. Kudos to all you guys.

By V. THYAGARAJAN

5 day trip to historical Hampi

PSM's Thattekad Birding Tour