Comments on: Come To Africa With Me. http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/2009/04/come-to-africa-with-me/ The Blog of Photographer David duChemin // Gear is Good. Vision is Better. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:57:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: Paulhttp://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/2009/04/come-to-africa-with-me/comment-page-1/#comment-5373 Paul Mon, 27 Apr 2009 01:18:15 +0000 http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/?p=2888#comment-5373 Hey, David. I, for one, will be there! I'm going to make my deposit tomorrow and iron on some details about traveling from the US, but I'm ready! I'm sure that I'll bombard you with questions about how to transport gear, etc. I'm looking forward to it! Hey, David. I, for one, will be there! I’m going to make my deposit tomorrow and iron on some details about traveling from the US, but I’m ready! I’m sure that I’ll bombard you with questions about how to transport gear, etc. I’m looking forward to it!

]]> By: Davidhttp://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/2009/04/come-to-africa-with-me/comment-page-1/#comment-5366 David Sat, 25 Apr 2009 21:23:27 +0000 http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/?p=2888#comment-5366 Hey man, I wish we had more people like you posting comments. It’s rare to end these exchanges on good terms. Thanks for your input and the graceful way you let this resolve. Makes my look forward to seeing on here again instead of living in fear. I hate conflict :-)Have a great weekend, Michael. For what it’s worth, the kind of trips I lead and participate in, are often not the kind of trips I myself would chose to go on as a solo traveler. But they sure are fun all the same. Hey man, I wish we had more people like you posting comments. It’s rare to end these exchanges on good terms. Thanks for your input and the graceful way you let this resolve. Makes my look forward to seeing on here again instead of living in fear. I hate conflict :-)

Have a great weekend, Michael. For what it’s worth, the kind of trips I lead and participate in, are often not the kind of trips I myself would chose to go on as a solo traveler. But they sure are fun all the same.

]]> By: Michealhttp://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/2009/04/come-to-africa-with-me/comment-page-1/#comment-5353 Micheal Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:40:51 +0000 http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/?p=2888#comment-5353 Thanks David. You make a good point. I was a condescending and arrogant. I apologize. I'm sure it will be an excellent trip and memorable experience for anyone that goes. Thanks for being so rational. I wish we had people like you running the country.Ciao Thanks David. You make a good point. I was a condescending and arrogant. I apologize. I’m sure it will be an excellent trip and memorable experience for anyone that goes. Thanks for being so rational. I wish we had people like you running the country.

Ciao

]]> By: Davidhttp://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/2009/04/come-to-africa-with-me/comment-page-1/#comment-5348 David Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:09:50 +0000 http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/?p=2888#comment-5348 As for GAP, no I haven't. They seem great, but they simply cater to a different demographic. The world's a big place and we all have different tastes. I'd consider doing a GAP tour as a participant perhaps, but likely not as an instructor. Glad the referal helped - I know GAP tours do a bang-up job. As for GAP, no I haven’t. They seem great, but they simply cater to a different demographic. The world’s a big place and we all have different tastes. I’d consider doing a GAP tour as a participant perhaps, but likely not as an instructor. Glad the referal helped – I know GAP tours do a bang-up job.

]]> By: Davidhttp://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/2009/04/come-to-africa-with-me/comment-page-1/#comment-5347 David Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:08:00 +0000 http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/?p=2888#comment-5347 Michael - You raise some important issues and questions. I think you have to be careful not to be condescending however about the "bored baby boomers". We all travel for different reasons and while some may not be as enlightened as you, perhaps it's this first encounter with Africa that will open their eyes, give them the courage to go on self-directed adventures.If I was on assignment in Kenya - as I was last December - my budget would be less. But it's apples to oranges. My logistics are cared for by my partner organization, my hotel is covered by my client, and as my work is commercial in nature the client is paying me well to come home with the images. Sometimes I stay in shoddy accomodations that don't cost much, other times I'm in places - like Congo - that are still shoddy but cost a mint. So in that sense it's an unfair comparison. You're making the assumption that a guided safari is the same as a solo trip but with more people. Not so. There is a great deal of planning and marketing, there are insurance costs, vehicle rentals, and the fees to pay guides and instructors. I can travel in India for $20/day if I like, doesn't make a photo tour in Rajasthan that costs $6000 a rip-off.You used the word value, and I think that's key. Value is a very personal and subjective thing. It's about what you get for what you pay, not about how little you pay. Some might look at this $4000 safari and wonder why the price is so low and not come based on that. Some might assume the opposite - like you - that it's more money than they want to pay. But ultimately it's a personal thing. Please don't take this in anything but the spirit in which it's given, but really, if it's not for you it's not for you, but it not being a good value for you doesn't make it not a great value for others. If you want a tour that caters to photographers concerned about social and ecological impact, and you want your first introduction to Africa to be a great one, this might be the perfect opportunity. If you want to stay in a hostel, it isn't. So let's just agree to differ, shall we? Michael – You raise some important issues and questions. I think you have to be careful not to be condescending however about the “bored baby boomers”. We all travel for different reasons and while some may not be as enlightened as you, perhaps it’s this first encounter with Africa that will open their eyes, give them the courage to go on self-directed adventures.

If I was on assignment in Kenya – as I was last December – my budget would be less. But it’s apples to oranges. My logistics are cared for by my partner organization, my hotel is covered by my client, and as my work is commercial in nature the client is paying me well to come home with the images. Sometimes I stay in shoddy accomodations that don’t cost much, other times I’m in places – like Congo – that are still shoddy but cost a mint. So in that sense it’s an unfair comparison. You’re making the assumption that a guided safari is the same as a solo trip but with more people. Not so. There is a great deal of planning and marketing, there are insurance costs, vehicle rentals, and the fees to pay guides and instructors. I can travel in India for $20/day if I like, doesn’t make a photo tour in Rajasthan that costs $6000 a rip-off.

You used the word value, and I think that’s key. Value is a very personal and subjective thing. It’s about what you get for what you pay, not about how little you pay. Some might look at this $4000 safari and wonder why the price is so low and not come based on that. Some might assume the opposite – like you – that it’s more money than they want to pay. But ultimately it’s a personal thing. Please don’t take this in anything but the spirit in which it’s given, but really, if it’s not for you it’s not for you, but it not being a good value for you doesn’t make it not a great value for others. If you want a tour that caters to photographers concerned about social and ecological impact, and you want your first introduction to Africa to be a great one, this might be the perfect opportunity. If you want to stay in a hostel, it isn’t. So let’s just agree to differ, shall we?

]]> By: Michealhttp://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/2009/04/come-to-africa-with-me/comment-page-1/#comment-5346 Micheal Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:58:31 +0000 http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/?p=2888#comment-5346 I wanted to say thank you for that link to GAP tours, their prices seem alot more reasonable, have you ever considered doing a a trip with their organization?Thanks! I wanted to say thank you for that link to GAP tours, their prices seem alot more reasonable, have you ever considered doing a a trip with their organization?

Thanks!

]]> By: Michealhttp://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/2009/04/come-to-africa-with-me/comment-page-1/#comment-5344 Micheal Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:53:42 +0000 http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/?p=2888#comment-5344 Maybe it's cause im from a different generation, but I don't find this a value - im 30 years old. You are probably right on this being a deal for the average consumer in our consumer driven society, I don't look into these package deals much, I alwyas find them over price, but I guess many of you find value in the fact that it's all put together for you, it's packaged nicely and seems "safe" and in this case, David Duchemin is goign along for the ride. Ya I guess that is kinda cool, and thats what you are really paying for. I guess I should stick to doing trips like this myself, going out to Africa and finding a guide, as for safety, ya it is a big concern for most north American's - so much fear in our society. I have been to 3rd world countries and spent alot of time there, I have never had an incident with any locals. Obviously wearing a backpack or jewelry is something you don't want to do in a place like this, make sure no one is following you and generally not make yourself a target. living in a society like ours alot of these skills are not necessary as we believe we are safe. Im sure you will get alot of well off bored baby boomers signing up for a trip like this, a nice and safe little trip to Africa...David, be honest with me for a moment, If you were on assignment for 20 days in Kenya Africa, what would your budget be - not including the plane ticket. If you say $3,800 USD I will glady shut my mouth and say I am clueless. I highly doubt you could make a living with a budget like that. Maybe it’s cause im from a different generation, but I don’t find this a value – im 30 years old. You are probably right on this being a deal for the average consumer in our consumer driven society, I don’t look into these package deals much, I alwyas find them over price, but I guess many of you find value in the fact that it’s all put together for you, it’s packaged nicely and seems “safe” and in this case, David Duchemin is goign along for the ride. Ya I guess that is kinda cool, and thats what you are really paying for. I guess I should stick to doing trips like this myself, going out to Africa and finding a guide, as for safety, ya it is a big concern for most north American’s – so much fear in our society. I have been to 3rd world countries and spent alot of time there, I have never had an incident with any locals. Obviously wearing a backpack or jewelry is something you don’t want to do in a place like this, make sure no one is following you and generally not make yourself a target. living in a society like ours alot of these skills are not necessary as we believe we are safe.
Im sure you will get alot of well off bored baby boomers signing up for a trip like this, a nice and safe little trip to Africa…

David, be honest with me for a moment, If you were on assignment for 20 days in Kenya Africa, what would your budget be – not including the plane ticket. If you say $3,800 USD I will glady shut my mouth and say I am clueless. I highly doubt you could make a living with a budget like that.

]]> By: marcushttp://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/2009/04/come-to-africa-with-me/comment-page-1/#comment-5318 marcus Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:15:37 +0000 http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/?p=2888#comment-5318 I've seen photography excursions like this that were shorter trips to less exotic destinations and cost more. The price is a steal. Not in my young family's budget, but a great price all the same. I’ve seen photography excursions like this that were shorter trips to less exotic destinations and cost more. The price is a steal. Not in my young family’s budget, but a great price all the same.

]]> By: claude etiennehttp://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/2009/04/come-to-africa-with-me/comment-page-1/#comment-5300 claude etienne Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:33:05 +0000 http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/?p=2888#comment-5300 Nice accommodations don't prevent a traveler from experiencing the culture of a country. It's about the places you visit, and the way you interact with people that matter. A nice place to stay at is just an added bonus. I can't afford this trip, but if I could I'd sign up. I'm pretty sure they'll find 14 people willing to pay the price. Nice accommodations don’t prevent a traveler from experiencing the culture of a country. It’s about the places you visit, and the way you interact with people that matter. A nice place to stay at is just an added bonus. I can’t afford this trip, but if I could I’d sign up. I’m pretty sure they’ll find 14 people willing to pay the price.

]]> By: Ron Carrollhttp://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/2009/04/come-to-africa-with-me/comment-page-1/#comment-5294 Ron Carroll Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:18:18 +0000 http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/?p=2888#comment-5294 I agree, this sounds very reasonably priced. Still checking airfares from Boston...Michael, check out Andy Biggs' Photo Safari to Namibia next month. Tuition is US$11,990 for 10 days. Plus airfare. I agree, this sounds very reasonably priced. Still checking airfares from Boston…

Michael, check out Andy Biggs’ Photo Safari to Namibia next month. Tuition is US$11,990 for 10 days. Plus airfare.

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