Photography Tour Reviews

Travel Photography Aventures
Feedback and Reviews

Feedback from Heather H.
February 2008 - India Photography Adventure
"My third trip with Ewen and Jason from Grasshopper Travels and definitely not my last! Rajasthan is an amazing and confronting region and this trip was packed full of highlights from the Thar Desert to the bustling towns. With Ewen's guidance I was able to photograph the wonderfully friendly people of the region and, along with his forays down busy streets, temples and markets, I brought home the best travel photos I have even taken. Once again the trip was flawlessly planned and smoothly delivered. We stayed in former palaces, tried out local restaurants and rode camels across the desert. Jason even organised a cricket match with the eager people of Mandawa. I can't recommend these two professionals highly enough - for photographers or just those who like to travel to somewhere different. Thanks guys for yet another wonderful adventure."

Feedback from Elizabeth G.
February 2008 - India Photography Adventure
"My trip to India with Grasshopper Adventures was the most fabulous journey of sights, sounds and smells! Rajasthan is an unforgettable region filled with color and pattern, chaos and beauty, and welcoming people - an incredible place for a photography adventure. Jason and Ewen were the best guides, taking us to places tourists don't usually find so that we could slow down, experience where we were, and capture in a photograph the people and scenes that cemented the wonderful experiences into our hearts. Ewen's photography skill and great teaching techniques left me with more than 1800 pictures, with a set of really great ones that will inspire my artwork for a long time. The tour itself was spectacular and well planned. The hotels were all unique in their own right, everyone on the trip had lots of laughs, we made new friends and carried home great memories. As a person who doesn't tend to like tours, I'm sold on Grasshopper Adventures' intimate style and already planning my next two trips. Thanks Jason and Ewen!"

Feedback from Eve W.
February 2008 - India Photography Adventure
Travelling around Rahjastan, India was a truly amazing experience. This was a trip that appealed to all of the senses - the sights, sounds, smells, taste and feel, every sensory experience is covered. It was a joy to travel with people who were all focused on the same interest of photography and each person captured their own individual images of what and how they saw this truly amazing country.India can be a difficult place to travel, but our tour guide Jason did a seamless job of ensuring that all the logistics were in place and we travelled in comfort. Nothing was too much trouble!

Lastly, the trip would not have been a success without Ewen imparting his expertise and professional tips on photography. He did this in a manner that was easy to understand with sessions and topics each day and also spent time with all of us individually. This was very beneficial as each member of the tour had different questions according to their individual skill levels. A big thank you to Ewen, his knowledge now means that I am in control of the camera and enjoy my photography!"

Feedback from Martin Z.
September 2007 - China Photography Adventure
"We will be recommending this tour to our friends both as a wonderful experience and a great chance to improve one's digital photography. The locations are varied and exciting and the photographic opportunities countless. We had over 1400 photos to sift through after our return and there were some really great shots. Very glad we bought that wide angle lens for the tour! As we said, a wonderful experience which will live on in memory as well as the photos."

Feedback from Diana E.
September 2007 - China Photography Adventure
"The China Photography Tour with Grasshopper Tours and Ewen Bell met my expectations times ten. As an amateur photographer my goal on this trip was to learn my new camera and improve my photography skills. I accomplished both. Ewen was terrific, knowledgeable, patient and informative. He clearly knows and loves his craft. The tour was great - each destination was unique resulting in a trip that was constantly interesting with new and different photographic opportunities. If you can, join Ewen and Jason for great destinations, great food, great photographs, great company."

Feedback from Sharon P.
September 2007 - China Photography Adventure
"I'd like to thank Jason for running a memorable tour for us and thank Ewen for opening my eyes to the world of travel photography. I'm now equipped with invaluable knowledge and new techniques taught by Ewen. With more practice (and more holidays), I'm confident that my photos will be much more interesting and engaging."

GoNomad
March 26th 2007 - GoNomad Online
... With plush green bamboo trees reflecting off the clean waterways in the area, Yangshuo is a perfect setting for any artist. A visit to this unforgettable region would not be complete without a cooking lesson from the locals. For a participant in Bell’s tours, Yangshuo provides a scenic canvas for a traveling photographer before the hustle and bustle of Shanghai.

Vancouver Sun
January 27th 2007 - Vancouver and Online
...the cultural richness of China's eastern provinces with the opportunity to learn about photography from an expert. This trip focuses on responsible tourism through keeping the group size very small (max 8 people), using local guides, and visiting out-of-the-way communities.

Connected Photographer
January 16th 2007 - USA and Online
...A travel photography workshop that delves deep into the cultural, scenic and human richness of China and teaches you how to capture the photographs of a lifetime. Anyone who has dreamt of learning how travel photographers capture their evocative images can now enjoy an adventure travel experience that will take you up close to the people and culture that make such powerful images possible.

Feedback from Eliot S.
November 2006 - China Photography Adventure
"Ewen Bell is a real photographer’s photographer. Even though all of the members of the trip had different levels of photographic skill, Ewen endeavored to help everybody. He certainly helped me to tailor my photography to China and helped me to come home with some fabulous shots. I have new respect for my wide angle lenses now that I have learned from Ewen. Ewen was able to take us to the locales in each district where the shots were. I think Ewen even helped with the weather and the light!!"

View Eliot's China photography at his website

Feedback from Kim R.
September 2006 - China Photography Adventure
"This trip brought a part of me to life - it focused a passion for culture, people and travel and gave me the opportunity and confidence to express that in a way personal to me. I feel privileged to have met Jason, who is so unique in what he does, and Ewen who is quite simply an amazing photographer gifted with empathy and insight. I also feel especially lucky to have received so many smiles from the local people, and to have seen some of what is a very beautiful country. I wish I could do this 12 months of the year."

View a short collection of Kim's photos from the tour

Frommer's Travel Guides
August 24th 2006 - Online
Grasshopper offers a sensational photography tour of China -- the "China Travel Photography Adventure" which features 15 days of clicking from Beijing to Hong Kong, including visiting the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, Shangahi, Yangshuo, Longji Rice Terraces and finally Hong Kong. Under the guidance and tutelage of professional photographer Ewen Bell, you will receive photography and technique lessons on the road with plenty of stunning subject matter to practice with.

New York Times Style Magazine
Holiday 2006 Edition
We were a little surprised to find the photo tour covered by such a stylish publication but it's clear that the good people at New York Times know a quality product when they see it. We chatted with the editors about what makes a great photo tour and also reccommended a few other operators who do something similar, but different.

Feedback from Michel F.
March 2006 - China Photography Adventure
"Wow! What an experience! I really have enjoyed my travel workshop in China with Mr. Bell and Grasshopper Adventures. I had some previous photography experience before but during that trip, I have learned useful techniques and new ways to approach travel photography that can only be acquired while being coach by a professional; no books, no magazine will ever show you that!
Highly recommended to all photography lovers."

View a short collection of Michel's photos from the tour

Feedback from Betty B.
March 2006 - China Photography Adventure
"Upon losing my father in January, I decided on my way home after his homecoming that a special way to memorialize my father's life would be through photos of my journey along the rural countryside to our farm. The March photography trip was just what spirit lead me to do, and the learning/travel experience was better than I could have ever imagined. The beauty of China along with the supurb tour into the wonderful nuances of another culture brought to life by an excellent photographer teacher, has changed my sad thoughts of never seeing my father again to knowing that he is with me every time I use my camera."

Budget Travel
March 3rd 2006 - USA and Online
"The leaders are adventure travel operator Jason Williams and professional photographer Ewen Bell, whose work has been featured in publications such as GetLost Magazine, Sydney's Sunday Telegraph, and brochures for STA Travel and GAP Adventures. Hands-on digital photography workshops are organized by theme, including capturing intimacy and expression, using light for dramatic effect, shooting for context, and portraiture. Each shoot is followed by a discussion of the results and experience."

Atlanta Journal-Constitution
February 26th 2006 - Atlanta and Online
"Experience the vibrant color and rich culture of China while learning how to capture powerful photographic images from an expert during Ewen Bell's 15-day China Adventure workshop. Bell, who developed the tour with travel operator Jason Williams of Asia-based Grasshopper Adventures, is a professional photographer and writer who has worked on photo assignments in more than 25 countries. Key cities and attractions include Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, the Great Wall, rural villages, rice terraces and Xian's famous terra cotta warriors."

Chicago Tribune
February 26th 2006 - Chicago and Online
"With cultural icons such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and endless ranks of larger-than-life terra-cotta warriors, China serves up a feast for any photography buff. This year professional photographer Ewen Bell leads 14-night workshops in the Middle Kingdom, offering technical sessions and practical 'shoots' in cities and rural areas. Open to anyone with an interest in photography"

MX Newspaper
February 16th 2006 - Melbourne and Sydney
"Photographic instruction starts from ay one and aims to redefine the way each traveller looks and thinks about their photography. The hands-on photographic workshop will offer not only technical expertise, but also an opportunity for travellers to practise what they learn as they go along."

Sunday Times
February 12th 2006 - Perth
"Expert travel photographer Ewen Bell and adventure travel operator, Jason Williams have joined forces to offer the experience of a lifetime - a travel photography workshop that delves deep into the cultural, scenic and human richness of China and teaches you how to capture the photographs of a lifetime."

Honolulu Advertiser
February 12th 2006 - Hawaii
"Photographic instruction offers technical expertise with practice as you go. The workshops are open to anyone interested in photography. Each shoot is followed by a discussion on results and experiences. The workshops cover topics such as capturing intimacy and expression, using light for drama, capturing motion and shooting for context."

TravelLady Magazine
February 6th 2006 - Monthly Online
"Anyone who has dreamt of learning how travel photographers capture their evocative images can now enjoy an adventure travel experience that will take you up close to the people and culture that makes such powerful images possible."

Sun-Herald
January 29th 2006 - Sydney
"Want to improve the quality of your holiday snaps? Renowned travel photographer Ewen Bell is taking four groups of 12 to China thi syear on 15-day workshops which promise to redefine the way you look through a lens."

Feedback from Michelle W.
April 2005 - Photographers Morocco Private Group
"Travelling with Ewen was an extraordinary experience which literally changed the way I looked at the world. Being guided to look through the lens in a particular way made me acutely aware of my surroundings and enabled me to engage with the local population in a way that is usually not possible as a tourist. Highly recommended as a rewarding way to travel."

Feedback from Chiara C.
April 2005 - Photographers Morocco Private Group
"Ewen taught many useful tips and tricks in taking photos. Comparing the photos I ended up with at the end of my Morocco trip with previous trips, I saw a definite improvement. He was able to teach me many handy tips and tricks in taking photos. It isn't difficult to take a good photo when you know how and travelling with someone who does know how was fun."