2028 The Jewels of Northern Brazil - Macro Photography - OM System Only
What's Included
What's Included
- Pre-workshop Zoom session for prep and Q&A
- Accommodations for 8 nights (base price for double occupancy)
- Transportation and driver to and from Macapa International Airport, during the workshop within Brazil
- Lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 9
- In-field instruction focusing on OM System macro photography
- In-field post processing training for macro photography
- Post-workshop Zoom image critique
Mastering Macro Photography with OM System
Lee and Ramon have created a workshop to help you master macro photography!
- Learn the foundational elements of macro photography with macro and telephoto lenses.
- Program a custom mode(s) on your OM System camera for macro.
- Learn how to maximize your autofocus for macro photography.
- Learn how to use manual exposure mode for macro photography.
- Learn how to use TTL and manual flash exposure settings.
- Learn how to use supplemental lighting for macro photography.
- Learn how to use a wide angle lens for creative macro images.
- Learn how to photograph reptiles, amphibians, and insects during the day and night.
- Learn how to compose your macro images for maximum visual impact.
This workshop will primarily teach you macro photography with macro and telephoto lenses, flash, supplemental lighting, and natural light.
Workshop Itinerary
Day One
Day One
Day 1 – Arrival in Macapá
- Guests will be picked up at Macapá International Airport (MCP) and transferred to our hotel.
- Lunch (12:00 p.m.) in a regional restaurant.
- Afternoon cultural visit: explore the Fortress of São José de Macapá and the Equator Line Monument, where you
can literally stand with one foot in each hemisphere. - Dinner (9:00 p.m. in a traditional restaurant serving Amazonian cuisine (freshwater fish, cassava dishes, açaí from the riverine communities).
Day Two
Day Two
Day 2 – Macapá → Pedra Branca do Amapari | D. tinctorius
- Early morning departure (06:30 a.m.) for Pedra Branca do Amapari.
- Distance: ~118 miles | 3h40 drive via BR-210.
- Arrival, hotel check-in, and lunch (12:00).
Afternoon (14:00–17:30):
- Field visit focusing on Dyeing poison dart frog (Dendrobates tinctorius morphotype “weygoldt”). Photography and observation in situ.
Night walk (19:30–22:30):
- Target species:
- Frogs: Giant Leaf Frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor)
- Clown Tree Frog (Dendropsophus leucophyllatus)
- Blue-breasted Poison Frog (Ameerega pulchripecta)
- Snakes: Fer-de-lance (Bothrops atrox)
- Rainbow Boa (Epicrates cenchria)
- Two-Lined Forest-Pit Viper (Bothrops bilineatus)
- Emerald Tree Boa (Corallus caninus)
Dinner (9:00 p.m.) – either at the lodge or picnic-style if activity is high.
- Overnight in Pedra Branca.
Day Three & Four
Day Three & Four
Searching for the Harlequin Toad (Atelopus sp.)
Morning (07:00–11:00):
- Trek to find Harlequin Toad (Atelopus hoogmoedi )(yellow morph with reddish legs).
- Other possible sightings:
- Collared Tree Runner (Plica plica),
- Blue-lipped Tree Lizard (Plica umbra)
- Amazon Green Anole (Anolis punctatus) and other anoles.
Lunch (12:00) at base.
Afternoon (14:00–17:30):
- Visit sites with multicolored Harlequin Toads (Atelopus sp.) (white, pink, yellow).
- Macro photography and natural history observation.
Dinner (21:00).
- Overnight in Pedra Branca.
Day Five & Six
Day Five & Six
The Seven Patterns of Dyeing Poison Dart Frog + Night Serpents
- Explore four different trails in search of up to seven color morphs of Dyeing Poison Dart Frogs (Dendrobates tinctorius).
Lunch (12:00) either in town or as a field snack, depending on productivity.
Evening (19:30–22:30):
- Night search for snakes such as:
- Parrot Snake (Leptophis ahaetula)
- Smooth Machete Savane (Chironius scurrulus)
Dinner (21:00) – flexible with night activities.
- Overnight in Pedra Branca.
Day Seven
Day Seven
The Jewel of the Forest: Zimmerman's Poison Frog (Ranitomeya variabilis) & Ranitomeya amazonica
Morning (07:00–11:00):
- Focused search for Zimmerman's Poison Frog (Ranitomeya variabilis) in bromeliads and leaf litter.
Lunch (12:00).
Afternoon (15:00–17:30)
Night (19:30–23:00) – Insects & Moths
- Light-sheeting along forest edge/clearings and sugar bait lines at dusk.
- Insect Photography
Dinner (21:00) — short meal break during the session; we resume immediately after if activity is high.
Day Eight
Day Eight
Serra do Navio → Ferreira Gomes | A New Harlequin Toad (Atelopus sp.)
Morning (07:00–10:30):
- Departure to Ferreira Gomes
- Distance: ~76 miles | ~2h40 drive.
Lunch (12:00) upon arrival.
Afternoon (14:00–17:30):
- Field visit to the habitat of a new species of Harlequin Toad (Atelopus sp.), currently under description by the Federal University of Amapá.
Dinner (21:00) – riverside restaurant experience if available.
- Overnight in Ferreira Gomes.
Day Nine
Day Nine
Departures Home
Return to Macapa
- Departure to Macapa for afternoon flights back
- Distance: ~85 miles | ~2h drive.
- Afternoon flights from Macapa home
Workshop Highlights
Learn from an OM System Ambassador & Local Photographer
Lee has served as an OM System Ambassador since April 2019! Ramon is a professional biologist and photographer who has explored many areas of Brazil!
Learn How to Maximize Your Camera Settings for Macro Photography
Program a custom mode or modes for macro so that you quickly access the important settings for Autofocus, exposure, using flash, computational features like focus stacking or focus bracketing, and so much more!
Pre and Post Workshop Zoom Meetings to Facilitate the Learning Process
This workshop includes a group pre-workshop zoom meeting to help you prepare for the trip by discussing clothing, camera gear, accessories, travel suggestions, and more. It also includes a post workshop group zoom meeting for an image critique discussion for those who opt to share images for critique. Both sessions will be recorded and provided for repeated viewing.
Workshop is Located in an Area Where other Photographers Don't Go!
This region of Brazil is not offered by other photographers and many of these macro subjects will be new for participants! Including the rarely seen much less photographed Harlequin Toads.
Accommodation
Accommodations are basic but clean, air conditioned, and located conveniently to our photography locations.
Transportation
We will have our own driver and vehicle to transport us from the airport, to accommodations, and photography locations.
Pre-Workshop Zoom Meeting
The pre-workshop Zoom Meeting will prepare you for the workshop. Participants will receive an email with the link within one week of the date of the meeting.
Cancellation Policy
I no longer offer cancellations on my workshops. If the photo workshop is full and someone from the waiting list can take your spot, your tuition is fully refundable minus a 15% cancellation fee.
We are not responsible for cancellations due to medical or other reasons. Should cancellation be required due to severe weather, an alternate date will be scheduled at no additional charges.
No fees will be refunded if you withdraw after the photo workshop begins.
We are not responsible for any fees associated with non-refundable air travel, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. For insurance quotes and estimates visit www.travelex.com.
Post Workshop Image Critique
A post workshop image critique will be held via Zoom after the workshop. Participants will receive an email with the meeting link following the workshop.