Madeira Photography Tours & Workshops
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Madeira on my exclusive photography tour. Explore this stunning island paradise, renowned for its diverse landscapes and vibrant culture. Capture the essence of Madeira’s enchanting sunrises and sunsets in iconic locations like Pico do Arieiro, Porto Moniz, Ponta de São Lourenço, and more.
LODGING
1x Self Catering House
DATE(S)
8th to 15th May 2024
DURATION
7 Nights
GROUP SIZE
Maximum of 5
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Moderate
8 Days, 7 Nights
Madeira Photography Tours
Join me 300 miles off the west coast of Africa, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean as we explore and photograph the beautiful volcanic island of Madeira also known as Hawai‘i of Europe.
My Madeira Photography Tours are planned with you the photographer right in the centre. With spring like weather all year round, this lush green island 300 miles off the west coast of Africa, is a unique photography destination. From dramatic natural landscapes to towering mountains, Fanal forests and epic cliffs, there is something here for everyone.
Although this is a group tour, I will spend plenty of one-on-one time with you. Depending on your experience level, we can dive deeper into topics such as histograms or bracketing and I’ll explain everything without mind boggling technical jargon.
From the moment you’re collected at the airport to the day you’re dropped off I’ll be looking after you, airport transfers, transport during the tour, accommodation, guiding, and all tuition. The only thing you need to sort is your flights to Madeira and your food.
Don’t just take my word for it…
THE REVIEWS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
Highly Recommend Chasing Lights Tours. Just recently home from 7 Nights in Lofoten Islands, Norway and it was absolutely incredible. Tylers knowledge of the area and skies allowed us to capture the Northern Lights on more than several occasion's throughout the course. Accommodation was perfect for the trip, A home from home with a supermarket and coffee shop right on our doorstep. Tylers enthusiasm for photography and the love of the outdoors was very refreshing and infectious, As a commercial photographer by traded I went into this course looking to learn as much as I could and Tylers wealth of knowledge and patients allowed me to learn so much in such a sort period of time. I would like to thank Tyler again and I look forward to going on another course very soon.
Highly Recommend Chasing Lights Tours. Just recently home from 7 Nights in Lofoten Islands, Norway and it was absolutely incredible. Tylers knowledge of the area and skies allowed us to capture the Northern Lights on more than several occasion's throughout the course. Accommodation was perfect for the trip, A home from home with a supermarket and coffee shop right on our doorstep. Tylers enthusiasm for photography and the love of the outdoors was very refreshing and infectious, As a commercial photographer by traded I went into this course looking to learn as much as I could and Tylers wealth of knowledge and patients allowed me to learn so much in such sort period of time. I would like to thank Tyler again and I look forward to going on another course very soon.
I was lucky enough to go on a photography tour to Lofoten last month with Chasing Lights Tours and I couldn't have asked for a better guide than Tyler. He is a knowledgeable and experienced photographer, and he provided valuable tips and advice on everything from camera set-ups through to post-production techniques. Throughout the tour, Tyler was easy going, generous and had a great sense of humour. He was also a confident and safe driver, taking us to some great locations in the archipelago. Thanks to his knowledge of the best viewing areas and an understanding of the necessary weather conditions, I was able to see the northern lights on two occasions! I had an amazing trip and felt that I learnt a lot during the tour. I am now more confident in using my camera kit and have some beautiful photos and memories of taking them which I will cherish. I can't recommend Tyler and Chasing Lights Tours highly enough - it was a fantastic experience, and I am very grateful to Tyler for making it so enjoyable.
The Lofoten Photography Tour with Chasing Light Tours was excellent! Tyler is an accomplished and creative photographer who is extremely professional and very knowledgeable. The entire tour was packed full of relevant information that was presented in a very accessible and user-friendly way, about focusing, aperture settings, shutter speeds, ISO settings and much, much more. This enabled me to use my camera to its full potential. The tour was also enjoyable and fun. Tyler looked after everyone extremely well and drove with care and skill on the icy roads. He took us to well-chosen locations that he had previously researched and visited to maximise photographic potential. The spacious accommodation that we stayed in was great and had all the amenities that we needed. I highly recommend going on a photography tour with Chasing Light Tours!
Tyler led us through a trip to Lofoten in the end of January 2023. His experience within this area, his patience with clients and aurora borealis (northern lights) forecasting skills made it a once in a lifetime experience. Tyler’s workshops consist of small groups, so he can pick everyone up at his/her photography level. Whether you are experienced or not, he‘ll improve you. Thanks for the great trip!
Just back from a fantastic trip with Tyler to the Lofoten Islands. The trip was managed expertly from start to finish, and the small group size meant you got as much or little tuition as you wanted. Tyler clearly knows the area intimately, and the right time to visit, and really enjoys the ever changing landscapes, he isn’t simply going through the motions. We even got woken late at night when Tyler spotted the lights and given the option to go out and see. You can tell he wants to get you the best experience, and photographic opportunities possible. I think it’s fair to say we all come back happy with our images and shared adventure, and I for one will be re-booking sometime soon. Life is all about getting these type of amazing experiences so if you get the chance, go for it. Thanks Tyler.
I was on the 7 nights Lofoten Islands photo tour with Tyler and 3 other photographers in October 2022. Tyler knows the Lofoten Islands very well and knows landscape and Northern Lights photography very well. He took us to many great locations. The weather was somewhat challenging with rain, some high winds and snow. But we were able to go out 3 nights for Auroras and got some nice photos. He provides help with camera settings to get the best captures. Group size is kept small. Follow his guidelines for clothing (make sure you have waterproof gloves and pants) and you can be comfortable in the weather. I can recommend Tyler to help you get the most out of a photography trip to the Lofoten Islands.
I have always wanted to visit Lofoten to take landscape photographs. A friend suggested Chasing Light Tours. I was not disappointed even though there were several rainy days. Tyler Collins was an outstanding tour leader. Apart from being a very competent photographer, he had expert knowledge of the area and took us to the best locations for the weather conditions. Tyler gave technical and composition advice where needed, in an pleasant and friendly manner. Tylor has years of experience in this field which is very apparent.
Tyler's tour of the Lofoten Islands was an incredible experience. If you are expecting 5 star hotels and fine dining look elsewhere but what you do get is real knowledge of the area and some great inspiration to take epic photos. We were lucky enough to see aurora 2 nights of the trip but the rest of the week was spent in some amazing places. Highly recommend Tyler Collins Photography
Been to Norway, Lofoten with Tyler, 7 days of photography, 7 great days in good company. Tyler nows photography and is very will prepared, get us to the right place at the right time, we visited amazing locations, Tyler gives good advies about focusing and composition. Driving on the ice roads is a skill, never felt unsafe for a moment! I would highly recommend booking one of their tours or workshops, you won't be disapointed.
I attended Tyler's Lofoten tour Feb 2020 and what an experience it was. We got some amazing photos and Tyler is a first class guide with great knowledge and experience with conditions being tough he still went out of his way to get the group to locations where others would have just said no it's snowing and subsequently we got amazing winter shots. I would wholeheartedly recommend Tyler as a guide and an expert on Northern lights with such experience and gut feelings which paid off with four nights of aurora activity. Book him now you won't regret it.
I recently returned from a workshop with Tyler at the Lofoten island's. The whole trip from start to finish was excellent. Even when conditions were extremely difficult for photography (2 day snow blizzard), we managed to get fantastic images, if it wasn't for Tylers determination to get us out, I would have stayed in the log cabin with the fire going! Tyler had obviously done his homework regarding sunrise and sunset locations, and due to this we got nice side lighting on each location. We were lucky enough to get aurora 4 nights out of 7 and the last night the sky exploded which put the icing on the cake. Tyler is a perfectionist when it comes to composition and i learnt a lot from him during this trip. If you are lokking a tour where you a going to visit Epic locations, get great tuition and brilliant craic Tylers your man.
Trip Highlights
Itinerary
Based on my extensive experience organising well over 30 photography tours, I’ve come to realise that adhering to a rigid daily itinerary significantly limits your chances of capturing the most extraordinary images possible.
Instead, I prefer to work in harmony with the weather conditions, carefully selecting the locations we visit based on the best forecast available. Each day, I meticulously plan our itinerary for the following day and inform everyone of the plan. This approach ensures that we find ourselves in the right place at the right time.
During this particular tour, our primary focus will be astrophotography, with a special emphasis on capturing the beauty of the Milky Way.
The core of the Milky Way starts its ascent at 22:52 and remains visible in the night sky until 5:20. As the week progresses, it rises slightly later at 22:57 and sets at 5:18.
On nights dedicated to astrophotography, it goes without saying that we’ll need to rest during the day. However, we will still make time for a sunset shoots before repeating the process. If there is cloudy nights, then we will get to bed early for a sunrise shoot and then reassess for the next night.
Our journey commences at Madeira Airport, and the exact details will be confirmed well in advance for each tour. The reason behind this approach lies in the complexities of flight schedules. I should know exact timings roughly 6 or so months out.
Day 1 – Arrival Day
This marks the day of your arrival. I’ll personally pick you up from the airport, and we’ll make a stop at the supermarket to gather any supplies we may need. From there, we’ll settle into our cozy accommodations, which will serve as our home base for the next week. If time permits, we’ll even squeeze in a sunset shoot in the vicinity of our lodgings.
Day 2 to 7 – The Adventure
Now, prepare yourself for the true essence of adventure.
Over the course of the next six full days, we’ll seize every available opportunity to capture awe-inspiring photographs. On the first morning we are there, we’ll rise early for what could be our only sunrise shoot, returning back to our accommodation afterwards to force ourselves to sleep for out sunset and astrophotography shoot.
In anticipation of the magical moments that unfold during sunset, we’ll arrive at each location approximately two hours in advance. This generous timeframe will enable everyone to scout their desired compositions for the perfect sunset shot but also it will allow us to scope out composistion for astrophotography. I will be showing folk how I use PhotoPills to plan my shots.
Day 8 – Departure Day
As flights generally depart in the early hours, this day will call for an early start.
Farewells are always bittersweet. However, rather than bidding you goodbye, I prefer to think of it as a “see you later” because I sincerely hope you’ll join me for another remarkable adventure. We’ll make our way to the airport, where each participant can catch their flights back home.
Your Guide
Photographer, Light Chaser, Aurora Guide, Web Dev, Biker, Daddy and I’ve got a very understanding girlfriend in no particular order.
Gallery
What you’ll learn
On this trip I’m at your complete disposal to help and teach you everything I know about photography if you desire.
Here are a few of the key skills that I can cover.
Camera Settings: It starts with the basics. RAW, Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO. Learn how and when to use the various modes on your camera to get the shot you want.
Composition: Composition is everything in landscape photography. Learn what I’m looking for when composing a landscape photograph.
Long Exposures: Learn how to use long exposures so you can create dramatic and interesting photographs.
Astrophotography: Learn how to shoot at night. Star & Milkyway photography. I will also have my star tracker with me.
Histogram: Learn how to read your histogram so that you’re exposing correctly and capturing maximum data with no clipping.
Editing: Learn how I edit my photographs using Adobe Lightroom Classic with final touches in Photoshop. (Only during bad weather)
Inclusions
Included
Transportation during the tour
Accommodation during the tour
Entry Fees
Airport Transfers
Photographic Guidance (Astrophotography)
Not Included
Flights/Travel to Madeira
Visa Fees (if applicable)
Meals / Snacks
Travel & Equipment Insurance
Good to Know
Packing List: A full packing list is emailed to you shortly after you have completed your booking.
Flights: You need to fly to Madeira Airport (FNC). I’m flying from Belfast with a stop over in London Gatwick and then a direct flight to Madeira.
Meeting Point: The meeting point of the tour will be Madeira (FNC) airport. I will confirm the meeting point well before the trip starts. It’s worth pointing out that we will all be in constant contact with each other leading up to the arrival day.
Accommodation: We will be staying in a self catering house that has everything we need to cook meals, store food etc. Where possible I will be booking accommodation that has single rooms. Depending on availability, some times you may need to share with someone of the same sex.
Self Catering / Meals: All my tours are based on self catering. We will visit the supermarket on the day we arrive and gather what’s needed for a few days so that we can bring packed lunches with us each day. We will revisit the supermarket a couple of times throughout the trip too. There will be opportunities throughout the trip to visit cafes and the odd restaurant if we have time. But primarily, we will be eating as we go.
Hiking: There will be some hiking involved on this trip but nothing to strenuous. There will be hiking at night so a headlight is compulsory!
Spending Money: On my last trip, I managed to spend approximately £30 per day. Everywhere takes card, cash isn’t needed.
UK Mobile Network – If coming from the UK, your data roaming will work and come out of your data back home.
Travel Adapter – Madeira uses the standard 2 pin Euro plug.
Madeira Photography Tours Dates & Prices
Prices quoted are per person. Only a 15% deposit is required to secure your spot. Remainder balance is due 8 weeks prior to start date.
| Date | Duration | Price | Places Left | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8th to 15th May 2024 | 7 Nights | £1450 | 5 Spots Left |
