Uzbekistan Through the Lens:
Photography Tour

September 20-29, 2019
10 days, 9 nights

Uzbekistan is recognizing its potential and rolling out the welcome mat to visitors curious about this Central Asian country and its people. Its association with the famed Silk Road and its impressive historic architectural and archeological sites offer the adventurous photographer a banquet of sumptuous images for the taking.

Traveling through the country with knowledgeable guides, a professional photographer and a small group of conscientious travelers means you will have all the time and space you need to make things happen.

ITINERARY
Tashkent - capital city
Some say to skip Tashkent. We don't think there is anywhere in the world that should be skipped when it comes to photography. For starters, if you skipped this capital city you would miss out on Central Asia’s oldest subway system! Just last year, authorities lifted its photography ban on the Tashkent Metro after a whopping 41 years. So, ya, we'll be going underground.

Then there's the Central Asian Plov Centre. Do you want to know what one and a half tons of the national dish looks like? This dining hall is photo-worthy, and not just for the food but for the incredible way it is cooked and devoured.

Samarkand
The history of Samarkand is about 2,750 years old. Think Alexander the Great, the Arabic Conquest, Genghis-Khan, and Tamerlane. Today, it is Uzbekistan's second largest city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting prominent landmarks including the Registan, Shah-i Zinde, Bibi Khanum Mosque, Ulughbeg Observatory, and reflecting a crucible of cultures and religions. Photograph the dazzling shades of blue ceramic tile, structurally complex vaults, and decorated towers. Beyond the walls and domes, we will visit the places and the people dedicated to carrying on Uzbek traditions like the milling of mulberry paper and the meticulous weaving of silk carpets. You will get an intimate look at how these practices affect the livelihoods of the craftsman and their families.

Bukhara
While not as widely known as Samarkand, Bukhara is just as old and may well be the most complete example of a medieval city in Central Asia with an urban fabric that has remained remarkably well-preserved. This city was once a center of learning renowned throughout the Islamic world, home to more than 350 mosques and 100 religious colleges. Today, with its authentic caravanserais and teahouses, and some of the best artisans and craft workshops in the country, Bukhara is sure to charm you and you camera.

It's here among 40 pillars, gardens and water features, and majestic minarets, that we will find expert craftsman who will inspire: weavers, miniaturists, blacksmiths, jewelers, coppersmiths, wood carvers and puppet makers. The past and the present Uzbekistan will come alive in front of your lens.

What to expect on our photo tour.
Christine and Jessica will work with you to provide the best travel photography experience possible!

This photo tour is designed for the enthusiastic novice as well as the semi-professional. A good working knowledge of your camera is advantageous, but not essential. Instruction will be hands-on in the field and tailored to your level of expertise. There will be constructive evaluation of images and opportunity for show and tell.

Our thoughtfully planned itinerary is not set in stone – we delight in, and will take advantage of, any unplanned photographic opportunity that presents itself. We don't try to fit everything into one day – there will be ample time to immerse yourself in the culture and spend time on your craft.
There will be early morning and evening photo excursions to take advantage of optimal light, visits to places tourists rarely encounter on their own, and access to local artisans in their studios.

This tour does involve a fair amount of walking and public transportation. Participants should have no mobility issues.

Non-photographer partners are welcome to share their partner’s room and join the group.
Christine Armbruster, Photography Leader
With a background in photography and a fascination of world cultures, Christine blends her commercial and documentary photography to create stylistic, sophisticated imagery for both work and pleasure. In addition to contemporary digital photography, she shoots medium format film on a camera from the 1970s while traveling in order to capture more raw, offbeat images. She says, it's not about having the latest technology, it's about how you use your tools. She feels this approach allows her to slow down, connect with her subject, and produce more thought-provoking photographs.

Listen to what James R. Swensen, associate professor of art history and the history of photography at Brigham Young University, has to say about Christine on NPR (minute 30).
Her work has been published internationally and shown in galleries throughout the United States. Her editorial and food images have appeared in magazines including  AFAR, Outside Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, The Dominican Today, and the Utah Historical Quarterly. She continues to work with ad agencies and businesses to create images and video for clients including The Travel Channel, Dove, Airbnb, The Waldorf Astoria, Hilton Hotels, James Beard Foundation, Grubhub, Cafe Zupas, and Petra Caravan Tours.

Christine is a fun-loving, social person who readily connects with the people she photographs, from nomads in the Arabian desert to coffee pickers in the Dominican Republic; from teenage refugees in the U.S. to marginalized communities in Eastern Europe.

Christine Armbruster is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. You can see her work on her website at www.christinearmbruster.com or Instagram at www.instagram.com/armbrusterphoto.
Cost
Inquire

Highlights
  • Photograph local craftsman and their silk paper, silk carpets, suzanis, embroidered textiles, traditional clothing
  • Individual hands-on instruction in the field
  • Daily individual and group feedback
  • Photograph both urban and rural life
  • High speed train between major cities
  • A truly "small group"

What is included
  • Nine nights of single occupancy accommodation
  • Transport to and from Tashkent International Airport
  • All local transportation in Uzbekistan
  • Activities as specified on the itinerary
  • All breakfasts, lunches and dinners
  • Dedicated photography leader
  • Experienced tour leader 24/7
  • Local tour guides

Not included
  • Air travel to and from Uzbekistan
  • Uzbekistan Visa (apply here)
  • Travel insurance/trip cancellation insurance
  • Medical insurance/expenses
  • Meals not specified, snacks or alcoholic beverages
  • Optional activities
  • Tips for tour leader, housekeeping staff, drivers, local guides
  • Items of a personal nature

Group is limited to 8 participants, with a minimum of 6, so reserve your place early! If you are a group with 6 or more people and would like to arrange your own travel dates, please contact us.