Philippines Testimonials

‘The pre-trip information was excellent and well enough in advance. Great info for things to pack based on the region.  The hotels were wonderful and staff very accommodating.  We ate very well . . . especially [at] the seaside restaurant in Manila . . . where they cooked [fresh fish] right there for dinner. Yum! The walking tour [in Manila] was nice. The people were a definite highlight. I also enjoyed the fish market in Bohol. It was a great photo op! I loved the peacefulness of Bohol and scheduling the beach at the end of the trip was a good call. I liked Karl’s reminders about various [camera] settings and his suggestions about how to shoot in particular lighting situations. I really liked [guides and fellow photographers] Red Santos and Ferdz. They really added to our trip. Ferdz was especially helpful. Both guides really added to our trip.  You [Jim} and Karl are wonderful and accommodating. I appreciate Karl’s enthusiasm and the time he took to scope out some really incredible photo opportunities.”

~Anietra Hamper, Gahanna, OH

“We found most of the restaurants to have well cooked food and charm . . .  The staff were friendly and fun to talk with . . . Karl was great. He is one of the best tour leaders we have had. He made sure that we were well informed about settings and anything else we asked for. His constant reminders to check settings at the stops made us think about what we needed to change before we got going at each location. He's a great teacher. He knew when to let us go and when to remind us of tricky situations for our set ups. . . Outside of the people I'd say Vigan [my favorite part of the trip] was nice and Sagada was a great spot for photos . . .  [The local guides]  were good but Karl was so much better. . . the trip was well priced. . .  Loved the discussions [with Karl and the group] .”

~Ed Fitzgerald, Torrance, CA

“I really loved all the locations we visited  . . . the mountain roads and areas  . . . (e.g Bagio & Sagada) were spectacular.  I liked the accommodations in the G Hotel in Manila . . . The Lodge at John Hay was spectacular, and the Salcedo de Vigan and Amarela Resort were both charming.  I liked the fish market dinner we had in Manila, and dinner at the John Hay and Amarela resorts were also very nice . . . There were excellent photo opportunities in almost every place we went  . . . Karl was an excellent teacher in helping me learn how to take control of my Nikon D-90 and learn what I could do with a little bit of thought and preparation . . . I feel I made great strides forward.. The favorite part for me was discovering the beauty of a country that I knew very little about. I was also very taken by the friendliness and openness of almost all of the Filippinos we met and we photographed. Not only were they very friendly and polite (even in the poorest areas-e.g railroad bridge in Manila) but there seemed to be a real sense of community – i.e. of caring for their neighbors and family – in so many places we visited  . . . The local guides were knowledgeable and helpful. I especially appreciated Ferdz taking time to critique my photos and suggest a number of ways to improve them . . . This trip gave me the support I needed to become a better technical photographer, and also a few tips on how to compose better pictures . . . I learned a great deal about how to use [my Nikon 10-24 wide angle lens] effectively. I thank Jim Cline for recommending that lens  . . . I think I got some very good pictures . . . I would recommend the trip to someone who was at least a serious amateur photographer. It’s a great way to see a country, meet many people, and learn some of the stories of the people and places – and at the same time improve your photography and take some nice (if not great) pictures. I am looking forward to future trips. “

~Herb Horowitz

I flew to the Philippines, but I had no idea what to expect . . . I was assuming it would be another opportunity to improve my photography skills.  Little did I know . . . the countryside with the endless green rice terraces, the magnificent  mountains, the  islands with their amazing  white sandy beaches – all so heartbreaking beautiful.  The Filipinos are the warmest, nicest people one can imagine, whether living in the big city of Manila, old Vigan or the Island of Bohol. What a great and wonderful surprise .  . . lots of fun . . .YES, we did [take great pictures]. It was hard to come up with poor images when the surrounding is so beautiful and Karl being such a great teacher. So many people have said nice things about you [Karl] through the years . . . your way of dealing and approaching the individuals whose images you have captured . . . when I look at the images [you take] I can see the sparkle  in the eyes of those you have photographed, and I know you have talked to them, showed a real interest [in them] and smiled. They in return have lowered their defenses, engaged with a smile of their own, a giggle or may be even sadness- but no anger or toughness.  And at times, when I look at the images [Karl's], I just sit there and wait for these people to begin talking. Almost always there is a dialogue.  The ability to carry a dialogue and share is a strong feature in Karl’s teaching.  He offers the information, he shares his knowledge.  You don’t have to ask for help, Karl watches you in action and is there to encourage or correct – either way you feel you gain.”

~ Ruti Alon, Michmoret, Israel