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Testimonial
“More than my money’s worth. I really appreciate the information that you gave. I've spent hundreds, probably thousands of dollars on books and online instruction over the past 2 and a half years, but your class resonated with something in me and really opened me up. And my confidence was through the roof! Basically, if I don't walk away with at least (3) things that I'm going to put into practice, I've wasted my money and my time, so I'm extremely happy with the instruction that I received from you and am obviously looking forward to spending more time under your tutelage."
- L. Cross
“Excellent presentation. I can’t think of any suggestions. Really enjoyed the variety of photos shown, plus the presentation and instructor’s knowledge. Very informative and fun to hear info and learning the material. I’m motivated to take better photos!"
- Julie M.
“Great class. Ralph presented a well-organized, thought-provoking overview on this subject. He has given me several ideas of what I need to focus on during my future travels."
- Anonymous
Ralph Velasco
A native of Chicago, Ralph Velasco currently lives in Corona del Mar, California, where he teaches a variety of travel photography classes. He’s the founder of PhotoWalkingTours.com, a unique series of walking tours that provides hands-on experience for photographers of all levels and he guides tours locally, domestically and internationally.
Ralph is a member of the Circumnavigators Club, an elite group of travelers whose charter requires that its members have traveled “around the world, in a single journey, having crossed every one of Earth’s meridians.” Currently celebrating his 30th year of documenting his international travels, he’s photographed in more than 40 countries on 5 continents.
Ralph’s photos have won awards both online and in print and his images have appeared in the Travel Sections of both the Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register, as well as in the Chicago Tribune and The Daily Pilot. Recently he was awarded “Photographer of the Year – Open Category” by the Professional Photographers of Orange County and he’s the author of a new book: “Ralph Velasco On Travel Photography: 101 Tips for Developing Your Photographic Eye & More.” http://www.ontravelphotography.com
“My goal with any tour is to help you to create a cultural portrait, both in images and in memories. For the photographer in you my style is to provide leadership and guidance that will get you in front of some of the most awe-inspiring architecture, interesting people and iconic sites and landmarks in the places we’ll be visiting. With our travel schedule in mind, we’ll get out early in the day in order to capture each location in the best light and before the tourist crowds overwhelm. The main goal of any trip is to help you to advance your capability to ‘see like a photographer,’ but also to provide an overall cultural experience that will not only reveal the location through your camera’s lens, but through your mind’s eye.
Participants of all experience levels are welcome, and after an orientation I’ll provide advice about photography when asked, however, my style is to allow you the freedom to discover photo, and cultural, opportunities on your own, but to always be available to assist.
In my experience, the traveler who gets the most out of any international experience is the one who is open to going with the flow and is flexible.
I’m a photographer who insists on traveling light, and I shoot 100 percent digital.”