Paul Gauguin Cruises Offers Tahiti & the Society Islands Voyage Featuring Photography Seminars

BELLEVUE, Wash., May 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Paul Gauguin Cruises (www.pgcruises.com), operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, and the 88-guest m/v Tere Moana, offers photography seminars by Jon Whittle and Lori Barbely, staff photographers for Islands magazine, on The Gauguin's 7-night Tahiti & the Society Islands voyage departing September 27, 2014.

Unique among travel magazines, Islands magazine focuses exclusively on islands as travel destinations, exploring their exotic landscapes, lifestyle, and culture with a personal touch. Compelling photography is an important component of the magazine's success, and photo experts Whittle and Barbely will come aboard The Gauguin to share their professional insights and experience.  They have traveled the world, as staff photographers for the magazine, honing the art of shooting, selecting, and perfecting the ultimate destination photographs. 

In addition to accompanying select shore excursions, offering photography assistance, tips, and techniques throughout the voyage,  Whittle and Barbely will provide the following photography seminars:

• Portrait Photography
  How to take beautiful travel portraits, with discussions to include: using natural light to your advantage, overcoming the discomfort of photographing strangers, and best practices for better portraits.
• Scenic Photography
  How to capture vacation memories with incredible scenic photographs, from landscapes to cityscapes. Discussions will include: time of day, filters, long exposure, different lenses for different styles of photos, and composing for scenic shots.
• Macro Photography
  How to get in close and overcome the largest challenges in macro photography, with discussions to include: producing stunning images, lens options, and best practices.
• Digital Post Production
  How to bring it all together in Photoshop once the photographs have been shot, with discussions to include: how to enhance photos in the computer and create finished pieces of art.

For almost 15 years, award-winning photographer Whittle has been traveling the globe with a camera in hand. As Senior Staff Photographer for Islands magazine, he has been on assignment in more than 40 countries, photographing everything from penguins in the Falkland Islands to tribal rituals in Vanuatu. When he's not shooting a story, Whittle is the lead photographic instructor for the "Islands: Expeditions" workshop series in which participants meet at international destinations to learn the finer points of travel photography.

Barbely's eye for detail is a key reason why Islands is known for its photographic excellence.  As Photo Editor for the magazine, she coaches the most accomplished professionals and the most eager amateur shooters alike. Since joining Islands in 2006, Barbely has helped the magazine win numerous awards for visual excellence, doing everything from selecting imagery, shooting, and writing to overseeing a redesign, conceiving photo essays, and spearheading an Annual Reader Photo Contest. Prior to joining Islands, she graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.A. in photography and climbed the ranks to Deputy Photo Editor at First for Women magazine.

For more information or reservations, contact a professional travel agent, call 1-800-848-6172, or visit www.pgcruises.com. 

About Paul Gauguin Cruises
Owned by Pacific Beachcomber S.C., French Polynesia's leading luxury hotel and cruise operator, Paul Gauguin Cruises operates the 5+-star cruise ship, the 332-guest m/s Paul Gauguin, providing a deluxe cruise experience tailored to the unparalleled wonders of Tahiti, French Polynesia, the South Pacific, and Southeast Asia. It is one of the top exclusive charter and incentive group venues in the industry and has completed more than 570 South Pacific cruises, serving more than 176,250 guests, including more than 15,000 honeymooners, since its inaugural sail in 1998. The Gauguin's accolades include recognition as "Top Small-Ship Cruise Line for Families" in Travel + Leisure's 2013 "World's Best Awards" and one of the "Top 20 Small Cruise Ships" in 2013 for the 15^th year in a row by readers of Conde Nast Traveler.

In December 2012, the m/v Tere Moana began sailing under the Paul Gauguin Cruises banner after completing a multifaceted renovation and offers voyages in the Caribbean, Latin America, and Europe.  At 330 feet long and 46 feet wide, The Moana has a draft of 11.5 feet and accommodates 88 guests with a staff of 62. In 2013, The Moana received "Best New Small Ship" and "Best Way to See the Greek Isles" in Cruisereport.com's Editors' Choice Awards.

Media Contact:
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Vanessa Bloy, Director of Public Relations
(425) 440-6255
[email protected]

SOURCE Paul Gauguin Cruises