Testimonials!

2011 MEKONG/CAMBODIA PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR

“Being my first trip to Asia I was appreciative of the level of organisation and the assistance and advice from both the tour leader and the guides. I can thoroughly recommend the tour to any photographer regardless of the level of your expertise.”

Ian Nunn – Wangi Workers Camera Club

2011 NORTH VIETNAM PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR

“There were no highlights to this trip............. because every day was an outstanding highlight in its own right. Malcolm, your attention to detail and ability to seek out photo opportunities others would miss is outstanding; scheduling the itinerary to be in the right place on the right day for local events, obvious rapport with the hill tribe people and, of course engaging Pham, the local minorities guide, lead to the delivery of an excellent, value for money, product. The biggest problem we had was selecting just what are the best shots from over 8,000 between us. "Better to have travelled well than arrived" (Buddah) or "Stop and smell the roses along the way" (Mac Davis) sums up the theme of this entire trip in our view. From the impromptu stops that developed into magnificent photo opportunities to the arranged photo shoots the whole recipe for this trip produced a delightfully tasty experience.”

John & Sandy O'Farrell - Castle Hill RSL Photography Club

“We are photo-would-be-graphers and really enjoyed the opportunity to improve our skills under Malcolm's guidance in such stunning locations where the people really seemed to enjoy our presence.”

Ian Aggett – Penrith Camera Club

2011 VIETNAM PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR

“This tour provided wonderful opportunities for seeing and photographing the people and the landscape of Vietnam. We went to many places not visited by regular tour operators. It was wonderful to travel with a group that shared a common interest in photography and to have the leisure to indulge our passion for photography.”

Robin Pitcher – Bay and Basin Camera Club

“My wife and I have been on many dedicated photographic tours to Asian countries. This tour to Vietnam was by far the best we have experienced. Malcolm's attention to detail and pre-planning make the tour run like clockwork, thus maximising the photographic and cultural opportunities. I will recommend his tours whenever I get the chance.”

Bob & Chris Cook - Castle Hill RSL Photography Club

2010 MEKONG/CAMBODIA PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR

“A well planned and organised tour that leaves the photographer with nothing to do except focus on the never ending opportunities to take extraordinary photos. From the floating markets and villages in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam to the temples in Siem Reap in Cambodia, you are able to capture such colourful images of the people, their culture and the environment they live in. It was a tour that certainly exceeded my expectations.”

Lois Painton – Auckland, New Zealand

“Spotlight on Asia always delivers the goods. A pleasure to travel with them”

Karen Wollaston - Digital Artistry Group

2010 NORTH VIETNAM PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR

“A very well organised tour and I found the small numbers very good. I May be reluctant to join a large tour group, a maximum of twelve would be OK. I wonder if you are fully rewarded for all the work you put into the tours.”

Brian Corlis – Penrith Camera Club

“I was impressed by Malcolm's knowledge of Vietnam and its geography. There was always something to do and photograph and there were many highlights. I really had a great time.”

John Campbell – Dooleys Camera Club

“This was my second tour with Malcolm to Vietnam. The organization was excellent, and the photographic opportunities abounded as usual. This tour had varied experiences, both cultural and scenic. Overnight train trips, elephant ride, cooking class, boat trips in every type of boat imaginable were some of the experiences we shared. Thank you Malcolm for organizing the tour, your enthusiasm abounds and certainly the members of your tour gain from that.”

Dawn Zandstra - Northside Creative Photography

“Excellent value for money, Malcolm. I think we fitted two months into one. We were continually given great experiences, both photographic and travel. All days were very full. A lot of thought goes into your travel plans Malcolm. It was a pleasure being on the tour!”

Cecily Dempster - Scotts Head, Australia

“Phil and I would like to congratulate you on a marvellous trip, thank you for the effort you put into it to make it enjoyable for all. Malcolm, I thought you did a excellent job, it was good that you were so flexible with the itinerary when weather wasn't in our favour and you tried hard to please your clients. You will never please everyone but you did your best at all times, thank you. I ended up with 11,441 photos which has consumed my time since returning home, trying to organise them, with a little help from Photoshop I am very pleased with the results. On looking back on the trip, we learnt so much thanks to you and your willingness to share your knowledge.”

Annette & Phillip Wood - Buddina, Australia

"This Vietnam Photographic Tour is well worth the money just in the experience alone of Vietnam and its people. You also get to enjoy our smiling Malcolm, the camaraderie of your fellow tourographers, and learn from the knowledge of the local tour guides while travelling on a structured photographic tour with the flexibility of change should alternatives present in the comfort of well appointed vehicles driven by competent drivers."

Graham & Linda Pitt - Sandgate, Australia

“Gary and I really enjoyed our Vietnam tour. The tour was more extensive than what we had expected - you did an excellent job with your itinerary and it was a bonus how you helped with information on our cameras. It must have been very exhausting for you having to spend sometimes, up to 16 hours with the group. You run a very professional tour, and it was a pleasure to be part of it.”

Gary & Gail Palmer – Dooleys Camera Club

“The tour was extremely well organised. It was great. I would recommend it to all”

Lyn Keane – Dooleys Camera Club

"We are very happy that you consented to us being test bunnies for the add-on to Cambodia following on from the 2010 Vietnam Photographic Tour. We thought that as we were in the neighbourhood we might as well pop over for a look see, and we enjoyed the experience and the difference from Vietnam. Your local Cambodian guide was very informed, knowledgeable and happy to answer our questions as well as give us detailed information on the many sites and sights, and always willing to lend a helping hand in climbing stairs, getting in and out of the bus, etc.

One temple wasn't the same as another - each temple or temple ruin was unique in its own way. The frescos detailing the history and also everyday life were a sight to be seen and remarkably preserved. The photographic choices and chances were really only limited by how quickly you could press the shutter release, and how swiftly you could swivel your head as you preceeded along. A lot was packed into 4 days and every bit was an experience. "

Graham & Linda Pitt - Sandgate, Australia

"I didn’t want to be part of a group being herded from place to place and what I experienced was better than I could imagine, particularly the great photographic opportunities. Travelling in the North region of Vietnam was a fantastic experience, encountering dramatic landscapes and sweeping panoramas; enjoying the hill tribe groups, waterfalls, high passes and terraced valleys. There were many highlights on the trip but I loved the many markets we visited. I certainly felt that I received value for my money. Malcolm’s attention to detail, passion for photography and travel made my holiday adventure memorable. I am now looking forward to a trip to Cambodia in 2010."

Janene Cleverley - Dooley’s Camera Club

“Fantastic Tour. Well organised. Like small group.”

Ray & Margaret Sillett - Eurobodalla Photographic Club

“Having participated in quite a number of organised photo tours in many parts of the world, I can tell you that yours was as well organised as most, if not better. Where your tour differentiated itself is in the fact that you not only made opportunities available, but also made them happen when otherwise we needed to be lucky to get them. This refers of course to the hiring of models at different times and the cooperation of our friendly neighbourhood fisherman.”

Felix Staub - West Tamar Camera Club

“I would consider the tour extremely good value for money, for all the transport, accommodation and food that was included. The photographic opportunities that it afforded were priceless. Having travelled extensively and worked in third world countries most of my life, visiting over seventy countries, I would have to place the 2009 Vietnam Photography Tour at the very top of my list of most memorable trips. The Vietnamese people and countryside were a delight, but above that, being led time and again to locations without photographic equal was priceless. All the hard work had been done for me and wasted time was eliminated. Every detail of the trip had been thoroughly researched and each day of the itinerary was thoughtfully structured. After reading Spotlight on Asia's website, I had high expectations for the trip. They were surpassed time and again, from dawn to dusk, on the streets, in the alleyways, and on the rivers and beaches of Vietnam.”

Tim Pierce - Wanaka, New Zealand

“The Tour of Vietnam provided a great insight into Vietnam, its people and their way of life. The accommodation and food far exceeded our expectations and that was really appreciated. It is a great tour and should be undertaken as soon as possible to see the unspoiled culture of Vietnam, and more importantly, the friendly, warm & welcoming people. Tourism is bound to have negative effects on the simplicity of Vietnamese people in future years.”

Des & Robin Lye – St George Leagues Club Photographic Society

“The tastes, sights and sounds of Vietnam were well presented and recalling them brings back fond memories.”

Ian Herford & Barbara Fogarty – Taree Camera Club

"The Spotlight on Asia tour of North Vietnam was a wonderful experience for photographers. There were photographic opportunities around every bend in the road, and most of these opportunities were realised. Travelling with a group of people with similar interests is the secret to success. It was a fun trip, a great deal of comradeship and cannot be recommended highly enough. Thanks"

Dawn Zandstra - Northside Creative Photography

"The Tour lived up to our expectations in every way. The scenery was magnificent - around every bend another photo. The markets were always interesting and so colourful. The night that you arranged with the Minority people, music and dancing girls, such lovely girls always obliging us with one more photo. The wonderful terraced rice fields glowing in the late afternoon sun, and the friendly workers always willing to stop for a moment and allow us to photograph them. Until this tour, we had mostly concentrated on landscape photography, but we have learnt a lot on this tour and enjoyed photographing the people, young & old. Thank you Malcolm for your helpful advice, always so freely given."

Joy & Bruce Mulder - Port Hacking Camera Club

"I truly loved this trip,which I found a very exciting and artistic experience,and great fun. It was very well planned and organised (against many odds and difficulties),with incredible commitment and imaginative flexibility. Malcolm is an extraordinary leader,inspiring and highly skilful, thoughtful and helpful to all. His love and knowledge of Vietnam is exemplary,and his dedication to top quality photography quite outstanding. Thank you for an unforgettable experience,which I will treasure forever."

Annie Schlebaum - Northside Creative Photography

"A wonderful experience in every way. How will you top this? Can't wait to see what your next tour offers."

Karen Wollaston - Digital Artistry Group

"This trip surpassed all my expectations. I was blown away by the north of Vietnam, its people and its scenery. I loved the opportunities for photography and found the services provided to be excellent. Accommodation was good in most places, particularly in isolated areas. Thank you Malcolm, for a great trip."

Cecily Dempster - Scotts Head, Australia

"The best photographic tour I have been. Strongly recommend the tour to all photographers and to anyone wishing a close look at Vietnam."

Ian Cran – Taree Camera Club

"I can only say that the tour with you was excellent with so much opportunity to take many thousands of images. I have already been lucky to have some acceptances in comps and am still wading thru the many images I have not even considered yet. I would thoroughly recommend any Vietnam tour you put together and look forward to see your efforts on China."

Keith Davies– Taree Camera Club

“Thank you Malcolm for making the trip possible. It must be a huge amount of organisation and frustration. Even though we were not photographers in the same sense as the rest of the crew, we’ve got some great photos (and have produced 4 paintings).”

Bill & Gillian Wood – Nabiac, Australia

“I thoroughly enjoyed the trip....and have some images that have won me a bit at our local camera club meets.”

Pauline Kinsella – Lismore Camera Club

“It was the best trip I have experienced for both photography & photographic opportunities & being able to stop at undesignated spots.”

John Winkelman – Port Macquarie Camera Club

"The best adventure I've experienced. Only been taking photos for three months before our trip, the opportunities for photos were endless, not to mention my awards with our local camera club, thank you."

Lorraine Tibbitts – Kiama Shellharbour Camera Club