Glacier National Park Photography Workshop
 
August 5th - 11th, 2012

Instructor: Andy Cook

Join us as we photograph magnificent Glacier National Park. Our focus will be to shoot summer scenes against a back drop of dramatic mountains. We will concentrate on the lakes and streams of the park and shoot wildflowers when they are present. While our primary purpose is to photograph the landscape of the park, we also intend to take advantage of wildlife opportunities when they happen.

This workshop is geared for the intermediate to advanced photographer. However, beginners with a working knowledge of their camera can gain a lot of experience and instruction. Each participant is assisted at their level. We focus on helping participants create the most appealing compositions of each location we visit. We also delve into extensive discussions on equipment, exposure, metering, filters and personal tips. This is a workshop environment, the instructor is present to aid in the field and teach his techniques for landscape photography. If you're an advanced photographer he will be happy to help or stay out of the way. Additionally, we will have lengthy Photoshop discussions and instruction. Andy will help process participant images during the midday down time. If you have images you wish Andy to critique, please bring them.
Glacier National Park Photo Workshop

Itinerary Outline

Participants should check in with Andy on Sunday, (August 5th) outside in front of the hotel office at 6:00 P.M. From here we have an introduction and discussion then leave for our first shooting location.

First Lodging Location: Village Inn at Apgar, Glacier Nat'l Park (west side) Check-in August 5th; Check-out August 6th.

Relocate to
Many Glacier Lodge (instructor's hotel) or the nearby Swiftcurrent Motor Inn (east side): Check-in - August 6th; Check-out - August 8th.

Relocate to
Rising Sun Motor Inn (east side): Check-in - August 8th; Check-out - August 11th.

Workshop ends after shooting sunrise on Saturday, August 11th.

All of the lodging mentioned above is located inside the park boundaries surrounded by spectacular scenery. The rustic rooms are clean and tidy, but do not have telephones, TVs or internet access.

Reservations and Information for the lodging listed above: 406-892-2525 or 403-236-3400; www.glacierparkinc.com

Lodging in the park is very popular. Please arrange your lodging using the information above as soon as possible. Participants need to contact Glacier Park, Inc. directly and reserve their rooms upon registering for the workshop, if not earlier. Even if one has not registered for this workshop, but is strongly considering it, we recommend making hotel reservations as soon as possible (be mindful of the cancellation policy).

We have several rooms reserved in each location. If you're having difficulty securing reservations, please let us know; we can provide a set of rooms (additional fee). For details, call toll free 866-630-0136.


Generally, participants can expect to be at a shooting location for the start of civil twilight and we'll stay at that location through sunrise. We will provide breakfast bars, muffins, juice and water for the early mornings. If there are special dietary needs or requests please tell us. Most days we will go to a late breakfast after the morning shoot, on others we may relocate and shoot past breakfast. Typically, we will schedule a midday break allowing time to download, eat lunch, nap, discuss Photoshop... We do have dinner in a restaurant scheduled for each day and an evening shoot scheduled on some days.

Note: For most of the workshop we are on the east side of the park, dramatic sunsets will require clouds to liven the backlit mountains. 

We expect that weather will cause issues (it always has) at some of our locations, therefore we have scheduled time to repeat a few locations.
Glacier National Park Photography Wokshop

COST: $1,295.00 per participant.

Deposit Amount: $300.00 due at time of registration. This deposit becomes non refundable 90 days in advance of the workshop.

Full Payment of the workshop is due 60 days prior to the start of the workshop. If final payment is not received when due, we reserve the right to treat the reservation as canceled, please review our cancellation policy on the registration page.



Glacier National Park Photo Workshop

This workshop does involve some trail hiking and elevation gain to arrive at certain shooting locations, while other shooting locations will be just beyond the parking lot. The trail hiking may deemed vigorous activity or light activity based upon your condition. Trail hiking surfaces and those beyond the parking lot are generally uneven, hiking boots are recommended. Our longer trails range between 2 and 3 miles each way. One doesn't have to be in tip-top shape, but a participant's enjoyment will be enhanced by good health and preparation. The elevation range of our shooting locations is 3,250 ft to 7,500 ft. Please consult with your doctor before attending our workshop or venturing to higher elevations.

Proper hydration is a must at higher elevations. Without it one will lose strength, energy and may develop a severe headache. To avoid dehydration one MUST drink beyond their thirst; drink even though not thirsty. We will provide bottled water in the field, please drink it.

Be prepared for possible temperature extremes and sudden changes in weather. Be aware that mornings can be very chilly. Often we will be out in darkness before sunrise and after sunset, please bring a flashlight. We plan to arrive at our morning location each day no later than 5:15 A.M. on some days as early as 4:45 A.M. Sunset is approximately 9:20 P.M.

More Information

TRANSPORTATION: Most people flying to Montana for this workshop will find flying into Kalispell to be the best choice, others will find Great Falls, Helena, Butte or Billings to be adequate. Please investigate the various options to arrive at one that best suits your needs. Do consider that the road through Glacier National Park (Going-To-The-Sun Road) is slow driving and may suffer rare closures due to natural events and construction. The southern route around the park usually remains open.

Driving Conditions: Driving conditions will consist of mainly paved roads. When possible we prefer that participants car pool with each other to help limit our impact and get to know each other. A standard rental car will be sufficient.

Equipment Recommendations: Bring all camera equipment including the camera's manual. We recommend participants have a polarizing filter to use with many of the photographs on this workshop. A 1 stop and a 2 stop, hard edge split-neutral density filter may also be useful; these filters should be the rectangular type (Andy uses Singh-Ray filters) that can fit in the "P" size cokin filter holder or a larger Z Pro (or Lee) filter holder (do not buy screw on split-neutral density filters). If a participant combines high dynamic range images in Photoshop these filters may not be necessary. A lens range from 18mm to 200mm after the lens multiplication factor is recommended for the landscape portion and a long lens 300mm or longer for shooting wildlife. However, we think that participants should bring their entire range of lenses. We recommend shooting with a sturdy outdoor tripod that can adjust from standing height (without cranking up a center post) to very close to the ground. This type of tripod does not have attachments from the legs to the center post; i.e. the legs can move independently. Please use a cable release or know how to work the camera's timer delay to avoid camera shake. Also bring hiking boots and a flashlight to the field portions of the workshop. We will be walking in pre dawn and post sunset darkness. Consider bringing a laptop with Photoshop CS4 or CS5 and calibrate the monitor.

The Fine Print

We do not guarantee the weather. Workshop fee does not include transportation, lodging or meals. We usually go out as a group to a restaurant for late breakfast and dinner. Maximum number of participants is 10. We require an acknowledgment of risks be signed before going into the field. We will send the acknowledgment of risks upon registration, please return it at the start of the workshop. Glacier National Park is Grizzly country we will not attempt to photograph Grizzly bears unless a park range is present and allows the activity.
Glacier National Park Photography Workshop

BRING

Flashlight
Tripod

Spare Camera Batteries
Camera Manual
Lots of Memory
  Filters
Extra Shoes and Socks
Camera
Rain Gear
Hiking Boots
Sandals or Teva style shoes (for wading in water)
Warm Clothes
Umbrella (just in case)

Pepper Spray - This is grizzly country participants may carry spray if it makes them feel comfortable (one may not be able to fly with this).
Glacier National Park Photo Workshop

2011 Glacier Workshop Group Photo
2011 Glacier NP Workshop Group Photo
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View more 2011 workshop photos.
Membership not required.

View the Glacier NP Participant Gallery
Glacier NP Participant Gallery

QUESTIONS?

Call toll free 866-630-0136
or
e-mail: andy@rockymountainreflections.com

Click Here for Complete Workshop Schedule
Glacier National Park Photography Workshop

Rocky Mountain Reflections Photography, Inc. is authorized by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, to conduct services in Glacier National Park.

Images on this website are property of the photographer.

Please do not use them without the photographer's permission.