Glacier National Park Photography Workshop

Glacier National Park Photography Workshop
July 24th - July 30th, 2011
Instructor: Andy Cook

Join us as we photograph magnificent Glacier National Park. Our focus will be to shoot the greens of summer 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 our 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 you in the field and teach his techniques for landscape photography. If you are an advanced photographer he will be happy to help you or stay out of your way. Additionally, we will have lengthy Photoshop discussions and instruction. We will help you process your images during the midday down time. If you have images you wish us to critique, please bring them.

Itinerary Outline

Participants should check in with Andy on Saturday, (July 24th) 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 July 24th; Check-out July 25th.

Relocate to
Swiftcurrent Motor Inn (east side): Check-in - July 25th; Check-out - July 27th.

Relocate to
Rising Sun Motor Inn (east side): Check-in - July 27th; Check-out - July 30th.

Workshop ends after shooting sunrise on Saturday, July 30th.

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 for 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 you have not registered for this workshop but you're 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 are having difficulty securing reservations, please let us know; you may take one of our rooms. For details, call us toll free 866-630-0136.

Generally, you 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 you have a special dietary need or request 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 you time to download, eat lunch, nap, discuss Photoshop... We do have dinner in a restaurant scheduled for each day and evening shooting 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 your reservation as canceled, please review our cancellation policy below.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION: There are two ways to register, with a credit card or with a $300.00 check. If you are registering with a credit card we will charge your account the $300.00 deposit upon registration and the balance 60 days prior to the start of the workshop. If you are registering with a $300.00 check we will deposit it upon receipt, the balance will be due 60 days prior to the start of the workshop. To register with a check please fill out the form below and mail it with your check, thank you.

ONLINE METHOD:
Click the link below to enter our online shopping then select the workshop you desire and proceed to our secure checkout, where you provide us with your address and billing information, please also give us your phone # and e-mail address.

Secure Online Registration

or
Call us with your credit card information 719-635-6268 or toll free 866-630-0136.
or
Fill out the form below then print and send it via regular mail.

REGISTRATION FORM (Glacier Nat'l Park: July, 2011)

Your Name
Street Address
City
State
Zip Code (must be same as credit card billing)
Phone
E-mail

Please print the form then fill out the information below by hand.

Workshop Cost: $____________

MasterCard or Visa (circle one) MasterCard and Visa

Card #: ____________ - ____________ - ____________ - ____________

Expiration Date: Month: _________ Year: __________

Enclosed is payment via Check or Money Order in US funds payable to Rocky Mountain Reflections Photography, Inc. 2518 Pine Bluff Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80909-1316. Toll Free 866-630-0136

CANCELLATION POLICY: We must receive notice of your cancellation (phone*, e-mail* or postal mail), at which time the following fees apply:

More than 90 days in advance of the workshop: Full refund of $300.00 deposit.

90 to 61 days in advance of the workshop: $300.00 per person.

60 to 31 days in advance of the workshop: $650.00 per person.

30 days or fewer in advance of the workshop: $1,295.00 per person

*If canceled by phone or e-mail, we must acknowledge receipt of the cancellation by e-mail for it to be valid.

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 longest trail is about 2 miles each way. You don't have to be in tip-top shape, but your 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 you will lose strength, energy and may develop a severe headache. To avoid dehydration you MUST drink beyond your thirst; drink even though you are 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 of your camera equipment including the camera manual. We recommend that you have a polarizing filter to use with many of your 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 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 you combine high dynamic range images in Photoshop these filters may not be necessary. A lens range from 24mm 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 you should bring your entire range of lenses. You should shoot with a sturdy outdoor tripod that can adjust from your standing height (without cranking up a center post) to very close to the ground. This type of tripod does not have attachments from part way down the legs to the center post; i.e. the legs can move independently. Please use a cable release or know how to work your 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 your laptop with Photoshop CS3, 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 8. 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 carry spray if it makes you feel comfortable (you may not be able to fly with this).

QUESTIONS?

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

Click Here for Complete Workshop Schedule

2010 Glacier Workshop Group Photo

Click to View Glacier Participant Images

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.
Copyright Andy Cook