Glacier National
Park
Photography Workshop
June 28 - July 3, 2009
Andy Cook will be leading a photography
workshop for Nature
Photo Tours to
photograph Glacier Nat'l Park. Explore Montana's fantastic Glacier
National Park and photograph it's amazing scenery.
Nature
Photo Tours is the company holding this photography workshop,
please contact
them directly by clicking on their name to view their website and make
your reservations.
Join us as we photograph magnificent Glacier National Park. Our
focus will be to shoot the brilliant greens of early summer in the
lower elevations against a back drop of dramatic mountain tops still
laden with snow. We will concentrate on the lakes and streams of the
park and take advantage of 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 creating the
most appealing compositions of each location. Additionally, we cover
equipment, exposure, metering, filters, Photoshop, and personal tips as
needed. If you have images you
wish Andy to critique, please bring them.
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. Some days we will go to a late breakfast after the morning
shoot on others we will relocate and shoot until midday break.
Typically, we will schedule a midday break allowing you time to
download, eat lunch, nap, discuss Photoshop... We will provide
breakfast bars, granola
bars, muffins, juice and water for the early mornings. In the afternoon
we will head back out into the field and shoot through the end of civil
twilight after sunset. This does not leave much time to eat dinner
after the evening shoot so we will provide fixings for ham, turkey and
salami sandwiches on wheat bread, chips, fruit, water and diet sodas
for field/late dinners. If you have a special dietary need or request
please tell us.
This workshop does involve some trail
hiking 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.
You don't have to be in tip-top shape, but your enjoyment will be
enhanced by good health and preparation.
Consult your doctor before venturing to higher elevations. A standard
liability release form will be required before departure.
Be prepared for possible temperature
extremes and sudden changes in
weather. Be aware that mornings can be very chilly snow is always a
possibility.

Itinerary
Outline:
We prefer that participants check in with
Andy Sunday (June 28th) in the hotel lobby at 6 P.M. and join him for
dinner. We may shoot afterwards if the clouds look promising. You may
arrive later but please check in with Andy.
Location: Swiftcurrent
Motor Inn, Glacier Nat'l Park (east side) 2-4 nights here exact
details firmed up in July, 2008.
COST:
$TBD - Includes field breakfasts and dinners as described above, when
required. Please contact Nature Photo Tours to
make your reservation. (Click on their name to visit their website.)
The
Fine Print
We do
not guarantee the weather. Workshop fee does not include transportation
to the shooting locations,
lodging or all meals. Participants are responsible for arranging
their own
transportation to the hotels and lodging (please see
lodging
information
below, we usually go out as a group to a restaurant for the midday
meal). Maximum
number of participants is 10. This
workshop does involve some hiking and elevation gain. The elevation
range of our shooting locations - 4,500 to 7,000 ft. Please consult
with your doctor before attending our
workshop. We require a waiver
(for injuries) be signed before going into the field, this will
be done on the first evening or in advance 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.
More Information
LODGING:
We suggest you stay in the same hotels as Andy. If you
will be making other hotel arrangements please let us know. If you wish
to share a room with another workshop participant please let us know
and we will pair you up if possible.
Swiftcurrent Motor Inn - June 28th, .... TBD exact details
firmed up in July, 2008.
Rising Sun Motor Inn - TBD exact details firmed up in July,
2008.
East Glacier - Mountain Pine Motel (possibility, TBD)
TRANSPORTATION:
Most people flying to Montana for this workshop will find flying into
Kalispell or Great Falls to be the best choice, others will find
Helena, Butte or Billings to be adequate. Please investigate the
various options to arrive at one that best suits your needs. For those
flying to Kalispell 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 and an easy dirt road or two. 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 most of your photographs on this workshop. A 1 stop and a 2
stop, hard edge split-neutral density filter will also be useful; these
filters should be the rectangular type that can fit in the "P" size
cokin filter holder or a larger Hoya 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 28 mm to 70 mm after the digital multiplication factor is
recommended for the landscape portion and a long lens 300 mm or longer
for shooting wildlife. However, we think that you should bring your
entire range of lenses, which will hopefully include macro capability
for close-up work. 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 and calibrate the monitor.
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.
The workshop is in the field, so be
prepared for possible temperature extremes, adjustment to higher
elevations, and sudden changes in weather. Hey, it's outdoor
photography!

BRING
Flashlight - For hiking before
sunrise and after sunset.
Tripod
Spare Camera Batteries
Camera Manual
Lots of Memory
Cable Release
Filters: Polarizer,
2 stop Split-Neutral Density (rectangular, if you have one)
Extra Shoes and Socks
Pepper Spray - This is grizzly country carry spray if it makes you feel
comfortable.
Rain Gear
Hiking Boots
Umbrella (for shooting in the rain)
Oh Yes! Don't Forget Your
Camera
Questions?
Visit Nature Photo Tours at www.NaturePhotoTours.com
and contact them directly.
or
Call us toll free 866-630-0136
or
e-mail:
andy@rockymountainreflections.com
Click Here for the Main Workshop Page