Greg Disch Digital Photography Workshops
Spring Workshop – Wildflowers and Waterfalls
Date
April 15 to 17, 2011
This will be a two day field workshop located in the area of the Buffalo National River in North Central Arkansas. Just about all of our time will be spent photographing the endless possibilities of this unique area, with personal instruction from Greg Disch.
This area is rich with photographic opportunities. As described by the National Park Service “The natural and cultural resources of this national river exemplify much of the beauty and diversity which makes up the Ozark region of Arkansas. You will find a wild, free-flowing and unpolluted river that passes towering bluffs, pioneer homesteads and wilderness areas, dominated by a vast hardwood forest, verdant much of the visitor season. The river offers recreational pursuits like canoeing, fishing and swimming. Inspirational and educational opportunities are also available, where one can experience life at a slower pace. It is indeed a place where you can get glimpses of an earlier way of life, whether that is seeing examples of prehistoric Native American presence in Ozark Bluff Dweller cultures or pioneer homesteads in this beautiful and scenic, rugged landscape.”
The Buffalo River was designated Americas first National River over 30 years ago “for the purposes of conserving and interpreting an area containing unique scenic and scientific features, and preserving as a free-flowing stream an important segment of the Buffalo River in Arkansas for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.”
Workshop Itinerary
Friday April 15th
We will meet at the Ozark Cafe on the square in Jasper at 6:00 pm for dinner and to get acquainted with everyone in the group. We will discuss preparations for our morning shoot on Saturday, a trip to the Smith Creek Preserve, where we will photograph wildflowers and the small waterfalls and cascades of the creek.
Saturday, April 16
We will meet for breakfast at the Ozark cafe in Jasper at 8:00 before departing on our shoot Saturday morning. plan to bring a picnic style lunch, snacks, and drinks for during the day Saturday as we may not have anywhere available to stop for lunch. after breakfast we will travel to Smith Creek nature preserve where we will shoot wildflowers and the small waterfalls in the Creek.
We will do in the field training on how to photograph waterfalls, to obtain the smooth silky appearance that we all like to see in waterfall photographs. In addition, there should be a great variety of wildflowers that we will be able to photograph, there are number of unique techniques that will we explore to capture great flower photos in the field.
After leaving Smith’s Creek, we will travel to Lost Valley where we can photograph Eden Falls and additional wildflowers. after shooting at loss Valley. We will return to Jasper and meet for dinner to discuss the days photo opportunities and have a question-and-answer session.
Sunday, April 17
We will again meet for breakfast at eight o’clock at the Ozark Cafe in Jasper. After breakfast we will venture out to another waterfall location. After shooting at this location, we will journey to a second location for another waterfall shoot. We will complete our photography sessions at around 4 to 5 o’clock Sunday afternoon completing the workshop.
In addition to shooting wildflowers and waterfalls, we will have the opportunity to photograph the elk in Boxley Valley, numerous old barns, and other landscape opportunities.
In Arkansas, April is generally the spring rainy season and a good time for shooting waterfalls. However, the weather is very unpredictable and in Arkansas waterfalls generally have water only in wet periods. There will be no guarantee that we will actually be able to photograph waterfalls with flowing water. On the other hand, we may have too much water being unsafe traveling to the locations to photograph the waterfalls. In case of either of these conditions we will have alternative subjects to photograph and will will still be able to cover the techniques of photographing waterfalls.
Location
Buffalo National River and Vicinity, Jasper AR
Cost
The workshop fee will $189.00 per participant, which will cover photographic instruction and guiding by Greg Disch.
AETN Video of Smith Creek Preserve
Workshop Policies and Information
About the Workshop
Our workshops are based on digital photography, the assistance that I can provide and the immediate feedback of digital make “in the field” workshops one of the most effective teaching formats available. Whether finding the correct exposure, looking through the viewfinder for the perfect composition, or learning how to use the equipment, you can’t beat real world experience. Classes are kept small, it’s all about personal, individual attention.
Digital offers a number of benefits for learning photography including:
- Immediate feedback on exposure and composition
- Immediate critique from the instructor an other participants
- Ability or afternoon or evening reviews and projection
- Automatically capturing all shooting information (Meta Data)
- Ability to manage work flow while still on location
Group Size
We keep our group size small, this provides for a high degree of personal attention and a great amount of flexibility in making the workshop the best possible experience for the participants.
This workshop is limited to a maximum or 8 participants.
Changes to the Itinerary
In order to offer the best experience possible for the workshop participants we reserve the right to alter the itinerary when our judgment warrants it. This could be due to unforeseen circumstances, closures, weather or other conditions beyond our control. We may also alter due to new or unexpected photographic opportunities that may arise.
What is Included
Your workshop fees include full instruction and location guiding. Upon receipt of your deposit, you will be supplied a trip checklist to assist with your preparations. Before the workshop, all participants receive a course syllabus, detailed itinerary, technical articles, and more.
What is Not Included
Transportation to and from the workshop, lodging, meals, incidental expenses and items of a personal nature.
Health and Physical Considerations
All participants should be in generally good health, walking and moderate climbing may be necessary in outdoor workshops and you will be responsible for carrying of your own equipment on location shoots. If you are taking any medications be sure to bring a supply sufficient for the duration of the workshop.
If you have any concern about your ability to participate in a workshop please contact us before registering.
Equipment Needed
To get the most from the workshop you should have a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera, tripod and an assortment of lenses. That being said, it is the photographer not the camera that makes the photo. You will need a laptop computer to use, remember to bring all software, drivers, cords, and camera manuals when attending any workshop and you should be technically proficient with your laptop computer and editing software.
We may be photographing the Arkansas Elk in Boxley Valley and a long lens in the 300mm or longer range is needed in most cases.
For photographing waterfalls a tripod is essential. Neutral density filters are recommended along with a cable release for your camera. for photographing wildflowers, a lens capable of close focusing is recommended. For very close-up images the use of either a diopter or close-up filter or extension tubes is recommended. A macro lens is also a great way of obtaining extreme close-ups however considerably more expensive than the previous options.
Transportation During Workshop
We do not provide Transportation on field trips, carpooling will be done among participants for these workshops. If you do not have a car let us know and we will be sure there are enough seats with other members during the workshop.
Lodging
Lodging is not provided, you will need to make your own reservations, we will be meeting in Jasper AR, and be eating most meals there. Jasper has several motels and there are cabins all around. Click here for area information.
Meals
Meals, drinks, and snacks are not provided, and are the responsibility of the participant. I some cases we may need to pack a lunch for the day and at other times we will stop when and where convenient for the group. Breakfast and dinner may be at a predetermined location or as available based upon where we are and our photography schedule.
Registration, Payment, and Refund Policy
You can register any way you like, just so I get your information, you can use the online registration, the contact form, email, postal mail, or call me on the phone (479-414-6889) either to register or just ask a question. Registration is done on a first come basis, so register early to secure your space. A deposit of 20% is required to reserve your space, and full payment is due 30 days prior to the workshop. Enrollment is limited in our workshops, so once you have been accepted your participation is important to us – we are counting on you to attend. If you must withdraw from a course, we must receive written notice of your cancellation, and then apply the following refund policy: Withdraw more than 45 days before the start of class and we will refund all monies paid. Withdraw 44 days or less before the start of workshop and we regrettably will be unable to offer a refund of your workshop fee. We do not make partial refunds for unused portions or services of a workshop for any reason whatsoever. Refunds are not transferable. If we are able to fill your space in the workshop we will give full credit towards another workshop.
Non Photographer (Spouse, significant other, or friend)
We welcome spouses to join you on the workshop experience however “workshop activities” are limited to registered, paid attendees. You may have a non photographer accompany you to all activities but they must pay for the workshop. If they wish to accompany you on the trip but not attend the workshop activities, but stay with you, finding other activities during the day, and meet for meals and social type events that is perfectly acceptable.
Cancellation Policy
In the unlikely event that we need to cancel a workshop we will refund all monies paid, in full. Notification of our cancellation will be made via either a telephone call or an e-mail to you at least 14 days prior to the beginning of a workshop. We cannot be responsible for phone messages and e-mails not being received in a timely matter due to your service providers. We cannot be responsible for non-refundable airline tickets unused or other travel arrangements because of a workshop cancellation.
Liability Waiver
All participants will be required to sigh a liability waiver before beginning a workshop. We will not be liable for injury, accident or theft resulting from participation in our workshop program.
Weather
The more the better, at least as far as the photography goes. Workshops will not be canceled and no refunds will be made due to weather, we will not be responsible for any additional costs that may be incurred by weather delays or cancellations due to weather, flight delays, or other. Participants should come to the workshop prepared for all weather conditions. We will generally update everyone within a few days of the workshop so that they know what type of weather to expect.
Trip Extensions
We may be able to extend your trip in the area, if you would like more time and personal instruction. Please contact us for more information and rates before the workshop.
Smoking
We prefer that you do not smoke, however if you must please abide by the following guidelines. Smoking is not allowed in or near vehicles, during instructional sessions, during group meals, or at other times when in close quarters with other workshop participants.
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