Texas Bluebonnets Road Trip – April 2-7, 2016

This workshop is limited to a maximum of 3 participants.

This year is looking like it could be an excellent year for Texas Bluebonnets with the rainfall that we have had this fall.  This will be a “Roadtrip” style workshop, we will be concentrating on photographing the fantastic Texas Bluebonnets and other wildflowers, which have a relatively short bloom time and varies with the temperature and weather.  Different areas bloom at different time, rather than picking a location and hope we are there at the right time, we will pick at time and then find the right location,  having a fluid schedule we will be able to maximize our photo opportunities.

Texas Hill Country Bluebonnets 090626IMG_6465

Wildflowers in the Texas Hill Country near Fredericksburg Texas. Bluebonnets, the official Texas state flower, blanket large portions of the state in early spring. Their peak blooming season is in late March and early April. Bluebonnets depend on abundant winter rains and warm spring weather.

Wildflowers in the Texas Hill Country near Fredericksburg Texas. Bluebonnets, the official Texas state flower, blanket large portions of the state in early spring. Their peak blooming season is in late March and early April. Bluebonnets depend on abundant winter rains and warm spring weather.

Cost

Cost for this workshop is $750 and includes transportation.

Workshop Schedule

Saturday April 2 to  Thursday April 7

The great benefit to doing a very small group is that we have a great deal of flexibility in what we want to shoot and when.  I’m not going to limit that be setting out a detailed itinerary for the trip but do have some great locations in mind.

On Saturday we will travel to Texas Hill Country, exact destination will be determined near the start of the workshop, dependent upon the flowers. We will plan to spend the next few days covering the Texas Hill Country with visits to great wildflower locations such as Burnet, Marble Falls, Round Rock, Pontotoc, Fredericksburg, Wildseed Farms, and others.  We will travel back north on Wednesday to Ennis Texas to photograph the Bluebonnet Trails and spend one night there before returning on Thursday April 7th.

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Topics Covered

We will cover a great deal of different shooting situations and learn techniques as we come upon the right opportunities, the list below is some of what is expected to be covered:

  • Close-up and Macro
  • Landscape Photography Techniques
  • Long Exposure
  • HDR
  • Panorama
  • Time-lapse photography
  • Night Sky
  • Hyper focal Distance
  • Composition

Wildflowers in the Texas Hill Country near Fredericksburg Texas. Bluebonnets, the official Texas state flower, blanket large portions of the state in early spring. Their peak blooming season is in late March and early April. Bluebonnets depend on abundant winter rains and warm spring weather.

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:

  1. Immediate feedback on exposure and composition
  2. Immediate critique from the instructor an other participants
  3. Ability or afternoon or evening reviews and projection
  4. Automatically capturing all shooting information (Meta Data)
  5. Ability to manage work flow while still on location

Wildflowers line the roadsides in the Texas Hill Country near Fredericksburg Texas. Bluebonnets, the official Texas state flower, blanket large portions of the state in early spring. Their peak blooming season is in late March and early April. Bluebonnets depend on abundant winter rains and warm spring weather.

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 of 3 participants.

Wildflowers line the roadsides in the Texas Hill Country near Fredericksburg Texas. Bluebonnets, the official Texas state flower, blanket large portions of the state in early spring. Their peak blooming season is in late March and early April. Bluebonnets depend on abundant winter rains and warm spring weather.

What is Included

Transportation during the workshop, and to the workshop from Fort Smith AR are included.

Your workshop fees include full instruction and location guiding.  Prior to the workshop, you will be supplied a trip checklist to assist with your preparations.

Wildflowers in the Texas Hill Country near Fredericksburg Texas. Bluebonnets, the official Texas state flower, blanket large portions of the state in early spring. Their peak blooming season is in late March and early April. Bluebonnets depend on abundant winter rains and warm spring weather.

What is Not Included

Lodging, meals, incidental expenses and items of a personal nature.

Wildflowers in the Texas Hill Country near Fredericksburg Texas. Bluebonnets, the official Texas state flower, blanket large portions of the state in early spring. Their peak blooming season is in late March and early April. Bluebonnets depend on abundant winter rains and warm spring weather.

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 with Adobe Lightroom installed.  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.

  • A good sturdy tripod
  • A wide angle lens is recommended
  • Camera bag or backpack that is easily carried
  • An intervalometer (timer release) for time-lapse shooting
  • Raingear
  • Flashlight
  • Headlamp with red light

 

Wildflowers in the Texas Hill Country near Fredericksburg Texas. Bluebonnets, the official Texas state flower, blanket large portions of the state in early spring. Their peak blooming season is in late March and early April. Bluebonnets depend on abundant winter rains and warm spring weather.

Lodging

Lodging is not provided,  we will find accommodations or make reservations on the road.

 

Meals

Meals, drinks, and snacks are not provided, and are the responsibility of the participant.  In 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.

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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 minimum 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 credit all monies paid toward another workshop. Withdraw 44 days or less before the start of workshop and we credit 1/2 your workshop fee, if we are able to fill your space in the workshop we will give full credit towards another workshop. We do not make partial refunds for unused portions or services of a workshop for any reason whatsoever. Refunds are not transferable.

 

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.

The Mexican Bluewing (Myscelia ethusa) butterfly is a large, blue striped neotropical butterfly found in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Thier Wing sapn is 2 1/2 to 3 inches and range from Columbia north to Mexico and up to the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Males and females look similar, however, male wings tend to be a darker color with less white spots at the wing edges.

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.

 

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.

 

 

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.

Indain Paintbrush in the Texas Hill Country near Fredericksburg Texas.

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