2009 NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY FALL COLOR WORKSHOPS

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2009 NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY FALL COLOR WORKSHOPS

In Michigan's Beautiful Upper Peninsula

Session #1 OCTOBER 4 - 10, 2009

Session #2 October 11 - 17, 2009

We're teaching two Fall Color nature photography workshops in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Hiawatha Forest during 2009. October is a magical time in the Upper Peninsula. Autumn is valiantly trying to hold on, but by late October, gradually loses out to "Old Man Winter." It's a fabulous time to enjoy the North Woods!Our fall color nature photography field workshops are designed to show you how to use high quality nature photography techniques to shoot spectacular nature images. Typical subjects that we photograph during the week include patterns of colorful leaves hanging from trees, floating in quiet ponds, and carpeting the forest floor. Beautiful backlit individual leaves, golden bracken ferns littered with brilliant red maple leaves, waterfalls encircled by autumn foliage, colorful rocks along Lake Superior, and sunrises/sunsets will keep your camera busy, too. With a bit of luck, we may have the opportunity to photograph gorgeous frosted autumn leaves. Perhaps a light snowfall may provide the chance to photograph autumn leaves amid the snow. When dawn is calm and clear, we'll be on location before sunrise to photograph spectacular autumn color and white birch trees perfectly reflected in the still water of small lakes. Since 1987, we have discovered many special places to share with you. We lived near the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore for several years, so we know this area well. In addition, we have conducted dozens of autumn color workshops here over the years. No matter what the weather conditions, we know where to lead our students to make the most of their time in the field taking photos. We lead morning and afternoon field trips Monday through Friday morning. We also lead a Saturday morning trip for those who can stay with us a bit longer. We take you to places where you'll find exciting subjects to photograph. We carefully show you how to select excellent photo prospects from the chaos of nature. Then we demonstrate how to shoot the best images of nature with high quality techniques that anyone can learn and master. We spend 100% of our time while in the field helping you to capture images with your own equipment. We're always with you to suggest great photo possibilities and to solve any problems you may have. To ensure that instruction is complete, informative, and helpful; group size is limited to twenty participants (a 1:10 instructor/student ratio).About 20% of the workshop is spent viewing instructional programs that we have carefully put together to maximize learning. The materials contained in the programs are suitable for all skill levels. We critique your images during the week, too. On Friday night, we present a spirited showing of each participant's best images produced during the week.We present a program featuring our digital images that we have taken during the past year. This popular part of the workshop is a great way to show you the new things that we've discovered about nature photography and the new images that we've captured. We also ask each of you to bring some photos (digital images, slides, and/or prints) from home to share with the group. Although it's optional, it's a superb way to see where you've been and how well you're doing. If you would like a thoughtful critique of your images, just ask, we'll be glad to do this for you. At each workshop we eat, breathe, and sleep nature photography. But, that doesn't mean it's all work and no play. Since we take our field trips at a leisurely pace, there is time to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. We may even get a little silly at times, but then laughter and humor add to the terrific workshop experience.Participating in our nature photography workshop is not only an effective way to improve your nature photography and to learn about nature, it's a wonderful "learning vacation" as well. It's always a pleasure to share experiences and knowledge with other nature photographers.Our workshops, however, are not for everyone. If you are looking for a workshop that takes you into the field from 9 to 5 when the weather conditions are less favorable for capturing exquisite images, our workshop is not appropriate for you. We believe in leading our field trips when we are normally out capturing images for our own personal files. Therefore, our field trips begin every morning 1/2 hour before sunrise, and we stay out until 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. Getting up for our early morning field trips isn't going to be as tough as it sounds. We are on the far western edge of the Eastern Time Zone and on daylight-savings time. One half-hour before sunrise is about 7:30 a.m. during autumn. Evening field trips begin about 3.5 hours before sunset. We always stay out for the sunset, if the weather allows.We'll conduct most of our instructional image programs that cover exposure, light, and composition during the middle of the day when the light is unfavorable and the wind may be blowing. All mornings and evenings are reserved for field trips. On the other hand, if the weather is suitable for photography during the middle of the day, we will shoot images instead and conduct programs at night.About the Pictured Rocks AreaPictured Rocks National Lakeshore receives its name from the colorful rock formations along the southern shoreline of Lake Superior between Munising and Grand Marais. This whole region is a photographer's paradise. That's why we lived here for several years. The land features a mixture of beech-maple and conifer forests, clear meandering brooks, quiet beaver ponds, undeveloped Lake Superior shorelines, several spectacular waterfalls, and hundreds of small secluded wild lakes. Black bear, bald eagles, osprey, coyotes, and white-tailed deer are plentiful. Since very few people live here, it's a land of unspoiled beauty that abounds with wildlife and gorgous landscapes. The Munising and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore area is especially good for autumn photography for several reasons. First, the forest in northern Michigan features a beautiful mixture of beech-maple, conifer, white birch, and aspen woodlands. Since beech, aspen, birch, and several species of maple trees are abundant here, the forest becomes a riot of vibrant red, yellow, and orange color during the first three weeks of October. But, it doesn't last long. Fall color develops in earnest in late September and generally peaks between October 6 - 12. Second, nearby Lake Superior tends to stretch out the peak of fall color a bit. Fall color typically peaks away from the shoreline (10 miles inland) of Lake Superior 5-6 days before color peaks next to Lake Superior. Third, the vast majority of land is state and national forests--public land--so we can go just about anywhere. Access to land and stunning images is terrific!Field TripsField trips are 3-4 hours long so we can shoot as many wonderful images as possible. We'll visit gorgeous beaches, rocky Lake Superior shorelines, numerous waterfalls, and many secluded lakes full of autumn reflections where subjects abound. We'll car pool on each field trip. Since we know this gorgeous part of the world so well, we'll take you to many magical places.Digital PhotographyWe use a high quality digital projector for viewing your images. Just give us a copy of your images on a CD, jump drive, or CF card, so we can view them. Bringing a laptop computer is highly encouraged! MealsWe'll eat many meals as a group, but meal time is highly variable because our field trips are dictated by the weather. Since it is difficult to predict the weather, we'll just see what happens. Generally, we'll go to a restaurant in Munising after the morning field trip for breakfast. Lunch is the most unpredictable meal of all. If a restaurant is nearby when we feel like having lunch, we'll go to the restaurant. Dinner is eaten at restaurants, too. In all cases, when we go to restaurants, everyone orders off the menu and pays for his/her meal at that time. By the way, the lodge has a full kitchen for cooking. Each of the motel rooms have a microwave oven and refrigerator, so you can do some of your own cooking. Nobody has ever lost weight during our workshops, but we do work in meals around shooting fine images, not the other way around!Farewell Dinner After viewing the best images captured during the week on Friday night, we'll all go to a good restaurant at 8:30 p.m. for our farewell dinner. This is a great way to crown such a busy and productive week. And best of all, the Gerlachs are picking up the tab!Non-participating SpousesIf space permits, a few non-participating spouses, who don't shoot photos, may be allowed to attend part of the program for $150. Since the meeting room space is so limited, non-participating spouses are not allowed to attend any of the instructional programs conducted by the Gerlachs. However they are allowed to attend our images of the year program and the Friday night "best images of the week" program. They also can join field trips with their spouse. The $150 fee does include the farewell Friday night dinner.

Workshop Dates

Week #1. This week begins Sunday evening on October 4 and runs until Saturday morning after breakfast on October 10, 2009.

Week #2. This week begins Sunday evening on October 11 and runs until Saturday morning after breakfast on October 17, 2009.When the Workshop Starts and EndsThe workshop begins Sunday at 7:00 p.m. at the Timber Ridge Lodge. The program ends after breakfast on the following Saturday. TuitionTuition for the workshop is $650. A $100 deposit is required at this time to hold your space in the workshop. The deposit is refundable, less a $50 service fee, until June 1, 2009. The non-participating Spouse Fee is due June 1. After June 1, the $100 deposit becomes non-refundable, unless we are able to fill your space on such short notice (minus the $50 service fee).

Tuition includes all classroom and field instruction, detailed notes, National Park and Hiawatha National Forest user fees, and the farewell dinner Friday night. Meals, lodging, and items of a personal nature are not included.LodgingOur workshops are based at the Timber Ridge Motel and Lodge. These accommodations are nestled among the hills and lakes in the heart of the Hiawatha National Forest. The Timber Ridge Lodge borders Hovey Lake, and the Timber Ridge Motel overlooks nearby Hovey Lake. These two locales offer a perfect starting point for our field trips because they offer so many great nature photo opportunities.Timber Ridge Lodge: (Four Bedroom House)The fee for each person with no roommate is $44 per night, plus 6% tax. The fee for the room if sharing with a roommate is $49 per night, plus 6% tax. Each of the two large bedrooms is reserved for a non-smoking participant. There is a basement, but reserved for us (Barbara & John).Rooms are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. The four or five people staying here will share the two bathrooms. This house has a color TV, full kitchen facilities, fireplace, and is right on Hovey Lake. No smoking is permitted in this facility.

Timber Ridge MotelThis motel has nine units. Each unit has its own private bathroom. The motel is in excellent condition and well maintained. Each room has a color TV, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and an individual deck overlooking Hovey Lake. This is the best choice for those who wish to room together. The lodge accepts Visa, MasterCard, traveler's checks, and cash.Single Person: The fee for a single person is $54 per night, plus 6% tax. Two People one Bed: The fee is $59 per night, plus 6% tax.Two People two Beds: The fee is $59 per night, plus 6% tax.(Note: Since we are writing this so far ahead of time, it is possible that lodging at the Timber Ridge may increase slightly.)If you would like additional information regarding the Timber Ridge Motel and Lodge, please contact the owners.

Jan or Mary Sue NolanTimber Ridge Motel HCR 1, Box 52 Munising, MI 49862(906) 387-3790
You also have some camping options, if you prefer. Otter Lake CampgroundOtter Lake Campground is the best choice for those who wish to camp or stay in their recreational vehicle. Cost is approximately $17/night. The nearby Otter Lake campground is wonderful. It's right on Otter Lake and only a few miles from the Timber Ridge Lodge. Although the campground is seldom busy, do make advance reservations. Call (906) 553-4921.Hovey Lake CampgroundHovey Lake Campground is a tiny, nearby campground on Hovey Lake, but with few facilities. It has pit toilets, great northern pike fishing, and a wonderful view. It isn't much, but the price is right. No charge!Travel and Equipment InformationAfter making a reservation, we'll send you pre-departure information describing the photographic equipment and clothing that is most suitable for the workshop. We'll also send you a detailed map showing you exactly how to get to the Timber Ridge Lodge and Motel. How to Get to the Pictured Rocks AreaSince most of our workshop participants drive to our workshop, we always rely on car pooling to get everyone to the field trip sites. But, you may prefer to fly in to K.I. Sawyer Airport, which is only about 40 miles from the Timber Ridge Lodge. There are a few car rental companies at the small airport. We recommend renting a car because it's convenient to have your own wheels. If you wish to rely on car pooling, you can get a taxi at the airport. The fee for a taxi ride to the Timber Ridge in 2005 was about $85 one-way. If you would like to share a rented car with another participant, let us know, we'll connect all interested parties.

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