Badlands National Park
Photography
Workshop
Part 1 - August 13 - 18, 2023
Part 2 - August 19 - 21, 2023: 3 day hiking extension available
Instructor: Andy Cook
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Badlands
National Park is an amazing gift to the landscape photographer. It
contains panoramic vistas that challenge one to find intriguing
compositions with both wide angle and telephoto lenses. Spend a little
time walking amongst the rocks and discover how the eroded landscape can
move a viewer's eye through a well composed scene.
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workshop is geared for the beginner to advanced
photographer. Each participant
is assisted at their level. We focus on helping 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, Andy is
present to aid in the field and teach his techniques for landscape
photography. If
you're an advanced photographer he is happy to help or stay out of the
way. Additionally, Andy will provide Photoshop
instruction/assistance during some of the midday time.
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Itinerary
Outline:
Participants should check
in with Andy, Sunday (August 13th, 2023) in the Instructor's Hotel Lobby
at 7:00 P.M. for a meeting and introduction.
Instructor Lodging Location: Best Western Plains Motel, 712 Glenn Street, Wall, SD 57790. 605-279-2145.
Check-in: Sunday, August 13th, 2023
Check-out: Part 1 - Saturday August 19th, 2023
Check-out: Part 2 - Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023
Part 1 ends
after shooting sunset on Friday, August 18th.
Part 2 ends after shooting sunset on Monday, August 21st.
LODGING: We
think it is
convenient for participants to stay anywhere in Wall, South Dakota. Participants
need to contact the hotel of their choice
and reserve their room upon registering for the workshop. This is a busy
season, participants should make hotel reservations as soon as
possible.
Generally,
participants can expect to be
at a
shooting location at the beginning of blue hour, about 5:20 AM, sunrise
is
about 5:53 AM and we'll stay in the field until it's time for
breakfast. We
will provide breakfast bars, and snacks for the early
mornings. We are not providing water bottles during this workshop;
reducing 1 use plastic bottle waste. Please bring a reusable water
bottle from home.
Typically, we will have a midday break that varies up to
several hours, allowing time to
download, nap... For those who want to learn more about post
processing, Andy will provide Photoshop help during some midday
breaks. To receive post processing assistance please bring your laptop
with Photoshop installed. In the afternoon we will eat an early dinner
and return to the field where
we photograph past sunset into blue light hour.
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COST: Part 1 - $1,690.00
per participant. Target number of participants is 8.
Part 2 - $500.00 per participant. Target number of participants is 4, no discount.
Contact us to register for part 2.
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 the reservation as canceled, please review the
cancellation policy on the registration page.
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Workshop Details
Part
1 of this workshop does not involve much trail
hiking, however, it does involve walking through tall grass, along roads, on rocky terrain and small hills. Walking surfaces
are generally uneven. One doesn't have to be in
tip-top shape, but one's enjoyment will be enhanced by good health and
preparation. There are cactus hidden in the terrain, ankle high, solid
leather, hiking boots are highly recommended. Sometimes it's hard
to see where one's placing one's feet, prairie rattlesnakes inhabit the
park, Andy will use snake gaiters and highly recommends participants
bring their own. We require an acknowledgment of risks (for
injuries) be signed before going into the field. We will send a copy
upon registration, please return it at the start of the workshop.
Proper hydration is a must, without it one will
lose strength, energy and may develop a headache. To avoid
dehydration one MUST drink beyond their thirst. We are not providing
water bottles during this workshop; reducing 1 use plastic bottle waste.
Please bring a reusable water bottle from home. Note: Some do not like
the water in Wall, consider options.
Be prepared for possible sudden changes in weather.
Part 2: Join Andy and members of the scouting party as we hike and
explore some interesting back country areas in search of compelling
foregrounds. Part 2 of this workshop is only offered to those also
attending part 1. Part 2 involves extensive hiking, we expect to hike 8
to 12 miles each day, often several miles from the road. The Milky Way
will be visible shortly after sunset, if clear, on some nights we intend
to photograph it. One should be
able to carry one's camera gear, food and plenty of water. We expect to
return to the cars after dark. However, we are mortal, we are keeping
our first morning open to sleep and recover from the previous day(s), we
will decide about the remaining mornings during to trip. Snake gaiters
are required. Contact us directly to apply for part 2.
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More
Information
TRANSPORTATION: Most people flying to this workshop will find flying into Rapid City, SD to be
most desirable, about 1 hour from Wall, SD.
Driving Conditions:
During the workshop driving conditions will usually be paved highways and non 4 wheel
drive, dirt roads, if it has been a wet season the dirt roads
may become muddy. When possible we prefer that
participants car pool with each other to help limit our impact and get
to know the other participants. Andy will provide hand held radios
to communicate while driving.
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Equipment Recommendations:
Bring all camera equipment including the camera's manual. We recommend
using a polarizing filter with many photographs on this workshop. Andy
combines images of various exposures in post processing. Andy will be
happy to teach participants his field and post processing techniques for
doing so (requires a cable release with some cameras). To receive post
processing assistance please bring your laptop with Photoshop installed.
A lens range from
16 mm to 400 mm after the lens multiplication factor is recommended.
However, we think participants should bring their entire range of
lenses.
It can be windy
in the Badlands, this is not a place for a small, travel tripod. We
recommend shooting with a sturdy outdoor tripod that can adjust from
standing height without cranking up a center post, to very close to the
ground. This type of tripod does not have attachments from the legs to
the center post; i.e. the legs can move independently. Please use a
cable release or know how to work the camera's timer delay to avoid
camera shake.
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To
be as prepared as possible for this workshop, please review the 2
videos, 7 lessons and 10 workshop handouts found at the link below:
Below please find the PDF
handouts recommended for this workshop. One needs to print or download
to a digital device these documents before the workshop from the link
above.
For this workshop we recommend that participants:
*Print: Blank Workshop Locations Visited.
*Print or download to field
digital device: CFDER Field Reminder (This is useful to those new to our
workshops and/or trying to develop a useful field workflow.)
*Print or download to field
digital device: Steps to Capture Panorama Photographs
*Print or download to field
digital device: Hyperfocal chart for camera’s LMF. (Unless you already
have a depth-of-field app on a smart phone.)
*Print or download to digital device: Andy’s Camera Settings (Only if unsure about what the camera’s settings should be.)
*Print or download to
digital device: Tripod Tips and Techniques (Only if one is new to tripod
use or are considering a tripod purchase.)
ADOBE® PHOTOSHOP® & POST PROCESSING VIDEOS
Series of video lessons teaching post processing for Landscape and
Nature Photographers. Excellent for beginners and intermediate users of
Adobe Photoshop.
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The Fine Print
We do not guarantee
the weather or that every location we visit will be productive during our
visit.
Photo locations visited may vary year to year. In order to keep workshop
fees as low as possible we may overbook any given workshop by 1 space.
Usually this results in 8 participants, but from time to time we may
have 9 participants attending. Workshop fee does not
include transportation, lodging or meals. Participants are responsible
for arranging their own transportation, lodging and meals. In the event
Rocky Mountain Reflections Photography, Inc. (RMRPI) cancels a workshop
due to unforeseen circumstances such as inability to obtain permits,
instructor injury, death... Then, RMRPI will refund fees collected by
RMRPI for the affected workshop. In the event of a natural disaster,
government closure or other happening of this nature that causes a
workshop to be canceled, RMRPI may be unable to refund workshop fees.
If this happens then funds collected by RMRPI will be applied as credit
toward a future workshop of the participant's choosing. RMRPI will not
be held responsible for other expenses (airline tickets, hotel
deposits, rental car...) that may be associated with any canceled
workshop.
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BRING
Flashlight - For use before sunrise and after sunset.
Tripod
Spare Camera Batteries
Camera Manual
Lots of Memory
Filters
Extra Shoes and Socks
Hiking Boots
Warmish Clothes
Umbrella
Oh Yes! Don't Forget the Camera |
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