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Workshop Description: Join professional photographer and former instructor of photography at Troy University, Donald Norsworthy; Great American Photography Workshops host and accomplished wildlife photographer, Ted Keller; and professional guides/outfitters; on an adventurous “in-the-field workshop” photographing grizzly bears and other wildlife along the western coast of Cook Inlet in Lake Clark National Park, Alaska. Located approximately 125 miles southwest of Anchorage on the west side of Cook Inlet, Lake Clark National Park is a huge pristine wilderness, composed of rugged mountains, volcanoes, lakes, and diverse wildlife. Except for a few small coastal properties grandfathered for private ownership when the park was established in 1980, the entire park is virtually undeveloped and is inaccessible by road. A small lodge on one of these private properties will serve as the base for this exciting GAPW workshop.

The workshop price includes: round-trip scenic flights between Anchorage** and Lake Clark National Park on a small commercially-operated plane (usually 4-6 seater); sleeping accommodations for 4 nights at the lodge; all meals between your mid-day arrival at the lodge August 4, and your August 8 mid-day departure; dedicated professional guide/outfitter service; local area boat and ATV transportation to shooting locations; professional photography instruction and assistance; luggage and equipment transportation; and national park fees.

Most of the workshop will take place outside, both on-location and between shooting venues. Lengthy Alaskan summer days and relatively low sun angles, provide many more hours of good light per day than is available in the average latitudes of the lower states. Likewise, wildlife viewing and photo opportunities can last 16 -18 hours a day (weather permitting)! Guides continuously scout for wildlife and communicate the best current shooting locations by radio. Guide-driven ATVs pull passenger carts to enable photographers carrying heavy camera gear to be transported safely and quickly to the optimum shooting locations, as wildlife activities are occurring. To allow workshop participants to fully exploit these exceptional image-making opportunities, it is expected that there will be minimal “indoor classroom” activity. However, during “down time” for meals and rest, there will be some opportunities for reviewing images and constructive evaluation.

On-location real-time teaching and demonstration will include the following subjects:

General photo-shooting work flow (tailored to wildlife situations)
Safe methods for approaching, photographing, and reacting to bears
Recommended camera settings for particular wildlife behavior situations

Metering considerations for each type of scene and subject-lighting
Composition pre-planning techniques for capturing imminent wildlife action

Optimum use of your particular equipment for wildlife situations
Techniques for being ready to catch unexpected wildlife action
Proven techniques for dealing with less than ideal weather conditions
Panning to capture wildlife motion

Photography venues will include both: bears that have grown up in the vicinity of the lodge (and are, therefore, less intimidated by groups of photographers and their equipment); and bears that have seldom, if ever, encountered humans. Weather permitting, there should be an opportunity to travel by boat to a nearby island to photograph horned puffins. Other frequently available photo subjects include bald eagles, trumpeter swans, otters, Kittiwake Gulls, and spectacular scenery, including Mt. Iliamna, a nearby active volcano!

There will be optional opportunities for interested workshop participants to leave the bulkier photo gear at the lodge, grab the point and shoot, and enjoy some of the other lodge-provided activities, such as guide-accompanied sport fishing for Silver Salmon and Dolly Varden (fishing license and gear available from the outfitters, for additional cost).

At the time of registration, a non-refundable 10% ($320) per person deposit will be required to hold each spot for this chance-of-a-lifetime workshop. By January 15, 2010 (or at registration, if after that date) the next installment of 40% ($1280) of the workshop cost will be due. Only this $1280 payment will be refundable if cancellation occurs before May 1, 2010. The final payment of the remainder of the workshop cost ($1600) will be due May 1, 2010 (all three payments summing to the total workshop cost of $3200). It is advised that registrants purchase trip insurance, because after May 1, 2010, depending on whether GAPW can fill the vacated slot in the workshop with someone else, a canceling registrant may not be eligible for a refund of any portion of their payment, since the flights, accommodations, workshop expenses and guide costs will have been prepaid, and are normally non-refundable, after that time. ***

* Because of the size and capacity of the lodge, participants will need to share rooms in most cases, while every attempt will be made to ensure comfort, compatibility, and appropriate grouping. Arrangements for single-occupancy accommodations will be attempted, on a first-come first-serve basis, subject to un-booked lodge space availability at the time of the request, and may require additional cost. Traveling companions and spouses not wishing to participate in any or all of the workshop are welcome to accompany participating photographers, at the same per-person price, and will count in the total capacity of 12 workshop attendees. There are many more activities available at the lodge for those not wishing to participate in workshop sessions. For example, guided activities include, hikes, canoeing on a private lake, sea kayaking, sight seeing treks by boat and ATV, fossil hunting, bear viewing, clam digging, fishing for game fish in nearby creeks and streams, halibut fishing in Cook Inlet, relaxing in the lodge sunroom, or overseeing all the local wildlife activity from the elevated deck at the lodge.

** Each participant will need to provide their own round-trip transportation between their initial departure location and Anchorage (or other similarly itinerary), and any associated lodging and travel expenses incurred in Anchorage before or after the workshop-package-included flights to/from Lake Clark National Park.

*** In the event of uncontrollable circumstances which cause this workshop to be cancelled, registrants will receive a full refund for all monies paid for this event, minus any portion the lodge or flight services cannot refund to GAPW.