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2010 NATURE
PHOTOGRAPHY
FALL COLOR WORKSHOPS
In Michigan's Beautiful Upper Peninsula
Session #1
OCTOBER 3 - 9, 2010
Session #2
October 10 - 16, 2010
We're teaching
two Fall Color nature photography workshops in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Hiawatha Forest
during 2010. 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 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 digital images 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 Area
Pictured 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 Trips
Field 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 Photography
We 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!
Meals
We'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
the DogPatch 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 7:30 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 check!
Non-participating Spouses
If 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 3 and runs until Saturday
morning after breakfast on October 9, 2010.
Week #2. This week begins Sunday evening on October 10 and runs until
Saturday morning after breakfast on October 16, 2010.
When the Workshop Starts
and Ends
The workshop begins Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
at the Timber Ridge Lodge. The program ends after breakfast on the following
Saturday.
Tuition
Tuition for the workshop is $675. 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, 2010. 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.
Lodging
Our 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 Motel
This 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 $59 per night, plus 6% tax.
Two People one Bed: The fee is $64 per night, plus 6% tax.
Two People two Beds: The fee is $64 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. This is a price quote from Dec. 2009.)
If you would like additional information regarding the Timber Ridge Motel and Lodge,
please contact the owners.
Jan or Mary
Sue Nolan
Timber Ridge Motel
HCR 1, Box 52
Munising, MI 49862
(906) 387-3790
You also have some camping options, if you prefer.
Otter Lake Campground
Otter 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 couple miles from the Timber Ridge Lodge. Although the campground is seldom busy, do make advance reservations. Call (906) 553-4921.
Hovey Lake Campground
Hovey 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
Information
After 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 Area
Since 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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