Monday,
January 11-13, 2010
Cost $600
This workshop is limited to 5.
We meet in Socorro, New Mexico on Sunday
night, January 10th.
Shooting Locations: Bosque del
Apache NWR - Rio Grande River Valley Refuges
My Shooting Bio: I've spent
much of my career as a wildlife photographer
photographing birds. I've had hundreds
of birding images published in magazines
like Bird Watcher's Digest, Birder's World,
and Audubon's American Birds. There
are so many aspects to birding photography
that I've learned the hard way - without
someone to walk me through it. Whether
its shooting fly-bys, reading the light,
positioning, looking for moments, or any one
of a number of bird photography techniques -
I've learned them in the field - and teach
them to those that attend the workshops and
safaris. There are so many great
birding locations in the west, from Bolsa
Chica to La Jolla on the coast, from
Pinnacles National Monument to Sequoia
National Park, from Leeds Creek to the bald
eagles of Farmington Bay in Utah, farther
south in New Mexico to Bosque del Apache NWR - bird
photography can be an amazing wildlife
photography experience.
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Safari
Bosque del Apache is a wintering area for tens of
thousands of Snow Geese, Sandhill Cranes, and numerous
species of ducks. There are bald eagles, hawks and
falcons, roadrunners - the place is just full of bird
life. Refuge managers have built decks on many
ponds to accommodate photographers and other visitors.
Other areas of the refuge are grain fields for the birds
to feed in. The number of birds is truly amazing -
typically I will shoot several thousand images every
day.
We meet at a hotel in Socorro, New Mexico - about 20
miles north of Bosque del Apache. This town is
large enough to have decent hotels and restaurants.
We are out before dawn finding the ponds where the geese
and sandhill cranes have roosted during the night in
order to shoot the amazing "lift-off's" that occur
around sunrise. There are other areas outside of
Bosque to shoot as well - other grain fields and
wildlife refuges. Breaking for lunch - we spend
the day working the best areas that contain the most
birds. In the evening we shoot the "Landing Deck"
- one of the man-built decks that overlook a small pond
that seems to be a favorite among all the birds.
This is a cold weather shoot. Winter conditions
are typical with snow storms, ice, and sub-zero
temperatures likely at some point. Extreme weather
conditions might slow us down but add character and
drama to images of these birds.
Philosophy
I'm a wildlife photographer first, and a scenic
photographer second - this workshop is truly a bird
photography extravaganza. My Nikon 500mm F4 lens, as well as all my equipment and
lenses, will be available for safari participants to use
as opportunities arise. Bring all your camera
equipment. Opportunities for wildlife photography
generally require your longest lens for the safety of
the animals and the photographer. A tripod is also a
necessary accessory, especially in the morning and
evening hours when low light results in longer
shutter-speeds. I suggest bringing layered clothing,
shooting gloves, camera equipment, tripod, hat, weather
slicker for you and your equipment in case of rain or
snow. Depending upon your camera and how you shoot
images (Raw vs. JPG’s) bring at least 10 gig of compact
flash cards or other media. Bring your laptop or a
portable hard-drive if you feel you might need to
download cards while shooting. Personally, I use the
Epson P-series of portable hard-drives to download my CF
cards as I'm shooting.
Deposit and Conditions
Full
payment is due by December 20th,
2009. I accept major credit cards including Visa,
Mastercard, and American Express - and of course,
checks. Please don't e-mail me credit card
information - just call and we will handle it over the
phone. There is no additional fees if
your wife and/or husband accompanies you and they are
not photographers. You are responsible for your
own safety, travel, hotel accommodations, and food.
It is clearly understood that outdoor
nature photography has inherent risks and that those
risks are borne by the participants. Your payment
for this photography safari constitutes your acceptance
of these conditions.
I make
every effort to provide a great photographic experience
for everyone. Getting up early and staying out
until dark is part of great nature photography.
Rain, snow, or sun - hot or cold - wind or calm - we get out and search
for great photographic opportunities. Look through my galleries to see the type of stuff I
shoot and join me if you feel like you will not only
learn important professional nature photography
techniques - but have great experiences as well.
If you would like to request more
information, feel free to call me directly or e-mail me
below. If you would like to join this photo
workshop, call today as space is limited.
Regards,
Brent Russell Paull
American West Photography
559-909-5208
brent@amwestphoto.com
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