There is nothing like experiencing a place for the first time. I have traveled all over Western Europe, but the closest I have been to the southeastern nations is Greece and Turkey. Now I am traveling to the native land of my good friend and long time assistant, Gavriel Jecan. Other than as the home to vampires, gymnasts and despots, Romania remains unknown to most.
We will travel to Gavriel’s ancient hometown of Brasov, nestled in the Carpathian Alps. We will be traveling just as the untouched forests in the Carpathians are turning golden, which will lend a great backdrop to the very traditional 12th century villages we will be passing through.
We will visit several orthodox monasteries, famous for their medieval murals, and we will engage the diverse peoples, Roma, ethnic Hungarian and German, as well as Romanian, all along the way. With Gavriel as our guide it will be like visiting a good friend, not like traveling with a standard tour guide. It is a trip I am eagerly awaiting.
At 14,411 feet, Mount Rainier rises far above the surrounding peaks of the Cascade Range. Glaciers drape the highest slopes while flower-strewn meadows ring the surrounding forests. There is a treasure trove of wonderful photographic subjects all around you at Mt Rainier National Park.
Art’s goal is to change the way you see and to make sure you understand the essence of design in Nature Photography. There will be informative lectures, image critiques and in-field lessons.
Join Art as he leads this exclusive workshop to a private lodge in the Katmai region of Alaska. You will have opportunities to view and photograph bears safely and will be creating dynamic images that are different than anything you have seen before. This is a Katmai experience like no other due to the exclusivity of the location and the expert guidance. You can be one of only 8 people to learn the nuances of nature photography taught in a truly wild atmosphere by a well-versed set of instructors.
Limited to 8 participants. Assisted by Gavriel Jecan.
Join Art as he leads this exclusive workshop to a private lodge in the Katmai region of Alaska. You will have opportunities to view and photograph bears safely and will be creating dynamic images that are different than anything you have seen before. This is a Katmai experience like no other due to the exclusivity of the location and the expert guidance. You can be one of only 8 people to learn the nuances olol f nature photography taught in a truly wild atmosphere by a well-versed set of instructors.
Limited to 8 participants. Co-led by Gavriel Jecan.
This photography tour combines two wonderful aspects of India, the kaleidoscope of color that is the Holi festival and the magnificent and powerful tiger! The Holi Festival is a fantastic celebration that marks the arrival of spring and signifies the victory of good over evil. Riotous, vibrant color envelops India as revelers throw powdered dye with abandon, spraying water, and flooding the streets for raucous fun. Holi may be traditionally Hindu, but everyone is equal during this holiday.
Following the Holi Festival we will travel to Bandhavgarh National Park where a highlight will be the chance to photograph elusive tigers and leopards. In addition to the Bengal tiger, the park has a rich diversity of fauna and flora, including leopard, striped hyena, macaques, langur monkeys, sambar and chital deer, Indian wolves, Indian hare, monitor lizards and a great diversity avifauna.
Japan in winter is one of the most majestic locations you could ever imagine. A slight dusting of snow turns the regularly bustling streets into a proverbial winter wonderland. The colder temperatures also tend to cut down on the amount of crowds, which makes photographing the iconic sites much more appealing.
We will embark on an eleven-day intensive photography workshop covering the most photographic sites, from buzzing cities to the calm atmospheric landscapes, stretching the length of Japan. First we’ll visit the snow macaques that live in the mountains about two hours west of Tokyo. Here in an isolated steep cut valley with an amazing mountain lodge are three extended families of macaques, numbering around 50. Because they are the most northern primate on earth, they have the longest, luxuriant fur of any primates, particularly in the winter months. They come down from the pine and oak forests and for a couple of hours a day they hang around a natural hot spring. They have been habituated to people visiting them there, so you can photograph from within inches without interrupting their behavior, which is very animated and fun. It is a photographic bonanza.
After visiting the macaques, we will travel to the northern island of Hokkaido. Hokkaido reminds me a bit of Alaska, full of forests of birch, pine and fir with a back drop of beautiful volcanic mountains. There are also large lakes and wild running rivers, and hosts three species of bird wildlife that are extraordinary to photograph. The Japanese Crane has been symbolized in Japanese culture for thousands of years due to its grace and beauty. Giant whooper swans come in the winter months from nesting in Siberia. They have been fed by locals for years, helping them sustain thru the winter, as well as creating an easy and wonderful photographic opportunity for us! And often Steller’s sea eagles will swoop around the same area. They are massive black and white raptors that winter over on the icy shores of Hokkaido.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. The sprawling landscape encompasses lush forests and an abundance of wildflowers that bloom year-round. Streams, rivers and waterfalls appear along hiking routes that include a segment of the Appalachian Trail. A trip to Caesars Head State Park, will offer scenic views of the mist-covered mountains.
Limited to 8 participants. Co-led by Gavriel Jecan.
For those who have been looking for a different, more intimate and intensive Olympic Peninsula experience—look no further! This photography retreat is designed with the avid photographer in mind who is looking to further develop and explore their talent. Be a part of a small group photographing together for five days in the cathedral-like Quinault Rainforest staying at the luxurious and historic Lake Quinault Lodge.
We decided to offer something a little bit different for this workshop and will be including a special printing demo. We have the newest state of the art printer from Epson and will not only show you how to calibrate your monitors, but will also show you how to achieve the best quality prints. By the time we are done with this demo you will know how to calibrate your monitor, print quality prints, and get to take home archival prints from your own collection.
For those of you that have partners that are not photographers, please note that couples are welcome! You may bring your spouce so they can help you enjoy the luxurious rooms that the beautiful Lake Quinault Lodge has to offer. They can join the group for meals and the final critique at the end of the workshop if they like as well.
