Spirit bears and much more, BC Canada
September 20-27, 2009 (only a few spaces left)

Arrive in Bella Bella by 9/19/09, as we depart at 7 am on the 20th via plane for the boat.
Departure from Prince Rupert: 9/27/08, we arrive approximately noon.

To ensure the best instruction, bear interaction and comfort aboard our vessel this workshop will be limited to a maximum of eight participants

Join Award winning Master photographer Charles Glatzer, for an unparalleled photographic encounter with BC spirit, black and brown bears. Chas has hosted over forty black, brown, polar workshops. Knowing an animals behavior translates into better inagery for all. There is more to producing consistently successful wildlife images than f/stops and shutter speeds.

2008 was so amazing and productive I have chosen to do this workshops again. Using our exquisitely maintained 71 ft sailing vessel as a base we explore salmon creeks and rivers in Coastal BC to photograph the Spirit, Black bear and the Coastal Grizzly Bear in a remote wilderness area away from crowds. The photographic opportunities are amazing. This trip will give you access to some of the best bear viewing locations in the world! The fall is a time of plenty and marine mammals such as the humpback whale are a common sight. To maximize our chances of a Spirit Bear, we will utilize native built viewing platforms in certain situations. We will also explore estuaries and bays, and watch the remarkable feat of salmon spawning. This is a multi-faceted trip, focusing not only on the Spirit Bears but also on the entire ecosystem in which they thrive. We will use our vessel as a base, and a motorized inflatable to transfer people between the boat and the shore.

Our primary goal is to photograph the bears and additional wildlife within a variety of backgrounds. Natural behavior can frequently be photographed at close range. Our small group and private access allows us to make the most of each wildlife encounter. Unlike other facilities and camps, we have the luxury of staying on location for extended periods without the pressure of crowds, away from any man made structures. Daily review of images via a laptop computer, and photo instruction along with post-production and PhotoShop techniques will be discussed at length.

"Shoot the Light" Photographic Instructional Workshops are designed to enhance your visionary skills, as well as your technical execution. Special emphasis is placed on creating images with Visual Impact. Increase your proficiency while using compositional elements and light to design in-camera images that are a cut above. Every Instructional Photographic Workshop has but one goal offering the participant the most education for the dollar. Planned by a photographer for photographers, each is unique, dedicated to bringing you only the finest in photographic instruction. All photography workshops employ state of the art digital photography technology, allowing real time, in-field assessment of metering theory and compensation, composition, fill flash, DOF, etc.

Itinerary
You must arrive in Bella Bella at least one day prior to Day 1 to prepare for an early morning departure. This itinerary is a sample only--the exact itinerary of your trip will be dictated by factors such as weather, tides, and group interest, with the crew working within the parameters of safety, time, and the highlights of the area.

Sept 20th
Early morning you will be flown from Bella Bella (Inland Air) to meet the boat in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest . We will head out right away to start exploring some of the best bear viewing areas.

Days 21st-26th
These days are spent exploring the Great Bear Rainforest
and enjoying the splendor of the surrounding area. Opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography will occur on each day; however, please be aware that the weather conditions and the location of wildlife will dictate the frequency of such activities. We will utilize viewing platforms as well as explore salmon creeks and rivers to try and see the Spirit Bear and the Coastal Grizzly Bear. The fall is a time of plenty and marine mammals such as the humpback whale are a common sight. The boat will be utilized as a base for sleeping and eating. We will have a chance to visit natural hot springs at the end of our days so bring along your suit.

Sept 27th
The floatplane will arrive in the morning for your return trip to Prince Rupert by 12pm

Our itinerary is flexible. The days are long and photo opportunities are abundant. We will make every effort to put you in the right place at the right time. This is your workshop, and we aim to please. We have timed this workshop with the salmon run, and we look forward to capturing many wonderful images of bears chasing and feeding on fish. Additionallyy, this is the best time to sight and photograph wolves as they feed on the remains of salmon.



What's Included . . .
STL Photo Instruction
The services of a fully qualified skipper and crew
Use of all gear available on board
All meals from Lunch Day 1 to Breakfast Day 8 (B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
Floatplane from BB and PR to vessel

What's Not . . .
Transportation between your home, Prince Rupert, B.C., and Bella Bella, BC
Personal belongings and equipment as per 'Clothing & Equipment' list
Accommodation in Bella Bella and Prince Rupert on night prior to and if desierd after trip
Excess baggage charges
Any extra personal expenses incurred because of weather, logistical delays, or delayed departures of chartered or scheduled aircraft.

Fee; $4,500 (space limited to only 8 participants). Fee subject to fluction in current excange rate (1 CAD = .822944 USD)

Terms: A $1000 deposit made out to Shoot the Light is required to reserve space. The balance is due June 20th, 2009, and is then non-refundable unless the tour sells out. If we do not receive your check for the balance on or before the due date, we will try to fill your spot off the waiting list. If your spot is filled, you will lose your deposit only
.
Booking and Refund Policy

Please e-mail or include the the following information with deposit:
1-Workshop Location and Date
2-Your name, address, day/evening phone numbers

For additional information, contact Charles at -

"Shoot the Light" Instructional Photographic Workshops
P.O. Box 987
Horse Shoe, NC 28742
tel: 828-891-4082

Contact Chas Here