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LOONS AND MORE
Hawks, MI
June 4th-6th, 2009 check in June 3rd FULL
June 8th-10th, 2009 check
in June 7th FULL
June
12-14th, 2010 session limited to only 4 participants
- FULL
This
is one of our most popular and fast filling workshops. If you wish
to capture the ultimate loon image(s) this is the workshop for you.
Loons w/ newly hatched chicks riding on moms back are the highlight.
This is our 6th year and 15th session with the loons, knowing their
behavior translates into better imagery.
Join award winning photographers Charles Glatzer
and Cheryl Ertelt for 3 days of loon photography in MI. Loons have
been nesting on a small island, and at the river mouth for the last
8 years and the workshop is scheduled at a time when young chicks
have most often been present in the past. These loons, while not tolerant
of craft that are paddled, are very tolerant of the pontoon boat that
we will be using. They frequently swim very close and even dive under
the boat. This is a unique opportunity to get close to a very beautiful
bird and observe and photograph a variety of behaviors. 
Time slots will alternate daily so everyone gets to shoot with the
earliest and latest light. The pontoon boat is set-up for shooting
with tripod or laying flat on the deck of the boat with bean bag,
skimmer, etc. This low angle deck position is outstanding, offering
a lower more intimate perspective. Our watercraft has been custom
configured with most rails and all panels removed and trolling motors
fore and aft to facilitate the best photography possible. And, our
boat captain and host Mark, is second to none at piloting our craft.
During the off times, we will be shooting a variety of other subjects.
Our Lodge has an extensive set-up of bird feeders and numerous species
are likely to be present including hairy and downy woodpeckers, yellow-bellied
sapsucker, rose-breasted grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole, black-capped
chickadee, white and red-breasted nuthatches and ruby-throated hummingbird.
We will also try using a bird caller in the nearby wetlands to call
in American bittern, Virginia rail and sora, and Barred owl.
For those wanting to extend their stay in the Northern MI area, we
can give you suggestions and directions to other areas for other scenic
or wildflowers photo opportunities. 
As with all other trips, this is a workshop, not just a photo tour.
Instruction is 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.
All Workshops now employ state of the art Digital Technology, allowing
real time, in-field assessment of metering theory and compensation,
composition, fill flash, DOF, etc. Daily critique sessions and Photoshop
instruction will greatly add to the learning environment. Capture
One and additional software for the digital photographer will be presented.
Providing the most education for your dollar is paramount.
Testimonial -When I saw Charles Glatzer was offering
a Loon Photo Workshop, I jumped on the opportunity. Finding a situation
that gets you close enough for headshots of Loons and full frames
of chicks displaying is a dream come true. Charles gets you close
to the action and gives you hands on instruction to get the shot.
If you think you know everything about photography, you will be stunned
by all the tips and tricks Charles has to offer. Newbie photographers
were making magazine cover shots. Mark Schuler, our able guide, quickly
brought us to the Loons and positioned us for good light and backgrounds.
The birds were so accustomed to the boat that, at times, they would
swim within arms reach of us. Additionally, there were many other
photographic opportunities available such as Virginia rail, Ovenbird
nesting, many feeder birds and an exotic red-eyed tree frog courtesy
of Cheryl Ertelt who was our able co-leader.When not photographing,
we ate incredibly delicious meals courtesy of Jackie Schuler. The
dinner table banter had us laughing till it hurt so good.
Anticipating next year' trip, 
Steve Feingold -has since attended every loon
workshop held.
NYC Audubon Society
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Re: Loons and More Workshop
The first thing that impressed me was that all photographers at all
levels were made to feel welcome and were put at ease. It was very
evident that Chas, Cheryl, and the owners of the lodge, Mark and Jackie,
all loved what they do.
Michigan's loon population is making a comeback but they are still
on the "endangered" list. I felt like I was standing on
"holy ground" because I could photograph and watch the loons,
in a non threatening way, as they would defend and nurture their chicks.
Chas and Cheryl put a great deal of thought and energy into creating
many different photo opportunities. There were different habitats
and unique lighting conditions on the pristine waters of Nettie Lake,
the neighboring beautiful Northern Michigan woods, and the edge of
marshlands. Each one presented a unique set of challenges and learning
opportunities.
One of the things that impressed me the most was Chas' willingness
to answer any and all of our questions. Finally, answers to all those
pent up questions on fill flash, metering and post production processes!
Some answers were given in several ways until he was sure it "clicked"
with the participants. It was very obvious that his personal satisfaction
came from our success.
Had I not gone to this workshop I would have spent years not understanding
light by making compensations when none were necessary, and not adjusting
when I should have. So many situations are simplified with incident
metering that I can't wait to buy my own incident meter, (thanks Chas
for the discount voucher). I left the workshop with many great images,
but more importantly, with many new tools and ideas to carry in my
backpack that will impact my work for the rest of my life. I will
look at the world and light with "new eyes". Like the Terminator...."I'll
be back".
Scott Kacos
Hudsonville, MI
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The fee for this workshop is $1950 and includes 6 scheduled
shoots on the lake, 4 nights lodging in cabin, boat w/ captain extraordinaire,
all incredible meals, song bird shoot, and photo instruction.
Sign up for both trips and receive a $100 discount.
Terms: A $500.00 non-refundable deposit is required. The balance
is due 2 months before the date of the STL workshop 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 |
