As the air warms and the ice thaws, Algonquin Park and its wild inhabitants awaken. There's an excitement in the air as wildlife starts to move about, filling their bellies, and getting back into a routine after a sleepy winter. Join me for this 2-day photography adventure as we go in search of Algonquin's wild faces to photograph.
We'll track wildlife using all the clues Mother Nature provides. No formal teaching, or classroom time, just immersing ourselves in nature with our cameras and a few like-minded souls.
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
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Two full days of guiding to photo opportunities in and around Algonquin Park
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Individualized in-field instruction & back-of-camera critique
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Wildlife tracking tips & tricks
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The opportunity to explore the park in the safety of a small group led by an experienced local guide
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A mid-morning tailgate coffee / tea / hot chocolate prepared by Helen
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
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Accommodation
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Transportation & gas (carpooling is recommended)
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Meals & hydration
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Ontario Parks daily vehicle permit
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Photography gear and items required for your personal comfort. A full list of suggested gear and personal items will be provided after your deposit has been received.
WHEN:
Tuesday, April 23 - Wednesday, April 24, 2024
COST:
$825+HST
A 50% non-refundable deposit is due at the time of booking to secure your space. The non-refundable balance is due on Friday, February 23, 2024. If you are booking within 60 days of the start of the adventure, fees are due in full at the time of booking.
Cancellation Policy:
Please be sure to check your schedule prior to booking, as all payments are non-refundable and may not be transferred as a payment towards another workshop. In the event you need to cancel, you may sell your space to someone else.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
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Long days in the great outdoors!
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Meet around 5:30 - 6 a.m. each day at Algonquin Park’s West Gate
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Lunch break for roughly 1-1.5hrs around noon
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Quick comfort breaks throughout the day
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Finish around 8 p.m. each day
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There are never any guarantees in wildlife photography. Tracking wildlife is a substantial part of it. We read the clues Mother Nature leaves, make decisions based on our knowledge of the landscape and wildlife behaviour, and employ patience and persistence - sometimes visiting the same spots multiple times, or waiting.
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We will do a fair amount of driving -- it takes roughly an hour to drive from the park’s west gate to east gate, and we will likely do this at least once per day. We will also be driving between trails and hot spots, as well as stopping for roadside opportunities as they arise.
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We’ll hike anywhere from 5-12km/day on trails that may be muddy, or snow & ice covered, and include roots, rocks, hills & stairs. This is designed to be reasonably accessible, but If you have mobility issues or health concerns that may prevent you from fully enjoying the adventure, please contact me to discuss. It is every individual's responsibility to know their limitations, pace themselves accordingly, and participate only in what they're comfortable and confident doing so.
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While there is no formal instruction during this adventure, I am there to help those who have questions or require individual assistance. I will also offer back-of-camera critique to those interested - and you're bound to pick up some tracking tips & tricks! I will discuss ethics in wildlife photography at the outset and expect everyone to respect the park and her inhabitants. There is to be absolutely no feeding of wildlife.
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A small group of like-minded people who will probably become fast friends!
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A mix of photography skill levels.
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Adventure rain, snow, or shine -- warm, or cold!
Please note: I highly recommend bringing a telephoto lens to get the most out of this opportunity. While we may find ourselves reasonably close to some wildlife, part of respecting the wildlife we photograph is keeping a safe distance. The most typical range of focal lengths used are between 200mm and 600mm. If you do not have a telephoto lens and you do not want to rent one, you can still participate and enjoy yourself, but please be mindful that your images will reflect your gear's capabilities, and as such will show more of the landscape (which I, personally, love!). If you are concerned about your gear, please feel free to contact me prior to booking.
MORE INFORMATION:
Individualized in-field instruction is suitable for all levels. In addition to private lessons & workshops, Helen has taught Nature & Landscape Photography at Georgian College, and has been described as having a knack for explaining complex ideas simply. Among other things, Helen can help you understand the components of the Exposure Triangle and how they work together, trouble-shoot why you may not be getting the sharpest images, help you set up your camera properly, explain how to read a scene and incorporate the elements of design into your composition, and teach you how to read the histogram - the best indicator to determining if an image is properly exposed. Helen shoots in manual exposure mode and has made it her mission to get others off program mode and comfortable exploring their cameras' full capabilities to enable them to get their desired results. Helen is patient, thoughtful, and hard-working. Many of her clients appreciate her quiet, non-judgemental, and relaxed manner and book additional sessions with her. For more information about your guide & instructor, please read Helen's bio.
Need some ideas for accommodations for this workshop? Here's a list with some links: https://www.helengrose.ca/accommodations
While we do our best to find wildlife to photograph, we make no guarantees.