When:· 23 thru 25 October 2013

This is a weekday tour. We find it advantageous to tour and shoot during the week because the crowds are small. Even though we try to take you to places where there are no crowds, people still manage to get in the way some times, so week days are the best. Take some vacation time and joins us for some great fun. Upon request, additional day(s) can be scheduled to further explore and visit some of the most spectacular waterfalls and mountain vistas you are liable to see on this side of the Mississippi.

Cost: $950.00 (all inclusive - 3 day package) with $100.00 deposit.

Cost: $1200.00 (all inclusive - 4 day package) with $100.00 deposit.

Cost: $1475.00 (all inclusive - 5 day package) with $100.00 deposit.

We'll provide everything. All you have to do is show up. Lodging, meals, and transportation during your stay are all included. On a four or five day package, you may well end up in a one on one situation with your guide for the final two days. This could very well be the time of your life, and a time you will cherish forever. We know places that will knock your socks off.

Group size: Limited to 5 persons. We limit our tours, unlike others, to five people in order that we might spend as much "quality" time with you as possible. Our goal is to make you happy and send you home with lots of great captures.

Who: Entry level to intermediate level photographers or anyone who just wants to get to know their way around this part of the country with a camera.

Where: Maggie Valley, N.C.

What: We'll rise early for breakfast and sunrise shoots each day, weather permitting followed by a visit to the local elk habitat in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park immediately there after. We'll shoot the elk until everyone has had their fill, then, time permitting, we'll venture off to a waterfall or some other scenic site. Evenings will find us shooting sunsets and dining in good fashion, but we'll be concentrating on:

- Principles of landscape photography.
- The use of neutral density filters, graduated neutral density filters, and circular polarizers.
- Working with dramatic light, including sunrise and sunset.
- The fundamentals of dramatic, powerful, and artful compositions.
- Evening dinners followed by photo review and critique, time permitting.
- Your coaches and guides will be available at all times for consultation, instruction, or critique regarding any photo situation or just to fill you in on information about where you are and what you are shooting. Please ask when you want us.

Things you"ll want to have with you include:

- Circular polarizer is a must for water shots, and we hope to do some of that.
- Graduated and standard Neutral Density filters will be helpful.
- Don't come without a tripod. You'll regret it.
- You'll want a long lens for the elk. If you don't have one, we may be able to lend, but can definitely have a rental ready for you. Just ask. Yes, it costs extra, but you'll be surprised how little.
- It's advisable to have a fanny pack or light carrying case for an extra lens, flash, or whatever, so that you don't have to carry your complete arsenal at all times. You will be able to stow your gear in our trucks and vans, but, while on foot, you may want to carry a few extra things, so make some concessions for that.

As we will be in the field from sunrise to sunset, there will be little time for any "classroom" type instruction, however, there will be initial introductions to your environment, location, and what you can expect in the field and how to handle it photographically. Additionally, you will be given written handouts with guidelines and instructions to help you determine your approach to your subjects. You will get as much hands on assistance as you require in the field. We're here to help you and to make sure you go home with outstanding captures.

Most of our work will be done very close to our vehicles, so there won't be much walking or climbing, however, if we take off for a mid-day adventure, you might end up walking anywhere from 1/4 mile to several miles in forest type terrain, or scrambling down into a creek to shoot a waterfall. None of this is extreme, however, you should be in good enough shape to walk a mile at a clip and agile enough to navigate some rocky hill side terrain on occassion. If you enrolling for the three day event, you probably won't have to worry about anything at all. But for you who want the "full monte", we may end up doing a bit of work to get to the good stuff.

In the evenings, we generally review our images from the day's activities, share, offer critique, and discuss post processing. We'll discuss such things as what went right, what went wrong, how to fix things that went wrong, and how to prepare for the following day. If you have a laptop, you should bring it.

I'll say something about food here. This tour is one where we do not visit restaurants. We will be eating home cooked preparations. If I do say so myself, you are going to eat well. We'll have fairly sumptuous dinners, all you can eat. Lunches will consist of sandwiches (meat, cheese, PBJ, chips) from the cooler, as we'll be on the road all day and probably in the woods at lunchtime. Breakfasts will be up in the air. It depends on how fast everyone gets up and at it. I usually cook bacon/sausage and eggs and french toast, time permitting. Otherwise, it's granola or donuts. Please let me know if you are allergic to any foods or if you have special nutritional requirements. I can cater to vegetarians as well.

Clothing: Things can vary greatly in the mountains from hour to hour. It is recommended that you dress in layers and wear hiking boots.

Camera and lens rentals are available. We don't mark up these rentals so we don't make any profits from these rentals, so you'll get the best available prices right here. We may also have a few lenses we might loan you as well. Let us know your requirements/desires at sign up.

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