Landscape Photography Workshops

Lower end of Deadman Canyon looking south toward the pass.
Shot during last year's trip to King's Canyon, the trip to Yosemite will feature similar vistas.

Your host

Phil Hawkins
Award-winning landscape photographer from Fresno, CA.
Photoshop, Lightroom instructor
I've been backpacking and photographing the High Sierra for 28 years.

See http://philhawkinsphoto.com
Feel free to call 559-307-7773 for more information.

Total cost: $3,500 per person
Includes all food, lodging, personal horse or mule for 7 days, cook, wrangler, tents, and showers!
Due to park restrictions only 11 participants allowed!

Space is available  

please choose Deposit $1,000.00 Balance $2,500.00 Full Payment $3,500.00

Does not include ground transportation, airfare or adult beverages (wine, however, will be provided) 

We will travel via horseback to a base camp in the wilderness backcountry, removed from all vestiges of city life.  No cell phone, no radio, no newspapers...  10 miles from the nearest road, nothing to distract you from capturing the most amazing photos imaginable.  You will have a horse available for the entire 5 days taking you to waterfalls, sunrises and sunsets you will never forget, lakes, rivers, towering peaks, green meadows and lush forests.

Quick Time Virtual Reality 360 degree panoramic view of the camp.

All food is provided

All you will need is a sleeping bag and pad, your photo gear, personal items (limit 40 pounds, excluding photo gear), mosquito repellant, and a smile!

South end of Deadman Canyon

Big Bird Lake at the 10,000 foot elevation

Tentative itinerary
Monday through Friday the schedule is tentative.  Depending on weather conditions, cloud patterns, etc the itinerary is fluid. Everything is subject to change according to the best opportunity presented to us at the time. If we decide to change, we can.

Night photography with one-on-one instruction from your host, Phil Hawkins

Items to bring:

2) Mosquito repellant There COULD be rather pesky mosquitoes at this elevation.  Although by mid-August the mosquitoes are less prevalent, we cannot rule out their omnipresence.   In 2010 they were a non-factor.

3) Lip Balm This may sound trivial, but you will be at the high elevations of the Sierra Nevada range and it will be very dry.  With the wind and drinking water that is high in minerals, (dee-licious!!) it will dry out your lips and nothing is more uncomfortable than to have cracked, dry, chapped lips at elevation.

4) GOOD, high-quality polarized sunglasses (with the little strap that keeps them tight around your head and around your neck so you don't lose or drop them)  the sun is very intense at elevation. Also, a broad-brimmed hat to keep the sun off your ears, neck and nose.

5) Fishing gear we will be near the lake most of the time, and if you want some down time, you'll have an opportunity.  Besides, we may be able to use the setup for shots.    There is plenty of terrain that allows for a backcast for fly-fishing.  For spinning gear, ultra-light with 4-lb test is standard, artificial or natural bait allowed (salmon eggs).  A California fishing license will be required and is available from the packer.

6) Toiletries We will have showers, so plan accordingly but don't go overboard. Showers will be the sunshower variety; we'll heat water on the fire or let the sun do it.  Either way there will be no shortage of hot water for showers.

7) Sun block The sun is very intense and you will burn like a piece of bacon without sun block.

8) Rain gear Usually this time of year it is very dry and seldom rains, but in the high country, especially at altitude, we could get a quick thunderstorm.  We have arranged for a retreat tent to place photo gear if it rains, so if you want something in case we get hit on the trail, it might be wise.

9) Car Rental If you are flying in to Fresno, you will need to rent a car. However, arrangements can be made for someone to car pool if preferred.

10) Sleeping Bag and ground pad  Be sure a bring a good sleeping bag and ground pad.  If you cannot bring these items, you can rent these at REI in Fresno.

Obviously, bring your wide-angle lenses. People ask about telephoto lenses; bring 'em!  It's surprising the opportunities for shooting with a telephoto.
Best tripod you can muster w/ extra clamp plates. You'll be very disappointed if you lose your one and only tripod head clamp plate. (Clamp plates are the little doo-dad you screw in to the bottom of your camera so it can connect to your tripod head)
Cable release for night time exposures
Split-density filters; one 2-stop and one 4-stop. (If you don't have these and don't want to buy them, we will have some and people will share.
Neutral density filters; one 4-stop one 8-stop if possible
Don't forget your lens shades
Extra memory cards and portable hard drive.

Bring several lens cloths and cleaning liquid; the area will be dusty and you will be cleaning regularly.  I will have liquid, but bring your own cloths, if possible please. Also, a bulb-type blower.  You may have to clean your sensor.
Pack your gear in a backpack-type container.  Hard-case containers cannot be accommodated, and will not work on daily excursions on the horses.  Be sure you have a wearable backpack photo case for daily trips.

Laptop computer with spare batteries.  We will have two Honda portable generators with which to charge batteries.  Don't forget your CF card reader!!  People forget these all the time!

On Saturday you will have ONE opportunity to stop at Boots Camera in Fresno to pick up the items you forgot.  They are a Canon and Nikon dealer and will have most anything you need.

In the unlikely event that the workshop does not fill enough spaces to warrant continuing, the class will be canceled and a full refund given. You will be notified at least two weeks in advance if a workshop is not going to take place.  The High Sierra Wilderness Photography Workshop is not responsible for non-refundable airline reservations in the event of workshop cancellation. Travel insurance might be recommended if you have a concern.

Participant-initiated cancellations received prior to one month before the workshop will receive a refund minus $800 unless the spot can be refilled, in which case 100% refund will be given.  Due to the unusual complexity and extensive planning required for this workshop, and the low number of participants allowed, no refunds will be offered for participant-initiated cancellations after 30 days prior to workshop date unless the spot can be re-filled.

Special note on wilderness conduct

Bears
Bears are a natural part of the national park environment.  It's not likely, but it is entirely possible we will see bears.  There are NO Grizzly bears in the Sierra Nevada range.  Our species is 100% Black Bears, also known as 300 pound furry chickens. For more information on putting this very misplaced fear into proper perspective, see this link: http://www.yosemitefun.com/bears.htm  This information is written specifically for Yosemite National Park.  Packers are trained in proper food storage and you will receive a briefing prior to departure on how to conduct yourself with food in the wilderness.  If you follow the protocol for food handling we will have no problem with bears. It is doubtful we will see any bears, as the stock will be wearing a small cowbell at all times so as to tell the packers the location of the stock on the meadow.

MEDICAL NOTE
If you have a history of altitude sickness, you might give serious consideration about whether you want to make this trip.  We will be spending 5 full days at no less than 10,000 feet, and some people have problems at this altitude.  I am a Wilderness First Responder, and will have a satellite phone for direct access to Kings Canyon National Park dispatch.  In addition, the ranger station is close by for radio call-up of the California Highway Patrol emergency medical helicopter if needed.