Travel with our mentors and try out all of the
latest equipment from Nikon! Including world class digital SLRs, Nikkor lenses and the Coolpix line of Digital Cameras.
Escape the winter weather this year and uncover the majestic sights of the Florida Everglades and Gulf Coast. This trek is the perfect adventure for the photographer interested in expanding their portfolio with shots of unique wildlife and brilliant coastal sights and landscapes.
A private boat cruise along Florida’s Gulf Coast will expose your lens to exceptional mangrove islands, the beachside activity of Naples, and the possibility of an impromptu photo shoot with the schools of dolphins in the area. Afterwards, you’ll head for the nearby beach, where the gulf sand is the perfect canvas for everything from endless landscape captures, to detailed shots of the ornate shells that litter the shore.
Walking along the boardwalk at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary will provide you with the perfect opportunity to photograph the iconic cypress trees and abundant fauna of the vast and magnificent swampland. Cocohatchee Nature Center will provide your camera with a magnificent backdrop as the early evening light illuminates the surrounding mangrove estuary.
This trek also includes an all day boat tour of the Everglades that will take you into the thick of the surrounding wildlife. You’ll cruise along the waters in an airboat–the Everglade’s signature mode of transportation–that will expose your lens to the area’s various hidden gems. Indian trails, native birds and alligators will fill your frames with stunning images. A stop by the Historic Rod & Gun Club, will introduce you to one of Florida’s most storied attractions off the beaten path.
In the evening, a shoot at Naples Pier will provide ample setting for your lens as the dusk light paints the maritime setting with gorgeous sunsets and spectacular reflections.
Finally, a day at the renowned Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens will you give the chance to photograph some of the unique wildlife in an astonishing setting. Your camera will be treated to the Zoo’s numerous islands lush with their vivid tropical gardens and home to a variety of exotic creatures.
Sign up today and don’t miss this opportunity to unwind in the warm coastal climate and fill your portfolio with striking, memorable images of Florida's luscious Everglades and Gulf Coast.
Bill Durrence
Nikon School
Nikon World
www.billdurrence.com
Chip Simons
Time
Newsweek
www.chipsimons.com
Workshop Cost: $925*
*includes workshop fee, includes entrance fees, transportation to all shooting locations, an Mpix photo book, daily presentations and digital reviews.
Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club
851 Gulf Shore Blvd North
Naples, FL 34102
239.261.2222
Room Block: Mentor Series
Rate: $165.00
Link: http://www.naplesbeachhotel.com/groupevents/wed.tpl?sku=20080710135639
Upon booking, the hotel will charge your card a deposit. Cancellation policy is 8 days prior to the reservation.
Non-Photographers/Spouse Policy
We would like to notify you that spouses or non photographers of trek participants who travel with them to mentorseries trek destinations advertised as part of the mentorseries will be charged the prevailing workshop cost. This is because of limitations in the workshop classes, transportation and seating at the many venues we work with on the treks.
Digital
Be sure you bring your laptop for review sessions, edit sessions and the Photoshop presentation, as well as a extra memory cards and storage devices.
Equipment
Bring a camera, all your lenses, flash and lightweight tripod. We suggest lenses ranging from 12-24mm to longer lenses 75 &ndash, 300mm. Be sure to bring your battery charger and more then one set of rechargeable batteries. Be sure to bring your camera's manual too. Bring an external hard drive besides your laptop to guarantee you have enough space, especially if you are shooting RAW.
Weather &, Dress
We are usually very casual on the treks. We will be both shooting mainly outdoors, so bring a variety of clothing you can layer. Dress comfortably, with good walking shoes. Make sure to have rain gear with you at all times to protect your camera bag and camera.
Everglades Trekkers:
Did you know that, at least for short distances, alligators can outrun race horses? Of course, just like with bears, it’s not important that you be able to outrun the alligator as long as you can outrun the person next to you.
Right off the bat you may get the idea that I’m not serious about this, but that would be a misunderstanding of my approach to teaching and learning. I think we can share important and useful information while having some fun at the same time, and that will be my goal for this trip. You remember lessons better when you are having fun, and besides, life’s too short to behave otherwise anyway.
Beyond that, if you bring nothing more than the simplest point-and-shoot compact camera, you’ll learn something, get some nice photos, and go home with good memories of the people you met and the things you saw.
If you are going to be bringing more camera gear—Jay Maisel says, “The more equipment you bring the fewer pictures you’ll take.” While I agree, I also bring a lot of options to a location like this. But I also bring a small belt pack that I use for working and only carry a few things at one time.
I like to have at least two camera bodies so I can have each with a lens I use a lot and don’t have to change lenses as much, which is a shooting convenience and helps minimize possibilities of getting dust on the camera sensor. Also, if one camera dies, I still have something to keep shooting. I like to have lenses from the 10.5 Fisheye to at least the 70-200 as well.
Wildlife possibilities in this location often can’t be approached closely (birds) or shouldn’t be approached (gators) so an even longer telephoto can be handy. My favorite wildlife lens is the Nikon 200-400/4.0 VR, but that’s a bit bulky and heavy for some, not to mention the price tag, but something like the 80-400 VR lens can be a very versatile choice. A flash and a good tripod are always useful, but I would emphasize “good” when referring to tripods. Most people get something for convenience (light, small, and portable) which means it often does not provide the stability you want in a tripod.
Be sure you have your computer and a portable hard drive for backing up your photos and always have extra camera batteries and flash cards.
If you want to buy something for the workshop so you can get some education in using it, and you are not knowledgeable about that type of product, or if you have other questions about the workshop, feel free to contact me for whatever advice or guidance I might be able to offer. You can contact me through my website, www.billdurrence.com. I look forward to seeing you in December.
Bill Durrence
