Bodie and the Eastern Sierra
Autumn Photography in California



Click
here for sample images from
previous workshops

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- Ken Rockwell is known internationally for his website, kenrockwell.com. He is a walking encyclopedia of knowledge about photography and cameras. He can answer any question about any point-and-shoot digicam, film cameras, and the latest digital cameras. He is particularly well versed in the use of Nikon, Canon and Leica equipment. His loyal readers - who number in the many thousands each day - enjoy his often iconoclastic and sometimes controversial essays, as well as his detailed reviews of camera gear. A Southern California resident much of his life, Ken has explored California and the Southwest with his, including explorations of Death Valley, New Mexico, and stretches of historic Route 66. Visit Ken at kenrockwell.com. |
| Accommodations:
Stay in the little town of Bridgeport, on the east side
of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Trip leaders will stay at the quaint and comfortable Redwood Motel,
as we have for several years past, and participants are invited to stay
there,
too. Limited space is available; however, there are several places to
say in town, all within a stone's throw of each other. For those who
wish to stay with Ken and Dave, it's first come, first served. Mention
to the innkeeper that you're on the photo tour that weekend. Meals: We'll have two group meals, including a picnic lunch in Bodie. We'll always be near places to purchase food at other meal times, including the amazing "gourmet" fast food restaurant, the "Whoa Nellie Deli" in Lee Vining (which is reason enough for coming on he trip). Participants may bring their own food and there are local markets as well as a variety of restaurants from which to choose. Itinerary: on Thursday, arrive by 3 p.m. on the grounds of the Bridgeport Motel, and we'll head out on a drive east of town to photograph some of the landscape. We'll have presentation by Ken, after our group dinner. On Friday we'll meet dawn above Mono Lake, photograph sunrise over the Sierra, and explore groves of aspen along the famed June Lake Loop and in Lee Vining Canyon. On Saturday, we'll photograph at the ghost town of Bodie, and in the afternoon drive into the mountains to photograph the high country and look for more fall color; we'll finish the day at a hot spring. On Sunday we'll depart Bridgeport for a final sunrise session near town, and the workshop will officially end after breakfast. What you need to Bring: - A sense of adventure - Clothes for cool and warm conditions, including rain gear, and a ski cap for cool mornings and evenings - Mittens (or gloves - an extra pair of socks will work, too) - Shoes (tennis shoes or boots or any comfortable walking shoes; consider bringing along an extra pair of shoes, just in case) - Money for for meals not provided (there are restaurants and markets in Bridgeport and nearby Lee Vining) and entry fees (approximately $7 for the ghost town of Bodie, separate from a special state parks group fee that's included in the cost of the trip, $5 for Mono Lake) - Camera gear (see below) |
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Camera
Equipment: a
basic digital or 35mm camera
will work well. Don't feel the need to purchase special equipment.
However, for those with more gear, bring it along - this is the time to
use it. A good accessory: a tripod (along with a remote or wired
shutter release) will
allow photography early and late in the day. Good filters, particularly
for those with film, would include an 81B (to warm up
images made in the shade) and a graduated neutral
density filter. All photographers might want to bring along a polarizing
filter. Medium format photographers are welcome, too. The instructors will probably bring along both film and digital cameras; digital images - from the instructor and participants - will be shown during the workshop during the evenings, if time and stamina permits. For print (negative) film, Fuji's basic Fujicolor films are excellent. A good ISO/ASA film speed rating for print film is 200 to 400. For transparencies (slides), the instructors prefer Fujichrome's stable of slide films, and the Kodak Ektachromes work well, too. Memory and power: Bring enough CF or SD cards to contain several hundred photographs. Cameras will be working all day, so sufficient battery power is important. Don't forget a battery charger. Consider an extra battery if you bring a film camera. |