Dates: Monday through Thursday, May 12-15, 2008

Yosemite National Park: Come to Yosemite and explore a unique part of the natural world. In mid-May people are less obvious, and waterfalls are flowing with enormous vigor. There are juxtapositions of light and shadow, and a natural sense of form and texture. We'll photograph Half Dome and El Capitan, watch for animals, and look for the "intimate" landscapes of reflecting pools and wildflowers, and explore a bit of gold rush country.

Cost: $400

Departure Date: Anytime on Monday, May 18; accommodations will be ready after 3:00 p.m.

Transportation: Via private auto; trip leaders will help make arrangements between those who need a ride and those who can offer a ride. We encourage you to carpool where possible. (The co-sponsoring group, the San Diego Natural History Museum, is offering optional van transportation from San Diego, and the trip leader will offer space in his van.)

Trip difficulty: None - the trip will be conducted at a photographer's relaxed pace. We will be out to learn about photography and Yosemite, and we'll see a goodly chunk of the Park.

Accommodations: We'll stay in El Portal, just outside the park, within easy distance of Yosemite Valley, the historic barns at Foresta, etc.

Meals: This trip includes breakfast on our final day at the Wawona Hotel. We will always be near places to eat at meal times, and Yosemite has several places to purchase a meal or food, from markets to fancy restaurants.

Return Time: We'll end officially about noon on the final day. If you wish, caravan with the instructor, who will make a few photography stops on the way.

Who this trip is for: Anyone who loves the natural world and photography. The instructor will accommodate novice through advanced photographers. Even if you don't bring a camera, you'll be intrigued with the beauty of the natural world as it is revealed in Yosemite.

Instructors: Dave Wyman has had his photographs and articles appear in Outdoor Photographer, Outside, Backpacker, Sky and Telescope, and many other publications. He has conducted photography and natural history tours in California and the southwest since 1982, and has taught at USC and UCLA. His book, Backroads of Southern California, was published in May, 2005, and he is the author of the new book, Yosemite in Photographs. Bill Hartshorn is a professional photographer, with is photographs in books and calendars, and on postcards. Bill was an instructor on the 2005 seminar.

What to Bring:

- Camera gear (see below)
- Clothing for warm and cool temperatures; recommended: ski cap for cool mornings and evenings, mittens (optional)
- Day pack and/or camera bag
- Money for meals

What Will be Provided:

- Three nights' accommodations
- Guided photography walks
- Equipment demonstrations and lectures
- Help with carpooling where necessary
- One breakfast
- Slide shows in the evenings

Photographic Equipment: you don't need to spend any money on equipment you don't already have. A basic digital or 35mm camera will serve you well. If you are serious about photography, however, you should attempt to bring along two accessories: a tripod & cable release. These items will allow you to photograph in the early morning hours and into evening, and also allow for creative techniques. Tripods can be rented from some camera shops, or perhaps you can find a friend who will loan you one.The instructor may also bring along a few extra tripods to loan out.

CF or SD cards: bring plenty of storage space for your digital photographs. Bring enough battery power to last through a day.

Film: the instructor recommends film from ISO/ASA 25 to 200. Fujichrome slide film offers excellent color saturation for slide film and has fine grain; Fujichrome Sensia is an excellent choice, as is the more expensive Provia and Velvia. Fujicolor and Kodacolor are good print films. Prints, of course, are much easier to display if you don't own a slide projector. Print film speeds up to ISO 400 are fine. The instructor will bring a slide projector and adigital projector and laptop computer and will show some of his Yosemite and California photographs.

Note: Participants are encouraged to bring up to 30 slides/digital images and/or prints to share with the group. Digital images can be on your laptop or a CD (that the instructor can show via his own laptop).

Weather: we can expect mild to warm days, and cool evenings. Just about anything is possible, from temperatures in the '80's in the Valley during the day and down to the 30's in the evening (but don't bet on either). Be prepared with a selection of clothing. "Bad" weather, often in the form of afternoon thundershowers, is sometimes the best weather for photography.

Tentative Itinerary: on Day 1 depart anytime for Yosemite; our accommodations will be ready after 3 p.m. After dinner, we'll take in a slide show to learn about Yosemite and nature photography. On Day 2, we'll depart early for the drive minute ride to Yosemite Valley, photographing the powerful Merced River and waterfalls, and view the meadows and amazing granite walls, as well as watch for wildlife. On Day 3 we will photograph at Foresta, with its historic barns and fire scars from the massive 1988 burn. We'll spend more time in the Valley, returning for lunch and the Ahwahnee Hotel, Happy Isles, and more waterfall photography, including the amazing rainbow over Bridalveil Fall. On Day 4, after an optional early morning session, we will enjoy a farewell breakfast. Although the workshop will end officially at this point, you are invited to remain with the instructor, who will head home via Highway 41.

How to join us, where to send payment: May a check payable to Image Quest, and mail it to 1164 Alvira Street, Los Angeles, California, 90035.You can also use paypal.com (contact Dave, first).

If you have any questions: call the trip leader, Dave Wyman, at 323 377-7565, or e-mail him at mr.yosemite@imountainman.com.