BIRDS of SW FLORIDA
Sarasota, Florida | February 21 - 25
$2100
Two incredible national parks & one stunning state park . . .
DRAMATICALLY DIVERSE
LANDSCAPE
Lakota people have called this area mako sica, which literally translates to 'bad lands'. When early French
fur trappers passed through this area, they
called the area les mauvaises terres a traveser (bad lands to travel across).
We are going to the Badlands for many reasons.
The rock formations are stunning, unique and breathtaking. The wildlife is prolific and easy to photograph. And, it is very dark at night! There will be a new moon during our Road Trip so we will certainly be hanging out, late, to photograph the Milky Way. Wooohooo!! Aren't dark skies fun?
The colors and textures of the many outcroppings and rock formations reflect many colors with different light throughout the day. The shape and form of these "sharp formations" are inviting and awe-inspiring. The lines, textures and patterns are truly sensual and alluring. You truly have to see and photograph this place.
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It's a must do Road Trip!
WHAT TO EXPECT
The South Unit is a beautiful part of Badlands National Park, and this drive around its perimeter offers spectacular sights.
Sage Creek Rim Road features a number of overlooks and pull-offs to park safely and enjoy the view. From east to west, the overlooks on Sage Creek Rim Road are:
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Hay Butte Overlook
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Badlands Wilderness Overlook
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Roberts Prairie Dog Town
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Sage Creek Basin Overlook
We’ll capture sunsets and sunrises of these amazing landscapes. The Badlands is a dark skies location meaning its a great place to photograph the Milky Way. We'll even spend an evening "after hours" photographing the Milky Way since there is a new moon during this Road Trip.
Here are some of the beautiful locations we will be visiting:
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Big Badlands Overlook (sunrise)
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Door Trail (sunrise)
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Panorama Point (sunrise)
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Pinnacles Overlook (sunset)
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Conata Basin Overlook (sunset)
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Bigfoot Pass Picnic Area (sunset)
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Another great feature of the Badlands are the bison, Bighorn sheep, coyotes, deer and many, many prairie dogs we can photograph. And just because I can . . . I will be offering image critiques and Photoshop tips and tricks to show you how to enhance your newly acquired images into works of art!
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Bring your favorite camera gear, tripod, shutter release, filters and laptop with Photoshop and Lightroom already installed and working.
REGISTER NOW | LIMIT 10 SOULS
$500 HOLDS YOUR SPOT
ITINERARY
Friday April 7th
6p - Dinner, get acquainted and chat about the workshop. I'll share the itinerary with you and what we will be seeing and photographing.
If the night sky is cooperating we may head into the park to photograph the Milky Way. It shows at 3am . . . we'll see!
Saturday April 8th
5a - Yep, that early! We'll meet in the lobby for a trip to the Door Trail for an amazing sunrise over a very curious landscape. We'll shoot for the morning then return to the hotel for late breakfast/lunch.
Noon - Image critique and talk composition.
7p - Sunset at the White River Valley Overlook. We'll hang around until skies and darkness permit us to shoot the Milky Way. There is no moon (very little) during this trip so we can take advantage of dark skies!
Sunday April 9th
5a - Sunrise session! Then Breakfast and conversation.
3p - Head into the Badlands for an afternoon session on shooting textures, patterns, form and shape. Black & White photography will be our topic as we use the midday bright sun to our advantage!
Monday April 10th
5a - Another incredible sunrise to capture before we are done. This morning we will head to Cliff Shelf near Cedar Pass.
Return to hotel for late breakfast/lunch and the Road Trip officially ends . . . hang on . . .
Monday Afternoon & Tuesday April 11th
On Monday afternoon we will head to Devil's Tower for a day of shooting the tower, nightfall and possibly The Milky Way.
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THE BIG BONUS
Since we're up this way . . . join me for a day at Devil's Tower. No biggie and no extra charge! We will leave Wall, SD right after breakfast on Monday, it's only a couple of hours drive. We'll lodge in Hulett, WY. for the night. We can capture a sunset this evening and a sunrise of the tower the next morning. If the sky permits, maybe a Milky Way, too. Then we'll go home! What do you say? All in? I thought so! Your hotel tonight is an additional charge. I have roome reserved so let me know if you want to do the Badlands and Devil's Tower together.
SO MUCH TO SEE
All skill levels are encouraged to come and play in this atmosphere beyond words. After the workshop you will understand why words can't explain this unusual and unique collection of photographically rich landscape. Seriously!
Here are some of the things I hope to encourage
your photographic growth in:
~ Image pre-visualization
~ Composition
~ Exposure
~ Depth of field
~ Lens selection
~ Image prep in Lightroom
~ Image enhancement in Photoshop
~ and so much more . . .
If you'd like to see what you too can create, visit my fine art web site at JeffJohnsonFineArt.com
LODGING
Best Western Plains Motel
712 Glenn St, Wall, SD, 57790
I have already made reservations. Once you reserve your Road Trip with a deposit, I will place your name on a room reservation. Rooms are $130.79 x4 nights which includes tax payable when you check in.
Let's find you a roommate!
Camera, tripod, filters, lenses, shutter release, Hoodman loupe and whatever other gear makes you happy. Also bring your laptop with Photoshop and Lightroom already installed and working. Sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray and a hat are advised. Having layers of clothing is great as you can take off and put them back on as the temperature changes. Having rain gear available is not a bad idea either.
Rain gear for your equipment, too!
WHAT TO BRING
WHAT TO BRING
This is a hands-on opportunity so bring your computer! I have discovered that offering critique sessions during a Road Trip greatly increases your growth. Being able to shoot, critique, adjust and understand during a workshop is a very efficient and
rewarding way to learn.
IN THE CLASSROOM
I will offer a Zoom session a couple of weeks following the Road Trip. This is an ideal situation because we are all comfortable at home with our familiar computer setups. We will take a look at
your imagery and I can offer critiques and other helpful and positive feedback. Then I will offer my step-by-step process of howI interpret and enhance my imagery.
ZOOM
YOUR INVESTMENT
For your investment you will have the opportunity to photograph some of the most incredible landscapes in the national and state parks system. There are a
lot of unique views and landscapes to photograph in the parks we will be visiting in Utah.
REGISTER NOW | LIMIT 10 SOULS
$500 HOLDS YOUR SPOT
THE BIG BONUS
Since we're up this way . . . join me for a day at Devil's Tower. No biggie and no extra charge!
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After the Badlands Road Trip, we'll buzz across the South Dakota / Wyoming border for a fun visit to Devil's Tower. We will leave Wall, SD right after breakfast on Monday, it's only a couple of hours drive. We'll lodge in Hulett, WY. for the night. We can capture a sunset and a sunrise of the tower the next morning. If the sky permits, maybe a Milky Way, too. Then we'll go home! What do you say?
All in?
I thought so! The hotel for this evening is additional charge. Just let me know you want to do both Road Trips and I'll get you booked.
WORKSHOP CANCELLATION, DEPOSIT, PAYMENT & REFUND POLICIES
We must rely on your confirmed attendance to make important arrangements, reservations and payments in advance for your workshop to be a positive and pleasant experience. If you need to cancel, please let us know as soon as possible.
DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS . . .
Your initial deposit is fully refundable within 72 hours of making the deposit. After 72 hours, your deposit becomes non-refundable. The balance of the workshop is due 30 days before the first day of the workshop. If your initial deposit is made inside of 30 days from the first day of the workshop, full payment may be required in lieu of the usual deposit. A payment schedule may be arranged if this makes attending a Soul Road Trip more possible for you. Contact me directly for an installment payment opportunity. EMAIL
CANCELLATIONS, REFUNDS & TRANSFERS . . .
Sometimes you need to cancel a trip. Plans and desires change and we understand that. We also hope that you understand certain arrangements, reservations and plans must be made weeks if not months out from a workshop. Deposits are used to make these arrangements to make your experience a pleasant one. Of course, we wish you to come again and again and to tell your friends about your wonderful experience.
However, if you must cancel, please be aware of these policies. After the initial 72 hours after making a deposit, that deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel after 72 hours and 30 days before the first day of the workshop, any additional monies are refundable less a 15% administration fee. If you must cancel within 30 days before the first day of the workshop, all funds are non-refundable so we recommend travel insurance.
Check out allianztravelinsurance.com or squaremouth.com for trip insurance opportunities.
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Workshop registrations are usually NOT transferable. We will take each situation on a case-by-case basis. If Soul Road Trips needs to cancel a workshop, we will let you know as soon as possible and at least 14 days prior to the first day of the scheduled workshop, and immediately refund your full tuition. However, we will not be responsible for non-refundable airline tickets or lodging reservations. Please do not purchase airline tickets or make non-refundable deposits on lodging that cannot be canceled before the trip.