Avian Photographic Workshops with Greg Downing GENERAL WORKSHOP INFORMATION AND POLICIES About my workshops: My workshops are designed to take you to some of the best places in the world and to teach you how to make technically excellent images of birds and other wildlife with an artistic flair. I am very passionate about my photography and strive to provide the finest instruction. I possess unwavering patience, determination and good humor to ensure an educational and enjoyable photographic adventure for you! Group Size: The groups are kept small so a high level of personalized instruction is available for all skill levels. This allows me to custom design my workshops for the individual needs of my participants. Smaller groups also minimize the disturbance on the birds while maximizing the photographic opportunities for the photographers. The end result is a better value for your money and time and a more enjoyable experience. What to expect: Within 48 hours of registering for one of my workshops you will receive an e-mail confirming your reservation for the workshop as well as receipt or request for your deposit. As the workshop draws closer, a detailed package of instructions and guidelines will be e-mailed to you. This package will be customized for each workshop and tell you what to expect and what you need to bring. It includes detailed lodging and transportation information, payment arrangements and important contact numbers. Participants will also be asked to summarize what they expect to gain from the workshop, what skills they have and what areas they feel they need help with the most. This gives me a chance to get some background and allows me to design the workshop based on the individual needs of the participants. The evening before each workshop there will be an introductory meeting and a short slide presentation/orientation at our place of lodging. At that point we discuss plans for the next day and set up a time to meet for the first morning of shooting. Typically we meet before dawn each day and grab a quick bite to eat to ensure that we are in the field when the light is good and the birds are active. During the mid-day hours participants are given the opportunity to rest up and relax before going out in the field again in the late afternoon light. All workshops include a mix of in-the-field instruction as well as slide and critique sessions and ongoing, in-depth discussions on the ins and outs of avian and wildlife photography. While each workshop is different, you can expect to cover the following: -Finding and approaching birds and how to see and set up shots. -Designing the image: Composition, pose, perspective and background. -Seeing and working with different lighting conditions. -Exposure theory covering all metering techniques and what to use when. -Sharpness and long lens technique, converters and extension tubes. -Action and flight photography techniques. -Equipment: When to use what and how to work with what you have. -Flash: Covering both fill-flash and flash-as-main and when to use what. -Scanning, digital darkroom basics, tips and techniques and much more! What is included: Each workshop is different. Some include lodging, meals and/or transportation; others may not. For details on what is included in each workshop please refer to each workshop page in the current schedule. Equipment Rental: Depending on availability, participants may rent photography equipment from me for their use on a first-come-first-served basis. Selection is limited. Please inquire for availability and pricing. Deposits: Deposits are required to reserve your spot in a workshop. Amounts are specified on each workshop page. Unless otherwise specified deposits are non-refundable, unless we cancel the workshop. Cancellation and refunds: Cancellations can be made up to 90 days prior to the workshop date, however you forfeit your deposit unless we cancel the workshop, in which case you will receive a full refund. Cancellations made after 90 days prior to the workshop date are not eligible for refunds. We have the right to cancel any workshop for lack of registrants up to 45 days prior to the workshop date. While many workshops will run with just a single registrant, other may require a minimum registration. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance! Guests: Spouses and non-photographer “guests” may accompany you for free when space is available, but must pay for thier own expenses. Please inquire for availability. Limit one guest per paying participant. Smoking: No smoking is permitted. Questions? Please don’t hesitate to contact me for any additional information!