Spring Black Bear Instructional Photography Workshop
Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba, Canada
Presented by The Wildlife Photography Academy
Download the workshop PDF here
May 20th - 24th, 2009
Join
Outdoor Photography Canada Magazine contributing editor, Paul Burwell,
for a full-featured photography workshop in beautiful Riding Mountain
National Park. This workshop allows you to get close to Black
Bears, young and old, from the safety of a secure photography
blind. Black Bears in all their colour
varieties
abound in this region and experience tells us we will have the
opportunity to make some truly memorable photographs.
We will also go on Safari in Riding Mountain.
Landscape and
macro photography opportunities abound and we’ll search for
Bears, Moose, Elk, Deer, Bison and various bird species to photograph.
This
workshop includes:
- Paul’s
undivided attention during the photo sessions to help you get the most
out of your investment
- Unlike
many workshop leaders, Paul does not photograph during the sessions
- The
benefit of Paul’s years of experience photographing wildlife
in many different situations.
- Lodging
and all meals at the Riding Mountain Guest Ranch
- Small
group size to a maximum of 7 participants allows fotr maximum
flexibility
- The
opportunity to learn techniques for preparing images with Photoshop,
developing a managed workflow and archival strategies
 A CD to take home containing an
electronic version of the workshop material- The
ability to bring at least 10 images with you for critiquing
- The
opportunity to submit up to 10 photographs from this workshop for a
detailed written critique of each submitted photograph
- Professionally
designed, printed and bound coffee-table book of the group’s
achievements during the workshop
- Participants
have an opportunity to submit images they’ve made during the
workshop for inclusion in the book.
- One
copy of the book will be distributed to each participant
Itinerary
- May 20th - 23rd Evenings: Photographing Black Bears from a secure
photography blind or hide.
- Black
Bears and
their cubs usually visit the blind location which allows for the
opportunity to be safe while photographing from close proximity to
these wild animals.
- May
21st - 22nd Mornings: Safaris to Riding Mountain National
Park to look for wildlife photography opportunities.
- Black
Bears, Moose, Deer, Elk, Bison and various bird species are all animals
that might be encountered and photographed.
- May 21st - 23rd
Afternoons: Instructional workshop time as well as time for
participants to catch up on their rest and for the digital shooters to
work on their photographs.
- May
24th: Breakfast and checkout
 This
workshop will allow you to get closer to wild Black Bears than you have
previously imagined and allow you to do so safely. In our 4
days
at Riding Mountain, you will have the opportunity to make some unique
images of Black Bears, young and old, as well as various other wildlife
inhabiting the areas in and around the park.
This workshop is limited to 7 participants. This small group
size
allows for maximum flexibility in obtaining all types of shots
including portraits, behavior and close-ups. The small group
size
makes it easier to accommodate special requests.
You’ll
also have the flexibility to easily move to different positions to get
the shots you are looking for.
I was the President of an Internet services company for over 10 years
where I developed an extensive history of working with and educating
adults. I am currently a contributing editor for Outdoor
Photography Canada magazine and a professional nature
photographer. Some individuals seem to run workshops in order
to
subsidize their own photography shoots. But, unlike those
workshop leaders, I am exclusively there to help you get the best
shots. You won’t need to worry about interrupting
my
photography to ask a question or get advice. This workshop is
more than just a series of photo sessions. It is a full
featured
workshop offering a complete educational experience.
Dr. Jim Irwin, along with his wife Candy are tremendous hosts and
they’ll work with us to make this a memorable
workshop. Dr.
Irwin, in addition to being a naturalist and a retired Biologist with a
PhD in wildlife diseases, will act as our guide to the photography
blind and on our safaris around Riding Mountain National
Park. An
added bonus is that Jim is a wildlife photographer and so understands
issues like lighting when positioning the group for
photographs.
Candy is an active member of the Friends of Riding Mountain, runs a
wildlife orphanage and does an excellent job of providing delicious
home cooking for their guests.
 The included meals and
accommodation are provided at the comfortable Riding Mountain Guest
Ranch.
Workshop
Costs
- $1299
Canadian Dollars
- Includes
4 nights accomodation and all your meals from dinner on the 20th to
breakfast on the 24th before you check out
- Includes
your transportation to the photography blind and safaris to Riding
Mountain National Park
- $200
Single supplement for non-shared sleeping accommodations (limited
availability)
- Return
transportation from Winnipeg International Airport to Riding
Mountain is available for an additional $175
- Non-photographing partner $525
- $300
deposit required upon reservation with balance due by March 20, 2008
During
a recent trip to Riding Mountain, it finally got too dark to photograph
with my SLR. My guide, Dr. Jim Irwin, continued to record the
action with his video camera from our location in the photography
blind. I was previously ignorant of the low-light
capabilities of
these cameras. The video below is an excellent example of the
sort of behaviours we witnessed from these wonderful wild animals.
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