Beach Portraiture - Peggy Farren

Join Professional portrait photographer Peggy Farren of Avant-Garde Images, Inc. and Understand Photography for a little bit of classroom instruction at the Naples Hilton and then it's off to the beach for some real world instruction and practice. To get the most out of this workshop, you should be comfortable shooting in the Manual setting.

What you will learn:

Several different lighting techniques using all kinds of gear: Reflector, pop up flash, speedlight on camera, off camera speedlites, and a studio light with a battery pack. We'll also work with some homemade diffusers and shades.

Posing and people management:

• How to help stop them from squinting.
• Flattering poses
• Group shots (you'll be in these pictures!)
• Where does the horizon go?
• What types of lenses and how to photograph for no distortion.
• We'll have "cheater" handouts for you so you won't remember everything! :)

The Naples beach we have chosen has shade until about 9:30 a.m. We'll learn techniques to light the people and the background so both are perfect exposures. Then we'll put our models into the sunny area to try to overcome the harsh lighting conditions. Nothing speaks amateur more than dark circles or weird shadows on your subject's faces.

Please come prepared for a hands-on workshop. Bring your camera with fully charged batteries and if you have flashes, bring those too. We will have models and helpers! You will learn and have so much fun!!!

Bio: Peggy Farren has been a professional photographer for 14 years. Her photographs have graced the covers of many magazines over the years. Peggy specializes in family portraits and weddings, and also runs a photography training center and website called "Understand Photography".

Corkscrew Sanctuary - Connie Bransilver

Corkscrew Swamp, 14,000 acres of it, and its spectacular 2-1/2 mile boardwalk is a destination of superlatives - largest remaining stand of old growth giant Bald Cypress, Ramsar Wetlands site of International Importance, #1 visitors' site in Collier County, best international birding location, endangered wood storks, alligators, orchids, wading birds, and occasionally deer, bears and even panther -- and you don't even have to get wet to see it all.

Bring your tripod, a fairly long lens for birds (300 - 400mm), wide angle for the breathtaking landscapes, macro for the lichens, 'bugs' and flowers, but keep it light enough to carry. If you put it all on on rollers, make sure they are soft tires so they won't make too much noise. Drinks, snacks and restroom facilities available on site.

Check it out - www.corkscrewsanctuary.org

CONNIE BRANSILVER -
iLCP Fellow, former President, NANPA, National Geographic, UNESCO-Asia, author of two local books, and mainly, lots of fun!
www.ConnieBransilver.com

Fakahatchee Strand Preserve - Len Messineo/Wm Jordan IV

Your outing leader Len Messineo will be joined by Wm Jordan IV as an expert advisor on this photo/tour of the Fakahatchee Strand. There will be opportunities to photograph and examine the unique scenery, flora and birds found only in the Everglades system. A favorite board walk in the Fakahatchee offers many opportunities to photograph subjects in a mysterious.virgin Cypress swamp. Len Messineo, a fine arts nature photographer has often explored and photographed this vast expanse of near pristine water, climate and geology in Southwest Florida. Lenses recommended are macro, wide angle, and medium to long telephoto.

A dedicated nature and wildlife photographer, Len Messineo developed his knowledge and expertise after retirement from his manufacturing business.

Len has earned many awards and citations in the Chicago area and Florida He was honored with the prestigious Kohout Nature Award for advancing the teaching and art of nature photography. Len conducts numerous nature and photography presentations to a wide variety of audiences. His images and whimsical, lively narrative are described as superb, educational and whimsical stories of our natural world.

Len has photographed, narrated and written five professional mastered DVDs on various subjects including Africa and the Everglades. He is fortunate to spend the winter seasons in SW Florida, becoming intimately familiar with the distinctive and unequaled wonders of Florida's array of nature's offerings.

Through the media of photography , programs, exhibits, and workshops, a central theme is revealed: A desire to inspire reverence, respect and concern for our only environment and its endangered inhabitants.

Harns Marsh Wildlife Preserve - Dennis Goodman

The Harns Marsh Preserve outing bus will leave the Hilton Hotel at 6:30AM on Friday, March 23, 2012 with arrival at Harns Marsh 7:30am. The morning light should be perfect as the sun rises, illuminating the 578 Acre marsh and beautiful lake as the steam rises at daybreak.

You will have the opportunity to expand your photographic skills while photographing a multitude of bird species including Limpkins, Snail Kites, Ospreys, Eagles, Egrets, and many other Florida birds as they fly in and around the marsh.

Local nature photographer Dennis Goodman will be guiding you and providing you an opportunity to use his lenses, adapters, telephotos, wide angles, closeups , and tripods in order to get those perfect images you have dreamed about. Dennis will also share different techniques to help you capture that perfect shot. For the seasoned and experienced photographer, you will enjoy some of the very best photo opportunities you could possibly imagine.

As a photographer, adventurer and explorer for more than 20 years on the Southwest Florida coast, Dennis's easy going and friendly personality will assure you the very best photo excursion Southwest Florida has to offer.

Dennis Goodman Artist, Wildlife Photographer, Instructor and Workshop Provider
www.dennisgoodmanphotography.com to learn more about Dennis & his passion to capture some of natures great images.

Kirby Storter Marsh Walk - Tim Gibbons w/ George Lepp

Your leader for this outing is local professional photographer Tim Gibbons accompanied by world renowned photographer/lecturer George Lepp.

A short 1/2 hour bus ride to the edge of the everglades finds you at Kirby Storter Preserve, a boardwalk carved into the heart of an everglades swamp where you will find a plethora of wildlife and panoramic views of an everglades plain. tim and George will answer all your questions on the best way to utilize your photographic equipment in this environment. A unique opportunity to pick the brains of two top notch wildlife photographers.

George D. Lepp is one of North America's best-known contemporary outdoor and nature photographers. His passions for natural beauty, technical precision, cutting-edge technology, and environmental responsibility are revealed in his beautiful and compelling photographic images. He is also widely recognized for his unique dedication to sharing his photographic and biological knowledge with other photographers through his seminars and writing. In both realms, George Lepp is a leader in the rapidly advancing field of digital imaging.

First trained in wildlife and wild lands management, George Lepp later earned a BPA and honorary MS in Professional Photography from Brooks Institute. He and his wife Kathryn, a writer and editor, live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Contact him through his web site, www.GeorgeLepp.com.

Tim Gibbons is a local professional photographer with a personal working knowledge of the everglades and the environs.

Kowiachobee Animal Preserve - Damaris Gonzalez

The Kowiachobee Animal Preserve was one of the favorite outings at our last conference. Make your reservations early as this outing will be sold out quickly. If we get enough interest we will offer a second outing in the afternoon.

The bus to the Kowiachobee Animal Preserve will leave the Hotel at 7:30AM for your photo excursion. Photographers will have space to wonder around and meet some of our free roaming residents as well as photo areas set up for you to get the one special shoot.

The Kowiachobee Animal Preserve will offer you a large variety of farm, domestic and exotic animals for you to capture. There will be animals in their natural settings. Kowiachobee is home to over 100 animals including Tiger, Jaguar, spotted and black African leopards, Cougars, Bobcat, Lion and Caracal. Australian wallaby and many other small exotic animals. There will also be specific areas where you can get close and personal with many of the animals including the Big Cats. Picnic area with all natural foliage where you will also find animals for wonderful photo opportunity. Of course our local celebrity, Spunky, the iguana will make himself available throughout the event.

There will be volunteers available to guide you to where all the habitats are and assist you with anything you may need.

Your excursion will be hosted by Nature Photographer Damaris Gonzalez. Damaris is a member of DPI-SIG and has won many awards on both local and state levels and recognized for her work with nature and wildlife photography both in Florida and Costa Rica. She has donated her time and expertise and is a valued part of the staff at Kowiachobee. www.kowia.com

Naples Botanical Garden - Jim White/Gordon Campbell

The Naples Botanical Garden outing bus will leave the Hilton Hotel at 7:30AM, Friday, March 23rd, arrival at the garden at 8am, for the morning light as the sun rises, illuminating the 170 Acre Botanical Garden. The landscape becomes a treat for the senses, offering you the opportunity to shoot on location with three local photographers who will be setting up subjects, to expand your photographic skills. spring flowers and trees will be blooming, such as Red Kapok, Apple Blossom, Gingers, Orchids throughout and many Water Lilies. Avian northerly migration begins and our local SW Florida resident birds continue as ideal subjects.

Visit the Garden online at www.naplesgarden.org, and also on Facebook. We are sure an "in person visit" with our guidance will provide you an opportunity to use all lenses, adapters, telephotos, wide angles, closeups , tripods, in order to get those "keeper images" you have dreamed about.

Additionally, during the time of our outing the Garden will have a sculpture exhibit entitled "Zimsculpt" which will feature between 100-200 sculptures of all different sizes from Zimbabwe.

Your shoot at the Garden will be organized by three local photographers who are members of DPSIG:

Gordon Campbell, instructor and published Naples photographer teaches local classes specializing in nature photography: his website is http://www.swfloutdoorphotography.com and his photos are at http://photos.swfloutdoorphotography.com.

Chuck Mckinney, owns Digital Designs and specializes in photo restoration, creative photography, and graphic design.

Jim White, is a Botanical Garden docent, and landscape and bird photographer. He will be setting up bird photography stations in the wetlands and upland areas. For more info email Jim at JamessWhite@msn.com

Shy Wolf Sanctuary - Sonny Saunders/Bob Melin

Sonny Saunders co-founded DPI-SIG, the Naples Digital Photography Club, in July 2004. He has been teaching photography for over 35 years. Since making the switch from film to digital in 2001, he has lectured or taught the basics of digital photography and cameras and published several specific camera guides.

The Shy Wolf Sanctuary provides a sanctuary for exotic animals in need of rescue and refuge and a unique opportunity to photograph Wolves, Wolfdogs, Florida Panthers, Bobcats, Arctic, Brazilian Crab Eating, Silver Tipped, Red and Fennec Foxes, Prairie Dogs and Gopher Tortoises.

This outing is limited to the first 20 photographers who will be divided into small groups. The sanctuary will provide guides in each of the cages to offer the photographers an opportunity to photograph the animals up close as they play and have fun in their natural environment. Each group will move from one area to the other with sufficient time to capture the images of all the animals. Tripods are not allowed and it is recommended that you not wear open toed shoes or have loose fitting clothing. Some of the animals are very playful and will attempt to untie your shoe laces. Transportation from the Hilton Hotel to the Sanctuary is included.

Your co-leader for this outing tour is Bob Melin who has volunteered at the Shy Wolf Sanctuary for many years and is a favorite with all the animals. They will do things to and for Bob that will offer you unique photo opportunities.

Tiger Tail Beach - Artie Morris

Bus leaves the Hilton Hotel at 5:30AM to catch the morning light and sunrise as the many exotic birds that make Tiger Tail Beach their home will begin their day. Led by world renowned Bird Photographer extraordinaire Artie Morris, you will learn the techniques and tricks of bird photography from one of the best.

Arthur Morris is a free-lance nature photographer, teacher, and writer specializing in birds. He is widely recognized as one of the world's premier bird photographers and photographic educators. His images, published the world over, are noted for both their artistic design and their technical excellence. His fitting credit line: BIRDS AS ART. The original "The Art of Bird Photography" is the classic How-to work on the subject. The all-new follow-up, The Art of Bird Photography II (916 pages on CD only) was released in 2006 to rave reviews. Arthur, one of the original "Explorers of Light," has been a Canon contract photographer for the past seventeen years and continues in that role today. He is a co-founding publisher of BirdPhotographers.Net and is a NANPA Fellow.