Archive for 'PHOTOGRAPHER'S RESOURCES'
Ask your photo questions and have your question featured and answered on my Youtube and podcast
Posted on 11. Nov, 2009 by Kristen Westlake.
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December 11- 17 Bosque del Apache & White Sands New Mexico
Posted on 08. Nov, 2009 by Kristen Westlake.
Kristen Westlake E(co)scape Photography Tours – Bosque del Apache & White Sands National Monument
Download this Photography tour as a pdf.
Last Minute E(co)scape Photography Tour: get more one on one attention with this small group tour, full seven days are limited to 3 people.
December 11 – December 17. New Mexico’s Bosque del Apache & White Sands National Monument. Limited to 3 participants so act now!
Bosque del Apache NWR. December 11 – 14 (Friday – Monday).White Sands National Monument. December 15 – 17 (Tuesday – Thursday)
Join me for one day, two days, three days – or take advantage of a great price for all seven days! One, two and three day participants will need to rent their own car. The full seven-day workshop includes transportation in my rented SUV. All participants are responsible for their own airfare, hotel and meals.
The Plan:
December 11 (Friday): fly to Albuquerque, and take a shuttle to Socorro, arriving in time for dinner for a meet and greet and itinerary for the following day.
December 12 – 15 (Saturday – Tuesday): Early morning flight photography of sand hill cranes and snow geese. Watch for other wetland habitat. Opportunities for hiking and photographing during the day as well as a 2 – 3 hour window of time to break for lunch, naps or anything else that you may wish to do before we resume photography for the late afternoon light and flight shots at last light.
Lunchtime at local places may include time for questions, photo critique, and Photoshop instruction.
December 15 (Tuesday): End of Bosque tour. Check out of hotels and drive to Alamogordo and White Sands National Monument. Explore, scout, and photograph afternoon light at White Sands National Monument.
December 16 (Wednesday): Early Morning light photography at White Sands. Hiking during the day and afternoon photography in the dunes.
December 17 (Thursday): One more chance at early light photography. Drive back to Albuquerque for flights out later today or Saturday.
My story: In Sept 2008 I was one of twelve volunteers that helped to clean up Bosque del Apache NWR. We “opened windows” by clearing brush so that birders and photographers alike could more easily witness and photograph the birds that migrate through Bosque in late fall and winter months. Arthur Morris headed the project “Open Windows”. Please see his bulletin for pictures and details of the project that I helped out on. http://www.birdsasart.com/bn272.htm
Why Bosque? Why now?
Photograph the dramatic morning and evening flights of thousands of sand hill cranes and snow geese
Prime-time dates at peak bird numbers
One of the best locations to master your skills for shots of birds in flight
The last three days Includes incredible landscape photography of the breathtakingly beautiful dunes at White Sands National Monument.
Not included: flight, hotel, and meals.
If you are participating in a day rate program please see below for information on renting a car. Day participants must have their own transportation.
Find flights, car and hotels: I just booked mine on Southwest Airlines. Orbitz is a great place to find great deals on flights, cars and hotels.
Fly into Albuquerque and drive or shuttle just over an hour to Socorro. Socorro will be our home base while experiencing Bosque del Apache.
My flight was less than $250.
Hotels in Socorro and in Alamogordo vary from $44 to $60 for a nice, clean place with wireless and other amenities – a great deal!
About your host: Kristen Westlake became involved with photography as a direct result of her intimate connection to her subject matter. Growing up in rural Wisconsin, Kristen spent her childhood days immersed in the natural world, as an adult she recognizes how fundamental it is to humans and to her as an individual artist. Out in the field, Kristen waits patiently for just the right shot, in which she connects with an animal in perfect communion, in the instant of a clicking shutter.
Kristen’s work graces the covers and insides of numerous publications. She specializes in fine art prints on canvas and is represented by galleries throughout the United States, most recently the G2 Gallery in Venice, CA. She travels extensively in love of the land and animals that she photographs, creating art with patience and vision and by knowing her equipment as if it were her paintbrush.
Within each one of us is an artist waiting to emerge. Experience adventure as only Nature can offer and learn to capture it ALL artistically with the click of a shutter.
Why Join a Kristen Westlake Photography Tour?
* I teach by doing. I am involved in the field alongside you. I am open-minded and compassionate. I am not intimidating or unapproachable. You will feel comfortable asking the questions you wish to know the answers to. I often learn from my students too! * My tours are fun, energy filled experiences!
* Every Tour includes informal Photoshop instruction. Often times this happens during dinner or lunches.
* My work is known for its artistic design. I can teach you how to compose for beautifully artful images in the field and also in post processing.
* I am passionate about nature, about photography and about the art of nature photography. I teach what I do best – my business is my passion.
* I know how to approach wildlife closely while minimizing disturbance.
Please note that Kristen photographs during photography tours. “As an artist I teach best when I am doing what I do best. I think out loud and vocalize what I am doing and why as I am doing it.” Participants find this technique to be beneficial over an instructor who “stands by the sidelines” barking instruction. I am always available to answer your questions.
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Ten Day African Safari Photography Tour
Posted on 06. Nov, 2009 by Kristen Westlake.
Ten Day African Safari Photography Tour
Please click for more information and to sign up for our May 2010 and August 2010 tours!
Dates:
August 20-29 2010
September 3-12 2010
$8390.00 per person
All inclusive with exception of international flights
Upon your arrival in Johannesburg you will be met at the airport by one of our representatives and taken to the luxurious Afton Guest House for the evening. You will dine at one of Johannesburg’s finer restaurants before retiring to the estate for the remainder of the evening. You will have the opportunity to get to know your guide for the next ten days this evening. The 2010 safaris are hosted by Kristen Westlake.
About Your Host – Kristen Westlake became involved with photography as a direct result of her intimate connection to her subject matter. Growing up in rural Wisconsin, Kristen spent her childhood days immersed in the natural world, as an adult she recognizes how fundamental it is to humans and to her as an individual artist. Out in the field, Kristen waits patiently for just the right shot, in which she connects with an animal in perfect communion, in the instant of a clicking shutter.
Kristen’s work graces the covers and insides of numerous publications. She specializes in fine art prints on canvas and is represented by galleries throughout the United States, most recently the G2 Gallery in Venice, CA. She travels extensively in love of the land and animals that she photographs, creating art with patience and vision and by knowing her equipment as if it were her paintbrush.
Within each one of us is an artist waiting to emerge. What an amazing opportunity you have before you in the finest of everything that a ten day African Adventure could yield: As always at Farren Safaris: expert guides, and the finest in food and accommodations. The Africa Safari Photography Tour – an amazing mecca for adventure & experience. Learn to capture it ALL artistically with the click of a shutter.
Itinerary
Day 1) Depart for Kruger National Park early in the morning, the world’s most famous and oldest national wildlife park (which is the size of Massachusetts), where two nights will be spent in a bush camp. This is SAFARI TIME, with game drives giving you the opportunity to see elephant, lion, rhino and other prolific game species.
Days 2-3) Kruger National Park. You will spend the morning viewing game with a personal guide. You will be taken deep into the bush away from the more travelled areas to witness game in it’s natural habitat and be presented with opportunities to photograph Africa’s wildlife undisturbed. The evening game drives will present you with the opportunity to photograph the breathtaking African sunset along with the wildlife gathering by the waterholes for the days last drink. The camps within Kruger are large enough to allow you to roam freely and offer many photo opportunities in themselves.
Days 4-5) Depart for Swaziland. This is a three hour drive which will take you through Swaziland arriving early in the afternoon. Swaziland is mostly mountainous and surrounded by the country of South Africa and bordered by Mozambique. This mountainous region is home to several national parks as well as the Zulu people. The Zulu people have embraced their heritage and you can feel free in visiting the villages comprised of colorful rondavels and getting to know the always smiling Zulu people. The numerous national game parks in this area will provide you the opportunity to photograph over 650 species of birdlife as well as the endangered White Rhino.
Days 6-8) Spend these three days in the luxurious Pongola Game Preserve on the Pongola River which separates Mozambique from South Africa. This is one of the most luxurious lodges located in the remote area of North East South Africa. While here you will have the opportunity to photograph a large array of wildlife while taking guided walks as well as while travelling by houseboat on the river.
Days 9-10) Travel to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game preserve and spend the next two days witnessing some of Africa’s most pristine scenery as well as the abundant wildlife located in these remote national parks. On your way back to Durban from here you will have ample opportunity to experience the Zulu culture by spending time in a Zulu village.
Day 11) On this day you will be delivered to the Durban airport for your return trip home.
Click here for more information on what is included in your safari
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Workshop Eco Adventure October 2 – 4
Posted on 19. Jul, 2009 by Kristen Westlake.
See our PDF brochure for more information and to sign up!
