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Greetings,
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
This newsletter is a little later than normal; I've been working on putting some things together to share and wanted to wait a bit.
Last month I went to the Palouse. My first time going in the autumn. And wow, what a treat.
I'm also announcing a few new trips, including a Colorado trip with my friend Don Mammoser. Our schedules aligned and the band is back together!
The 2019 Aurora tour is now open for registration and I've added a couple of other trips, including a photo conference in Newport, OR.
And lastly, an opportunity to tour Antarctica on a small boat has cropped up.
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Autumn trips report
This has been a pretty great autumn. I got to visit the Northwest Territories and Iceland in the fall. And after returning from those trips I ventured south to Oregon to visit Silver Falls State Park and then back to my home state to see what the Palouse was like this time of the year.
I knew what to expect out of Silver Falls: waterfalls and great fall color. And that's what we got. I didn't really know what to expect out of the Palouse, maybe just subject matter suitable for black and white photography. But what a pleasant surprise. I really loved the color. And it wasn't coming from where you'd expect it. Sure, there are trees turning yellow and orange in places, but it's the land itself that offers up the color in a palette of earth tones that I just fell in love with. If you've been to the Palouse in the spring, seeing it in the autumn will be an eye opener.
I've posted some more pictures from both trips over at my blog, so pop on over there to take a look.
I'm planning on autumn trips to both location for 2019. The Palouse trip is posted and Silver Falls will be following soon. Let me know if you want to be on the list for either or both of those trips.
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Think Tank Black Friday Sale
(Warning: Affiliate links below! That means I get a little taste if you buy something)
Think Tank Photo just announced their Black Friday specials. It will put its popular Airport Advantage Plus rolling camera bag on sale at 50% over Black Friday weekend. In addition, several of its most popular camera bags will be on sale at 40% starting on Black Friday and through December 2nd. And don’t forget, by using my special Web link when ordering, you will receive a free gift and free shipping on top of the discounts! (not only that, I'll get a cut too. So win-win!!)
The Airport Advantage Plus rolling camera bag is designed specifically for traveling photographers. By it complying with international carry-on size and weight requirements, you can keep your most valuable gear safe and near you when flying.
On sale at 40% through December 2nd are Think Tank’s Spectral shoulder bags, UltraLight backpacks, Signature shoulder bags, Sidepath backpack, and Multi-Mount holsters. The UltraLight backpacks are the lightest weight photo backpacks on the market. The Signature shoulder series are designed for wedding and other event photographers.
Click here to take advantage of the sale.
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Yellowknife 2019 dates
I've scheduled next year's aurora trip to Yellowknife for Sept. 21 - 28. This trip will be limited to 6 participants. If this trip fills up, I am able to add another trip immediately following, but I'll need to fill the first trip first before the second trip is triggered.
For more information, visit my Auroras Tour Page.
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Newport, OR photo conference
Just a heads up. In October 2019, Out of Chicago Photo Conferences will be traveling to Newport on the Oregon Coast and I’ve been asked to be one of the instructors.
These events are big, with 10 - 15 instructors so you can learn all sorts of things from all sorts of people.
This is scheduled for October 13-17, 2019 but hasn't been officially announced yet. If you'd like, I can send you an email when the conference is open to registration, just reply to this email and let me know.
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Other planned trips
Colorado Mountains and Wildflowers
As mentioned above, Don Mammoser and I are planning a trip for July 2019: a return to Colorado for wildflowers and mountain landscapes. This trip will include a jeep trip that goes places to which no one in their right mind would ever drive their own vehicles.
This is a trip we've done in the past and it's always been a blast.
The date has been set to July 16 - 21 based out of Ouray, CO. All the rest of the details are still pending. If you're interested, reply to this email and I'll put you on the list to be notified first.
 Silver Falls in the autumn
I'm planning another autumn trip to Silver Falls State Park in Oregon. This will be right before the Newport conference. Most likely starting on October 9. This trip involves hiking! Up and down hiking. The trails aren't long and post no problems for most people in average shape. But if you have balance or footing problems, haven't done much, if any hiking, or if you can remember the 60s, you might want to give this one a second thought.
This is quickly becoming one of my favorite fall color destinations. (It helps that I don't have to get on an airplane to get here.)
I'll be finalizing plans for this trip soon. Let me know if you want to be on the early notice list.
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An Antarctic Opportunity
A friend of mine is going back to Antarctica in January 2021 on a sailboat that is limited to 8 passengers/participants. Want to go?
The advantage of a small boat and a small group are many: you’re closer to the water level for better wildlife photos as well as a wonderful perspective for photographing icebergs; a small group means that there are fewer people competing for spots and fewer people to get in the way of your shot; and shore excursions are much, much easier with a small group. And a small boat can get into places the bigger ships can't.
Because this is on a sailboat, things are a little tight and you'll likely be sharing a cabin as well as a bathroom. Things aren't fancy and there's no promenade deck where you can go to stretch your legs or just get away for a bit. The boat is named the Ocean Tramp. You can get a look at it on the company’s website: http://www.quixote-expeditions.com/
The tour starts and ends in Punta Arenas. You’ll be flown to and from Antarctica, so no seasick inducing water crossing.
This is a trip for the slightly adventurous!
The cost of this tour will be in the $15,000 - $16,000 range. That includes the flights to/from Antarctica from Punta Arenas, 10 full days in Antarctica and I believe 2 nights at a lodge in Port Williams. You’ll need to get yourself to Punta Arenas in time, so plan on a day or two on either side of the tour for travel to and from your home.
This is not a cheap trip, but it is a great deal less than a lot of other trips. Plus, way fewer people to walk in front of your lens and a much more intimate connection with one of the most spectacular places on the planet.
So I’m gauging interest in this trip. If there’s enough interest (that is, enough to fill the sailboat) I would consider chartering the entire boat, possibly saving some money on the cost.
Regardless, if this is a trip you’d be interested in, whether or not I’m involved, let me know and I can at least put you in touch with my friend and he can share the specifics.
Note: he is not leading this trip. He is going no matter what and is passing along this opportunity. So if you opt to go, do so with the knowledge that there will be no instruction or photo guidance.
Of course, if things work out and I can go, I’ll be happy to help in any way I can.
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Happy Thanksgiving!
Well, that's enough for now. Until next month, have a great Thanksgiving/football/movies weekend!
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