What to Bring

When you make the commitment to attend this workshop and make all the arrangements for your trip, you will certainly want to arrive with what you need. While gear doesn’t make the artist, having a checklist handy while you are packing can prevent being in a beautiful place with a dead battery and no charger.

The following is a list of basic items to consider for your packing list to optimize your time at the workshop.

Camera: Bring your DSLR, or any camera on which you can manually adjust your aperture, shutter speed and ISO. If you have a backup body and/or a favorite point and shoot camera, bring them along too.

Camera Manual: For each camera you bring along, make sure its manual comes too.

Comfortable Carrying System: Make sure the carrying system you choose to carry your equipment in the field is comfortable and easy for you.

Batteries: Extra batteries can save the images at the end of a long day in the field or in cold temperatures. Be sure to have at least 1 or 2 extra batteries as well as the battery charger for your model.

Memory Cards: Include extra memory cards. Shooting in RAW is recommended, and those large files can fill up a card quickly.

Lenses: Include all your favorite lenses to cover from a wide angle (17-20mm) up to a telephoto focal length (100-400mm) or as much of that range as you have. If you have a specialty lens like a macro, the Lensbaby or a fisheye, be sure to bring it. A workshop is a great time to try an old lens in a new way.

Tripod: Be sure to include a sturdy tripod. Even with the wonderful advancements in lenses with image stabilization, a tripod is still a necessity for a stunning image in some situations, especially in low light (dawn/dusk) and night shots.

Flashlight or headlamp: A flashlight is always helpful and can be a necessity when walking in or out of shooting locations in the dark. It can also be very useful for light painting when shooting at night.

Filters: Bring filters if you have them. The one filter to make sure you have in your bag is the circular polarizer.

Laptop: Bring your laptop with power cord, your favorite photo-editing software and your card reader. Also bring a USB memory stick. This will be required to transfer your selected images to our computers for critiques.

Our classroom will have desk space and power outlets so each student can set up an individual work station. Free Wi-Fi is available at the main office of the motel. It may be available in our classroom, but please do not count on it.

Clothing: Dressing in layers is the best way to go. Our field outings may span many hours in the day, temperatures, and even elevation changes. A rain poncho is always a good addition to your camera bag. Check the extended weather forecast and come as prepared as you can. Good comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots are a must. A hat for protection from the sun, or warmth if in a cold climate, is a good item to include.

Average high temperatures in early October are typically around 85-90°F. Temperatures within the area can range by 10 or 15 degrees depending on elevation. The lower desert areas are much warmer than the mountains. Typical low temperatures can be around 60°F. The rainfall average in October is about 2 inches.

Toiletries and medications: Don't forget your medications and personal toiletries. It's a great idea to carry your medications with you in your carry-on bags if you are flying. Sunscreen and lip balm are always good items to bring along.

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Windmill at Dugout Wells

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Policies

Below are the policies, terms and conditions of this workshop. If you have any questions, please contact TJ Avery.

My Pledge to You

My purpose in this workshop is to teach and guide you. I will not shoot photos for myself during the workshop except for the occasional snapshot of the group at work or of the landscape for the purpose of teaching (e.g. using the scene for illustrative purposes later in the classroom). I.e. I will not wander off alone with my camera and tripod and shoot the landscape; I will visit with you and interact with you during our field outings.

Badlands

Payment for the Workshop

When you reserve a spot on a workshop, you will be notified of the amount of the deposit. If your deposit is not received within 10 working days of the date on your invoice, your position can be released. I will notify you that your spot is being released before doing so in case there was a problem with receiving your deposit payment.

Any remaining workshop tuition is due 90 days prior to the start of the workshop (July 5, 2012). You will receive notification that your remaining tuition is due prior to the 90-day cut-off. If your remaining tuition is not received by the due date on your invoice, your space on the workshop is subject to being released to the waiting list. I will notify you that your spot is being released.

Once your spot is reserved via your deposit, the cancellation policies listed below are in effect.

Cancellations

- More Than 120 Days Prior:

If your cancellation is received more than 120 days prior to the beginning of a workshop, all of your deposit will be refunded to you, except for a $50 administrative fee.

- 91 to 120 Days Prior:

If your cancellation is received between 91 and 120 days prior to the beginning of a workshop, all of your deposit will be retained. The only exception to this is that if the workshop is full and I fill your reservation on the workshop. In that case, all of your deposit will be refunded to you except for a $75 administrative fee.

All tuition is due 90 days from the start of the workshop (July 5, 2012).

- 31 to 90 Days Prior:

If your cancellation is received between 31 and 90 days prior to the beginning of a workshop, all tuition is retained. The only exception to this is that if the workshop is full and I fill your reservation on the workshop. In that case, all money will be returned to you except for a $100 administrative fee.

- 30 Days or Less:

If your cancellation is received 30 days or less prior to the beginning of a workshop, all tuition is retained. Because I am extremely busy preparing for the workshop inside 30 days, I may not have time to actively try to fill your position. I will send out an announcement indicating that an opening is available. I may have to put you in touch with anyone interested in taking the position. It may be up to you and the interested party to workout a payment price and arrangement.

Transfer of Deposit and Tuition for Cancellations

If your cancel your workshop space and your vacated position is filled, you have the option to transfer your money to another workshop with available space for the current year. If the new workshop tuition is more than the one from which you are canceling, you will be responsible for the difference. If the new workshop tuition is less than the one from which you are canceling, I will refund the difference you have paid to you.

It is not my policy to transfer deposits or tuition from one year to the next.

In the very rare and unfortunate situation where I am forced to cancel a workshop due to circumstances beyond my control (earthquakes, floods, storms, etc in the workshop area), all of your deposit and tuition will be returned.

Grapevine Hills

What the Tuition Covers

The tuition covers the cost of the workshop. Transportation to and from the workshop, lodging, rental car (if needed), and meals are the responsibility of the participant. Entry fees to the national park are also the responsibility of the participant.

Making Travel Plans

I suggest that you not make non-refundable travel plans prior to 60 days before the start of the workshop. There are also companies that will provide travel insurance for your trip.

Equipment Insurance

I strongly suggest that you insure all of your equipment prior to leaving for a workshop.

How to Register for a Workshop

Please contact me (TJ Avery) by email and request registration. I will send you all the details.

Weather Permitting

Our shooting sessions in the field will always be weather permitting. In the event of adverse weather, we will opt out of our field shoots and spend time in the classroom. There will be plenty to learn and discuss, and we'll even do some shooting exercises inside. Typical rain events in the area usually do not last very long.

I will do our best to ensure that your time in the classroom and the field is meaningful and productive, and that a comfortable learning environment exists for you.

Guests

Spouses are welcome to join us during the workshop except during the classroom sessions. They are welcome in the field during our shoots, but they will not receive any photographic instruction. They are most welcome to join us for meals.

Any other guests traveling with you are asked not to participate in any workshop activities except evening meals.

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Window to the Milky Way

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Feedback and Testimonials

"This was awesome. I loved that you were there to help the entire time and didn't leave us out on our own while you were off taking pictures- makes a huge different vs. the workshops that don't do that." - Shanda (Big Bend, Oct. 2011)

"This is my first workshop and I loved it, both the workshop and the people. It is totally worth my time and money and helped me a lot with night shoot techniques, general composition and photography in general. I am definitely interested in other workshops you may have. Please keep me in the loop." - Naga (Big Bend, Oct. 2011)

"It was a blast. I was able to learn/advance techniques for night photography. Sadly my home (up north) doesn't offer a place to practice! Your first workshop was wonderful, what a great collection of people. Perfect balance of field/workshop/sleep. Well done. I will recommend you to friends." - Scott (Big Bend, Oct. 2011)

"Definitely worth it. Loved the field outings and group shoots and getting to learn the park more in depth. Appreciate your knowledge of the park and willingness to help and answer any question. The group came together well too." - Launa (Big Bend, Oct. 2011)

"Had a great time. It was absolutely worth it. I hope I can remember half of what I learned." - Wes (Big Bend, Oct. 2011)

"Learned a lot. Definitely worth it. Very beneficial. Can't wait to apply all I learned. Had a great time!" - Oscar (Big Bend, Oct. 2011)

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Church in Terlingua Ghost Town

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Sun and Moon Calendar

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Crosses in Terlingua Ghost Town

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