Today we are all up before dawn and out there looking for the “best spot”.
The only trouble in our case is that we have no idea where we should go, so we tag along with everyone else who has no idea where to go ...
It ends up with a line of 40 people all taking very similar photos.
This is the sun coming up across the valley and illuminating the far wall. Unfortunately there is really nothing that could be called a “composition” in this location and what looks interesting to watch does not necessarily make a good photo.
We all return to the hotel for breakfast to learn that because we are part of a bulk booking at special rates for the seminar, contrary to normal practice, breakfast is not included in the tariff. This is a minor problem that can be fixed by a trip to the supermarket rather than purchase the hotel breakfast at $20 per person.
The seminar is divided into morning and afternoon sessions each divided into an artistic and a technical portion. We have been required to purchase and read the artistic presenter’s book before attending and are a little surprised to find that the presentations while not read from the book are very close parallels.
The technical sessions are conducted by a very well known and competent “guru” in the industry and are full of interesting information. Unfortunately the presenter is someone whose 200kg mass is exceeded only by the size of their ego!
Lunchtime comes and goes, “Please look after yourselves at the local restaurants ...”, and I manage to fall asleep only once in the afternoon. Around 4pm we are all dismissed again to go and do our own thing anywhere in the park.
After dinner, “There are many lovely local restaurants ...”, we are able to work on the photos we have taken during the day and can seek advice from the two presenters on artistic and technical improvements we can make. As there are about 40 participants, many of whom are attending for the 3rd or 4th time and have become very friendly with the organisers and presenters, it is not at all easy to obtain guidance. Eventually it all winds up at around 9pm and it’s time to head back to our rooms to prepare for the next morning’s dawn shoot.
There are some very odd people at this seminar but from what I have seen during the evening there are some obviously skilled people here. I must admit to feeling a little intimidated and am having trouble finding much worthwhile in what I have taken today.
Most of the places to go are creek walks in the canyons
And there is still some colour in the trees in this sheltered environment
But I am struggling desperately for interesting compositions
The terrifying thing is we are supposed to select our best image for general presentation and discussion on the last day.
At this stage I don’t have a good feeling ...
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