This session was attended by the max number of 15-18 that the Lanes allow.  All manor of skill levels were present.  Beginners who dusted off a camera they haven’t used for awhile to obviously well experienced individuals toting some really awesome cameras and lenses.  All, however, shared one thing in common; learn some technique while faced with some new photo op situations.  We were the only ones using cameras without interchangeable lens capability. 

Each day started at 5:30-6:00AM with the group heading out, caravan style, to await the sunrise.  I got the impression a couple first time workshop attendees were just a little taken aback by this especially when we trudged up a trail in the dark to position ourselves for the sunrise.  At each stop Bill would gather the group to fill us in on what to expect and to offer composition and exposure suggestions.  Bill and Linda would roam among us to answer questions and assist with “technical” problems. 

We spent all day Friday and Saturday in the field.  Unfortunately, rain forced us to cancel Sunday mornings field trip and retreat to a nearby classroom.  This 2-3 hour classroom session was actually VERY informative.  Bill covered technique, discussed equipment (tripods, reflectors, filters, lens, etc), and showed us some of his “toys”.  That l-o-n-g lens was one nice piece of glass!! 

As always we come away from a workshop having learned something.  This time around it was learning to see and photograph color being reflected off of flowing water.  I have to admit that the result is somewhat “artsy” but I can already see use for it as a background.  The exciting part of all this was learning to “see” what was going on in the first place.  In addition, Kathy, who usually goes the full auto route, spent the entire weekend on aperture priority and learned to make those water falls “flow”.  She learned how to lower the shutter speed by setting higher f-stops, lowering ISO, and putting the neutral density filter on the camera.  She’s come a long way in a couple years….