| What are the goals of the workshop? |
The main goals of the workshop are to learn and have fun doing it! Learning shouldn't be tedious - we try to make it fun.
We want you to leave with some great images and the knowledge to keep taking them!
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| What is difference between a Workshop and a Tour? |
A Workshop is where we meet as a group at a specific location (usually a hotel/motel) where we have a classroom set up. We take pictures once or twice daily and hold classes. We provide all transportation from the hotel/motel to/from the photo sites. All transportation, classes and guide fees are included in the price. Any other expenses (i.e., lodging, transportation
to/from the workshop, food, telephone, etc) are your responsiblity.
A Tour is where we meet as a group at a pickup point (usually an airport or other central location) and we provide all transportation from that
point. We will drive you to two or more sites where we will stay for one or more nights each site. We will return you to the pickup point at the end of the tour. All transportation (from the pick-up point and returning to the pick-up point),
lodging and guide fees are included in the tour price. Any other expenses (i.e.,
transportation to/from the pick-up point, food, telephone, etc) are your responsibility.
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| Do we ever cancel workshops or tours? |
Unlike most other photo tour and workshop vendors,
we never cancel workshops or tours because of too few participants. As long as one person is paid in full, we WILL hold the workshop or tour.
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| What kind of photographer are the workshops
geared towards? |
Our workshops are geared towards all level photographers.
We can do this because we keep our workshops very small - 6 people or less. When
taking pictures in the field, each person will get personalized attention.
Beginners that want to get up to speed FAST will really appreciate this approach.
Personalized attention means they will get out of the workshop what they came for.
Advanced amateurs can fast-forward their photography to the next level
with this approach.
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| What Equipment should I bring? |
You should bring at least one digital camera plus a backup if you have one. Be sure to bring extra batteries and memory cards - you always want to have an extra set of charged batteries with you when taking pictures. Some
sort of stabilization device is recommended - i.e., a tripod or a beanbag - but
not required. If you have a laptop with imaging editing software, you will want to bring that as well.
Each workshop has a recommended list of equipment to bring as the subject matter
varies from one workshop to another.
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| What's a typical day's schedule like? |
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Early Morning |
Shooting in the field |
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Mid Morning |
Breakfast, Classroom/Computer & Image review |
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Afternoon |
Free time |
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Late Afternoon/Dusk |
Shooting in the field |
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Early Evening |
Dinner & Image Review |
Travel days often include either classroom or field photography as well.
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| What's covered in the classroom instruction? |
The classroom instruction covers the concepts that we will practice when taking pictures in the field. These include topics like Depth of Field, RAW vs JPEG shooting modes, RAW workflow, using Aperture Priority mode, Exposure compensation, Metering, AutoFocus issues, etc. Also covered a critiques and other field techniques.
Also included is a course outline.
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| What's covered in the field sessions? |
When shooting in the field, we'll go to a location that's ideal for photography. We'll spend some time shooting together to review composition,
camera settings and exposure. Then you're free to shoot on your own or stay with your guide to ask questions, get guidance, etc.
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| What's covered in the computer sessions? |
The computer instruction includes review of techniques using Photoshop CS2. Techniques such as batch processing, RAW file processing, Levels, Curves, Saturation, Sharpening, Layers, Adjustment Layers, Layer Masks, etc.
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| Is film photography covered? |
Our workshops specialize in digital photography. Although
we don't specifically cover film photography and film processing is not supplied, many of the techniques that we cover can apply to both digital and film photography.
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| Who will teach the workshop? |
Your workshop will be taught by Bert Sirkin. Bert Sirkin (PhotoBert) has been a professional photographer and photo educator for over 30 years and has is the originator of PhotoBert CheatSheets - helping people understand their cameras in no-nonsense English. As a photography and computer instructor and NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals) member and Photoshop Instructor, Bert can help you maximize your time on the computer with programs like Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.
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| What kind of clothes should I bring? |
This depends much on the location and time of year of the workshop. Be sure to bring good walking shoes as we may be walking on uneven terain (grass, dirt, etc). We won't be doing any serious hiking, but you should be prepared to walk up to a mile per session. We will provide specific clothing recommendations
prior to the workshop/tour.
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| How strenuous are the workshops? |
Photography is our goal - not hiking! We try to keep the walking/hiking to a minimum
and the photography to a maximum. You should, however, be able to comfortably walk
a mile or so over uneven terain.
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| What is and is not included in the workshop/tour
fee? |
The workshop fee includes all transportation to/from our hotel
and photo sites, classroom instruction, field sessions and your guide. Each
participant is responsible for his/her own transportation (air, rental car, etc)
to/from the hotel/motel. We will provide the transportation from the hotel/motel
to the photo sites. Meals and lodging expenses are not included in the
workshop fee.
The tour fee includes all transportation to/from our pickkup point
- usually an airport or other central location, lodging, field sessions and your
guide. Each participant is responsible for his/her own transportation (air, rental
car, etc) to/from the central pickup point. We will provide the transportation between
the pickukp point, the different hotels/motels and the photo sites and will return
you to the drop-off point (usually the same as the pickup point). Lodging expenses
are included. Meal expenses are not included
in the workshop fee.
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| How do I arrange for lodging reservations? |
For workshops we generally arrange for a block of rooms, depending upon location and the hotel/motel. We recommend you book your room as soon as you book the workshop. For tours, we take care of all of the lodging
arrangements.
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| What if there's bad weather? |
We don't cancel a workshop unless there is a forecast of very severe weather. Once at a location, our schedule is partialy dictated by the weather. If raining at a scheduled field trip, we may substitute a classroom session, re-schedule the field trip until later in the day or hold a critique session. We can't always have good weather, but we can always have fun!
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| How do I pay for a workshop? |
We accept all major credit cards. A deposit of 50% is required at the time of booking a workshop. Full payment is required 45 days before the workshop.
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| What is the cancellation policy? |
Cancellations up to 60 days prior to a workshop start date are refundable in full less a 10% handling charge. Cancellations less than 60 days from the workshop start date are refundable only if we can fill your seat.
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| How do I register? |
You can register by calling us at 860-656-7446.
Registering requires a 50% deposit. A deposit and completed
Assumption of Risk, Waiver and Release of Liability form will reserve
a place for you on a PhotoBert workshop. Deposits and trip payments may be made
by a check drawn on a US bank or via Credit Card. Full payment of the trip fee is
due 60 days prior to the departure date. We reserve the right to treat your reservation
as canceled if final payment is not received when due per our cancellation policy
above. All workshop fees are in US dollars and must be paid in US dollars.
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