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Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Workshop
A Photographer’s Color Paradise
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest balloon festival in the world! It is also the most photographed event in the world! This annual 9 day event takes place in October and features over 500 hot air balloons each year. The hot air balloons, their pilots, and of course visitors trek from all over the globe to celebrate and enjoy this incredible event!
Join us for a four-day photography workshop amidst these amazing seas of color photographing at sunrise, sunset and during all the great activities planned during the fiesta.
WORKSHOP: Friday, October 1 (6:30 pm) to Monday, October 4, 2021 (after dinner) – ABQ International Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque New Mexico
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
REGISTRATION FEE: $2,300 FULL PAYMENT / *$990 DEPOSIT (*non-refundable)
Max./min. participants: 12/4
Registration includes: lodging, instruction, transportation to/from Fiesta, admissions, and instructor costs.
SKILL LEVEL: All
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Easy to Moderate
LED BY: Lou Nettelhorst
ABOUT THE LEADER: Lou Nettelhorst is a NANPA Fellow, who is professionally accomplished as both a photographer of more than 25 years and an educator for over 50 years. Lou’s images have been published in Nature’s Best Photography, Outdoor Photographer, North American Nature Photography Association’s (NANPA) Member Showcase and Chicago Wilderness Magazine, as well as numerous other publications. His photography has also earned numerous fine art exhibition awards. Lou’s hallmark is his eagerness to share his professional experience while providing encouragement and humor in a teaching and coaching environment.
LOCATION: ABQ International Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Homebase – Hotel Block: Ramada Plaza by Wyndham, 2020 Menaul NE, Albuquerque – Friday, Oct. 1 – Tuesday, October 5 (checkout)
WORKSHOP EXPERIENCE: All of our workshops, classes and lessons include our learning cycle, which is to provide INFORMATION, give opportunities to PRACTICE using the information, and then receive FEEDBACK on the resulting practice. It’s all about the FUN of learning by doing. Participants will learn techniques of intimate and general landscape photography, which is tailored to their individual experience level. Lou is passionate about making great photographs. His goal is to help you do the same. He will help get you into position to capture some wonderful images. The workshop participants will attend five Balloon sessions of the Balloon Fiesta, riding the buses on Saturday and Sunday and our provided transportation on Monday morning.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: This workshop is designed to accommodate all levels of photographic experience. It is important, however, that participants be familiar with their equipment and its operation (bring your camera manual)
EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Lou will work with the equipment you have. If you are considering purchasing equipment prior to the workshop or have questions, feel free to contact Lou for assistance: info@nettelhorstimages.com [NOTE: These are only recommendations.]
- Digital SLR, Phone camera
- DSLR Lenses for various types of shooting
- Wide-angle, e.g., anything in 10 to 18 mm range
- Normal, e.g., anything in the 24 – 85 mm range
- Telephoto, e.g. anything in the 85 – 300 mm range
- Example lens combinations could be: 18-55mm and 70-300mm or 18-55mm and 70-200mm.
- My lens combination is: 10-22mm, 24-105mm and 100-400mm
- Sturdy tripod
- Polarizing Filter
- Neutral Density Filter
- External flash (optional)
- Hoodman Loupe
- Laptop
- USB flash drive
- Backpack or camera bag to carry equipment
- Accessories
- Extra batteries and charger
- Memory cards
- Cable release/Remote control
- Flashlight and/or headlamp
- Blower and lens cloth
- Camera manual
- Sunscreen
DRESS and PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: October weather in ABQ can vary! Come prepared for cool and warm conditions, e.g., 20° to 80°. Average October temps for ABQ are 42°/72° Check the forecast and plan accordingly. Physical requirements: appropriate for people in good health and average shape. We’ll be walking the Fiesta grounds, equivalent to 6-8 football fields.
TRANSPORTATION and MEALS: Participants are responsible for transportation to and from the workshop, hotel provides a free shuttle to/from airport. For breakfasts bring a cooler bag to carry selected a la carte continental breakfasts. All other meals are the participant’s responsibility. NOTE: Participants will eat together at lunch near the hotel. Dinner will be at Fiesta, Saturday and Sunday and near the hotel Monday evening.
*The registration fee is non-refundable unless the canceling party provides a replacement participant, in which case a $50 processing fee is charged. Full payment is due at least nine weeks prior to the workshop start, but no later than August 1, 2021. No exceptions to the above policy. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. All meals and any other miscellaneous expenses are the responsibility of the registrant.
CONTACT: info@nettelhorstimages.com
