Spring Bluff Fen

The Fen is a mosaic of upland, wetland, and wooded remnant plant communities and is home to over a dozen threatened and endangered species. Over a mile of trails allow you to explore the Fen.

Our outing is at the Spring Bluff Fen (SBF) in Elgin, IL. Lou and Todd Nettelhorst are providing individualized coaching to help you explore your own photographic styles. The two, as always, will scout the week before to determine the locations within the Fen to give us subject variety for our photo adventure. Participants are sent final instructions the week before.

The following Thursday evening, October 19 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm, Lou and Todd will host an online critique/feedback session, discussing sample images from each participant. Instructions for uploading your images and signing on are provided following the Outing.

All of Lou and Todd’s workshops, outings, classes and lessons include Lou’s learning cycle, which is to provide INFORMATION, give opportunities to PRACTICE using the information, and then receive FEEDBACK on the practice results. It’s all about the fun of learning by doing. We’re helping you discover and explore your artist within!!

ABOUT THE LEADERS

Lou Nettelhorst is an accomplished, artistic photographer who shares his extensive knowledge on revealing nature’s beauty through workshops, seminars, classrooms, publications, and exhibitions. A photo editor summed up Lou’s photographs as follows, “Intensity, powerful color, bouncing form, and dramatic, emotional play characterize Lou’s creative photographic style. As a viewer, you’ll want to crawl into Lou’s scenes and become one with the flora and fauna!”

Todd Nettelhorst is also an accomplished, artistic photographer, as well. His charismatic energy and unique photographic perspective is very contagious. He has a passion for the visual arts and helping others bring out the best in their creative abilities.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This workshop is designed for all photographic experience levels. It is important, however, that participants be familiar with their equipment and its operation.

EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

A digital SLR camera with a battery of lenses that may capture wide-angle to telephoto and macro subjects and a sturdy tripod are recommended. If you don’t have a macro lens, using extension tubes with a telephoto lens are a wonderful substitute. A polarizing filter is a good idea to cut glare off the leaves and enrich the color. A Hoodman loupe allows you to see your LCD screen without glare. Other accessories suggested are: blower and lens cloth, extra batteries and plenty of flash or memory cards, diffusion disk and reflector, remote control, flashlight, sun screen, knee pads/kneeling pad and a ground cloth. Equipment carts will not work because of the unevenness of the trails. You will need to carry your equipment in a backpack or vest. BTW: newer camera phones can take excellent photos, especially for documenting plants and scenes. AND: Don’t forget your camera manual!

A few Hoodman loupes, reflectors and diffusion disks, plus extension tubes for Canon and Nikon will be available for participants to use.

DRESS and PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Fall weather can be quite variable. Be sure to check the forecast and dress accordingly. Physical Requirements: Easy to Moderate. We’ll be walking narrow trails which may cross very small creeks.  Waterproof shoes are recommended because the area is a wetlands, but also, prairie and woodlands, depending where we explore. 

TRANSPORTATION and MEALS

Participants are responsible for transportation to and from the outing. You must bring water, and we recommend some snacks, even a sandwich for lunch. It is very important to remain hydrated.

DATE and TIME

Outing: Saturday, October 14th, 2017, 7:30 am – 12:00 pm at Spring Bluff Fen, Elgin, IL.

Online Critique/Feedback Session: Thursday, October 19th, 2017, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

REGISTRATION FEES

$90 (non-refundable, unless a replacement participant is provided, in which case, a $15 administrative fee is charged) The fee includes coaching during the outing and a two-hour critiquing session. Maximum/minimum: 14/4 participants

Terms & Conditions

“There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.” ~ Ansel Adams