Day 1: Friday, December 3

Opening Reception and Keynote Address
6:00 to 8:30 p.m. - Macey Center, 801 Leroy Place

Tim Grey: The Journey

Photography, like life, is a journey. Along the way we change, our perspectives change, our passions change, and our photography changes. In this keynote presentation, celebrated author and educator Tim Grey will share part of his journey with you, providing insights into what has inspired him as he travels around the country and around the world making photographs and helping photographers improve their images. From his high school days when a photography class saved him from not being eligible to graduate, to developing his status as a computer geek and gaining professional nature photographer George Lepp as a mentor, to moments that helped him learn that a photographic image truly can convey so much more than the written word, you'll learn more about Tim - and more about yourself in the process. More importantly, you'll find some inspiration that just might influence how you look at the world, and how you look through your viewfinder. Includes an Italian sit down buffet dinner and cash bar served by Chartwell's.

Day 2: Saturday, December 4

Optional Field Workshop #1 - Cost: $75
Focusing on Bosque's Beautiful Sunrise and Snow Geese Blast Offs!

5:00 to 7:30 a.m. - Holiday Inn Express, 1040 N. California St.

Thousands of sandhill cranes, snow geese and other migratory birds at Bosque del Apache are why this is known as one of the world's best locations for bird photography. Don't miss those early morning blast-offs and brilliant sunrises that make Bosque so special. Participants will meet at the Holiday Inn Express and carpool to Bosque del Apache. Instructors: Greg Downing, Tim Grey, and Deb Sandidge

A Creative Approach to Digital Photography with Deb Sandidge

9:00 to 10:30 a.m. - Macey Center, 801 Leroy Place

A Creative Approach to Digital Photography will cover techniques ranging from interpretation of a subject for the best photographic outcome, to creatively enhancing an image in Photoshop. She will share with you innovative ways to shoot for special effects such as zooming, long exposure to convey motion, multiple exposures, shooting through glass, reflections, HDR, and Photomerge.

Working with images in Photoshop, Deb will show you how to easily use creative techniques such as adding a watery reflection, mirroring and composites for texture. In addition, Photoshop plug-ins will allow you to achieve artistic effects, as well as detail and color enhancement, thus providing additional creative alternatives for your own work.

On the Wing - Techniques for Avian Flight and Action Photography with Greg Downing

10:45 a.m to 12:15 p.m. - Macey Center, 801 Leroy Place

Learn the techniques Greg has perfected over the years for creating dynamic and engaging images of birds in action. Capturing birds flying, swimming, preening, feeding and otherwise going about their busy lives requires pre-visualization and proper planning. Greg will share images from around the world of birds "doing something" as he lets you into his thought process of how each was created.

Photoshop Workflow with Tim Grey

1:45 to 3:15 p.m. - Macey Center, 801 Leroy Place

A proper workflow for optimizing your images in Photoshop will help ensure you produce the very best results for every image. In this session Tim Grey will teach you the best approach to applying adjustments in Photoshop. Whether you're just getting started in Photoshop or are an old pro, you'll build a solid foundation and learn a great deal about all the adjustments that really matter for your photographic images. From the use of adjustment layers, to determining the best particular adjustments to use, to making decisions about the actual settings needed for a particular image, this session will significantly improve your confidence working in Photoshop. You'll also get a chance to see real-world examples of the benefits of some of Photoshop CS5's new features.

Optional Field Workshop #2 - Cost: $75
Focusing on HDR Techniques

4:00 to 5:30 p.m. - Holiday Inn Express, 1040 N. California St.

Explore downtown Socorro in early evening light - Socorro will provide some interesting subjects for HDR. Participants will carpool from the Holiday Inn Express to pre-determined locations. Instructors: Deb Sandidge

Optional Field Workshop #3 - Cost: $75
Focusing on Flight and Action Photography

4:00 to 5:30 p.m. - Bosque del Apache NWR

Photographing action and birds in flight can be pretty tricky. Learn secrets to capturing action and photographing birds in flight using simple easy to remember methods that will help you master the process and walk away with some inspiring images. Instructors: Greg Downing, Tim Grey

Day 3: Sunday, December 5

Optional Field Workshop #4 - Cost: $75
Focusing on Bosque's Beautiful Sunrise and Snow Geese Blast Offs!

5:00 to 7:30 a.m. - Holiday Inn Express, 1040 N. California St.

Thousands of sandhill cranes, snow geese and other migratory birds at Bosque del Apache are why this is known as one of the world's best locations for bird photography. Don't miss those early morning blast-offs and brilliant sunrises that make Bosque so special. Instructors: Greg Downing, Tim Grey, and Deb Sandidge

Outdoor Flash Photography Simplified - Techniques for Using Flash in Nature with Greg Downing

9:00 to 10:30 a.m. - Macey Center, 801 Leroy Place

Greg will share his simplified techniques for using flash for birds and wildlife outdoors and in the wild. Learn how to control the direction and intensity of the light whether you're using one flash or multiple flashes and learn how to balance it with daylight and when not to. There will be a special section of capturing hummingbirds in flight with a mock set up on site.

Digital Infrared Photography with Deb Sandidge

10:45 a.m to 12:15 p.m. - Macey Center, 801 Leroy Place

Digital Infrared Photography will illustrate the beauty of infrared photography as it applies to landscapes, architecture, birds and wildlife. This presentation is designed for photographers interested in digital infrared photography, as well as those currently shooting in infrared.

Using compelling infrared images created with her infrared converted cameras, and color/infrared comparisons, Deb will discuss in detail the best techniques to enable you to capture one-of-a-kind infrared images.

From understanding infrared light and filter choices, to imaginative techniques in photographing and in post-processing in Photoshop, Deb will share insightful and creative techniques that you can immediately apply to your infrared photography.

Targeted Adjustments with Tim Grey

1:45 to 3:15 p.m. - Macey Center, 801 Leroy Place

The ability to apply adjustments that affect only specific areas of an image is perhaps the greatest strength of Photoshop. Making those targeted adjustments involves creating selections and utilizing layer masks. In this session Tim Grey will go beyond the basics to show you an efficient and yet incredibly powerful approach to applying targeted adjustments. He'll teach you his favorite techniques for making accurate selections quickly, will demonstrate how to use selections, painting, and other techniques to create and modify layer masks, and will share his best secrets for maximizing the power of these often misunderstood capabilities of Photoshop. Even if you're already feeling confident in your ability to apply targeted adjustments in Photoshop, you'll likely learn a tremendous amount in this information-packed session.

Optional Field Workshop #5 - Cost: $75
Focusing on Infrared Photography

4:00 to 5:30 p.m. - Bosque del Apache NWR

The most dazzling landscapes await you Bosque del Apache and with the focus of this one being on infrared photography you are sure to walk away with some stunning images! Instructor: Deb Sandidge

Optional Field Workshop #6 - Cost: $75
Focusing on Using Flash in Nature

4:00 to 5:30 p.m. - Bosque del Apache NWR

As a follow up to the morning classroom workshop "Outdoor Flash Photography Simplified" Greg will teach a hands on workshop demonstrating various techniques for using flash for nature photography. In a small group setting Greg will answer all of you questions and offer a simplified process for calculating flash settings for various situations using TTL and Manual modes as well as when to consider flash as a supplemental lighting technique in your outdoor photography endeavors. Instructors: Greg Downing, Tim Grey

About the Instructors

Greg Downing
Greg has been traveling the world teaching professional and amateur photographers for more than a decade hosting his instructional workshops and seminars. Instructing photographers of all experience levels Greg has earned a reputation for his gracious and generous teaching style.

Greg's images are known for their unique style, exacting composition and strict attention to detail. As an internationally recognized photographer, his numerous publishing credits include books, advertising campaigns and editorial publications such as Birding Magazine, Outdoor Photographer Magazine, Birder's World, National Geographic and many others. Especially passionate about birds, his images can also be found in printed form in several Wildbird Centers on the east coast, as well as appearing in private art exhibitions.

In 2003 Greg founded www.NatureScapes.net with E.J. Peiker and Heather Forcier. Today Greg is the Publisher, President and sole owner of the company and overseas all operations from his home base in Parkton, Maryland.

As Greg travels the world taking pictures he enjoys meeting others, teaching and sharing his passion while making new lifelong friends in the process.

To see more of Greg's work visit his website at www.gdphotography.com.

Tim Grey
Tim Grey is regarded as one of the top educators in digital photography and imaging, offering clear guidance on complex subjects through his writing and speaking. He loves learning as much as he possibly can about digital imaging, and he loves sharing that information even more.

Tim has written more than a dozen books on digital imaging for photographers, including the best-selling Photoshop CS4 Workflow and Color Confidence. He has also had hundreds of articles published in magazines such as Digital Photo Pro, Outdoor Photographer, and PC Photo, among others. He publishes the Digital Darkroom Questions email newsletter, as well as the Digital Darkroom Quarterly print newsletter. Tim teaches through workshops, seminars, and appearances at major events. He is a member of the Photoshop World Dream Team of Instructors.

Deborah Sandidge
Photography has been part of award-winning professional photographer, Deborah Sandidge's life since she picked up her first camera - it has evolved into her passion.

Deborah is the author of Digital Infrared Photography published by Wiley. She is an instructor at BetterPhoto.com and shares her knowledge and enthusiasm for infrared photographers in online classes. She is the cofounder and Creative Director of the League of Creative Infrared Photographers, (www.irleague.com) which was established to promote the joy, excitement, and creativity of infrared photography.

Deborah's favorite photography subjects include Florida's birds and other wildlife, as well as its landscapes. Her travels, however, have not been limited to Florida's fascinating beauty; they have taken her from border to border of America and beyond to yield photography that stretches the imagination. She has had the joy and privilege of photographing areas ranging from Namibia, Africa, with its stunning dunes, primitive tribal villages, beautiful people, and sweeping coastlines, to the cities and towns of Switzerland, Germany, and France with their rich history, majestic mountains, tiny churches, soaring cathedrals, and captivating night scenes.

Deborah's passion is not only capturing images of people, places, and things with her digital cameras, but also in the enhancing, creative work she does in the digital darkroom.

Visit Deborah Sandidge's website: www.deborahsandidge.com
Follow Deb on Twitter: www.twitter.com/debsandidge

Additional Information

Weather:
The weather in December is can vary from quite cold with temperatures in the low teens to the high 60s. Dressing warmly and in layers is highly recommended. Don't forget your warm hat and gloves.

Travel Information:

Airport: Albuquerque, New Mexico (ABQ)

Host Hotel:
Holiday Inn Express
1040 N California Street
Socorro, NM 87801

Phone: 575.838.4600 Email: holidayexpsocorro@yahoo.com
Website: www.hiexpress.com/socorronm

Event Rate: $89/night, plus tax. Includes early morning breakfast arranged for the event.

Directions to Socorro from Albuquerque:
Leave airport on Sunport Blvd. - stay to your left on the exiting lane of the parking lot; you will then be heading West. Cross over the bridge and turn left at the stop sign - this will put you on I-25 going south. When you see the exit for Socorro (exit 150), take it. This will put you on California Avenue, the main street in town, going south.

Directions to Bosque del Apache from Socorro:
To reach the refuge from Socorro, drive eight miles south on I-25 to exit 139, continue east one-fourth mile on US 380 to the flashing signal at San Antonio, turn right onto Old Highway 1, continue south nine miles to the Visitor Center.

Not Included:
Lodging, Refuge entrance fees, incidentals, and meals other than Friday night.

Cancellation Policy:
Cancellation up to 30 days before the event.