Cigars were cheap back in the day. This pile of cigar boxes molders away in the Boone General Store
Bodie Magic Light/High-Elevation Starscapes/Bodie Interiors
June 15th (afternoon/evening) and 16th
Bodie Moonrise/Fall Colors/Bodie Interiors, September 28th and 29th, 2012
(this September workshop is now full, unless someone in this workshop would like to move to the June workshop to make room for another person in the workshop)
Friday we drive to Bodie, reaching there mid afternoon, unless you want to come earlier for more exterior shots. We'll be spending a special afternoon and evening in this amazing ghost town, enjoying "magic light" and later, a full moon rising over the town (September only), weather permitting. Saturday we'll meet again in Bodie at about 9 a.m., putting in a long and productive day photographing Bodie interiors. We finish about 4 p.m. We guarantee you'll be happily exhausted.
I’ve been leading field trips to the ghost town of Bodie and the eastern Sierra Nevadas for years and look forward to returning again. Once again, I have the go-ahead to lead two private workshops, limited to ten people INSIDE the buildings in Bodie, with its photogenic jumble of slowly deteriorating artifacts. The small number of participants ensures more time for everyone to take the photos they want. After our afternoon and evening in Bodie (after 5 p.m., we have the whole town to ourselves except for staff), we will spend all of Saturday exploring Bodie. Only a handful of people per year have this amazing opportunity. We’ll drive from El Dorado County on Friday morning, stopping in September for any fall colors (and an early lunch at Sorensen's Resort in Hope Valley for those who are interested) along the way, overnight in Lee Vining or Bridgeport (you pay for accommodations and food). This is probably the most reasonably priced Bodie workshop of this kind. All skill levels welcome. Because of the tight time schedule and full shooting schedule, there will be no critiquing during the workshop itself, although we can look at LCD screens together as time permits. Because only five people can fit in the buildings at any one time (three in the mortuary, more in the Stamp Mill), the instructors are required to stay outside unless someone leaves early. That means no hands-on instruction inside.You'll get a detailed guide to Bodie photography and night photography ahead of time and we do follow up critiques online.
Cost: $400. Lunch on Saturday is included.At this point we ask that you bring your own "eat on the run" food for the Friday afternoon/evening session, since we'll be working so fast and hard there won't be time for a real meal, which would have to be in the parking lot because of park regulations (a bit of a walk at this high altitude).
For extensive photos of Bodie, check out this link.
Bodie is a physically challenging place, since it is at an altitude of 8600 feet in a high desert environment. Hydration is critical. Weather can be changeable here and even in late September/early October we can get snowstorms, so bring layered clothing and chains for your vehicle (or travel via 4WD). Wind is common. Morning and evening temperatures are typically freezing or even below (dress super warm for the evening shoot), but daytime temps can warm up quickly.I'll bring some hand warmers for anyone interested.
Bring camera, camera manual, extra cards and batteries, and a tripod. A loaner tripod is available.
For more info, contact Betty.