Overview

COVID-19 NOTE: This is a specially arranged workshop designed to operate safely in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. All participants are expected to adhere to the protocols and guidelines outlined below under “Workshop Expectations.”

WEST VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS

The Potomac Highlands region of West Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains is one of the most scenic areas of the central Appalachians, at its best when brilliant autumn colors adorn the landscape. We invite you to join us for this exciting photo workshop, timed to operate during the peak of fall foliage among mountains densely covered in red maple, yellow birch, black cherry, spruce, and eastern hemlock trees. Color is everywhere at this time of year.

We will take advantage of the seasonal conditions in the surrounding mountain and valley landscapes, including several beautiful waterfalls, as well as excursions to Dolly Sods Wilderness, and Canaan Valley, the highest large valley east of the Mississippi.

Instructor Justin Black has photographed extensively in the area, and is very familiar with an array of locations. Working one-on-one with participants, Justin aims to improve your photographic vision and composition skills, understanding of how to use changing qualities of light and weather to your advantage, and ability to effectively control exposure. Though our focus will be photography in the field, Justin will also provide feedback during two socially-distanced constructive group critique sessions. He will also focus on composition and creative techniques, and fundamental workflow for digital printmaking.

Field sessions begin the evening of the first day. Thereafter, we plan to be out to photograph first light and evening light each day. During mid-day hours, Justin will make presentations on learning to see, and maximizing image potential through effective post-processing. Friday morning will be the final field session, followed by critique until we adjourn at 3:00 pm.

Scheduled during mid-week to avoid weekend tourist traffic, our base of operations will be Blackwater Lodge in Blackwater Falls State Park. We will also venture out to Dolly Sods, a Wilderness Area with sweeping vistas, wild blueberry bushes in crimson autumn color, rocks carved by wind and ice, and spruce-edged sphagnum bogs. Another superb location nearby is the Canaan Valley, the highest sizable valley east of the Mississippi River, a large wildlife refuge, numerous botanical communities, and extensive wetlands that provide an array of photographic possibilities, including vegetation frosted by morning fog.

The class size is limited to a small group of six to ensure that everyone gets the time and attention they need, both in the field and the classroom. We supply materials in advance of the session regarding digital camera set-up and techniques, equipment recommendations, and other guidelines to ensure that everyone is ready to make the most of the experience.

Note: Visionary Wild, LLC operates this workshop under a single-use permit issued by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

Itinerary

The workshop begins at 2:00pm on Monday, September 28, and ends by 3:00pm on Friday, October 2, 2020.

We will begin with an introductory orientation session, and field sessions begin the afternoon of the first day. Each day, we’ll be out to photograph first light before breakfast, and out for evening light before dinner. During mid-day hours  in our spacious, socially-distanced classroom at Blackwater Lodge, Justin will make presentations on composition, understanding and using light to best effect, and digital workflow. A constructive critique session will be held on Wednesday before returning to the field for photography in afternoon and evening light. Friday morning will be the final field session, followed by critique.  We will adjourn at 3:00 pm.

Instructors

    • Justin Black

    • JUSTIN BLACK is a photographer (www.justinblackphoto.com), writer, editor, expedition leader, photo workshops instructor, a Fellow ...

Gallery

Pricing

Single Occupancy $2,750 (Limited)

Full $2,750

Double Occupancy $2,500 (Limited)

Full $2,500

No Lodging $2,250 (Limited)

Full $2,250

Registrations after September 21, 2020 are subject to hotel availability. Please contact us to register for this workshop.

PRICING AND OCCUPANCY

All prices are per person.

This workshop is priced for either single-occupancy, or pro-rated double occupancy rates for couples or participants who have made arrangements to share a room with another participant; a no-lodging rate is available for participants who wish to make other arrangements for accommodations in the area.  We will not pair individuals who are not traveling together in the same room, so if you would like lodging included with your registration and you do not have arrangements to room with another participant, please select single occupancy registration.

PACKAGE INCLUSIONS

The workshop includes hands-on instruction in the field, classroom lectures, critiques, lodging for four nights (checking in on September 28, checking out on October 2) unless the no lodging rate was selected, all meals and snacks from dinner on September 28 to lunch on October 2, all non-alcoholic beverages, and wine or beer with dinner. As always, your instructor will be present to teach and assist students throughout the workshop.

PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION SCHEDULE

  • 100% due at time of booking to register
  • Cancellations before August 28, 2020 will receive a full refund less a 5% administrative fee
  • Cancellations between August 28 and September 13, 2020 will receive a 50% refund
  • No refund for cancellations on or after September 14, 2020

All other terms and conditions apply. Please review our terms and conditions even if you have participated in previous Visionary Wild trips so that you are aware of current policies.

Highlights

  • Small group of six participants
  • Highly experienced, inspiring, and gregarious instructor, attentive to your needs and eager to provide one-on-one assistance
  • Learn to use various qualities of light in dynamic situations
  • Composition and visualization
  • Hone your personal creative vision
  • Insightful and constructive critiques of your work, considered a highlight of our program
  • Eight field photography sessions, pre-dawn to mid-morning and mid-afternoon to twilight

Travel

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We ask that participants do not fly commercially to attend this workshop.
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Participants must arrive in a personal vehicle, which they will use when we drive as a group to field locations.
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Easy walks and short hikes at field locations.
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Highs around 65ºF and lows around 40ºF are common this time of year, as are a mix of sun, mixed clouds conditions, morning fog in low-lying areas, light rain, and or passing showers.

Expectations

COVID-19

We will be providing more detailed information about COVID-19 protocols during this workshop to registered participants, but in general all participants will be required to:

  • …use personal vehicles to travel to the workshop location, and to drive to field locations during the workshop. Participants traveling to the workshop together may share a common vehicle.
  • …respond to a brief health questionnaire within 48 hours prior to the workshop.
  • …wear masks at all times when with the group in an indoor setting, except when eating, and when within ten feet of other participants or other people we encounter during the workshop while outdoors.
  • …maintain at least a six foot distance from other people throughout the workshop.
  • …have their body temperature measured daily.
  • …bring hand sanitizer and have it available at all times.
  • …notify the instructor and remove themselves from the workshop group if they experience COVID-19 symptoms, a body temperature above 100.4ºF, or if they learn that they or a member of their household has been exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case up to 14 days prior to the workshop. Workshop fees will not be refundable if a participant has to exit the workshop for any reason.

We ask that all participants follow the CDC guidelines on protecting yourself and others as well as any state or local guidance in advance of the workshop. If a participant or members of his or her household are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone who has experienced symptoms of or been diagnosed with COVID-19, she or he will be asked not to attend the workshop.