Mentor Series
Mar 24, 2015 12:51:22 #
I was reading my latest copy of popular photography and saw a mentor series on the smoky mountains. I would love to do this but wondered if any of the hoggers have done a mentor series and what your experiences were. I am hesitant to spend all that money and not enjoy myself. I am a little shy with new people, but we could drive there and that would be a plus. any thoughts, or comments. thanks so much. deb P.S. I hope that I would be able to do it by the time September comes, with my bummed up right ankle and knee.
Mar 24, 2015 13:04:01 #
For those of us who do not read, "Popular Photography", what is the Mentor Series? Is it a tour with a photography class thrown in? If so I think you should go for it. Most of these are great fun and well worth the cost if you are interested in taking some great pictures in that area.
So you are shy around new people. Get over it and take some great pictures. Keep thinking in your mind, What bad could possibly happen? Whatever it might be they can't kill and eat me.
Good luck and show us your photos when you come back. My guess is you will have a great time and meet new friends.
Dennis
So you are shy around new people. Get over it and take some great pictures. Keep thinking in your mind, What bad could possibly happen? Whatever it might be they can't kill and eat me.
Good luck and show us your photos when you come back. My guess is you will have a great time and meet new friends.
Dennis
Mar 24, 2015 13:15:58 #
dennis2146 wrote:
For those of us who do not read, "Popular Pho... (show quote)
Only on Craigslist do they kill and eat you.
I have been on a couple of "photo treks" and they have been great fun as well as a great learning opportunity with great photo op's as a bonus.
You spend time with people with the same interests and share in the fellowship.
Go for it!
Mar 24, 2015 17:17:57 #
thanks dennis, just wanted to know if anyone had ever gone to one and what was their thoughts. I am working on getting over being shy. deb
dennis2146 wrote:
For those of us who do not read, "Popular Pho... (show quote)
Mar 24, 2015 17:19:41 #
thanks for the comment. I am seriously thinking about it. deb
tradio wrote:
Only on Craigslist do they kill and eat you.
I have been on a couple of "photo treks" and they have been great fun as well as a great learning opportunity with great photo op's as a bonus.
You spend time with people with the same interests and share in the fellowship.
Go for it!
I have been on a couple of "photo treks" and they have been great fun as well as a great learning opportunity with great photo op's as a bonus.
You spend time with people with the same interests and share in the fellowship.
Go for it!
Mar 24, 2015 18:23:11 #
grandmadeb wrote:
I was reading my latest copy of popular photograph... (show quote)
Groups can be fun, though not everybody likes them. But if you decide you don't want the group thing, that's OK too! Go with a friend, your significant other, or alone. When I was exploring the Smokies and Blue Ridge last fall, I met such an interesting lady, who was 90 years old, about 5 ft tall, and still driving those parks every fall alone in a big old pickup truck, hiking short hikes and snapping pictures. She had two walking sticks and had a couple of "new" knees but she was still going. When I feel old and worn out (which I kinda am:)), I remind myself about her.
Mar 24, 2015 20:10:24 #
lighthouse
Loc: No Fixed Abode
minniev wrote:
Groups can be fun, though not everybody likes them... (show quote)
She sounds like a Legend!!!
Mar 24, 2015 20:29:16 #
lighthouse wrote:
She sounds like a Legend!!!
I still wish I'd been brave enough to ask to take a photo. (Graham would have in a second). Her outfit alone was enough to make you smile, kind of like a modern Davy Crockett style but with an Indiana Jones hat. She was a retired university professor who loved the outdoors.
Mar 25, 2015 06:11:21 #
thanks Minnie v, since I am just getting over 3 months of forced inactivity due to a broken rt ankle and knee, I really enjoyed your note about the 90 year old. sometimes I feel 90 even though I am just 65. accidents tend to make you feel old. I went to Tennessee with my daughter, son in law and 2 granddaughters but I had no say when to stop. I would love to just poke around by myself. deb
minniev wrote:
Groups can be fun, though not everybody likes them... (show quote)
Mar 25, 2015 06:26:24 #
I saw the same ad. I have been down to the Smokies for about 3 years in a row for a week with some Navy buddies. Instead of spending the money, have a friend go with you to drive and take a road trip. Gatlinburg is a fantastic place to go and make sure you go up to Klingsman's Dome, the highest place in the Park. It is a beautiful place and one you can do without a "mentor Good luck.
Mar 25, 2015 07:55:32 #
I understand where you are coming from on the shy side, Deb. I am 69, don't like crowds or much interacting with a lot of people. Since I live in the mountains of NC I decided to risk a weekend class with Don McGowan and it was wonderful. He is an excellent teacher of photography but also of our precious mountains. He was the photographer for Friends of the Smokies for fourteen years and has hiked every spot available, plus he can tell you the history and legends of the area. His classes are kept small. I have been on several now and the folks are always warm and friendly, as are he and his wife. They are in their sixties and have had knee/hip surgeries so they understand being cautious. He feels the less hiking the more shooting and I like that. I'm going on a week with him at Cades Cove and the Smokies this next week. Check out his website at earthsongphotography.com. Good luck and definitely take your photo trip, with a class or friend. Judy.
grandmadeb wrote:
I was reading my latest copy of popular photograph... (show quote)
Mar 25, 2015 08:37:09 #
I've taken the photo workshop offered by the Tremont Institute at the Smokies on two different occasions. One in the spring and one in the fall. Both were very well taught by a staff of highly thought of photographers and had a good mix of all levels of students, from beginners on up.
The cost is only $600 and includes lodging and all food for the three days. I can highly recommend it.
Do a search for it on Tremont at the Smokies.
The cost is only $600 and includes lodging and all food for the three days. I can highly recommend it.
Do a search for it on Tremont at the Smokies.
Mar 25, 2015 09:37:57 #
I have been a few Mentor trips. The have well known Photo leaders normally 2. HOWEVER the group size is around 30 people. what they do is have you present 5 photos from the day to the leader who will critique them. The leaders are always helpful. BUT I find the large group size not useful. I prefer groups of no more than 6 people/leader.
Mar 25, 2015 14:29:31 #
sam3
Loc: Mitchell, indiana
Consider "Road Scholar" for photography classes in several places in the US. My wife and I have taken 3 classes with RS and have enjoyed, learned a great deal and met several excellent teachers and students. Classes are limited to about 15 max students and have 2 instructors. Costs are very nominal and include lodging (always top notch), meals and traveling during class days. You are on your own getting to the locations.
The 3 locations we have participated in are: a ranch in Colorado; Cortez, Colorado (4 Corners) and Northwoods Wisconsin. RS offers many more locations for photography than the 3 we've attended. All levels of expertise are welcomed. All instructors are pros and many of the students are very knowledgable and helpful.
Just go to roadscholar.com for all info.
The 3 locations we have participated in are: a ranch in Colorado; Cortez, Colorado (4 Corners) and Northwoods Wisconsin. RS offers many more locations for photography than the 3 we've attended. All levels of expertise are welcomed. All instructors are pros and many of the students are very knowledgable and helpful.
Just go to roadscholar.com for all info.
Mar 25, 2015 15:50:08 #
Go by all means. I have been to several workshops and they are great. As to the shyness issue, I can relate. It has been my experience that the folks that go to these are very friendly and helpful. I have several friends through workshops. It's nice to be around people with the same interest.
Further, the Smokeys are a photo wonderland. I have been three times and am going this April to a workshop sponsored by NANPA. You won't regret your decision.
Further, the Smokeys are a photo wonderland. I have been three times and am going this April to a workshop sponsored by NANPA. You won't regret your decision.
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