LOONS AND MORE
Hawks, MI
June 4th-6th, 2009 check in June 3rd
June 8th-10th, 2008 check in June 7th

This is one of our most popular and fast filling workshops. If you wish to capture the ultimate loon image(s) this is the workshop for you.

Join award winning photographers Charles Glatzer and Cheryl Ertelt for 3 days of loon photography on Lake Nettie near Hawks MI. Loons have been nesting on a small island near Nettie Bay Lodge for the last 8 years and the workshop is scheduled at a time when young chicks have most often been present in the past. These loons, while not tolerant of craft that are paddled, are very tolerant of the pontoon boat that we will be using. They frequently swim very close and even dive under the boat. This is a unique opportunity to get close to a very beautiful bird and observe and photograph a variety of behaviors. The set up for photographing the loons will be 4 participants and one leader on the lake at a time with each group shooting a 2 hour block of time in the morning and another 2 hours in the late afternoon or early evening. Time slots will alternate daily so everyone gets to shoot with the earliest and latest light. Charles and Cheryl will also alternate between the groups. The pontoon boat is set-up for shooting over the rail with tripod or laying flat on the deck of the boat. This low angle deck position is outstanding, offering a lower more intimate perspective. Our watercraft has been custom configured with most rails and all panels removed and trolling motors fore and aft to facilitate the best photography possible. And, our boat captain and host Mark, is second to none at piloting our craft.

During the off times, we will be shooting a variety of other subjects. Nettie Bay Lodge has an extensive set-up of bird feeders and numerous species are likely to be present including hairy and downy woodpeckers, yellow-bellied sapsucker, rose-breasted grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole, black-capped chickadee, white and red-breasted nuthatches and ruby-throated hummingbird. We will also try using a bird caller in the nearby wetlands to call in American bittern, Virginia rail and sora, and Barred owl.

For those wanting to extend their stay in the Northern MI area, we can give you suggestions and directions to other areas for other scenic or wildflowers photo opportunities.

As with all other trips, this is a workshop, not just a photo tour. Instruction is designed to enhance your visionary skills, as well as your technical execution. Special emphasis is placed on creating images with Visual Impact. Increase your proficiency while using compositional elements and light to design in-camera images that are a cut above. All Workshops now employ state of the art Digital Technology, allowing real time, in-field assessment of metering theory and compensation, composition, fill flash, DOF, etc. Daily critique sessions and Photoshop instruction will greatly add to the learning environment. Capture One and additional software for the digital photographer will be presented. Providing the most education for your dollar is paramount.

Testimonial -When I saw Charles Glatzer was offering a Loon Photo Workshop, I jumped on the opportunity. Finding a situation that gets you close enough for headshots of Loons and full frames of chicks displaying is a dream come true. Charles gets you close to the action and gives you hands on instruction to get the shot. If you think you know everything about photography, you will be stunned by all the tips and tricks Charles has to offer. Newbie photographers were making
magazine cover shots. Mark Schuler, our able guide, quickly brought us to the Loons and positioned us for good light and backgrounds. The birds were so accustomed to the boat that, at times, they would swim within arms reach of us. Additionally, there were many other photographic opportunities available such as Virginia rail, Ovenbird nesting, many feeder birds and an exotic red-eyed tree frog courtesy of Cheryl Ertelt who was our able co-leader.When not photographing, we ate incredibly delicious meals courtesy of Jackie Schuler. The dinner table banter had us laughing till it hurt so good.

Anticipating next year's 2005 trip,

Steve Feingold
NYC Audubon Society
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Re: 2004 Loons and More Workshop

The first thing that impressed me was that all photographers at all levels were made to feel welcome and were put at ease. It was very evident that Chas, Cheryl, and the owners of the lodge, Mark and Jackie, all loved what they do.

Michigan's loon population is making a comeback but they are still on the "endangered" list. I felt like I was standing on "holy ground" because I could photograph and watch the loons, in a non threatening way, as they would defend and nurture their chicks.

Chas and Cheryl put a great deal of thought and energy into creating many different photo opportunities. There were different habitats and unique lighting conditions on the pristine waters of Nettie Lake, the neighboring beautiful Northern Michigan woods, and the edge of marshlands. Each one presented a unique set of challenges and learning opportunities.

One of the things that impressed me the most was Chas' willingness to answer any and all of our questions. Finally, answers to all those pent up questions on fill flash, metering and post production processes! Some answers were given in several ways until he was sure it "clicked" with the participants. It was very obvious that his personal satisfaction came from our success.

Had I not gone to this workshop I would have spent years not understanding light by making compensations when none were necessary, and not adjusting when I should have. So many situations are simplified with incident metering that I can't wait to buy my own incident meter, (thanks Chas for the discount voucher). I left the workshop with many great images, but more importantly, with many new tools and ideas to carry in my backpack that will impact my work for the rest of my life. I will look at the world and light with "new eyes". Like the Terminator...."I'll be back".

Scott Kacos
Hudsonville, MI
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The fee for this workshop is $1950 and includes 6 scheduled shoots on the lake, 4 nights lodging in cabins at NettieBay Lodge, boat w/ captain extraordinaire, all incredible meals, and photo instruction. Sign up for both trips and receive a $100 discount.

Terms: A $500.00 non-refundable deposit is required. The balance is due 2 months before the date of the STL workshop and is then non-refundable unless the tour sells out. If we do not receive your check for the balance on or before the due date, we will try to fill your spot off the waiting list. If your spot is filled, you will lose your deposit only.

Booking and Refund Policy

Please e-mail or include the the following information with deposit:

1-Workshop Location and Date
2-Your name, address, day/evening phone numbers

For additional information, contact Charles at -

"Shoot the Light" Instructional Photographic Workshops
P.O. Box 987
Horse Shoe, NC 28742
tel: 828-891-4082
Contact Chas Here