LOONS AND MORE
Hawks, MI

June 11th-13th, 2010 check in June 10th, depart 14th FULL
June 15th-17th, 2010 check in June 14th, depart 18th 2 spaces available

Special sessions limited to only 4 participants - contact us for additional details and pricing
June 7th-9th, 2010 (check in on 6th, depart 10th) FULL
June 19th-21st, 2010 ( check in 18th, depart 22nd FULL

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. Loons w/ newly hatched chicks riding on moms back are the highlight. This is our 7th year and 17th session with the loons, knowing their behavior translates into better imagery. Moreover, our custom configured boat provides for an extremely stable and maneuverable photography platform.

Join award winning photographers Charles Glatzer and Cheryl Ertelt for 3 days of loon photography in MI. Loons have been nesting on a small island, and at the river mouth 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. Time slots will alternate daily so everyone gets to shoot with the earliest and latest light. The pontoon boat is set-up for shooting with tripod or laying flat on the deck of the boat with bean bag, skimmer, etc. 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. Our 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.

See what previous participants have to say - Testimonials


The fee for this workshop is $1950 and includes 6 scheduled shoots on the lake, 4 nights lodging in cabin, boat w/ captain extraordinaire, all incredible meals, song bird shoot, and photo instruction. Sign up for two sessions and receive a $100 discount.

Special session 4 participant workshop $2595

Note- lodging is double occupancy per cabin. Single supplement available $250.

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