SNOWY OWL WORKSHOP
January 9 - 13, 2025
Jim is offering an amazing workshop where you will have unique and exciting closeup encounters with wild snowy owls. The workshop takes place near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The owls have been frequenting this area for years, and they allow a close approach by photographers. The longest lens you'll need is a 400mm or 500mm.
With each photo session, you will have many fly-bys of a wild owl. We usually photograph several different owls during the workshop. This gives you so many opportunities to take incredible pictures, and you will be in awe of what you will be able to capture. Before the workshop starts, participants hope to get one or two good shots. By the second day, they are overwhelmed by the number of award-winning images they've taken. Everyone is simply thrilled.
The white snowys against a winter background are visually arresting, and with those piercing yellow eyes, your pictures will definitely have that 'wow' factor. This is one of the most beautiful bird shoots ever. Each day we will take advantage of the best light for the best photographs. This is winter time in Canada, though, so you have to dress appropriately. It's very cold and you have to protect your fingers, toes, ears, and face. Jim will send out a color eBooklet several months prior to the workshop with detailed information about this.
This workshop fills quickly, so if you really want to participate and get incredibly beautiful photographs, don't wait to register.
What you will learn on this photo workshop
How to photograph birds in flight
What camera settings are ideal
How to expose for snow
Choosing the right focus points for birds in flight
Shooting into the sun and getting the correct exposure
How to protect highlights from blowing out
ITINERARY
Day 1, Thursday, January 9.
Leave home and arrive in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada on this day. Meet Jim in the lobby of the hotel at 5:30pm for an orientation of the tour and a discussion of camera settings, exposure, and lens choice. We will then enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight Saskatoon.
Day 2-4, Friday - Sunday, January 10 - 12.
We leave early this morning for Rosetown, a small town about 70 miles away, to meet up with our local guide whom we'll follow to the photography sites. For the next 3 days, we photograph early in the morning and late in the afternoon to take advantage of the best light. Even if the weather is overcast, though, the white on white color theme is stunning.
During our time photographing snowy owls, we will take breaks to have lunch, warm up, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or coffee, rest, and then we'll resume our photo sessions. Jim will always be available to answer questions and give you immediate feedback on your shots. Again, most photographers who come to this workshop hope to get one or two great shots. The truth is you'll be overwhelmed by how many great pictures you take! Overnight in Rosetown on January 10 and 11.
After the last afternoon session on January 12, we drive back to Saskatoon and overnight at the airport hotel.
Day 5, Saturday, January 13
This morning we take the free shuttle to the airport for the flight home, confident that we've captured absolutely amazing pictures of the beautiful snowy owls.
NOTE: To reiterate, this is a winter workshop and you will need appropriate clothing. This means a serious parka, a very warm hat or hood, layers of warm clothes, serious boots for extreme cold (not fashionable snow boots for urban wear), thermal underwear, and gloves and glove liners. A face mask is also important to keep your nose and face warm. You will also need a box of hand warmers. In the color eBooklet Jim sends you, he explains his technique for keeping photographers' fingers warm in winter conditions.
Workshop cost: $3575. Includes four nights hotel based on double occupancy, ground transportation during the workshop, access to private property to get close to the owls, breakfasts in the hotel, one dinner, a local guide who provides bait for the owls, photo instruction, and critiques on demand. Limited to 8 people.
Single supplement: $325
Not included: Airfare to Saskatoon, meals not included as mentioned above, items of a personal nature, and alcoholic beverages.