Nature photography retreat in Silver Falls State Park
Gregg Kerber, instructor
Friday to Sunday, October 28–30, 2011
Silver Falls State Park
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About Silver Falls State Park
Situated at the western fringe of the Cascade foothills, Silver Falls State Park offers a glimpse into the geology of this heavily vegetated area. Exposed rock in waterfalls and creek banks reveal three major episodes of Oregon’s geologic history:
Episode 1: Sandy beaches
Episode 2: Massive volcanic lava floods
Episode 3: Cascade-style volcanic ash deposits.
Stream erosion along Silver Creek has slowly chewed its way upstream, creating the waterfalls and exposing rocks from these three different periods.
Silver Falls State Park has more than 9,000 acres of spectacular scenery offering a diverse array of photographic opportunities. Park trails wind through second-growth stands of Douglas Fir and Western Hemlock with one of the most photogenic trails being the Trail of Ten Falls. This famous trail follows the north and south forks of Silver Creek and offers photographers some of Oregon’s most beautiful and awe-inspiring scenery.
Common vegetation throughout Oregon’s largest state park includes Oregon grape (the State Flower), Salal and sword fern. Pacific Blacktail deer thrive in the lush temperate rainforest, and beavers build dams and gnaw trees in the canyon creeks. Rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels and a wide variety of birds also abound.
Retreat information
The photography instruction and assistance received in the field will be tailored to your individual needs and will emphasize elements of visual design and how they are used to create the essence of an expressive image.
Retreat venue
Silver Falls State Park Conference Center and Lodge, 20022 Silver Falls Highway SE, Sublimity, OR 97385
Retreat format
We’ll kick off the retreat with a meet and greet reception. Gregg will present a slide show and discuss issues related to successfully photographing the Silver Falls environment. The next two days will be spent in the park taking photographs; each evening Gregg will critique student work created during the day.
Gregg will also critique photos of previous work during the last day of the retreat. Bring a USB flash drive with up to 10 photos for this special critique.
Retreat schedule
| Day 1 (Friday, October 28, 2011) | |
| 7 p.m. | Welcome reception and retreat orientation. Gregg will present a slide show of Silver Creek Falls and discuss issues related to photographing the Silver Falls environment. |
| Day 2 (Saturday, October 29, 2011) | |
| 7:30 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8:15 a.m. | A day of field photography begins |
| 12:30 p.m. | Lunch at the lodge |
| 1:45 p.m. | Back out for more photography |
| 6 p.m. | Dinner |
| 8 p.m. | Projection critique of student photos created during the day |
| Day 3 (Sunday, October 30, 2011) | |
| 7:30 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8:15 a.m. | Back out on new trails for more photography |
| 12:30 p.m. | Lunch at the lodge |
| 2 p.m. | Gregg will critique photos participants brought to the retreat as well as photos created during the day; wrap-up and evaluations |
| 6 p.m. | Workshop ends |
About the retreat leader
Gregg Kerber is a landscape photographer who has lived in the Northwest his entire life. His passion for photography goes back to the early 1980s. Gregg is on the leadership team for the Portland/Vancouver Photography Meetup Group and has led several outings and workshops throughout the Northwest.
About the retreat
Enrollment. Participation is limited to 10 students.
Prerequisites. This retreat is open to those with a working knowledge of their equipment and a basic understanding of photography. Digital cameras are preferred for this retreat, however, any type of camera is welcome. Since this is a hiking retreat, participants should be in good physical condition even though the hikes are easy. Sturdy, waterproof footwear is essential—part of the trails can be wet during this time of year.
Retreat tuition. The retreat tuition is $350 per person and includes a $30 non-refundable registration fee. We have reserved rooms with single occupancy, however, if you want to share a room let us know.
If you have special dietary needs, let us know at the time your registration is confirmed, and we’ll work with the conference center to try and meet your needs.
Withdrawal, Cancellation and Refund Policy. We rely on your attendance to make important arrangements so, if for any reason, you need to withdraw, please notify us in writing 60 days or more before the first day of the retreat. At that time, we will refund your tuition, minus the non-refundable registration fee. Registrations cancelled after that will be eligible for a refund (less the non-refundable registration fee and a $40 cancellation fee) only if a replacement can be found. If notification or cancellation is made 14 days or less prior to the first day of the retreat, you will not be eligible for a refund.
NCP is not responsible for a participant’s cancellation due to a medical emergency, death in the family or acts of war.
In the event NCP cancels the retreat due to inadequate enrollment, all monies paid will be refunded in full, or if you prefer they may be transferred to another workshop within 12 months. However, NCP is not responsible for reimbursement of non-refundable airline tickets in the event of retreat cancellation. We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance.
There are no exceptions to this Withdrawal, Cancellation and Refund Policy.
Waiting lists. When the retreat fills, we start a waiting list. There is no charge to be on the waiting list. If space becomes available, we contact the first person on the list. That person then has 24 hours to register before we move to the next person. If a space becomes available within 14 days of the start of the retreat, the registrar may call all persons on the waiting list and the space will be given to whoever completes their registration first.
Questions
E-mail: info@nwcenterforphotography.com