Photo Adventure | June 11-14, 2023
Late Spring BRP + Roan Highlands
Mid-June is the climax of the spring season at elevation in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Flowering shrubs color the landscape: Flame Azalea, Mountain Laurel, Catawba Rhododendron. Waterfalls roar with rainwaters and forest canopies mature. Early signs of summer wildflowers begin to appear. Fungi put on a curious show.
We’ll be working the landscapes of The Blue Ridge Parkway and the Roan Highlands from our base camp at the Price Lake Campground. This location will allow us to spread our efforts over a large area, working both Grandfather Mountain and Roan Mountain. Opportunities will include grand landscapes, grassy balds, waterfalls and a tremendous diversity of plant life.
As this photo adventure will occur in the high elevation mountains of Southern Appalachia, good fitness is important. Trails are generally a good combination of climbing and descending: nothing is flat. Terrain can be difficult near waterfalls and rivers, with rocky, rooted, wet obstacles.
LOCATION:
Price Lake Campground, NC
DATES:
June 11-14, 2023 (3 Days)
FORMAT:
PRICE:
$1895.00
Adventure Itinerary:
June 11, 2023: We’ll meet at your campsite within Price Lake Campground (or nearby hotel) at 12:00pm. After introductions, we’ll check on the weather and discuss the many opportunities within the area. We’ll use the first afternoon and early evening to scout possibile subjects and perhaps even get lucky with some magic light!
June 12-13, 2023: We’ll wake before sunrise each morning and head into the field to shoot various landscapes along the Blue Ridge Parkway or within the Roan Highlands. Opportunities will require driving/riding in the car throughout the adventure; we’ll be covering quite a bit of ground on this one! We’ll return to the camp/hotel throughout the afternoons whenever possible for breaks and to refuel and rest before hitting our next adventure.
June 14, 2023: Last morning! We’ll wake at sunrise, drive to our location, shoot throughout the early morning hours and return to the camp/hotel in the afternoon. We’ll wrap up the adventure mid-afternoon.
Feel free to drop me an e-mail. I add dates as demand dictates!
Gallery:
What’s Included:
- Place-based guidance and mentorship
- Image critique (as desired)
- Transportation during the photo adventure
- Adventure and inspiration in a beautiful place!
What’s NOT Included:
- Transportation to and from the photo adventure
- Meals/food/snacks during the adventure
- Personal items
- 4-wheel drive high-clearance vehicle
- Anything not specifically listed above in the “what’s included”
Where I’ll be staying:
Lodging is not included with this photo adventure. I’ll be camping at Price Lake Campground. Campsites are available for reservation. The campground has both shower and bathroom facilities. If more luxury is desired, many hotels and rental properties can be found in nearby Blowing Rock, NC. Your budget will determine the best choice.
Where I'll Be
Price Lake Campground
Blue Ridge Parkway (mp 297), Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Luxury option
The Manor
567 Main St, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Terrain / Fitness:
- Difficult: lots of walking, often on steep terrain near water
- Terrain is mountainous, damp, and heavily forested
- Trails are primarily in heavy forest
What to bring:
- Camera(s), lenses, filters, tripod, cable releases, bag
- Boots and/or waterproof shoes
- Layered clothing: waterproof jacket, down or wool shells, insulating underlayers
- Laptop, IPad, etc. for image critique (if desired)
How does this process work?
1. Book an adventure
2. Book your lodging
3. Meet me in the field
Questions?
Why a photo adventure?
The purpose of a photography adventure is to practice the craft of outdoor photography in the field alongside a working photographer. Photography adventures focus attention not on the function of the camera but on the place and/or the subject. Our experience will be outdoors and raw. This is not a retreat or a planned event. This is an opportunity to literally go to work with me.
Why one-to-one?
Working with one client at a time allows me to offer more targeted photo adventures throughout the year, as well as to ethically access more–and more sensitive–locations. Together, we’ll have absolute flexibility in how long (or short) we stay on a subject. You’ll have my full attention; questions are welcome at any time. One-to-one interaction will give us the greatest opportunity to actually connect and build a relationship. Most importantly, though, one-to-one photo adventures offer space: space to get lost in the landscape and create without the pressures of group and itineraries.
What type of experience can I expect?
Expect an informal, unplanned, collaborative experience. We’ll stay close to the land; photo adventures are not fancy retreats or planned events. Each day we’ll walk the landscape, scout, shoot, and return to camp/villas for breaks and refueling.
What level of photographer is this for?
Photo adventures are best for folks who are comfortable with their cameras and who are adaptable to many different outdoor shooting conditions, what I’ll refer to here as intermediate ability and above.
Any special gear/equipment recommended for this photo adventure?
We’ll be shooting various subjects from grand landscapes to small wildflowers. A wide-angle lens and/or medium-tele will work for most things, while a dedicated macro will open up opportunities with smaller subjects. A good tripod will keep things sharp.
If you’re camping with me, make sure to pack gear that will keep you dry. It’s likely to rain at some point during our adventure. Waterproof boots are recommended. Temperatures can still feel chilly first thing in the morning at elevation; pack layers and consider a beanie or gloves for those times.
What gear will you be using for this adventure?
For landscapes:
Nikon D850 camera body
Nikkor 17-35mm wide-angle
Nikkor 24-70mm medium tele
Nikkor 70-200mm tele
For macro and flower photography I have two rigs:
Nikon D850 camera body
Nikkor 60mm micro lens
RRS tripod
Canon 5DmkII camera body
Canon 65mm mpe 1-5x macro lens
Canon mt-26 twin head flash unit
I’ll also have a wide angle and medium tele in the bag should any conditions arise that demand larger shooting.
Cancellation policy?
If you need to cancel your photo adventure for any reason please let me know as soon as possible.
Greater than 30 days notice = 100% refund
Less than 30 days notice = 50% refund
Refund will be less any administrative fees incurred to transfer money back to you.
Still have questions?
Still need some more information? Drop me a line: info@markvandyke.net.
Feel free to drop me an e-mail. Additional dates are added based on demand and availability.