September 2008 Brown Bear Workshop

Welcome to the Bear Workshop Information page, this document contains updated dates, itinerary, and cost information. For more workshop information on not covered here such as please see the workshops schedule page.

Dates and Information

September 10th-16th 2008 Katami Alaska

Photograph Coastal Brown Bear within a variety of beautiful natural habitats. Since Katmai has one of the world's highest concentration of brown bears you can be confident that you be able to get close proximity images of the bears including some with cubs. With our small group and private access we will comfortably photograph the bears natural behavior without any pressure from crowds, camps, or facilities in a totally natural setting. We will have a morning and afternoon photography session weather permitting, with plenty of time for group image review and discussion between sessions. This will also include Photoshop, workflow, and APTATS instruction each day.

This workshop is designed to enhance your photographic, as well as your technical skills. Emphasis is always placed on creating images with impact. We will cover digital photography technology, including exposure metering, long lens techniques, composition, fill flash, light angle theory, and more.
You're one of no more than six participants. This will give you the maximum exposure to the tour leader. This small group size also allows us to remain more unobtrusive to the bears and wildlife than a larger group would. The main goal is to give you the best instruction and to place you in the best photographic situations at all times. This will give you the best photographic value return for your money.

We will be based on a 70 foot boat and will use a special front loading skiff to access Hallo Bay and other sites in Katmai National Park and Preserve.

September 10th we will be transported to our boat in Katmai National Park and Reserve by float plane, air transportation not included. This plan will allow us to arrive the same afternoon in time to photograph that afternoon in the park rather than spend time motoring from Kodiak Island to Katmai. On the afternoon of June 10 will be in the field photographing Bears. This flight can offer great opportunities for landscape photography with a handheld medium telephoto zoom.

There is no set itinerary for this trip. Each day the conditions and weather will dictate the days plan. In Katmai we have a flexible itinerary to maximize our photographic opportunities based on the conditions.  We will make every effort to be in the right place at the best time for the best shooting opportunities. Each day we will be in the field for at least 2 photography sessions per day, weather permitting. There may be more opportunities, such as trips to bird colonies or nests depending on the current conditions.

On September 16th we photograph in the morning and will be flying back to Kodiak around noontime.

Air transportation to/from Alaska and to/from Kodiak Island or to/from the boat in Katmai is not included. These flights are not included in the workshop price. All air travel contact and schedule info will be provided upon registration.

Pricing: $4999

Included: Transport to and from the photography sites each day via front loading skiff. All meals and on ship shared accommodations.
A $200 total per person tip for the crew is recommended.

Group size: 6 plus Robert and guide

Registration information

If you would like to join Robert for the experience of a lifetime, please let us know immediately via e-mail or by phone that you will be sending a deposit as I expect this trip to fill quickly.

Email, call 310.619.8017 or please visit RobertOToolePhotography.com
Deposit: $1000. (Non-refundable unless the tour fills with 6.)

1st installment: $2000 due Jan. 10, 2008
Final payment: $1999 due July. 14, 2008

Please make checks payable to Robert OToole and send them to:
Robert OToole, 100 Waverly Way, Suite 404, Clearwater, FL 33756 USA

If you are unable to attend the workshop, after paying the balance, the balance payment will be refunded ONLY if your spot can be filled, on short notice, from the waiting list. All workshop payments must be made by check or money order. Credit cards are not accepted at this time.

Freqently Asked Questions

Participant requirements

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Customer Care

Thanks very much for reading our workshop information.

For questions regarding anything about this workshop,
please Email or visit our website for more information; RobertOToolePhotography.com