Workshops & Safaris


Books to buy

"Photography, Beyond The Basics" Revised edition is available for purchase. A very informative book. Although it's a collection of notes generated through four years of teaching at Columbia Community College and Central Oregon Community College, some say it's many books in one, lots of reading and a scant few images. Order one today. Price is $40.00 each - shipping is $7.50. Allow ten days for delivery.

"Photoshop Techniques" is available for purchase. It's a collection of techniques generated through five years of teaching Photoshop at the colleges, some say it's the book to have for learning either Photoshop or Elements. Order yours today. Price is  $30.00 each - shipping is $7.50. Allow ten days for delivery.

See China 2012 at the bottom of the page.

Vintage Vehicles On Route 97
30 April, 2011
8 AM in Bend, Oregon
Fee ... $75.00 per person, four person minimum
A workshop of rust and colors
We start in Bend, Oregon at 8 AM and finish the day in Biggs Junction about dark thirty. Each place we go to is on private property, yes we have permission to be there. If you're into old cars and trucks or just enjoy the beauty these vintage vehicles offer, then this is a day to enjoy being behind the camera. We start in a pasture that could be a scene right out of the movie "Bonnie & Clyde," complete with buildings and a gas pump. From here we move north to another field of very old cars and truck. By now it's lunch time we're enjoying a fine meal in Madras, Oregon. From here we continue north to another field where trucks from the teens and twenties are awaiting our arrival. There's many more places we'll be visiting along the way, so charge your batteries, empty those memory cards, dust your camera off and enroll today. Itinerary sent with paid enrollment.

 

Wild Flowers in the Gorge
14 May, 2011
8 AM in Hood River, Oregon
Fee ... $75.00 per person, four person minimum
A workshop of being up close and personal
We start the day in Hood River, Oregon at 8 AM and finish around 5:30 or 6:00 PM. We'll be traveling to various places and walking as much as a mile in total distance. Wild flowers are like teenagers, they sort of struggle to arrive on time. Lunch will be either in Bingen, Washington or in The Dalles, Oregon depending on where we're at when it's time to eat. Some of the things we'll be doing is working with reflectors and backgrounds, scenics, and of course the wonderful colors that these glorious flowers present us with. So get your gear primed and ready for a day of windswept hills covered in flowers and mighty vistas. Enroll today. Itinerary sent with paid enrollment.

 

Junk Yard Blues
28 May, 2011
9 AM in The Dalles, Oregon
Fee ... $35.00 per person, four person minimum
A workshop of finding beauty in junk
We start our day in The Dalles, Oregon at 9 AM and finish around 5PM. Our trek begins at the boat ramp along I-84 where we meet and discuss the days itinerary and a few words of caution. We travel to the "junk" and begin our journey of "looking to see." Seeing is one of the major points of the day, so if your having trouble visualizing and seeing the beauty then this workshop is the prime candidate for you. Enroll today. Itinerary sent with paid enrollment.

 

Smith Rock - It's more than a pretty face
11 June, 2011
8 AM in Redmond, Oregon
Fee ... $75.00 per person, four person minimum, and $5.00 park entrance fee.
A workshop of up close to the rock
This workshop is about exploring various areas of the park, we're not doing this from the parking lot so wear hiking boots - this is a must, getting personal with the rock by being very close to it (sorry no climbing on this event). You must be able to easily hike two miles with an elevation change of a couple of hundred feet several times. During this trek you'll be photographing various landscapes and rock formations at different elevations and view points. About noon we'll break for lunch and travel to Terrebonne, Oregon for our repast. After lunch, during the hot part of the day, we'll travel to Redmond for a "dark adventure" exploring a cave with our cameras where it's much cooler. Bring your heavy duty flash light for this exciting and high-on-the-scale-of-learning adventure. From here we'll return to a restaurant or hotel lobby for a look at your images for feedback and critique. We return to Smith Rock late in the day for that rich warm light. Enroll today.  Itinerary sent with paid enrollment.

 

Venice - Italy
Thirteen Days in October , 2011 starts 4 October through 18 October
A 40 minute digital slide show is available for purchase for $22.00 includes shipping.
 

Venice, Italy
"The Old Woman of the Lagoon!"

Twelve days exploring the city and the Lagoon Islands
Including "Little Venice"
&
One day exploring the Castle Sirmione on Lake Garda.

If you love being a photographer,

        If you totally enjoy being creative with your camera,

                If your passion in Art is photography,

                        Then this is the safari/workshop to for you.

What we're doing:
    Buon Giorno
     We start this event in a Lagoon island church of Chiesa di San Giorgio Magigori where we take an adventuresome elevator ride within the church steeple (Campanile) up several stories into the Venetian air for a fabulous 360 degree over-view of the Lagoon and Venice. This start will help to orient everyone to, not only to where all the islands are, but, to show the smallness of this ancient city we love called Venice.
    This event is thirteen days, of which twelve wonderful days filled with photography in the beautiful city of Venice and the Lagoon Islands, and a one day trip to lake Garda to visit Sirmioni Castle via the train (train tickets, meals, and related costs not included). If your a movie buff and enjoy "James Bond" movies you'll recognize the lake.
    Our days are long and the nights short. We're here to be photographers, Artful Photographers. We start early, before first light and finish after dark. You will visit and photograph those places well off the beaten path of the average tourist including the fabulous Jewish Ghetto. Of course there will be those places we all see and drool over such as St. Marks Square, the Doge's Palace, Bridge of Sighs, etc., that we will visit and photograph as well. However our main focus is those areas most folks don't travel to, nor see.
    The islands in the Lagoon are a plethora of images begging us to photograph them. Their buildings painted with colors so bright they come alive in almost neon displays as the sun plays it's warm rays gently across their facades. There are Shrines in great abundance, people everywhere, children running to and fro with laughter to warm us on the coldest of days. And yes those magnificent watery canals that seem to beckon to us saying, ". . . look, see how beautiful I am!"
    We ride the water bus every where we go about the Lagoon and Venice. This gentle swaying of the Vaporetto (usually overly filled with people) ride is one that makes our adventure even more exciting. These delightful boats with their seats and decks filling and emptying continually with people with their coming and going add a flavor to our trip not found else where. Most rides are a mere few minutes in length but the vistas and sites we see from their decks always titillate our senses causing ones camera to be brought into use. I can't remember once sitting on a water bus ride during the day as my camera is in use.
     In all, we get mega quantities of images and a flavor of Italy's Venice that's rewarding and stimulating. Yes this is a trip to be remembered for many years to come. Enroll today.

Things to consider:
   If you don't have it . . . Get your passport today! Do not delay one minute!
    Keep your camera gear to a minimum. We walk everywhere, the only time we ride is when we are on the water buses and then we may have to stand while riding to our next destination as well.
    If your film . . . bring lots, if your digital bring a means of down loading your cards - I use Wolverine data storage devices.
    Wear shoes that are comfortable and designed for walking, it would be prudent to have them well broken-in prior to the trip.
    Don't bring a lap top computer, if it doesn't break you might lose it. Instead, use a data storage unit like the Epson or the Wolverine, they are small and light weight.
    The Venice Card is well worth the money to purchase. This transportation pass is vital to have, in that it gives free access to all types of transportation in Venice and the Lagoon. You'll be glad you have it!
    Voltage converter transformers are a must have (these are heavy units - do not bring plug adapters as these do not change the voltage, they only change the plug configuration, and will destroy your equipment). These units will allow us to safely recharge our batteries.
    Knowledge of Italian would be helpful, but not needed. Most places have people who comprehend English very well. However, a few key phrases and words would definitely be an asset and well received by the locals. Enroll today.

What to expect:
     This is not guided-tour event, we are photographers, I'm leading a photography workshop. Photography, this is our focus, "The" reason for being in Venice. We will show you the sights from a photographers view point and assist you in creating exciting images. These thirteen days we're in Italy each person should expect to create in the neighborhood of several hundred images (400 to 900), and in some instances create well over a thousand each day. We will be doing a mega amount of photography so come well prepared.
     We will discuss our days itinerary each morning, and later in the day put to vote where we have lunch and dinner. Staying together ensures no one gets lost (misplaced) nor left behind as we board and un-board the Vaporetto's (water buses).
     We work with each person on a one-to-one basis throughout the duration of the workshop. Everyone has different needs and we try to be conscious of these needs and work them into our daily endeavors.  Enroll today.
     Expect your itinerary for the workshop to arrive approximately two to three weeks via e-mail prior to our departing the west coast. The itinerary will cover several key issues as clothing, baggage, camera accouterments, money, and our biggest concern for everyone . . . Safety! There will be some redundancy in the itinerary but only to assist you in ensuring you have all the ingredients for a fabulous trip.

 

Release Form must be signed and sent to

Robert (Bob) Davis
2415 E. 12th
The Dalles, Oregon 97058

Along with enrollment fee . . . see the following.

Costs:
    The early bird fee for this Safari/Workshop is $2775.00 per person for the thirteen day safari/workshop, or any portion there of, if paid before 1 September, 2011 and after this date the fee is $3050.00 per person. Hotels, food, airfare, all transportation, etc., is extra - not included - and attendees are responsible for their own arrangements - - - we have a great travel agent, her name is Pat, at Newberg Travel (www.newbergtravel.com or 503-538-0456) who can assist you with your arrangements.
We accept cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card! 

Pay before 1 July, 2011, by check/money-order/ and save $50.00.
Make Checks Payable to "Robert Davis"
 Due the nature of this workshop/safari there are no credits or refunds. 
Enroll today

Contact me:
541 296 2553  - - - Cell 541 350 4671
ghosttownsafari@charter.net

 

China, An Adventure in Culture
May 21 to June 6, 2012
Starting in PDX Portland, Oregon and finishing in PDX Portland, Oregon
Fee ... $5,600.00 per person, six person minimum, ten person maximum.
A workshop of many photogenic places across southern China

If you don't have it . . . Get your passport today! Do not delay one minute!

What is included in this workshop:
·  Round-trip international airfare from Portland, Oregon, or San Francisco, California, plus all airfares in China.

·  Land travel by air-conditioned motor coach.

·  Fine meals during the whole trip. (Bring your own fork.)

·  Four-star and five-star hotels or best hotel at local site.

·  English-speaking guides at each city to show local sights.

·  Medical insurance in China.

·  Itinerary will be adjusted if photo opportunities appear - these opportunities is why we're going.

    All you have to bring is clothes, camera accoutrements, and pocket cash (about $500.00 for purchasing personal items), and the desire to photograph everything and anything.

    China is a land of many faces and a plethora of cultures. We'll be spending 14 days here photographing many places with some traveling from city to city. Our goal is to create as many images as possible with award winning images being the focal point. We're going as photographers, photographers who love creating images. 
    Although we will have an English speaking guide at each of our destinations, I have hired an additional English speaking guide who's an award winning photographer as well, to be with us the entire time starting in Portland, Oregon. Since I haven't been here before I consider this a prudent step to having a great trip and an even better workshop.
    Everyone will be responsible for getting there China Visa, this is paramount to being allowed into the country.
    Traveling - minimize the amount of photo gear you'll be taking, minimize the amount of clothing as weight and quantity of baggage will be an issue with the air lines.

What we are "not" doing:

What "we will be photographing" and doing:

Itinerary will be sent with paid deposit.

Release Form must be signed and sent to

Robert (Bob) Davis
2415 E. 12th
The Dalles, Oregon 97058

 

A deposit of $500.00 is required to hold your place
Deposit will be cheerfully refunded if we don't have six enrollees
Payment to be made by 1 March, 2012, by check/money-order.
Make Checks Payable to "Robert Davis"
Credit cards will be charged an extra 2.5%
 Due to the nature of this workshop there are no credits or refunds should you cancel for any reason. 
Enroll today

Questions ... Contact me @
ghosttownsafari@charter.net
541 296 2553  - - - Cell 541 350 4671

 

    

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