During our drive to the Everglades, Joe will share interesting facts and insights about the area and the wildlife we will be photographing, as well as the best techniques to capture memorable images. We will spend the morning in the Shark Valley section of Everglades National Park, an area known for an abundance of wildlife. We will take a mid-day break for lunch. You may pack your own or join Joe at the Miccosukee Restaurant, which is located across from the park entrance.

After lunch we will journey to Chokoloskee, FL to visit the historic Ted Smallwood Store. The Smallwood Store, located in the heart of the Everglades 10,000 Islands, was where the regions inhabitants could gather to buy supplies and trade goods. The store is a treasure trove of historic memorabilia of the early 1900s. You will delight in capturing images of the artifacts and the historic store and its surroundings.

Have fun, improve your photographic skills, and return home with memorable images. At each location Joe will share his techniques, enabling you to overcome exposure, lighting and compositional challenges. With his guidance, you will learn to control the complex features of your camera. Joe’s easy to understand style of instruction will help you to become the photographer you long to be. This trip is limited to five participants so that everyone will receive personal attention.

Stuff You Want to Know

Where will we meet?

We'll meet at Understand Photography Studio at 7:45 a.m. to leave promptly at 8:00 a.m.

When will we return?

We'll return back to Understand Photography Studio at about 6:00 p.m. Please don't make any immediate plans after in case we run late due to traffic.

How will we get around?

We will be taking our minivan to travel to and within the Everglades.

What about lunch?

You can join Joe at the Miccosukee Restaurant or pack your lunch if you prefer. Cost of lunch is not included in trip.

What will we be photographing?

The morning will be spent photographing wildlife. The Everglades has an abundance of birds and alligators. The afternoon will encompass a variety of subjects: landscapes, historic buildings, and artifacts at Smallwood Store.

What skill level is required?

This photo adventure is geared to photographers of all skill levels. Our proven 5-to-1 photographer/mentor ratio allows every adventurer from beginner to advanced to proceed at their own pace. We strongly suggest that you take our beginning DSLR course if you are not familiar with the basics of exposure: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO.

What will I learn during the Photo Adventure?

At every step of your Photo Adventure Joe will be at your side, sharing his techniques. Our ratio of a maximum of 5 photographers per leader assures that you will receive personal attention and allow you to learn at your own pace. We will cover:

• Which of your camera’s exposure modes is preferred for each shooting condition.
• Which metering mode works best for each subject.
• Using the histogram to improve your exposures.
• How to take advantage of your camera’s various auto focus modes.
• Composition.
• Filters.
• Advanced techniques tailored to your level of knowledge.

What equipment should I bring?

This Photo Adventure encompasses a wide range of subject matter — from very large (the sweep of the river of grass) to very small (a dragonfly alighting on a flower). We suggest:

• DSLR camera or advanced compact (bridge camera). Ideally, lenses to provide the equivalent coverage of full frame lenses from 24mm to 300mm or longer.
• For “crop” DSLRs, this means lenses in the range of 17mm to 200mm or longer. A lens with close focusing ability so you can fill your frame with a flower or butterfly is useful. A speedlight will be useful at the Smallwood store. Our National Park Service Permit specifically forbids use of flash in the park.
• A circular polarizer filter
• Tripod
• Remote shutter release (useful, but your cameras timer will suffice in a pinch)
• Memory cards — bring them all!
• Batteries — you will need spares