The Creative Spark: Inside Bodie with Your iPhone
Information

Instructor: Robert Eckhardt

August 29-31, 2019

Where does the workshop take place?

The workshop is based in Lee Vining, California, on the eastern edge of Yosemite National Park near Mono Lake. We’ll be making two trips to Bodie State Historic Park to photograph this beautiful, well-preserved ghost town, with special access to some interiors that are normally off-limits to visitors.

When does the workshop begin and end?

We’ll start at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 29th in Lee Vining. The first day will include classroom instruction and short field sessions designed to help you learn how to get the most out of your iPhone’s camera. On Friday and Saturday we’ll head to Bodie each morning, then head back to the classroom each afternoon to cover processing your images with the numerous creative apps available. The workshop ends about 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 31st.

Permits

The workshop tuition covers the permit fees for Bodie State Historic Park. Our permit allows us to photograph some of the wonderful, well-preserved interiors that are normally off-limits to visitors, and gives us access to Bodie early in the morning, before the park is open to the public. The fees from photography workshops like ours go to the Bodie Foundation to pay for docents and for their vital building and structure stabilization programs.

Transportation

Participants must provide their own transportation to and from Lee Vining. During the workshop we’ll walk to some field locations around Lee Vining, and carpool to Bodie.

Equipment

You’ll need a relatively recent iPhone with enough storage space to capture a bunch of photos. An iPhone 6 or 6 Plus or more recent model is recommended.. (Earlier model iPhones may not be able to take advantage of everything we discuss; the most recent and the dual-lens models will allow you to do everything iOS 11 and 12 are capable of.) We’ll be working with 10 to 15 third-party apps, which you will need to purchase and download beforehand. You’ll need an Apple App Store account in order to download the apps, and should budget about $25-30 for their purchase. A laptop is recommended for transferring texture files to your phone. A wide-angle add-on lens and a light travel tripod with an iPhone tripod mount can both be helpful (but are not required). We’ll send you a complete list of things to bring before the workshop.

Experience

Any level of iPhone experience is welcome in this workshop. Some basic knowledge of photography and composition is helpful.

Meals

Restaurant choices are limited, but there are a couple of good ones in Lee Vining, and we’ll send you some suggestions when you register for the workshop. You won’t need to pack a lunch, as we’ll be close to restaurants or stores during the middle of the day. Meals are not included in the workshop fee.

Lodging

We’ve reserved a block of rooms at Murphey’s Motel in Lee Vining. You can also choose one of the other motels in Lee Vining, and camping is available nearby. When you register for the workshop we’ll send you information about all the lodging options. Lodging is not included in the workshop fee.

Hiking

There’s no real hiking involved in this workshop, but some walking is required. Because of Bodie’s high altitude (8,400 feet) you should not take this workshop if you have a heart condition, or any other health issue that could be affected by altitude.

Cancellation

We know you’ll enjoy this workshop and learn a great deal, but should you need to cancel for any reason we will refund your tuition (or deposit) in full up to 60 days prior to the start of the workshop. Should you need to cancel within 45 to 59 days we will refund your tuition less a $150.00 cancellation fee. Refunds are not available less than 45 days prior to the workshop unless we can fill the vacancy, in which case you’ll be charged a $150 cancellation fee. If you do need to cancel we ask that you let us know as soon as possible so we can alert people on the waiting list.

In the rare event that we need to cancel this workshop due to lack of enrollment or an unforeseen event you will receive a complete refund or credit toward a future workshop. We recommend that you avoid purchasing non-refundable airline tickets, and consider getting trip cancellation insurance.

This workshop is full!
Please email us to sign up for the waiting list.