Wild Flowers and Waterfalls in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park stretches from Gatlinburg, Tennessee to Cherokee, North Carolina. Clear invigorating air, sparkling streams and virgin woodlands provide an unsurpassed background complete with waterfalls and wildflowers. Photograph the Roaring Fork Stream cascading past giant moss covered boulders. Stroll through and shoot Cades Cove, an historic village preserved from a bygone era. The Smoky Mountains are an unspoiled, beautiful area any time of year, but Appalachia becomes a special place when the spring wildflowers and the Dogwood bloom. This workshop is the week following Easter to accomodate people off from work and school.  Easter occurs from late March to middle April.  Spring wildflowers bloom at different times.  If Easter is early, look for Hepatica, Spring Beauties, Blood Root, Rue Anemone, Squirrel Corn and Fringed Phaclilia. If Easter is later that year, you may expect to see several species of Trillium, or Jack in the Pulpit, Columbine, Yellow Lady's Slipper, May Apple, or Wild Geranium and others.  This is tripod shooting! We will cover close-up techniques for shooting wild flowers. All camera formats are welcome. Learn principles of composition and the use of a one-degree spot meter.  For the digital photographer, you will learn techniques such as custome white balancing, noise reduction, exposure stacking, color space for printing and many more. Minimal hiking is involved. Tuition does not include meals, transportation or lodging, but group accommodations have been arranged. Bring a portfolio to be critiqued. Non-shooting spouses are welcome to attend at no additional cost. Activities for spouses are available to fill their day such as: white-water rafting, horseback riding, trout fishing and shopping. 35mm, medium format or digital cameras welcome.