Capturing & Camping

Exploring and photographing nature’s beauty

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ABOUT

Adventure: Get off the beaten path with this scenic backpacking Photo Workshop in collaboration with Bend Photo Tours. A short backpack into camp will allow us time to explore the forest, take an enticing dip in a lake, and then seek out a hidden gem for sunset and astro-photography. On the cusp of a New Moon, the sky could put on quite a starlight show!

After a restful sleep at camp, we’ll seek shots of a misty morning sunrise across the lake. After a camp-cooked breakfast some hiking can produce epic views before packing out. Not only does this workshop share the best photography techniques for getting the most from your landscape photos, but also includes a naturalist guide to share the intricacies of the beauty we’re capturing!

Naturalist Guided Experience: At 5,800 feet, our journey to a mountain lake and rich forest provides the setting for biodiversity and a sweet geologic story. The area is also rich in human history, there is much to broaden our experience in Bend’s backyard! Our knowledgeable guides can introduce you to an old-growth hemlock forest where you’ll see decaying logs that possess more living mass than when the tree was alive and standing. Cool facts like this await illumination on this camping and photo getaway.

details

$550 per person

Minimum of 4 people to run this tour or price equivalent
Workshop is capped at 8 people to ensure personalized instruction and individualized attention.

Tour Dates: July 8-9, 2021

Depart: Bend at 9:00am on Thursday July 8

Return: To Bend Friday, July 9 in the afternoon

Difficulty: Moderate to Hard. We will be packing our gear in and setting up camp, then hiking around to a few locations during both days totaling around 3-5 miles per day.

Transportation: Departing from our office

TOUR INCLUDES:

Professional Photographer: Toni Toreno, with Bend Photo Tours, who loves landscape photography and is an avid backpacker
Wanderlust Tours Guide: Professional Naturalist Guide & award-winning interpretation
Meals: 2 lunches, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast
Camping Gear: Group gear, such as stoves, water filtration, etc.

PLEASE BRING

Personal Gear: Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad
- or you may rent these items from Wanderlust Tours
Sun Protection: Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen (if needed)
Footwear: Comfortable hiking shoes, socks, and sandals
Clothing in Layers: Warm layers for variable weather
Miscellaneous Gear: Water bottle, camera equipment

***A detailed pack list will be provided prior to the trip

Photo by Toni Toreno — Bend Photo Tours | Toni Toreno

DAILY ITINERARY

Day 1

We will head out into the Cascade Mountains where our 2-day journey begins!

We'll arrive at the lakeside and set up camp! After getting settled in, it isn’t long before we have you heading out to explore another smaller lake by way of cross country travel.

Toni, our pro-photographer, will share an afternoon of instruction creating great shots and lasting memories. Off trail travel brings us up a small ridge to a hidden gem.

A remote and peaceful lake awaits a swim AND is the starting point to hike to the summit of a unique butte with expansive views!

Once back at our cozy camp, dinner is prepared and served as we sit around a campfire (fire restriction-dependent). (3-5 miles total)

Day 2

Wake up to the sunrise to capture early morning photos across the lake.

Next, the smell of sizzling bacon and breakfast! After breakfast is served, we will break down camp, pack a lunch, take one last refreshing swim if desired and head out!

On trail, we will head north a bit, passing through a stunning burn area which makes for intriguing photos. After the short hike we'll make our way back to Bend with amazing memories of the journey.

Photography

Photo Ability: We cater to all levels of photography experience on this tour.

While we are “photo experts”, we aren’t always “camera experts.” It is imperative that you have a basic idea of camera functionality and that you know how to work your functions on the camera (how to adjust the light meter, focal points, aperture, shutter speed and ISO are some key elements). That way we can focus our time on idea settings, and compositions.

Camera Gear

Lens: A wide angle zoom lens is the most useful for night photos to get the most of the sky in the shot (equivalent 16-35 on a full-frame camera or 10-22mm on a crop sensor). A mid-range lens can also come in handy or if you don’t have a wide angle (24-70mm on full frame or 18-55mm on crop sensor).

Aperture: The lower the aperture the better! At least a F2.8, but F1.8-1.2 is always nice to have as well for night photography.

Tripods: They are a must since we are shooting long exposures at night. You will also need a camera that has a "manual" setting or a way to you can control the aperture, shutter speed and ISO independently.

Extras: Don’t forget extra batteries, memory cards, and cleaning supplies.

Miscellaneous: Please keep in mind we will be backpacking into a location, so weight can also become an issue. Only bring what you can carry. Since we are setting up camp and then doing “day hikes” I encourage also bringing a day pack to carry your gear to the shoot locations.

If you need to rent or buy photo gear for your trip we encourage you to use Focal Point Photography