The Alaskan Photo Safari provides exceptional, often unique, opportunities for you to create images of towering waterfalls, numerous species of wildlife, glacial activity, remnants of early Alaskan culture, and scenery only visible to the fortunate few photographers who get to travel along coastal Southeast Alaska. This photo safari offers several features that set it apart from others offering coastline photo opportunities.

• The cruise is limited to only FOUR photographers, plus your guide photographer
• The focus of this cruise it to provide you with exceptional photographic opportunities
• When weather or photo opportunities provide unexpected possibilities, we discuss our options and modify our schedule accordingly
• Your safari is led by a commercial photographer and photo instructor who has experienced many of the exceptional photo opportunities you will encounter
• There are optional daily photography learning sessions for those who want them. Additionally, anytime you have questions or wish to delve into photo subjects not discussed, assistance will be right at your elbow.
• Life on the Home Shore. Our boat is enhanced by the crew's desire to make your experience a productive and a once-in-a-lifetime experience you will never forget.

Travel Accommodations

You will travel in modest luxury aboard the Home Shore, a authentic 62 foot commercial fishing vessel fitted with state rooms and a gourmet galley (kitchen). The Home Shore, owned and captained by Jim Kyle, has provided guided tours of South East Alaska since 1997. An ideal base for the expedition, it provides 360 degree views from its sheltered wheel house and stable shooting platforms along its deck. Capable of holding close to the shore line, you will be able to safely create close-up images of whales, feeding eagles and brown bears. It also carries kayaks and a motor launch for excursions into backwaters and to onshore visits of remains of early settlements.

What could be better? To have your own gourmet cook on board, of course. The personable, witty, effervescent Erin serves up succulent culinary treats to feed your creative soul. Your fare includes the photo workshop tuition, travel on the Shore Home, meals, beverages, lodging on the Home Shore and transportation to and from Sitka airport. There are no additional charges. You are responsible for purchasing film, film processing and travel to and from Sitka.

What You Can Expect To See (To view a Slide Show of the images created on the 2001 expedition, click on ALASKA SLIDE SHOW in the column on the left.)

Come prepared to see, experience and photograph sites that will cause you to pause and appreciate the wonders of Alaska's geography, wildlife and culture. On your journey you will have opportunities to visit, experience and photograph

Sea Life

• Humpback whales
• Gray Whales
• Orcas (possibly)
• Porpoise
• King Salmon (when we catch them)
• Sea otters
• A variety of tide pool sea life
  

• Brown bears
• Black bears
• Eagles

• Crystal blue glaciers
• Glacial ice fields
• Granite cliffs towing straight up 2,000 feet
• Waterfalls that make those in the "lower 48" seem inconsequential

• Along the way we will take shore excursions to explore abandon settlements and mining camps dating back to the early 1900s
• Visit Sitka before and following your cruise. Sitka represents an interesting blend of contemporary living and the life style of the hardy, independent pioneers that is prevalent throughout much of the Southeast Alaska.

The Photo Safari offers a great opportunity to immerse yourself into learning new photographic skills and refining those that you routinely rely on. About a month prior to departure you will receive a packet of material that includes the handouts used in the workshop, recommendations on film, cameras, lenses and filters, special clothing and accessories that will make taking pictures more productive and enjoyable. The workshop lessons are tailored to the skill levels of the photographers and the photography you will be encountering during the voyage. Regardless of your skill level when you begin the journey, you should see rewarding enhancements to your photography by the end of your adventure. Following are some of the major topics covered in the workshop sessions. Mastering your camera's capabilities. The cost of the Workshop option is $180.00.

• Shooting in manual, aperture and shutter priority modes - when to use which
• The relationship of aperture and shutter speed settings - using equivalent exposures
• Controlling depth of field for compositional impact
• Lens selection: focal length, aperture and depth-of-field relationships

Additionally, any topic you wish to explore will be addressed either as part of the workshop or individually. Also, during periods when you are taking photos, assistance is just a few steps away.

The Route of Travel You will be picked up at the Sitka airport and brought to where the Home Shore is berthed. It is recommended that you arrive in Sitka on June 1^st and plan on spending the night of June 1^st onboard the Home Shore. Alternatively, you may wish to arrive a few days early and explore Sitka prior to departure. We depart Sitka on the morning of June 2nd. Our route of travel is somewhat dependent on the weather and the opportunities that may cause us to linger an extended period at a location for exceptional opportunities. The planned route is:

Transportation will be provided to those departing Sitka on the 11^th

Travel Fare and Workshop Tuition

Travel fare onboard the Home Shore, including meals, is $2,900. For the daily workshops, add $180. You are responsible for your travel to and from Sitka, AK.

For additional information about Coastal Southeast Alaska Expedition please call me at 800-933-7572 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. MST.

Departure Location and Date

Departure is from Sitka, Alaska on the morning of August 18th and returns in the afternoon of August 24th.