Workshops & Tours

Mid-August is a time of transition in the northern most reaches of Michigan. Warm summer-like days are offset by cooler nights which hint of autumn. Expect to rise in the coolness of pre-dawn each day, as this is the best time to photograph many of the subjects we seek.

The new home base for our summer workshops is Newberry, Michigan. This strategic location in Michigan's east central Upper Peninsula puts us within reach of a great diversity of wild habitats and scenic wonders.

Early morning fog cloaks the black spruce and tamarack bogs of the region, creating an otherworldly landscape. Emerging and receding tree silhouettes are cast upon an ever-changing canvas as intensifying sunlight gradually changes the morning sky from pale orange to magenta. This provides the perfect setting for putting Rod's instruction on using natural light into practice.

As the morning sun's first rays reach into grassy meadows surrounding small woodland lakes, dew-bejeweled plants and insects are rendered in breathtaking beauty. If the weather is right, we may find dozens, even hundreds, of dew-covered dragonflies, as well as other insects, and a variety of spider webs to photograph.

Goldenrods, asters, and the beautiful spotted touch-me-not are among the late summer wildflowers which punctuate the grassy meadows we'll visit. Lily pads cover the bog ponds and the large beautiful blossoms of fragrant white water lilies abound.

We'll search the lily pads for green frogs basking in the warming sun of late summer. While there's no guarantee that we'll photograph any animals larger than that, during one summer workshop we spotted a cow moose with a calf!

Sandhill cranes nest in the bogs we'll visit and their calls echo throughout the landscape as young of the year forage with their parents in preparation for the upcoming fall migration.

Northern bogs harbor strange carnivorous plants such as the diminutive round-leaved sundew and the northern pitcher plant, which sends up beautiful new leaves in the summer. Another unusual plant we'll search for is the waxy-white saprophytic Indian pipe.

The fruits of bunchberry and wild blueberry make outstanding photographic subjects. The classroom session on composition teaches you how to choose which bunches of blueberries will make great photographs, and which bunches to select for another important purpose - eating.

Hiawatha National Forest and Lake Superior State Forest harbor lush stands of beech and maple. Here we'll find a diversity of colorful mushrooms sprouting from the forest floor, where we'll focus our attention on wet, overcast days. These include the bright yellow Amanita and the uncommon Pholiota. The large and beautiful Laetiporus fungi, also known as the "chicken of the woods mushroom" grows along tree trunks in these forests.

Standard workshops are for photographers of all skill levels, beginner and experienced alike, and combine ample time in-the-field with classroom work. During classroom instruction, time-honored photographic field techniques along with instruction in digital capture and workflow will be taught.

We have dramatically lowered the fee for this workshop to make it easier for entry level photographers to attend. We know that once you have taken a workshop from Rod you'll be hooked on nature photography for life. Workshop tuition of $595 per person includes a complete set of workshop handouts (CD). Participants are responsible for lodging, meals and transportation. We encourage carpooling during field trips.

A deposit of $250 is required to reserve a space. The balance of $345 is due 90 days before the first day of the workshop. A 90-days prior notice is required for all refunds. If you need to cancel with less than a 90-days advance notice a refund will be issued only if we fill your space. All cancellations incur a $50 processing fee.

Upon receipt of your deposit we will send a detailed confirmation letter outlining check-in time, directions, suitable photographic equipment, and recommended workshop clothing. Prior to the workshop we will also provide a directory of participants to facilitate possible joint travel plans. Workshop begins Sunday at 6:30PM and ends the following Friday after a field trip in the evening (weather permitting).

Excellent accommodations for the workshop are available at the Comfort Inn in Newberry for $69 per night plus tax (single/double). The rate includes a nice breakfast which is available at an earlier hour just for our group! Participants are responsible for making their own motel reservations in Newberry. We will provide more information after you sign up. Please be prepared to pay for all accommodations upon checking in.

If space allows, a non-participating spouse may join the group during field trips. Please contact our office before making final plans. Fee $250.

Cost: $595 per person includes a complete set of workshop handouts. A deposit of $250 is required with your registration. The balance of $345 is required 90 days prior to the first day of workshop. A 90-days advance notice is required for a refund of your deposit. If you cancel with less than 90 days notice you will receive a refund only if we are able to fill your space. All cancellations incur a $50 processing fee. Participants are responsible for lodging, meals, film processing and transportation.

Reservations: Early reservations are recommended. By Phone: Call (906) 293-3339. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9a.m. to 5p.m. EST. For reservations made by phone, we accept credit cards (for deposits only), or we'll hold your space for 7 days, while awaiting your check.

If you prefer to register online, you can do so using using Paypal or credit card by clicking the "Add to Cart" button below. You do not need a Paypal account to pay by credit card.

You can also register by downloading and completing a registration form (Word Doc) and mailing with payment to:

Rod Planck Photography
PO Box 100
McMillan, MI 49853

• 10 Day Tour - SE Utah: Red Rocks, Blue Sky and Desert Blooms (April 29 - May 8, 2012) - Closed!
• Summer Safaris - Bugs and Blooms (June 3 - 8, 2012 & June 10 - 15, 2012) - Closed!
• Foggy Bogs and Dewy Insects (August 12 - 17 & August 19 - 24, 2012) - Full!
• Badlands and Black Hills (September 3 - 10, 2012) - Full!
• Ultimate Autumn Forests and Lake Superior Shoreline (September 23 - 30, 2012) - Full!
• Iceland - Land of Fire and Ice (June 6 - 20, 2013) - Full!