Hidden Catalina

Catalina Island
March 9-13, 2009

$3300, all inclusive*


Pro photographers:
Marc Muench
Andy Williams

Only one hour from Los Angeles lies a secret hideaway known for its dramatic coastlines, secluded beaches, endangered wildlife and clear ocean waters. Most people know about Santa Catalina Island from their stay in Avalon or Two Harbors, but the rest of this beautiful island is largely inaccessible to the public.

But now for the first time, the Catalina Island Conservancy is partnering with Muench Workshops for a unique opportunity to venture into the preserved back country of the Island on four wheel drive roads to photograph wild and scenic locations rarely visited by anyone!

Marc recently went out to Catalina and shot some video for the Conservancy. You can view a little sneak peek at what's in store for you on this workshop here: small or large.


*We cover everything beginning with your ferry ride to the island, and ending when you step back off of the ferry at the end of the workshop.

Marc and Andy will be joined by a naturalist with over 30 years of experience on Catalina Island.

Our base of operations will be at the USC Wrigley Marine Science Center. This facility is not open to the general public, but is reserved for visiting scientists and educational groups. They're providing us with some very comfortable apartments and our food during the trip.

This will be a rare opportunity to go on safari into the dramatic interior of the island and photograph the pristine scenery.

Each day the four wheel drive vehicles will venture up steep mountain roads to visit sweeping coastal vistas, intimate oak grass woodlands and rocky beaches.

Schedule

Day 1

• Depart Marina del Rey aboard the ferry to Two Harbors and check into your private room at the USC Wrigley Institute
• Afternoon photography lecture and slide show
• sunset shoot and dinner

Day 2

• Sunrise shoot at Parsons Landing
• Lunch and photography critique
• afternoon and sunset shoot at Shark Harbor

Day 3

• Morning crit
• day trip to West end of Island
• View sweeping panoramas of the Pacific ocean from 2000 feet elevation
• Dinner and possible sunset shoot
  
  

Day 4

• Sunrise shoot over Two Harbors Bay
• Lunch followed by photography critique
• Sunset shoot at Black Jack Mountain

Day 5

• Breakfast and depart back to mainland

Equipment list

Also:

• Hat
  
• Sunscreen
• Water bottle
• Rain gear
• Windbreaker
• Hiking boots
• Hiking shorts
• Bug spray
• Flashlight

There are many different types of wildlife on Catalina Island. We will be looking for Bald Eagles, Bison, Island Fox and Deer.

Out in the Field

Because cameras are becoming increasingly complicated, we'll be keeping it simple, demonstrating the most efficient ways to utilize new and varied technologies that are present in digital photography. These settings will apply to any work done in the field, including both wildlife and landscape photography.

We will also be showing different methods of approaching similar subjects. Some examples will include HDR technique, hyper focal image blending and Infrared photography. Of course we will be spending much time on the most important aspect of photography: composition.

Back at the Ranch

This will be time spent in the dark!

With a laptop, projector and your images, we will critique and discuss the techniques we learned in the field -- how and why certain compositions work and others don't. Feel free to bring images you've taken in the past so that we can talk about your techniques and critique your work.

We'll also discuss different workflows and techniques in Adobe Bridge and Photoshop that will bring out the most in your images.

Registration and Payment

You can register and make your payments here.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.