Upcoming Events

Raptors guided photography excursion
Wednesday June 12th

Level of Difficulty

2 out of 5

An evening at a local conservationist and falconer's farm to photograph a variety of species of raptors in a controled setting. Species will vary and we cannot guarantee which species will be present but generally include 3 to 4 different types of raptors. Some species we photograph are being rehabilitated to be released back into the wild, others are bred in captivity for sporting or educational purposes. You may have access to photograph; Peregrine Falcons, Barbary Falcons, Red Hawks, Harris Hawks, American Kestrel's, Saw Whet Owls, Burrowing Owls, Great Grey Owls and Goshawks.

COURSE DATES:

Wednesday June 5th - SOLD OUT

Wednesday June 12th

COST $55

Canadian Dollar (plus tax). Price includes hot lunch

What you will learn

This is a guided excursion. There is no formal class. The instructor/facilitator will be available to assist with any technical question and help guide you to create some great photographs.

What to expect

An evening of photography with a variety of raptor species in a controlled environment. The class will meet at the farm of noted Alberta conservationist and Falconer, Phil Trefry. Phil rescues and rehabilitates raptors in addition to being a leading Falconer in Alberta. Participants will have access to photograph Falcons and which ever species of Hawks or Owls are available that that time. An experienced photographer/instructor will be on hand to assist you with your technical settings and offer tips for creating spectacular photographs of these majestic birds.

The evening hours will help ensure that the lighting is best for photography. The controlled setting will virtually guarantee that you will come away with photographs that you will be proud of.

The species of Raptors available to photograph varies each time we visit. Species may include Peregrine Falcons, Barbary Falcons, Red Hawks, Harris Hawks, American Kestrel's, Saw Whet Owls, Burrowing Owls, Great Grey Owls and Goshawks or others.

Participants will be expected to make their own way to the location at a farm near Tofield. We will set an easy to locate meeting place near the location, then all students will convoy one kilometer to the farm where we will be taking the photographs. Details of the meeting place will be provided to participants closer to the date of the event. If you cannot drive yourself, a limited number of participants may travel with the instructor. Please contact us to coordinate a ride if necessary.

A DSLR of Advanced mirror-less camera - A telephoto or telephoto zoom lens. (wide-angle lenses are not recommended) - A fully charged battery for your camera. - a formatted memory card with room for lots of images. - A monopod (optional). Please note that these are only suggested equipment. We have had children with point and shoot cameras and people with only cell phone take photos they were proud of. All raptors will be tethered in various, open locations where photographers may come within 5 or 6 feet of the birds.

Equipment Required

Whatever you own. Any camera and lens will do as participants will be able to get quite close to the raptors. We have had children with cell phones take images they wer very proud of. however we do reccomend a good quality DSLR or Mirror-less camera with a slightly telephote lens for best results.

Prerequisites for our

Raptors guided photography excursion

Wednesday June 12th

class

Digital Camera Fundamentals Class or equivalent experience

Your Instructor for

Raptors guided photography excursion

Wednesday June 12th

Your instructor will be Chris Stambaugh. Chris is the former president of the Professional Photographer's of Canada and has been working as a professional photographer for over three decades.

Chris holds the designations of "Master of Photographic Arts" and "Honorary Lifetime Member" from the Professional Photographers of Canada and has won numerous awards for his work including being a finalist in the Alberta and Canadian Portrait Photographer of the Year.

Chris runs his own photography business called Imagine That Photographics where he specializes in portrait photography, commercial/corporate photography and school/graduation photography. He is currently the lead instructor at The Burwell School and teaches at the U of A Faculty of Extension. He has formerly been a photography instructor with NAIT Continuing Education and Edmonton Public Schools METRO.

Chris teaches many classes at our photography school including the Digital Camera Fundamentals class, Digital Photography for Beginners, Photographic Composition, Posing Families and Children class, Macro Photography, High Volume Photography, Photoshop, and The Business of Photography.