This weekend photo tour is sponsored and organized by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, whose mission is to further the preservation, protection and enhancement of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I am honored to be associated with this fine organization. The following information comes from the foundation:

(Note: Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation has not yet set up registration for this event. When they do, information will be on this page of their website. http://www.brpfoundation.org/events.php. You may also call 336-721-0260.)

Join acclaimed professional photographer Kevin Adams for an exciting and educational full-moon weekend designed to usher in the autumn season. Hosted by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation in partnership with Charlotte’s Discovery Place, the workshop will provide an opportunity to hone your photography skills in an atmosphere of appreciation for the natural and cultural amenities of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The event is held at Wildacres Retreat, nestled at an elevation of 3,300 feet near Little Switzerland, adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Registration is limited to 15 participants and includes lodging, on-site transportation, and all meals from Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast.

Kevin will be your personal guide and instructor throughout the weekend. A general outline of the weekend’s activities is listed below. We want you to have a grand experience photographing the North Carolina mountains, so we’ll take advantage of local conditions and adjust the schedule as needed. We’ll rise early and stay up late, but there are no strenuous activities planned. In addition to shooting the rising and setting sun, we’ll have the opportunity to photograph a variety of subjects, including waterfalls, forest scenes, fall wildflowers, and sweeping landscapes.

Friday

Participants will gather Friday afternoon for introductions and an overview of the schedule. Kevin will give a presentation relating to the weekend’s photo opportunities. After dinner, we’ll visit a location on the Blue Ridge Parkway to photograph the sunset.

Saturday

We’ll rise early and travel to a location on the Blue Ridge Parkway to photograph the sunrise. After the sunrise session, we’ll return to Wildacres and have breakfast. Then we’ll head back into the field for a morning photo session before lunch. After lunch, participants can have time on their own or join in informal shooting sessions on the grounds of Wildacres. We’ll gather before dinner in the auditorium for a photo presentation and discussion. After dinner, we’ll head back out to photograph the sunset. Upon our return to Wildacres, those who wish can participate with Kevin in an informal photo discussion before retiring for the night.

Sunday

As with Saturday, we’ll rise early and travel to a location on the Blue Ridge Parkway to photograph the sunrise. After the morning photo session, we’ll head back to Wildacres for breakfast and then spend the rest of the morning in a classroom session or photographing in the field. The workshop officially ends at lunch.

Packing List

The photo opportunities on this photo tour are varied. Since most of our outings will be relatively close to the vehicle, participants should bring all the photo gear they can comfortably carry. Late September weather in the North Carolina mountains is unpredictable. While the temperatures are usually pleasant at this time of year, you should come prepared for the upper thirties at sunrise and the low eighties during the day. For the optimal photographic experience, the following photo gear is recommended, but certainly not required.

Sturdy tripod with a good-quality ball head
Wide-angle lens (a wide-angle zoom lens is ideal)
A telephoto zoom lens (70-300mm range is ideal)
Some method for shooting closeups ( macro lens, closeup diopters, or extension tubes)
Polarizing filter