Muench Workshops -- Sitka, Alaska -- August 2010

[DavidTO]

Sitka by the Sea, Alaska
August 20-25, 2010

We've had countless requests for a workshop in Alaska, and we're so pleased to be going to Sitka.

We'll be joined by our guide and fellow photographer Dan Evans as we explore the land and sea of this amazing location.

We're really pulling out the stops to make sure that we take full advantage of what Sitka has to offer. Boat trips, salmon and crab bakes along with some intense photo instruction will make this a trip to remember.

You can read all about it right here.

Marc Muench and Andy Williams return to lead this workshop.

Registration is now open.

[Andy]

I. Can't. Wait.

[Awais Yaqub]

Man

[Llywellyn]

Eeeeeenvvvvyyyyy. Fantastic choice!

[heatherfeather]

Ohhhh so tempting.

[Yellowstonegirl]

Ohhh...I'd love to visit Alaska again...

Kristine

[CoryUT]

Time for me to start saving up! I've always wanted to see Alaska. What a perfect excuse this would be.

[ehughes]

Oh man, this one looks fun.....

[Prezwoodz]

You guys are coming to Alaska and nobody even told us! Sounds like a good trip for sure.

[pathfinder]

So - who all is signed up for this trip?

Nightingale insisted that we are going, so we are signed up. Who else?

Any thoughts on lenses needed for shooting whales from aboard small craft? At least 200mm. 400mm too long or too short?

Camera raincoats to keep saltwater off our camera bodies seem a good idea.

is it time to begin discussion of gear to take and travel plans to Sitka?

Anyone considering traveling by ferry from Seattle, or is everyone flying directly to Sitka?

What temperature variations should we expect, and how much rain should we expect?

Any thoughts or suggestion, Marc or Andy?

[clikrf8]

Aha, closer to home. The Alaska Ferry Terminal is about 5 miles from my home in Bellingham, WA. Also, I fished for 2 years on a gillnetter in Southeast Alaska back in the late 70s. Very beautiful part of the country. I didn't go near Sitka, but stayed in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway. I believe Sitka has the volcano? My favorite scenic route was between St. Petersburg and Juneau with icebergs and Grey whales. We might do this one. The weather can be fickle but August has the best weather usually, just like we do.

[Fred W]

Originally Posted by pathfinder

So - who all is signed up for this trip?

Nightingale insisted that we are going, so we are signed up. Who else?

is it time to begin discussion of gear to take and travel plans to Sitka?

Anyone considering traveling by ferry from Seattle, or is everyone flying directly to Sitka?

Hi Jim,

I'm on board for this trip !!!!! I haven't started travel plans yet.

I didn't consider ferry via Seattle to Sitka but I'm curious as to whether it is a good scenic travel alternative.

Gear wise I will probably bring more than I need as usual.

Looking forward to seeing you and Kathy again !!!!

Happy Holidays,

[Marc Muench]

Originally Posted by pathfinder

Any thoughts on lenses needed for shooting whales from aboard small craft? At least 200mm. 400mm too long or too short?

Camera raincoats to keep saltwater off our camera bodies seem a good idea.

is it time to begin discussion of gear to take and travel plans to Sitka?

Anyone considering traveling by ferry from Seattle, or is everyone flying directly to Sitka?

What temperature variations should we expect, and how much rain should we expect?

Any thoughts or suggestion, Marc or Andy?

Hello Jim

Sitka in August has the greatest potential for sunny days. However, you understand Alaska and it could rain a bunch so packing rubber rain gear is the very best. If you dont have rubber gore tex will do! The temp can very as well, from 80 in the sun on the water to 30 at dusk up on the mountain, layers, layers and layers!
I will be shooting with a 7d, 17mm T/S, 70-200 and 1.4conv. I always carry the 50 1.8 macro as well for closeups.
I take a large dry bag that holds my entire camera pack. If it rains or gets nasty I simply throw the whole enchilada in the bag, and when dry just keep it rolled up in my duffel.

BTW, this would be a great trip to carry the 400mm or longer! There will be room on board the boats for a few extra bags and the wildlife ought to be well worth it. I just may bring something longer as well.

What is nice about Sitka is that there is shooting ops within walking distance of the hotel

[Andy]

Originally Posted by pathfinder

Any thoughts on lenses needed for shooting whales from aboard small craft?

I'm going to bring a Canon 400 f/5.6 - it's got reach, sharp as all get out, and it's easily hand-holdable. I can raise my ISO without fear if I need to. This is a big deal for me, for years my longest glass has been 200mm :)

More on the weather and stuff, soon.

[pathfinder]

[QUOTE=Fred W]

Originally Posted by pathfinder

So - who all is signed up for this trip?

Nightingale insisted that we are going, so we are signed up. Who else?

is it time to begin discussion of gear to take and travel plans to Sitka?

Anyone considering traveling by ferry from Seattle, or is everyone flying directly to Sitka?]



Hi Jim,

I'm on board for this trip !!!!! I haven't started travel plans yet.

I didn't consider ferry via Seattle to Sitka but I'm curious as to whether it is a good scenic travel alternative.

Gear wise I will probably bring more than I need as usual.

Looking forward to seeing you and Kathy again !!!!

Happy Holidays,

Lets talk some more about the ferry - I think Kathy and I would like to arrive a day early and stay one or two days afterward as well. Do we know what hotel we will be staying in in Sitka?

We are considering getting to the west coast via Donner Pass, after following the Pony Express route from St Joseph Missouri westerly (we will be driving obviously). This is the 150th anniversary of the Pony Express.

Then head north along the Oregon and Washington coasts, until we reach the ferry - there is one at Bellingham isn't there? I know little about the ferry to Ak other than what I can find rummaging around on the web.

I might even take a gander at the Hewes Marine Company in Colville Wa.

[dadwtwins]

Originally Posted by pathfinder

So - who all is signed up for this trip?

Nightingale insisted that we are going, so we are signed up. Who else?

Any thoughts on lenses needed for shooting whales from aboard small craft? At least 200mm. 400mm too long or too short?

Camera raincoats to keep saltwater off our camera bodies seem a good idea.

is it time to begin discussion of gear to take and travel plans to Sitka?

Anyone considering traveling by ferry from Seattle, or is everyone flying directly to Sitka?

What temperature variations should we expect, and how much rain should we expect?

Any thoughts or suggestion, Marc or Andy?

Hey Pathfinder,

I will be there....hopefully I can take enough time off to show up a few days early and stay a day or so.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by dadwtwins

Hey Pathfinder,

I will be there....hopefully I can take enough time off to show up a few days early and stay a day or so.

[pathfinder]

Originally Posted by dadwtwins

Hey Pathfinder,

I will be there....hopefully I can take enough time off to show up a few days early and stay a day or so.

Glad to hear you are coming along too, Dan. It's going to be like old times once again!!

Happy Holidays to one and all.

[DavidTO]

Originally Posted by pathfinder

Do we know what hotel we will be staying in in Sitka?

Shee Atika 907-747-3693

Marc and Andy will have to address the rest of your questions.

[ChatKat]

Sitka is the perfect place to be in Alaska. The scenery is beautiful. This is so tempting.