CSNP Spring Gathering - April 28 & 29

Well as another year winds to an end, I spent some time reflecting back on things accomplished and those yet to do. One thing I'd hoped to do this year was meet more of the talented photographers that post on our forum.

I did get the opportunity to meet Tim Buchanan (and have some Jamacian food, maaan) in February but I didn't get to meet anyone else.

To that end it seems to me that we should plan a CSNP group photography gathering this year. We had one in October of 2004 and camped at Steele Creek Campground, which was a blast. Jason Doss, Leah Hennings, Mike Fox & I met for a weekend of hiking and shooting. Tim E. & Glenn had prior commitments but made it by for introductions Friday night.

If anyone is interested in getting together as a group, now would be a good time to start planning. Since timing fall color is sooooo difficult I am proposing a spring gathering.

Interested parties should post suggestions on this thread on where to gather and recommend optimal dates for the shooting there. I am assuming that since the vast majority of the CSNP group lives in Arkansas that we would probably gather there, but then again you may want to get out of town and shoot something other than the "Natural State"!

Other ideas for the non-shooting hours could be to have everyone attending bring prints to share. We could discuss post-capture techniques, have a print exchange, etc. If we have access to the resources we could even process and print some of the days images. Just some thoughts.

As an incentive to participate, I'll bring the wine! Chime in and let's see if we can't pull this together. I'd love to meet the many talented photographers that post to CSNP!

I'm in! How about you?

Wayne,

This is a great idea. Thanks for getting it started. I want to attend and will think about some ideas.

As long I as I have enough notice, my schedule can be pretty flexible, so I am in! Wayne if you bring wine that rules out Richland Creek (isn't that right, Tim?). I like Pinot Noir if you're taking requests. April or Early May would be a great time.

Dominic, that's around the time frame I was expecting. If we keep this in Arkansas we can have waterfalls and wildflowers as subjects. For wildflowers is later better?

Sounds good to me, Wayne!

Great idea, Wayne! I'm in. If folks are wanting to shoot the early wildflowers in Arkansas, the upper Buffalo area in mid March - early April is pretty hard to beat. And if we get much rain, the waterfalls should be running nicely. But you know how that goes...Then the lady slippers, dogwoods, redbuds, and wild azaleas should start blooming after that, in mid - late April. Any ol' time works for me.

Looking forward to meeting you guys.

Well it sounds like the early concensus is to shoot in Arkansas, which is fine with me. I think my preference would be to try to maximize the potential subject matter so it sounds like mid-to-late April may be the optimal time for that. I'm assuming that we are talking a weekend here so should we start targeting in on actual dates?

I was also thinking about the rental cabin (house) on Cave Mountain as a possibility. Interested parties could share that place and maybe they would allow people to camp on site too, if needed.

BTW, will there be a prize for the photographer travelling the furtherest?

Hey, Wayne sounds like a great idea. I have a small cabin just south of Pettigrew that we can use. It can hold several people if some are willing to bring sleeping bags and pads and plenty of space for camping. It is about 25-30 minutes from the upper Buffalo area. If the group is interested let me know.

Tom Kennon

Tom, that's a generous offer and it sounds like it's right in the neighborhood! If we can get a concensus on the upper Buffalo area for our gathering then I think you are on!

Everyone start checking their calendar and let's nail down a weekend for event! I'm pumped!

I just checked the 2007 calendar and Easter falls on April 8th. I suggest we target the weekend of April 28 & 29. Any objections?

Wayne, the weekend of April 28 & 29 is great for me. I have business meetings on the weekend before and after. The cabin has electricity so anyone that wants to bring their laptop can use it to review their shots. If the group wants to get a place closer to the action, I am ok with that also.

Wayne,
This sounds like fun. What kind of cost are we talking about?

Glenn, it sounds like we are narrowing in on photographing in the upper Buffalo region the last weekend of April. If we do in fact take advantage of Tom's generous offer for the use of his cabin I would think a "donation" to him as thank you would be in order. But I'll differ to Tom on that point.

Otherwise there is no cost to attend other than your own personal expenses like fuel, food and personal items. It sounds like there is some significant interest in participaiton. So as we draw closer to the event we may want to coordinate and ask people to bring certain food items or we could approach it by fending for ourselves (in terms of eating). There are merits to both approaches.

I'm glad you are interested, it should be great fun. And with this much positive energy the weather and shooting conditions have got to be good!

Wayne, if there will be some boy scouts nearby who will make us pancakes like they did last time, then I'll go. :)

I'm sure there will be some boy scouts there (although they may not be currently active) who would love to make you pancakes! All you have to do is haul another "tree" back to camp for firewood and cut it up with a butter knife!

I'm holding you to your commitment here .... you're in right?

With enough advance warning, I'll be able to come. No promises of feats of strength this time. That was one huge tree we brought back, wasn't it? Because of that night, I never forget to bring my trusty hacksaw. :)

Wayne,
Count me in. My daughter and I shoot together so she is interested too but she is not an NPN member. Maybe we can make her into one.
Glenn

Hey Glenn, it's great that your daughter shoots with you! You must cherish those times together with her photographing nature. Memories to last a lifetime.

In my opinion, this gathering isn't a "sanctioned" CSNP event, I don't think we will ever get to that point. The idea was merely my way of getting to meet as many of the people who post here as possible (at one time) and have some fun along the way.

I don't think this is an exclusive event, so I can't image anyone having a problem with another avid nature photographer joining in. What's her name?

Wayne,
It is pretty special to have Michelle out hiking and shooting with me. She started me out with the hiking. I started shooting with a Nikon N55 35mm. Now we both shoot the D200. Of course I'll always have my Mamiya Rb67 with me. Her husband, John, shoots a D70 some.

Wayne,
It is pretty special to have Michelle out hiking and shooting with me. She started me out with the hiking. I started shooting with a Nikon N55 35mm. Now we both shoot the D200. Of course I'll always have my Mamiya Rb67 with me. Her husband, John, shoots a D70 some.

I dont post much any more as i stay busy with my portrait business... but i would love to get out and meet everyone!

matt terry
www.terrysphotography.biz

Matt, we would love to have you join us! Heck, with a group this size you might even get some good candids of the photographers themselves .... not that anybody would want shots of us! (Please, no blackmail shots )

I'll be posting a follow-up thread soon so keep checking in. I think it's going to be a great time and certainly one to remember. Thanks!

well... thanks for the offer wayne... but im booked up for that weekend. These wedding brides are very demanding!

you guys have fun... and hopefully i can make the next trip!