Thanks, I think i`m gonna need it! For me, I was planning a long trip in Texas this spring anyhow, so this is a much cheaper alternative and I can tag a few days on to the end if I want to visit a few other spots for the songbirds that I didn`t cover during the contest. The opportuntiy to build up my portfolio on private property where I am free of birdwatchers and other negative influences greatly supercedes the desire to win. It sounds like the perfect opportunity for getting great images through elaborate set-ups. Frankly, if I knew right now that I would place dead last, I think I would still go.
I am not underestimating the mental toll this will take, and I hope I can manage my homesickness effectively. I also have two very skilled assistants who will divide the month amongst themselves. I have stayed in hotels and spent long hours in a car with both these guys and we work very well together. They are also resilient Canadians with a relentless desire to produce great images, despite their 9 to 5 status. I`m hoping their presence will help me manage my own anxieties and stay positive throughout those grueling days.
Scott
Posted by Cliff Beittel on December 4, 2007 at 3:31 PM
I have a close friend who participated in the 2006 Pro-Tour and said it was really tough.
I think much of that had to do with drought conditions. In terms of homesickness, hard work, etc., a month is pretty easy stuff compared to the up to five or six months involved in some similar contests.
My name is Bob Petersen and I was the chairman of the 2006 Pro-Tour in the Texas Hill Country. My ranch, The Petersen Ranch also competed in the competition with Sean Fitzgerald as our photographer. I assited Sean during most of the competition and I can say that it was both fun and a lot of hard work. But I found it quite rewarding and from a landowner viewpoint, quite educational.
If you are a professional photographer or if you are a highly experienced nature photographer that does not meet the 80% requirement mentioned earlier on this chain, and feel that you would like to enter the contest, I would encourage you to contact John Martin at www.imagesforconservatoin.org and present your qualifications, there may be opportunities to still be accepted in the contest.
Although the Pro-tour is a photography contest/tounament and does pay out a significnat amount of prize money. The real purpose of the event is to raise awareness of the photographic opportunities available on private lands and create a sustainable conservation model.
In Texas 94% of the land is privately held and by definition, not available to the majority of the photographic community. ICF would like to change that by creating a financial model for landowners that would encourage them to open their lands to paying photography customers. Simply put, if the habitat that they have has value, then they will be financially incented to maintain and enhance it.
As a direct result of the first Pro-tour, I lead a group of 6 conservation minded landowners who now offer photography on our lands. All were part of the 2006 Pro-tour and all are well versed in the needs of visiting photographers. Our organization is called the Texas Hill Country Nature Photography Alliance. I encourage you to visit http://www.imagesforconservation.org/travel/region/hill+country and find out more about our organization and member ranches.
Please get involved and good luck.
Posted by Mike Murphy on December 8, 2007 at 4:25 PM
I can second Bob Petersen's post regarding the upcoming Pro-Tour, held from April 1-30, 2008 in the Coastal Bend of Texas. IF you're a serious nature photographer, AND willing to make a month-long commitment to live, breathe, and photograph nature, take the time to apply, which you can do online at the ICF's website.
Like Bob, our ranch participated in the 2006 Pro-Tour, we were matched with nature shooter Jess Lee. Like Bob, I spent a lot of time and hard work preparing for the contest, and helping Jess make the best images he could. The tour did take place in the second year of a drought, so conditions were in fact challenging. Nonetheless, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
And, like Bob, our ranch (Los Madrones) is now open for nature photographers who want to "rent a ranch" for a day or two to concentrate on nature photography. I'll be at the NANPA Summit in Florida in Feb., with Bob, to talk with folks about our group, the Texas Hill Country Nature Photography Alliance. I'll also be happy to make bookings for Los Madrones (Dripping Springs).
Bottom line is, if you really, really want to compete in the Pro-Tour, and have any kind of proven track record, fill out the application and see what happens. If you get accepted, feel free to contact, Bob, myself, or any of the other photographers from the 2006 event with any questions.
Posted by Jim Erhardt on December 11, 2007 at 7:01 AM
If it wasn't for new work committments, I would go myself for the full month (not that I would have a prayer of winning).
If anyone is interested in participating in this event as a sponsored representative of the Nature Photographers Network - even if you do not qualify as a "full time pro" - please contact me ASAP!
Posted by Josh Anderson on December 11, 2007 at 7:43 PM
Jim, I sent you an email. Let me know if you do not get it.
Posted by Jim Erhardt on December 11, 2007 at 8:09 PM
Josh, email received and replied to!
Posted by Josh Anderson on December 11, 2007 at 9:53 PM
Jim, I just sent you two more emails!
Josh
Posted by Jim Erhardt on December 19, 2007 at 6:17 AM
Update 12-19-07
We are pleased to announce that we have officially set up a new program where we will sponsor a NPN member to represent us each year in the ICF Pro Tour. The sponsorship presently includes covering the $1000.00 entry fee and supplying NPN logowear. We hope to expand on this sponsorship in the future.
This year Josh Anderson will represent the Nature Photographers Network. Along with being a talented nature photographer, Josh has been a NPN member and regular participant since June 2005. You can view Josh's work using the "WWW" and "Portfolio" links in his post above. Congratulations to Josh, and good luck at the event!
In the January '08 edition, we will present an article detailing the selection process for future Pro Tours.
Posted by David Bostedo on December 19, 2007 at 9:04 AM
Good luck Josh! Sounds like an amazing (and tough) competition.
I'll send my good luck wishes too Josh!! Hopefully, you'll write about your experiences there!! We look forward to seeing your commentary!! Do us proud!!!
Posted by Thomas Biggs on December 21, 2007 at 4:15 PM
Congrats and good luck Josh!!
Posted by David Bostedo on December 21, 2007 at 10:32 PM
Oh...and good luck to Scott Linstead too....though he isn't sponsored by NPN. Sorry to leave you out Scott!
Posted by Josh Anderson on February 1, 2008 at 12:40 AM
Thanks everyone!
Posted by Marc Langille on February 17, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Jim: I sent you an e-mail on this post.
I am trying to figure out:
1) if my schedule will permit the month off
2) Mr. Martin would allow me to participate
Discussion
20 repliesIf not, then I think NPN should sponsor a NPN member for the competition.
The NPN community could vote on who gets to go from a selection of members who meet the qualifications and want to spend a month in Texas.
Just a thought
Anyone already going? Anyone interested in going?
Scott
I have a close friend who participated in the 2006 Pro-Tour and said it was really tough. Good luck!
Thanks, I think i`m gonna need it! For me, I was planning a long trip in Texas this spring anyhow, so this is a much cheaper alternative and I can tag a few days on to the end if I want to visit a few other spots for the songbirds that I didn`t cover during the contest. The opportuntiy to build up my portfolio on private property where I am free of birdwatchers and other negative influences greatly supercedes the desire to win. It sounds like the perfect opportunity for getting great images through elaborate set-ups. Frankly, if I knew right now that I would place dead last, I think I would still go.
I am not underestimating the mental toll this will take, and I hope I can manage my homesickness effectively. I also have two very skilled assistants who will divide the month amongst themselves. I have stayed in hotels and spent long hours in a car with both these guys and we work very well together. They are also resilient Canadians with a relentless desire to produce great images, despite their 9 to 5 status. I`m hoping their presence will help me manage my own anxieties and stay positive throughout those grueling days.
Scott
I think much of that had to do with drought conditions. In terms of homesickness, hard work, etc., a month is pretty easy stuff compared to the up to five or six months involved in some similar contests.
My name is Bob Petersen and I was the chairman of the 2006 Pro-Tour in the Texas Hill Country. My ranch, The Petersen Ranch also competed in the competition with Sean Fitzgerald as our photographer. I assited Sean during most of the competition and I can say that it was both fun and a lot of hard work. But I found it quite rewarding and from a landowner viewpoint, quite educational.
If you are a professional photographer or if you are a highly experienced nature photographer that does not meet the 80% requirement mentioned earlier on this chain, and feel that you would like to enter the contest, I would encourage you to contact John Martin at www.imagesforconservatoin.org and present your qualifications, there may be opportunities to still be accepted in the contest.
Although the Pro-tour is a photography contest/tounament and does pay out a significnat amount of prize money. The real purpose of the event is to raise awareness of the photographic opportunities available on private lands and create a sustainable conservation model.
In Texas 94% of the land is privately held and by definition, not available to the majority of the photographic community. ICF would like to change that by creating a financial model for landowners that would encourage them to open their lands to paying photography customers. Simply put, if the habitat that they have has value, then they will be financially incented to maintain and enhance it.
As a direct result of the first Pro-tour, I lead a group of 6 conservation minded landowners who now offer photography on our lands. All were part of the 2006 Pro-tour and all are well versed in the needs of visiting photographers. Our organization is called the Texas Hill Country Nature Photography Alliance. I encourage you to visit http://www.imagesforconservation.org/travel/region/hill+country and find out more about our organization and member ranches.
Please get involved and good luck.
Like Bob, our ranch participated in the 2006 Pro-Tour, we were matched with nature shooter Jess Lee. Like Bob, I spent a lot of time and hard work preparing for the contest, and helping Jess make the best images he could. The tour did take place in the second year of a drought, so conditions were in fact challenging. Nonetheless, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
And, like Bob, our ranch (Los Madrones) is now open for nature photographers who want to "rent a ranch" for a day or two to concentrate on nature photography. I'll be at the NANPA Summit in Florida in Feb., with Bob, to talk with folks about our group, the Texas Hill Country Nature Photography Alliance. I'll also be happy to make bookings for Los Madrones (Dripping Springs).
Bottom line is, if you really, really want to compete in the Pro-Tour, and have any kind of proven track record, fill out the application and see what happens. If you get accepted, feel free to contact, Bob, myself, or any of the other photographers from the 2006 event with any questions.
If anyone is interested in participating in this event as a sponsored representative of the Nature Photographers Network - even if you do not qualify as a "full time pro" - please contact me ASAP!
Josh
We are pleased to announce that we have officially set up a new program where we will sponsor a NPN member to represent us each year in the ICF Pro Tour. The sponsorship presently includes covering the $1000.00 entry fee and supplying NPN logowear. We hope to expand on this sponsorship in the future.
This year Josh Anderson will represent the Nature Photographers Network. Along with being a talented nature photographer, Josh has been a NPN member and regular participant since June 2005. You can view Josh's work using the "WWW" and "Portfolio" links in his post above. Congratulations to Josh, and good luck at the event!
In the January '08 edition, we will present an article detailing the selection process for future Pro Tours.
I am trying to figure out:
1) if my schedule will permit the month off
2) Mr. Martin would allow me to participate
Regards,
Marc