2016-09-12

This is a free newsletter from Bryan Hansel Photography. Respond and ask questions at Hello from Grand Teton National Park: the Old Patriarch Tree. Please, forward this newsletter to all your photography loving friends. If you don't already subscribe, you can subscribe for free.

Just a quick note from Grand Teton National Park. The other day, I hiked (bushwhacked) into the Old Patriarch Tree. The Old Patriarch Tree is a limber pine and an iconic tree that stands alone in the sagebrush flats. The park road used to go past the tree, but it’s now a 3/4 mile hike to get to it. I wasn’t excited about hauling lighting gear and camera gear 3/4 of a mile into the sagebrush, but I recruited several friends to help me get the shot.

The hike in the dark to the Old Patriarch Tree was exciting especially since we heard that a 900-pound grizzly gear had recently taken down bison and had feasted on it for four days. It was in a different part of the park, but still that was in the back of the mind while traveling under pitch dark skies.

Once at the Old Patriarch Tree and the lighting setup, it was a quick session because by the time I got back to my lodging I’d only get two hours of sleep before I had to teach a workshop at sunrise. Despite the lack of sleep the next day, the shot was worth it.

While photographing this tree isn’t part of it, I’m teaching another workshop in the Tetons next year. You should come to my Grand Teton National Park Photo Workshop.

Shooting info: Nikon D810, 14-24mm f/2.8 at 20mm, f/2.8, ISO 6,400, 30 seconds, lit with two LED light panels and the light was controlled with barn doors used as a snoot.



Each year I teach over 200 people photography. I offer these courses on Lake Superior and throughout the U.S. at various national parks. If you can't make a course, you can always sign up to do a 1:1 lesson or a private small group workshop. I also do presentations for photography clubs and photography club workshops. If you're interested, please, contact me.

2016 Photography Workshops

My 2016 photography workshops are sold out. Waiting lists are available for the remaining workshops.

2017 Photography Workshops

Just as a note, in 2017 I'm only offering two winter workshops instead of the normal three. So, space is limited and filling up.

February 3 to 5 -- Lake Superior Winter Photo Workshop

February 17 to 19 -- Lake Superior Winter Photo Workshop

April 6 to 9 -- Spring in the Great Smoky Mountains Photo Workshop -- NEW

April 22-23  -- Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge Photography Workshop

April 28-30 -- Spring Waterfall Photography Workshop

May 18-21 -- Spring in Theodore Roosevelt National Park Photography Workshop

June 16 to 18 -- North Shore Wildflower Photography Workshop

June 22 to 25 -- Milky Way Photography Workshop - NEW - Registration opens in September

July 13 to 16 -- Bluff Country of Northeastern Iowa Photography Workshop -- NEW

July 19 to 23 -- Night Skies and the Milky Way of the Gunflint Trail -- NEW 5-day format

August 16 to 20th -- Northern Night Skies: Night and Milky Way Photography Workshop

September 6 to 10 -- Grand Teton National Park Photography Workshop

September 27 to October 1  -- North Shore of Lake Superior Fall Photography Workshop

October 19 to 22 -- Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fall Photography Workshop

November 3 to 5 -- Gales of November Photography Workshop

November 11-12 -- Achieve Your Vision: Processing Photos in the Digital Darkroom

December 1 to 3 -- Badlands National Park Photography Workshop

2017 North House Folk School Photography Classes - 1.5 day classes

May 12-13: Focus! The Basics of Photography (Note: register via the North House)

June 2-3: Northern Landscapes Photography (Note: register via the North House)

October 7-8: October Skies: Night Photography Workshop (Note: register via the North House)

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