Abandoned Photo Tours: Oyen Alberta

Welcome back! Prepare yourself for a weekend of abandoned photography.

Choose ONE or TWO days/nights of touring.

It's understandable that some people can't make the Friday session, therefore there is an option to attend either the Friday or Saturday session. Please keep in mind that the tours are different for both days.

If you've taken the OYEN 'School's Out' tour before, FOUR new homesteads have been added to the Friday tour. The Saturday tour will have ONE homestead, ONE Abandoned Farmstead and TWO Abandoned School Houses.

Or if you'd prefer, you can purchase the weekend pass at a discounted rate.

Itinerary:

DAY ONE: Friday, April 16th, 11:00 AM (Presentation Canalta Hotel Meeting Room)

- Introductions.

- Safety, Waivers & Legalities.

- Locations & History.

- Tips on creative composition, night photography and stars.

- Q&A.

12:00 PM - Gas Up! Organize your food and drinks for the road trip.

1:00 PM - Avery Stewart Homestead

2:00 PM - TBA

4:00 PM - Cessford Homestead

6:00 pm - Barton Homestead (Sunset & Night Photography)

11:00pm - Back at Hotel.

DAY 2: Saturday, April 17th

5:30 AM - Depart Hotel (Optional).

6:36 AM - Sunrise Avery Stewart Homestead.

8:00 AM - Breakfast

10:00 AM - Presentation

11:30AM - Depart Hotel

12:00 PM - School #1

2:00 PM - Gillespie Homestead

4:00 PM - Otto's Farmstead

6:00 - 10:00 PM - School #2

FYI Moon Phase is Waxing Crescent Phase.

GEAR , RULES & ACCOMMODATIONS

- The meeting room will be set up for social distancing. As it stands right now, masks will be required during the presentation.

- Please do not attend the tour if you have any COVID related symptoms or have been in contact with anyone with COVID in the past 14 days before the event.

- Participants are responsible for their own transportation. Carpooling is recommended if you know someone on the tour but it isn't mandatory. This helps keep the convoy of vehicles down to a minimum. We will be on a few gravel roads so please have a reliable vehicle. I can take 3 people plus their gear and supplies in my jeep. Let me know and I'll reserve you a seat.

- A DSLR/FILM Camera, Full frame or Crop Sensor.

- Recommended lenses are: Wide angle lens 14mm - 24mm for landscape or interiors, Telephoto Lens 70-200mm for closer up compositions or wildlife. A recommended aperture of 1.4 - 2.8 for night photography/stars. 3.5 - 4.0 will also work but not ideal. You can always rent a lens for the weekend.

- Please keep in mind that if you have a crop sensor you'll have to account for the crop factor. For example, if you have a 24mm lens on a Crop Sensor then your lens will actually function as a 38mm lens. This will affect the night photography portion of the tour if you want to shoot along side with others who have a full frame sensor. All this means is that you'll have to compose the house and stars further back than everyone who is using a full frame sensor.

- Please bring your camera manual. This is a photo tour and you should have a good working knowledge of your camera. I shoot with a Canon and I'm becoming familiar with some camera models, and there may be some participants who can also lend a hand, but it's your responsibility to know how to work your own camera.

Things to know:

- Shooting in RAW vs. JPEG. It's OK to shoot in JPEG, but you'll be limited when editing your images. If you shoot in RAW your files sizes will be bigger and your memory card will fill up quicker, so please be sure to have a couple of additional memory cards with you.

- How to set your camera to a 2 second timer. This will get your hands off the camera to alleviate camera shake.

- Be sure to have your 'Long Exposure Noise Reduction' set to OFF'. If it is set to 'ON' then the wait time for your image to process within your camera will double. For example; during the night photography portion, a 30 second exposure will turn into an additional 30 seconds of processing within your camera. So you'll be waiting longer than everyone else who doesn't have this function turned on. The waiting can be annoying and take away from your experience.

- How to shoot in Manual (M), specifically how to change your shutter speed, ISO and aperture.

- How to access your LIVE VIEW mode (If you have it as an option). This will help with the nigh photography portion.

- Set your LCD brightness to maximum. This is a game changer for many people. They'll now be able to see their image brighter and clearer on the back of their camera. It definitely helps.

- Learn how to access your histogram on your LCD display. This will give you an accurate reading of your exposure. Most people rely on the back of their LCD screen image to determine the quality of an image. Don't trust your LCD screen. Learn how to read your histogram. Some camera models also have a built in digital level and grid display, this can be advantageous when composing.

- Extra batteries, chargers, cables, memory cards and lens cloth for condensation on your lens. Did I mention EXTRA BATTERIES?

- A reliable tripod, tripod head and quick release plate. Spend the money on a good set of legs as it'll save you time and make the experience more enjoyable. People tend to get frustrated and will be more inclined to give up and go home if they're struggling with their gear.

- L-Bracket for your camera model. This is not necessary but it will definitely speed up your composition process when changing from Landscape to Portrait orientations. If you're unsure what an L-Bracket is, google it in conjunction with your camera model.

- Shutter Release Cable (or you could use your 2 second timer, anything longer than a 30 second exposure you'll need a shutter release cable because you'll be using BULB Mode).

- A chair. Although I never use one, the trend is to bring a chair and sit while shooting. Some like to take a break and may have bad backs or knees so this will be a welcomed comfort. I also recommend you keep moving and shoot as this will keep you warm and motivated.

- Warm clothing. Reliable coat especially to cut the wind. Rain jacket and water resistant pants. Boots with ankle supports as there will be uneven ground and gophers holes. A toque and warm gloves.

- A headlamp for the night photography portion. If you have the option, please use the 'RED LED' light as a courtesy for other shooters. There's nothing worse than someone's light in your shot. Using your cellphone for a light source is cumbersome and takes away from the experience.

- Please bring your own supply of food and water.

- There are NO bathrooms at any of the locations on the tour. Go before we leave. There is plenty of wilderness to do your business. Bring your own toilet paper.

- Please NO drugs or alcohol. If you are a smoker, there is no smoking at the locations. Please do so in your own vehicle. Please no littering.

- Do not park in long grass as the undercarriage of vehicles could ignite a grass fire.

- Please be polite and respectful to everyone. Be mindful of where people have set up and always ask if you can can pass in front of them. Remember, get your shot and move on.

- Please DO NOT disclose any of the locations on social media. We have permission to be here from the landowner for this private event only. This is not open permission to return. If you do return and get caught, DO NOT drop my name or 'Abandoned Photo Tours'. We want to see these places around for many more years.

ACCOMMODATIONS

- Participants are responsible for their own accommodations. The room rate for the Canalta Hotel is $140.00 per night. Book under the code "Abandoned Photo Tours". Please book before April 5th. The cost jumps to $160.00 after the rooms have been release.

REFUND POLICY

- Refunds will be issued for extreme weather as advised by the province.

- Please be aware that photographers can shoot in all kinds of weather. No refunds will be issued if the weather is rainy or cold and not suitable to your standards.

- If you are a 'Fair-Weather' photographer, then this course may not be for you.

- Your ticket is TRANSFERABLE, that means you're responsible for collecting payment for your ticket and relaying the information to 'Abandoned Photo Tours' of the new participant.

- Any other reasons for needing a refund can be addressed via email.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, comments or suggestions. Thank you and see you soon!

Robert Scott