DON GALE “ON THE ROAD”

Unique, on-site workshops conducted in some of the most inspiring outdoor locations. Learn how to combine your love of the outdoors with the basic photographic techniques used by professional photographer Don Gale to record the wonders of nature from behind a lens. See below for more information regarding the workshops.

To see some photos of the locations listed below, check out the GALLERY section of our site. We typically return to the same place, year after year. There's a good chance we've got the images from the latest trip posted there.

2009 Workshops


Besides what we've already listed below, we're planning on several more trips this year, but have yet to set all the dates. Please check back, as we'll be adding new events as soon as the details are finalized.
Hope you can join us!


Yosemite Valley in the Winter
February 7-10, 2009 / $525

The crowds are gone and the snow-covered valley is incredible! Everywhere you turn is a classic scene, waiting to be photographed.
Check out our website GALLERY for images from last year. We've already reserved a block of rooms at The Lodge At The Falls....give us a call if you'd like one reserved.


Fred Hall Sports show / Long Beach Convention Center
March 4th thru 8th 2009

Print display and daily photo seminars We'll be doing inkjet printing, right in the booth, using the HP 8850

Workshop in Big Sur
March 14-17, 2009 / $550

Hidden far from any major city, this is truly a gem of the California coast. Some of the most rugged coastal cliffs, waterfalls, and probably a spectacular display of wildflowers this time of year. Join us for a very special shooting opportunity.....lots of tropical, fern-filled canyons, and a few beaches, which at sunset are truly amazing. Check our gallery section to see images from the recent trip we made here.





Workshop in Cambria, San Simeon, Morro Bay, CA
March 19-22, 2009 / $550

Right in the middle of the wildflower season, this place offers rolling, green hills, rugged coastal scenes. Also an amazing variety of birds, otters and seals. It's obvious why William Randolph Hearst chose this location for his unbelievable home.....the famed Hearst Castle. Here's a few of the shots from last year. There's plenty of hotels and B&B's right nearby....or, stay with us in the large house ($85/person/night) we've rented for the workshop base-camp. It's got a huge living room, and kitchen. This gives our group a great place to conduct the classroom sessions, where we do digital slide shows, image critiques, and inkjet printing demonstrations. Call our studio for more info on the workshop, and rental house.


Fred Hall Sports Show / Del Mar Fairgrounds / San Diego
March 25th thru 29th 2009
Print display and booth. Photo seminars daily. We'll have the newest HP inkjet printer in the booth, and doing print demos all day long.


Tamron Learning Center Road Series 2009
Portland, Oregon April 3-5


Weekend On a Beachfront California Ranch
April 18th thru 20th 2009 / $395
Located very near the classic coastal town of Santa Barbara, this private 3000 acre ranch has just about everything you can imagine for a rewarding photographic adventure. Rolling hills, which should be green and loaded with wildflowers. It's own private beach, an overhead wooden railroad trestle, and tons of other amazing features.
The itinerary for this weekend's workshop will include two sunset shooting sessions right on the beach. Three sunrise sessions also on location in the local hills and beach area. And, mid day, when the lighting isn't at it's best, we'll move indoors for some classroom sessions featuring critiques of student work, using a digital slide projector. We'll also cover some basic Photoshop techniques on image preparation, and do some inkjet printing demonstrations, using the same printers found in our studio.
The owner of this incredible ranch will also be attending, and has offered the use of his private guest quarters to house our group. It's a huge, 5 bedroom place, located right on the property. The cost for 3 nites lodging and selected meals will be approximately $240. Hotels are also an option, and are located approximately 5 miles away.
This is a new location for us. It's the perfect time of year to shoot the central coast. This should be great!

Lancaster Photography Association
Evening Seminar April 21, 2009 6 pm - 8:30 pm
No Charge, and visitors welcome!
Meeting at the
Antelope Valley Senior Center
777 W Jackman St.
Lancaster, CA 93534 (click HERE for more info)
There's a good chance that the timing for this High Desert seminar may coincide with the annual Poppy bloom in Lancaster! Come out for the meeting, grab a room in a local hotel, and be ready the next morning for some mid-week, crowd free, wildflower shooting. For the most up-to-date wildflower reports, make sure to visit Carol Leigh's website calphoto.com and scroll all the way down to the bottom for accurate reports....

Workshop in Hawaii
April 25 - May 1, 2009 / $850
On the lush, green Island of Kauai. We'll be based on the south end of the island...near some of the worlds finest beaches and scenic views.
Warm tropical water, palm trees, rainbows and sunsets like nowhere else. Our group will have the opportunity to stay together in a huge luxury home, in a hillside canyon, near the beach....or, get a room of your own in one of the many nearby hotels. Call for more information, and to reserve your spot.
A couple of longtime, local residents will be assisting us , and showing some of their personal, secret places to get amazing shots.
The large house, where we'll be based, has all the conveniences of your home....4 bedrooms, loft, full kitchen, 2 1/2 bathrooms, patios, outdoor barbeque, internet service, and a great location! $75/person/night, plus local taxes. Centrally located, the house is about a 15 minute drive, or cab ride from the airport at Lihue.
Give us a call for more info, and to reserve your spot.

Tamron Learning Center Road Series 2009
Madison, Wisconsin May 16th

Strawberry Music Festival / May 22-25 / Camp Mather....near Yosemite, CA
Daily photographic seminars included with festival admission

May 27th
2 Hour Seminar at the REI store in Huntington Beach, CA / No Charge / 6:30-8:30 pm Join Don for a couple hours of slides and discussion on the techniques used by pro's to get those great shots

Dana Point Boat Show
May 28th thru 31st 2009 / Spend the day at the beach.....right in the middle of Dana Harbor
http://www.danaboatshow.com
Print display and booth / continuous inkjet printing demonstrations


June 9th / 2 Hour Seminar at the REI store, Arcadia, CA / No Charge / 6:30-8:30 pm
Join Don for a couple hours of slides and discussion on the techniques used by pro's to get the great shots

June 11th / 2 Hour Seminar at the REI store, San Diego, CA / No Charge / 6:30 8:30 pm
Join Don for a couple hours of slides and discussion on the techniques used by pro's to get those great shots.

Tamron Learning Center Road Series 2009
San Diego, California June 12th

June 16th / 2 Hour Seminar at REI, Manhattan Beach, CA / No Charge / 6:30 8:30 pm
Even if you've been to one of the recent REI seminars...come on by for this evening's session....we'll be covering different topics with some new images
Join Don for a couple hours of slides and discussion on the techniques used by pro's to get the great shots

Tamron Learning Center Road Series 2009 Boston Area, Massachusetts June 21st, and Manchester New Hampshire June 20th

July 9th / 2 Hour Seminar at REI, Rancho Cucamonga, CA / No Charge / 6:30 8:30 pm
Join Don for a couple hours of slides and discussion on the techniques used by pro's to get the great shots. Tonite's program will be slightly different from the other Southern California sessions....so, if you've already attended one, feel free to stop in for a tune-up...we'll do our best to keep you interested with a new program.

EASTERN SIERRA / BISHOP CANYON / JULY 12-15 / $475
The perfect time of year to be shooting in the legendary high country of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Our group will be based at Parcher's Resort which is located right on Bishop Creek, just about a mile downstream from South Lake. Rustic mountain cabins with all the conveniences are available, or you can rough it, at a nearby campground. The folks at Parcher's always go the extra mile to make our stay more enjoyable.
Located within a short drive of 3 magnificent high sierra lakes, and numerous streams and wildflower-filled meadows, we'll always have lots of options for our shooting excursions.
Our group will meet initially, late afternoon on Sunday, for some shooting in the wonderful light that usually occurs in this alpine valley. Then, after a good nite's sleep, we'll get up and head out for an early sunrise shoot. One of the evenings will include an outdoor barbeque and campfire.
And, if the weather permits, we'll take a sunrise photo cruise on one of the 26 foot pontoon boats on South Lake.


Ventura County Boat Show / Channel Islands Harbor
July 16th thru 19th 2009
http://www.venturaboatshow.com/
Print display and inkjet printing demonstrations daily, using the latest HP products.

July 23rd / 2 Hour Seminar at REI, Encinitas, CA / No Charge / 6:30 8:30 pm Join Don for a couple hours of slides and discussion on the techniques used by pro's to get the great shots.
We did a seminar at the REIlocation in San Diego a couple weeks ago. If you attended that seminar, feel free to join us again this evening for a different program with new images.



Special San Diego 2 day workshop.....
Cabrillo National Monument Foundation / Tamron / Nelson Photo / only $29.95
July 24, 6-9 PM and July 25, 6:30 AM - 2 PM

A special two day, after-hours event at the park. For more information call (619) 222-4747
This is one of the best values we've ever offered! We've been granted special, early AND late access to this amazing shooting location. The views of the San Diego skyline are unbelievable from here....especially at this special sunrise opportunity. In addition to the seminars, there will be snacks, and some meals provided.....and if that's not enough, several of the sponsoring companies will be providing some great door prizes. Call or email us here at the studio for more info....or contact Nelson's Camera in San Diego to reserve your spot.

Click on the image above for a larger version

Friday evening's session will be a preparatory classroom seminar, to fully prepare you for the next day's shooting. Lenses and tripods will be available on a loaner basis for you to test and evaluate ...courtesy of Bogen and Tamron. And, a special donation from Nik Software will be a set of their popular Complete Collection Ultimate Edition software....a favorite tool of great professionals worldwide.
Ask a staff member at Nelson's about entering the photo contest with your best shot at Cabrillo Nat'l Monument.




Rabbit Island / August 2-7 / $1150 (USD) includes food and lodging
and transportation to and from Schooner's Cove, via boat.
After a break from two wonderful trips here, we’re returning this year to this truly unique location. Located several miles east of Vancouver Island, Canada, this small, private island offers the ingredients for a week of fun, great food, down home hospitality, and of course, some great shooting!
Rabbit Island is a pristine, privately owned 40 acre property located near Lasqueti Island in Georgia strait on the British Colombia coast. The Island is set up to handle up to 20 guests in rustic but comfortable accommodations.
Sleeping arrangements are set up in a series of very nice cabins….semi dorm style. Some privacy, but none of us will have their own cabin. Electricity, hot showers, limited cel service, and even wireless internet are available. The workshops will run for 5 days and, once on the island, be all inclusive for food, lodging, instruction and excursions. (Transportation to and from Canada/Nanaimo is not included.)
Our group will leave from the coastal town of Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island. (Boat transportation to and from the island from nearby Schooner's Cove, will be provided.) You’ll want to get into Nanaimo the day prior to the official beginning of the workshop…we’ll arrange to have everyone in the same motel. Lodging for this night prior to class is not included. Let us know if you’d like to use one of the rooms we will have reserved. Room sharing is also possible. We’ll be brought back to Schooner's Cove, via boat, on the final day of the trip……mid day. You might want to consider staying here overnite, before heading home.
To view some images from our last trips, click here, and here.

Tamron Learning Center Road Series September 1st / Shutterbug Photo / Santa Rosa, CA

Strawberry Music Festival / September 3-7 / Camp Mather...near Yosemite, CA
Daily photographic seminars....included with festival admission

Tamron Learning Center Road Series Little Rock, Arkansas / Bedford Camera / Sept 11-12

Germany, the Alps and Oktoberfest in Munich / Workshop
September 27 - October 2, 2009 / $900 / transportation, lodging, and meals not included.
We're returning to what has become a favorite shooting destination of mine. Northern Italy and the southern Alps region of Germany offers a huge variety of natural wonders... as well as architecture and some very interesting faces and lifestyle photo op's.
We've posted some images on the GALLERY section of this website. In addition to all the basic, great shooting, this year, for one of our daily excursions, we'll head to Oktoberfest for an insider's view of this famous, regional festival.

We'll be flying into Munich for this one. Plans are to make our headquarters in the Bavarian Alpine village of Garmisch. This puts us right in the middle of the amazing scenery. Last time we visited at this time of year, the fall colors were stunning!

UPDATE: We've just reserved rooms in a couple of great Bed and Breakfasts in Garmisch. We'll split our stay by moving from a location right in the center of this mountainside village to a more remote location, a little higher, and nestled in the foothills. Both are perfect base camps for our series of daily explorations.


Tamron Learning Center Road Series 2009 / Rowe Photo
Rochester, New York October 9-10

Tamron Learning Center Road Series 2009 / Cord Camera, Columbus, Ohio / October 17th


Yosemite in the Fall
October 31 - November 3, 2009 / $550
Check out our website gallery to see some of the images from last year. We had great fall colors and an early snowfall on the last day. We've already reserved a block of rooms at The Lodge At The Falls....give us a call if you'd like one reserved. And, if you'd like to split the room costs, we can arrange that, too. Click HERE to see images from last year's trip.

Death Valley, Lone Pine & Eastern Sierra Foothills
December 5-8, 2009 / $550
This one-two punch has become a very popular trip.....combining the spectacular winter light in the Owen's Valley, and the view of Mt Whitney behind the Alabama Hills. In Lone Pine, we'll use Boulder Creek RV Park as our base camp. They have several rental cabins and trailers..and a great meeting room for our classroom sessions.....and then, onto Death Valley, with the sand dunes, salt flats and un-ending shooting possibilities. Our base camp in Death Valley will be at the Stovepipe Wells Village motel. We've got rooms set aside for our group....give us a call if you'd like us to hold one for you. There's also a campground across the street, along with a gas station, fully stocked general store and a swimming pool.
We'll spend the first 2 nites in Lone Pine, and then move onto Death Valley for the final days.
Check our website GALLERY section to see some of the images from last year. There's also some images posted on out TIPS & TECHNIQUES section.....


Death Valley / December 28-30 / $450
If you can get away for a few days between Christmas and New Year's, this is the place to go.
The weather is usually spectacular, and the light is at it's best this time of the year, with the sun low in the sky all day.
Check our website GALLERY section to see some of the images from last year.
We've got rooms reserved at Stove Pipe Wells Motel for our group. Give us a call to reserve your spot, and to save a room.
We'll be based very near one of the finest sand dunes in the park. And, if you've never experienced sunrise while surrounded by seemingly endless sand dunes, you're in for a treat!

Arctic Cruise / August 2-12, 2010 / Silverseas Expeditions
Polar Bears, Walrus, Whales, Reindeer, Seals and countless birds and other wildlife shooting possibilities.
We'll be aboard the Prince Albert II, which is a luxury ship with a VERY small passenger load.
This will truly be an adventure excursion. Lots of time off the ship....onshore to do the shooting.
Small, maneuverable Zodiac rafts will transport us to the great locations.
The cruise departs from Longyearben, Norway, and returns to the same port after the 10 day "classroom-at-sea" ends. Lots of time for individual instruction, and print critiques. During the non-shooting times, there will be digital slide shows, and Photoshop file-preparation demos.
Also covered in detail will be the use of flash......both on and off-camera.
If you've been on cruises before....on one of the huge ships with over 1000 passengers...you're in for a real treat. This vessel will have less than 150 total passengers, and our small group of photographers will be given priority care, to ensure we have the utmost in photo opportunities.

Call our studio for more information. We've based our workshop dates on prime wildlife viewing times.

Check out the Silverseas Cruise line website for some amazing photos and descriptions of the ship, accomodations, meals, etc. This is truly a first rate adventure.




North County Photographic Society / January 27, 2010 6:30 PM
Join us at the Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas, CA for this evening's presentation on photographic tips & techniques for landscape photography. The members invite first timers to attend free of charge. Once there, you'll discover why so many photographers have become members of this group. Visit their site for more information.
***********************