nws_29_mar

March 29 , 2007

Spring is officially here, and our workshop season will be heating up in the next few weeks. While we've already conducted two successful long trips this year, we have four in the next four weeks, which means the office will be abuzz with activity. Our volunteer escorts and the office staff try will be kept hopping (no Easter pun intended) to finalize preparations for these events. April is one of our busiest months, so if you need to contact us for any reason please be sure to give us adequate lead-time to respond. In the meantime, we have some news, some thoughts and a request for you.

WORKSHOP SUGGESTIONS
We are currently developing our 2008 schedule and could use your help. We'd like to hear what workshops you'd like us to run in the next few years. There are no guarantees we'll be able to develop all ideas, but especially if we see some trends we'll do our best to put a few of the responses on the schedule. Please email director@friendsofazhighways.com with your thoughts.

HOTEL IN PHOENIX
Based on feedback we received last year, we have once again changed the hotel we recommend for workshops originating in Phoenix. Here is the contact information for the new location:

Courtyard by Marriott, Phoenix Airport
2621 S. 47th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034
480-966-4300 or 1-800-309-8198
(tell them you are with "Arizona Highways Photo Workshops")

Negotiated Rates (for dates associated with 2007 workshops ONLY):

4/7/07 thru 5/20/07 -- and 9/10/07 thru 12/28/07
$109 + tax
5/21/07 thru 9/9/07
$79 + tax

IMPORTANT -- PLEASE NOTE that with this new hotel you must reserve a room 30 days or more before your workshop begins to ensure room availability. These rates are also not generally available outside the particular dates we have blocked.

TRAINING TO KEEP YOU SAFE
Last Saturday many of our trip escorts went through CPR and First Aid Training renewal. All escorts are required to have the training in order to help lead our trips. Just a reminder that we do our best to ensure your safety on our trips, as well as ensuring you have the best photographic experience possible!

TIPS FROM THE PROS
“A Bird in the Hand…”
by J. Peter Mortimer

I’ve known for a long time how important a histogram can be when calculating digital exposure. But it wasn’t until I was re-reading the camera manual that I realized I could display a histogram on my digital “point-n-shoot”. For such a little camera it does an excellent job. And more important, I always have it with me! I have larger more sophisticated cameras, but what good are they if I don’t carry them all of the time?

Like my finding the histogram display, your current camera system may include some valuable functions that you’ve never used. It’s surprising the number of useful things you’ll come across as you re-read your instruction book. Another advantage of really “knowing” your gear is that you will be more efficient in the field. As you work at it, you’ll be able to make the best picture possible during what is often a very short window of opportunity.

I’ve always felt that it’s often better to explore the potential of equipment that I already have before going out and buying “the newest and latest” stuff. It’s a whole lot cheaper too!

CACTUS BLOOMS
April should be a good time to get out and about if you're in Arizona. While the wildflower year was a bust, we've been told the cacti this year are supposed to be pretty good. Hedgehog cacti will hopefully start blooming soon, with prickly pear cacti not far behind. It will likely be a good year for saguaros, as well. Look for them to begin flowering in late April.

Well that's all for now. We hope to see you again next month!
Robyn Noll
Director
Friends of Arizona Highways / Arizona Highways Photo Workshops
2039 W. Lewis Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85009
Phone: toll-free (888) 790-7042

NEWSLETTER