FAQ

WHAT WILL EACH EVENT COVER?

Each event on our 2012 schedule provides hands-on training in the fundamental techniques of photography: composition, exposure and lighting. There is a variety of scenic destinations, and each concentrates upon a particular blend of photography types such as cityscapes and travel or landscape and nature.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Baltimore Photo Safari invites photographers of all ages and skill levels to participate in our photo safaris, photo tours, photo weekends, and photo workshops. Bring any camera, from disposable to the latest digital camera with all the bells and whistles. We offer a regular schedule of photography training.

WHAT DOES BALTIMORE PHOTO SAFARI DO?

Baltimore Photo Safari teaches area visitors and local residents the techniques of photography. A professional photographer accompanies you as you visit sites in and around Baltimore, plus destinations throughout Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region. A professional photographer provides hands-on training about composition, exposure, where to find great images, how to create them, and more.

We are teaching photographers. You will capture a few good images on our photo events, but our goal is to teach you skills and techniques that will enhance your photography. We strive to help you develop a set of skills you will use over your lifetime to create images of which you can be proud.

WHO OPERATES BALTIMORE PHOTO SAFARI?

David Muse is a professional photographer and writer who resides in Baltimore. He received his training from the Rocky Mountain School of Photography and from such renowned outdoor photographers as David Middleton and Rod Barbee and from bird photographer Jeff Wendorff.  In Spring, 2012 David’s books Photographing Baltimore, Annapolis & Maryland’s Eastern Shore (Countryman Press) and DC Memory Book (Countryman Press) appear nationwide in bookstores. You can view selections from his portfolio at David Muse Photography.

HOW MUCH HANDS-ON HELP WILL I RECEIVE?

That depends in part on you. David and his colleagues take their responsibility as teachers seriously and so will give you as much or as little attention as you feel you need. As David and his colleagues make their rounds out in the field, they may ask How are you doing? If you reply Okay, they will move on to the next participant. If you say What do you think of this?, David and his colleagues will peek through your viewfinder and offer appropriate recommendations. Thus, if you have a question or need help, just ask.

WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT DO I NEED?

Any camera, film or digital, will do. Be sure to bring the owner’s manual for your camera.

Here is a general list of suggested equipment:

• Lenses from 24mm up to 200mm (longer for wildlife and birds)

• Polarizing filter and, if you already have them, neutral density filters

• Several memory cards

• Sturdy tripod and cable/remote release

• Extra batteries

HOW DO I REGISTER?

For your convenience, quick and easy online registration is available. Simply add a photo event to your shopping cart and proceed to checkout.

If you prefer to pay via check, send it to:

Be sure to include a note listing your name, complete contact information, and the photo event you wish to attend. Upon receipt of your payment, I will send you a receipt for your records.

DOES WEATHER EVER AFFECT A PHOTO SAFARI?

Baltimore Photo Safari operates rain or shine. Neither a cloudy sky nor a light rain stop us because such conditions can produce dramatic images. Who knows what the weather will be, but dress accordingly.

PAYMENT

Participation in any Photo Weekend is confirmed with a $100 deposit. Participation in any Photo Workshop is confirmed with a $200 deposit. Full payment is required 60 days prior to the event’s start date unless otherwise specified. If you do not complete payment prior to the 60 day window, we will attempt to fill the spot you reserved. If and only if your spot is filled, we will refund your initial deposit minus a $50 handling fee.

You may make payment by credit card via PayPal or by personal check. Send personal checks to:

Non-participants may attend most photo tours, photo weekends, and photo workshops at a reduced fee. They may not photograph during the Baltimore Photo Safari event. Contact me for details.

Unless specified otherwise, lodging, food, transportation, etc. are not included in the workshop price.

CANCELLATIONS, DELAYS AND REFUNDS

There shall be no refund for weather or acts of God that cause delay or cancellation before arrival or during the scheduled photo safari, photo tour, photo weekend or photo workshop. We are not responsible for any additional costs that may be incurred by weather or acts of God that cause delays or cancellations.

No refund will be provided on cancellations within 7 days of the photo safari date. If you are forced to cancel within the 7-day window, you will be issued a credit for a future date. There are no guarantees that the price structure will remain the same for future photo safaris.

No refund will be provided on cancellations within 60 days of the photo tour, weekend or photo workshop date. If you are forced to cancel within the 60-day window you will be issued a credit for a future date. There are no guarantees that the price structure will remain the same for future workshops.

We have the right to cancel any photo tour, photo weekend or photo workshop for lack of registrants up to 45 days (unless otherwise specified for your event) prior to the event date. Should this unfortunate circumstance arise, you will be refunded all payments made to us for the photo tour, photo weekend or photo workshop. Under no circumstances will we be responsible for any other expenses such as flights, medical, car rentals and hotels that you may have incurred.

Consider obtaining trip or travel insurance to cover eventualities that may cause travel difficulties or losses you may incur. Consult your local insurance agent for details of such a policy.

WHAT IS A RSS FEED AND WHY SHOULD I SUBSCRIBE?

RSS is an acronym for Really Simple Syndication. RSS is a popular and practical means of communication. This technology allows you to subscribe to timely updates from Baltimore Photo Safari. Our RSS Feed saves you time because it automatically retrieves for you such information as notifications regarding any new photography events and copies of our most recent newsletter.

There is no charge to subscribe to our RSS feed and no cost to read your RSS feeds. There are a number of web-based feed readers, and Google Reader is one of the most popular.