API Staff Exhibit at View

For the first time, the API staff will be exhibiting their work together, as part of a major photography exhibit taking place at View from December 3, 2011 thru January 29, 2012. Teacher's Turn: Instructors from the Adirondack Photography Institute will include the work of Eric Dresser, Joe LeFevre, John Radigan and Carl Rubino. Mark Bowie will be showing as part of the companion exhibit, Adirondack Viewfinders, taking place during the same timeframe.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to see the work of all of us in one great venue!

For more information visit the View website.

Adirondack Life Photo Contest Deadline Approaching

Don't forget! The deadline for entry in Adirondack Life magazine's annual photo contest is coming up on Thursday, December 1st. This is a fantastic way to get your best work seen!

For details visit the contest page.

Once again we are proud to provide the grand prize of the full registration cost of an API workshop to the contest winner. Good luck!

Lake Placid - Here We Come!

Our annual winter workshop has always been a popular event for us. We're excited to take this year's workshop to Lake Placid! And, taking a cue from the evaluation comments of past participants, we're adding another day to the event.

This year's workshop will take place February 9-12 at the Northwoods Inn. Click here for details.

Sign up now and take advantage of our new, more aggressive discount plans...

The Finger Lakes: Bursting with Water and Color

What an awesome end to the 2011 API schedule! Mark and I and nine fun people slipped through the cracks in what was predicted to be a string of nasty weather, to experience some great photo opportunities and camaraderie in the Finger Lakes. The fall colors were just exploding, and the weather threatened, but failed to get in the way of our fun. With such great nearby locations as Taughannock Falls and Watkins Glen State Park, the area abounds with chances for special photographs. And Ithaca, with its small town charm, eclectic eateries and ideal location, once again proved to be a fine place to call home for a few days.

The Finger Lakes region will be a regular stop for API in the future. We're even thinking about an event that combines the photo opportunities of the region's waterfalls, with its history as a wine-making region.

Stay tuned!

Moose and Fall Foliage in the Mist

The West Branch of the Moose River winds through beautiful state lands in the western Adirondacks. Add early morning mist and fall color, and the waterway becomes magical. This is the Adirondacks wild and primeval. Towering white pines line the banks and crown an island mid-stream. A peninsula of pink granite reaches into the river, around which white foam and downed leaves swirl in eddies. White water flows past giant boulders. There’s so much to take in, and so much to shoot.

API staff instructor Mark Bowie led participants to the Moose and several other waters near Old Forge, the western gateway to the Adirondack Park. He conducted indoor sessions with tips and techniques specific to photographing autumn, at the state-of-the-art VIEW, the area’s new arts center. Director Jennifer Potter Hayes and her staff made our first event there memorable, catering to our logistical needs and schedule. We’re thrilled to be working with them, and are planning more workshops, exhibits and other events there in 2012. Be sure to visit. The facility is truly spectacular, and it’s set amidst classic Adirondack beauty.

Mark Bowie Hosts 2011 Community Photo Festival

Join API staff member Mark Bowie on Saturday, November 5th at 7:00 for a lively Community Photo Festival centered around the theme “The Adirondack Feeling.” Everyone is encouraged to submit their photographs before the October 21st submission deadline to be included in the show.

The Indian Lake Theater is building on the past three years of this fun, community-based event that brings friends and neighbors together to enjoy local amateur photography, curated and narrated by our region’s most prominent photographers. 

The goal of the festival is to provide a forum for aspiring photographers in our communities to exhibit their work – photographers of all ages and levels of experience are encouraged to participate – senior citizens, students and everyone in between.

For more information visit www.indianlaketheater.org.

Spectacular Retreat — Again!

Rivaling last year’s inaugural photographic Retreat, our signature event, didn’t seem plausible. It was incredibly successful on so many levels. But gathering experienced shooters together for six days of immersion in our craft resulted in creative image-making, great camaraderie and lots of laughs. API director John Radigan and staff instructor Mark Bowie guided participants to a variety of shooting locations in the central lake country and led them in a series of assignments, culminating in a presentation of each student’s theme for the week. It resulted in special images and thought-provoking discussion on what makes this place so special.

The Retreat format is similar to a classic artists’ retreat, with little classroom instruction by the leaders. Leaders and students shoot and process images side-by-side, and participate in social events together. It fosters a free-flowing exchange of photographic knowledge and artistry. We also got to experience the “authentic” Adirondacks on a canoe and kayak tour of Moss Lake and its remote outlet stream. One night, we gathered around a large bonfire to share stories.

Inevitably, we encountered varying weather conditions throughout the week — sun, rain, wind, and even some early Indian Summer. Cool mornings generated mists over the lakes and ponds. And the fall colors, just starting at the beginning of the week, exploded into full regalia within days. Adirondack photography at its prime!

Thanks to our hosts, The Woods Inn in Inlet, for their spectacular service and gourmet food. They consistently cater to our needs and provide a special setting for many of our events.

With the success and popularity of the Retreat format, we’ll be expanding our offerings next year. Watch for the 2012 schedule, to be released soon. It’s spectacular!

Joe LeFevre to be Keynote Speaker at PSA Conference

API staff instructor Joe LeFevre will deliver the keynote presentation at the 2011 PSA Conference in Colorado Springs on Friday evening, September 23. Joe will present his program entitled Nature’s Finest Moments.

For more information visit the PSA website by clicking here.

Best of luck, Joe!

Our Friend, Nancy Rotenberg

Adirondack Photography Institute was begun with an anxious phone call to Nancy Rotenberg. At the time, she was probably the busiest nature photographer and instructor in the country. She made time for us. And she would do that again and again and again over the years.

Recently, we were very excited because Nancy had agreed to take part in our fledgling retreat program in 2012. This program evolved out of an ongoing conversation with Nancy over several years. Last year's inaugural offering was a dream come true. This program was made to order for Nancy. We are deeply saddened that she will never take part in it.

We were informed this morning that our friend and mentor Nancy Rotenberg has left this world. To say that she will be missed is like saying that we'd miss the sun if it didn't come out tomorrow.

Thank you Nancy, for giving us a past and a future. We will never forget.

Namasté, old friend...

Lots of Fun and Learning in Lake Placid

photo by Van Ruttley

This past weekend was our second annual workshop in partnership with Adirondack Life Magazine. We had beautiful, productive weather in Lake Placid for nearly the entire time. During the weekend API Instructors Mark Bowie, Joe LeFevre and John Radigan discussed the latest technologies and techniques, while magazine folks Annie Stoltie and Kelly Hofschneider provided insight into the workings of the publishing business and specific needs of Adirondack Life. We kicked it all off with an introductory view of the area and its many aspects with API's John DiGiacomo and a wonderful look at the magazine over the years from Betsy Folwell.

photo by Vepra Vranici

We had a great group of photographers participating, with lots of original insights and willingness to share their experiences. The viewing and critique of images that ended the weekend turned up some real gems! This year's field trips took advantage of the mist (and mystery) created by warm days and cool nighttime temperatures. On Friday night we were once again able to take advantage of the shooting opportunities from the roof of Northwoods Inn, where we were hosted graciously by the Smith family.

photo by Omar Lee

We can't wait to do this again next year!

Stellar Night Photography Workshop!

API instructor Mark Bowie, author of the e-book, The Light of Midnight: Photographing the Landscape at Night, recently led an intensive workshop on night photography, based in the Olympic village of Lake Placid. He covered many facets of nocturnal shooting, including specialized techniques for determining nighttime exposures, composing and focusing in the dark, photographing the night landscape in relation to the heavens, and techniques for processing nighttime images. Shooting sessions in the village provided an infinite array of subjects. Neon colors were reflected in rain puddles. Long exposures captured vehicle lights, storefronts, and visitors’ umbrellas in bold, saturated colors.

Bowie writes, “Standing in pitch darkness along the weedy shores of Connery Pond near Lake Placid at eleven o’clock at night, stars shone between puffy clouds, the Big Dipper prominent. It was warm and a little humid. Looming above the far shore, the summit of Whiteface Mountain was encased in shifting fog. When the fog parted, the weather station light beamed like a beacon. The moon rose behind us, illuminating the foreground grasses. We shot exposures from seconds-long to twelve minutes, the resulting images capturing the stunning beauty of clouds streaming overhead, trees on the far shore reflected with precision in the pond, the stars shining through the moving veil of clouds — all set against a backdrop of indigo-blue sky. Surely these are some of the most spectacular night images ever captured in the Adirondacks, and I came away more enamored with night photography than ever before.”

If you’re interested in learning how to photograph the night, consider joining Mark for a one-day seminar and night shoot at AutumnColor Imaging in Worcester, Massachusetts on September 10th. For details, click here. Mark will be conducting more night photography workshops in 2012. Our new schedule will be posted soon.

NECCC 2011

The annual New England Council of Camera Clubs (NECCC) conference was held in Amherst, MA from July 15^th to 17^th. This gathering of photographers, vendors and nationally-known speakers draws over 1,000 participants each year. There’s a slew of talks on such diverse topics as photojournalism, portraiture and nature photography, with hands-on teaching programs and model shoots throughout the weekend. This year’s event was capped off by a chance to photograph a hot air balloon rise Saturday evening.

Mark Bowie represented API at our trade show booth. He has spoken at the conference several times and had the chance to re-visit friends and colleagues, and introduce new attendees to the Adirondacks and API’s workshop and tour offerings.

The conference is always a great weekend of photography, education, inspiration and camaraderie with fellow shooters. If you’re interested in attending next year’s conference, check out the NECCC’s website, www.neccc.org, for information. We’ll see you there!

Our 1st Adirondack Canoe Photo Tour!

The inaugural Adirondack Canoe Photo Tour immersed participants in some of the most incredible and diverse Adirondack beauty. API instructor Mark Bowie and Adirondack guide Griz Caudle led the group to several interconnected waters in the most saturated area of the Adirondack Park — the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest and St Regis Canoe Wilderness. We photographed mists rising from Floodwood Pond, gardens of white water lilies on Fish Creek, pitcher plants and sundew on floating mats of boreal bog, and a dramatic sunrise over Follensby Clear Pond. We photographed a loon dancing on the water, a days-old loon chick riding the waves alongside her mother, fluff-ball mallard ducklings scrambling over a log, and other ducks jumping off a high rock into the water. A beaver surprised one of us near his lodge. An osprey wheeled overhead. This area produces magical moments every day, which makes for creative images and an authentic Adirondack experience. Its intrigue captivated our paddlers.

We plan to return to this area next year, visiting more special waters and scenic hot spots. If you’d like to experience the backwoods beauty of the Adirondacks by boat, side-by-side with a noted photographer and famed guide, consider joining us.

High Peaks Adventure with McGowan/DiGiacomo

photo by John DiGiacomo

Guest instructor Don McGowan, assisted by API staff member John DiGiacomo, led an excellent group of photographers on API’s first early-summer, week-long workshop in the Park’s High Peaks region. Based out of the Historic Northwoods Inn in Lake Placid, this energetic group were treated to a plethora of photographic opportunities including mountain vistas, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, ponds, bogs (complete with beavers  and Great Blue Herons), early summer wild flowers, water lilies, ferns, farmland and much more. Many of the participants commented on how the number and variety of photographic opportunities far exceeded their expectations for this time of year.

Don and John share the API staff philosophy of not photographing while teaching, affording participants more one-on-one instruction, focusing on their individual needs and goals. Group and individual field instruction included the creative use of wide angle, macro and tilt-shift lenses, and also the steps necessary to create successful panoramic and HDR images. The group also spent several hours, spread out over the week, participating in interactive critique sessions that were well received.

Most importantly the group frequented many of John’s favorite coffee houses including Wake Up Call in Keene and Bean-To-Coffee in Saranac Lake. Communal dinners were had at a different restaurant each evening allowing participants time to better get to know one another.

Adirondack Songbirds Workshop

I want to thank all participants for attending the Adirondack Songbirds workshop. We had a great group! They photographed many beautiful species of warblers; including one which I had never previously seen. Additional avian subjects included Vireos, Sparrows (Song and White-throated), Cedar Waxwings, Chickadees, Nuthatches and more.

The Woods Inn went out of their way to accommodate our varied meal times and the food was incredible as usual. A wonderful time was had by all.

Eric Dresser at Adirondack Museum

API staff member and internationally-published wildlife photographer Eric Dresser will be appearing at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, New York on July 16th and 17th. There will be two presentations each day of his program Northern Tranquility: Tactics of the Wildlife Photographer.

This is the first program being produced as part of our partnership with the museum. Don't forget, if you are a member of the museum you are eligible for a discount on API programs!

For more details on Eric's program click here.

One-Day Workshop at AutumnColor

We've been hoping for some time to kick-off our weekend offerings, as we are always being asked "When can you bring something to my town on a weekend?". Well, the time has arrived. We are teaming up with our partner AutumnColor Digital Imaging to present our first one-day workshop, Photographing the Landscape at Night. 

Led by night shooting expert and author Mark Bowie, this event will consist of an afternoon of instruction to help you grasp the concepts of shooting in low-light, followed by a hands-on evening shoot where Mark will demonstrate the techniques and help you get the most out of your experience. The indoor sessions will be graciously hosted by AutumnColor at their facility in Worcester, MA.

For more info, see the program description on our website.

Ricketts Glen Waterfalls Workshop - Stunning!

Over a three-mile stretch, “Y”-shaped Kitchen Creek descends more than 1,000 feet through flat-lying sedimentary strata, forming twenty-two named waterfalls ranging in height from about ten to one hundred feet. As impressive as the big waterfalls are, the seemingly endless riffles and cascades between them — presenting new vistas around each bend — make this place especially photogenic. Large slabs of rock lie at haphazard angles in the creek bed, stained orange by tannins leached from the surrounding soils. Beeches line the waterway. Their fresh spring foliage glowed electric lime green in overcast light. The compositional possibilities were innumerable. Simply put, our group’s consensus was that Ricketts is the most incredible collection of waterfalls we’ve encountered.

Mark Bowie and Joe LeFevre led field and indoor instructional sessions specific to photographing waterfalls, with emphasis on reading the light, using filtration and multiple exposure techniques, and optimizing images in processing.

If you’ve never visited or photographed these waterfalls, add them to your wish list. They are absolutely unrivaled in the East! And watch for our next workshop here; we’ll be back. We’d love to see them in autumn when peak fall colors decorate the creek bed.

See us on YouTube

Check out our new promo presentation on YouTube. Click here to see it.

Special One-Time Discount on June Events

One time only!

We are offering a special 15% discount for our June events Moving Beyond Your Creative Comfort Zone with Don McGowan and Adirondack Songbirds with Eric Dresser.

Hurry, this special offer ends May 12!

See details of the discount by clicking here.

Call For Entries - Diversity Through Many Lenses

Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts and API are proud to announce the second annual juried photography exhibit, Diversity Through Many Lenses, to be on display in Blue Mountain Lake from August 26 thru September 24. Last year's inagural event was quite a success, in both entries and attendance. We are very excited to see this year's entered work and watch the event grow!

API is once again sponsoring the Exceptional Nature Image award, with a $250 donation.

For more information visit the exhibit page by clicking here, or contact Cornelia Tobey at cornelia@adirondackarts.org.

Get Up-Close and Personal This Fall

We've always wanted to do a fall close-up workshop in the Adirondacks. There's just so much to see and photograph! Well, due to an unanticipated scheduling change, we are able to bring a close-up event to the calendar this year.

Autumn Up-Close and Personal will take place October 2-5 in Inlet, at the anticipated height of color season. Led by instructors John DiGiacomo and John Radigan, this promises to be a fun exploration of the Adirondacks in small pieces.

Don't miss out on this alternative take on Adirondack nature photography!

Bring API Experience To Your Group Or Club Outing

Over the years we've had many inquiries about customized programs for various clubs and other private groups. We realize that the programs in our annual schedule don't suit the needs of everyone, so we've created a new service just for the purpose of addressing groups with unique desires.

Our Club & Private Programs offering will provide your group with great API leaders, with the planning and people skills to make your program special and fun. Don't hesitate to contact us with your group's ideas. We're happy to help!

API Alumni Winners in Adirondack Life Photo Contest

The results are in! API was well-represented in this year's Adironack Life Annual Photography Contest. Four of our alumni were chosen for awards this year!

Karl Fisher won First Place Color for his image "Storm Approaches Seventh Lake", Tim Wilson won Second Place Color for his image "Early evening, Indian Lake", Jim Mutschler won Third Place Color for his image "Boathouse, Lake Abanakee" and Russ Hartung won First Place Macro, Third Place Macro and Honorable Mention for his images "Clematis buds, Lake Placid", "Web Site, Long Pond, St. Regis Canoe Area", and "Solitude, Heart Lake", respectively. Way to go guys!

To see the winning images, visit the Adirondack Life photo test page here.

Once again, the Grand Prize winner took home a coupon redeemable for the tuition cost of an API workshop. This year's top winner was Lynne Newhouse for her image "Underwater Experiment: Alien Lily Pads, Big Moose Lake". Congratulations Lynne! We're looking forward to meeting you this fall.

Lake Placid Institute - 24 Hrs. Photo Contest

The Lake Placid Institute for Arts and Humanities invites all high school students in the Adirondack region to participate in a visual interpretation of their surroundings in the Institute’s new program: “24 Hours – A Photographic Interpretation of Life in the Adirondacks”. This year's judge will be API Staff Instructor John DiGiacomo.

For details vist our website by clicking here.

This program is made possible, in part, by lead grants from The Lake Placid Education Foundation and Emily & Eugene Grant Family Foundation with additional funding provided by Stewarts Shops, Inc. and 511 Gallery, Main St., Lake Placid.

Winter Extravaganza!

From API instructor Mark Bowie:

"What a winter! And what a workshop! The participants in API’s 5th annual Winter Photography Workshop got an eyeful of winter in the North Country. On opening night, the stars sizzled in a clear sky. We were greeted next morning with near-zero temperatures. As the sun rose, it cast blue shadows on the snow-bound Brown’s Tract Inlet as it entered Raquette Lake. The surrounding tamaracks glistened with frost. A blizzard followed the next day, accumulating over 8” of snow. We photographed at night under unrelenting snow showers. The following morning though, the snow coated the evergreens, accenting the rhythmic patterns of the boughs. Thanks to all the students and the incredible hospitality of the Woods Inn for helping make this a memorable event!"

Mark led a game, fun-loving group, discussing tips, techniques, and field strategies specific to photographing an Adirondack winter. We look forward to seeing you again when the snows eventually melt and the lakes turn liquid!

Welcome Adirondack Museum!

We're proud to announce that we've added the Adirondack Museum as a new partner! As time goes on we'll be exploring new areas where we may add to the already excellent programming at the museum, beginning with their exhibit "Night Vision: The Wildlife Photography of Hobart Vosburg Roberts" coming up in May. To learn more about this very interesting exhibit click here.

In the meantime, we are pleased to extend our 5% Adirondack Partner Discount to museum members interested in our events. Just mention that you are a museum member when registering.