ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP

Are you ready to spend 3 days and 2 nights at Dry Tortugas National Park / Fort Jefferson and have the experience of a lifetime? If so, then this is the workshop for you!  Fort Jefferson is an extremely isolated island 75 miles west of Key West, FL. Fort Jefferson is actually closer to Cuba than Key West. The first day/night will be spent in Key West, followed by 2 incredible nights camping at Fort Jefferson / Dry Tortugas. The annual Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower is underway during our stay and we will be rewarded with meteor's both nights! A bonus will be our special access inside Fort Jefferson at night and in other restricted areas on the island with a Range would can also pose for some "human element" shots. Fort Jefferson is only accessible by ferry or by seaplane. 

During the day, we will be explore the Fort and it's amazing architecture, beautiful crystal clear waters, wildlife and much more. Snorkeling gear is included with the ferry ride and it is a ton of fun. We will also have time to relax and soak up that beautiful Floridian Sun while we enjoy one of the best kept secrets in the National Park Service. Each Night we will shoot sunset and get ready for another night filled with the zodiac light, milky way, and thousands of stars, as well as Lyrid Meteors!

We will be self sufficient the ENTIRE time on the island, with camera gear, food, water, etc. An entire camping list, photo gear list, packing tips, maps and all specifics will be sent out to all participants. If you don't like the beach, camping, or incredibly dark skies, this probably isn't the right workshop for you. If you love stars and want to experience a place that very few people do, this is the place to be, trust me! The Moon will set around midnight giving us opportunity to photography the island in a variety of lighting conditions. You will just need to buy your water, food, and ice to put in the cooler for the duration of the stay. 

WORKSHOP INCLUDES

• Commercial Permits & Special Use Permit Fees                  ($600.00 value)
• Ferry Ticket to and from Fort Jefferson
• Park Fees / Camping Fees for 2 nights on Dry Tortugas        ($50.00 value)
• Access to Restricted Areas inside Fort Jefferson at night. Escorted by a NPS Ranger for other human element shots
• Milky Way & Meteor Shower photography and observation
• Sunrise and Sunset Shoots
• Zodiac Light photo ops
• Star Trail Photography
• Timelapse Photography
• Post Processing in Adobe CC/CS,  Adobe Lightroom and Nikon Capture NX/DX
• Dinner at the World Famous Sloppy Joe's Bar                    ($40.00 Value)
• Maps and trip details
• Post processing help even after the workshop is over

PHOTO EQUIPMENT LIST

• DSLR
• Fast Wide Angle Lens for Night Bky and Architecture Photography
• Mid Range and Telephoto for wildlife and nature (optional)
• Sturdy Tripod for night sky photography
• Cable Release
• Headlamp with a " RED LIGHT"   (INCLUDED IN THIS WORKSHOP)
• A back up flashlight is always a good idea.
• If you want to rent a lens check out www.borrowlenses.com  They have some great deals there
• Bring your laptop if you wish to go over post processing tips and techniques with me on the island

CAMPING EQUIPMENT

• Tent ( If you do not have one, let me know and I will supply one for you)
• Sleeping Bag
• Camping Pillow
• Towel / swimsuit / suntan lotion
• bug spray / hat / glasses
• A decent photobag to carry everything for 2 nights. includes, cameras, food, clothes, tent. Most items can be attached to the bag.
• A full checklist will be supplied to all registered photographers. I have done this before and packed way to much, a suggestion list will be sent to all registered patrons.
• Snacks and a Cooler on the island
• Weather guards for your cameras
• Cooler for the island

SOME THINGS YOU WILL SEE

WEATHER

The weather is typically gorgeous here in April, but we never know what the weather will bring us. The only way to stay overnight at Fort Jefferson is by camping. Rain or shine, we will battle through whatever it is we are faced with and come away with amazing images during the day and at night. 

MOSQUITOS / WILDLIFE

My experiences at Fort Jefferson have been amazing. Matter of fact, I have never seen a mosquito there in my days camping. I have seen some nice hermit crabs, but they never both anyone. The website talks of a rat problem, but again I never saw one there during my 4 day stay. Mosquitos like standing water, you will not find that here at Fort Jefferson since you are completely surrounded by ocean a constant breeze blows away any insect that may be around. Odds are will will see no bugs at all, well... maybe a fly!

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation to and from the workshop is not included. You will also need to book your travel arrangements by either seaplane or Ferry via Yankee Ferry Freedom to Fort Jefferson. Your ferry ticket to the island and back, will not be included in this tour. Please contact me directly before making any arrangements to Dry Tortugas / fort Jefferson. I will need to supply you with a reservation # which will attach you to my trip. Please do not make reservations with the Ferry without getting the reservation number from me. Thanks!

LODGING

Lodging is provided at Dry Tortugas in the form of tent camping for 2 nights. There are no hotels there or food shops, just a Fort, Sand and beautiful waters. A tent will be provided for you if you do not have one. The first night hotel accommodations are not included in the workshop.  A parking garage is located near the ferry for overnight parking while we are on the island. Maps and info are given out to all participants.

DEPOSIT

A non-refundable deposit of $669.50 is due to reserve your spot on the trip. If you need to cancel at any point, you will be credited the amount paid towards a future workshop. We are sorry, but due to the nature of this workshop, no cash refunds can be issued once you commit to this adventure. The remaining balance is due no later than 6 months before departure OR 10/14/2017.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Jeff Berkes Photography reserves the right to make changes to the schedule, dates if need be. We are not responsible for bad weather, delays or cancellations. We are also not responsible for lost or stolen items, injuries, sickness, death or damages to personal equipment and lost of personal travel expense. Failure to comply to park rules, regulations and will result in you being ejected from the workshop.