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Nikon Ambassador Ron Magill leads the sunrise expedition in the Everglades.
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By Pamela Wentworth
pwent84@gmail.com
Focus on the Everglades, presented by Photo Workshops Miami was an
incredible experience from beginning to end.
We started our day - long before dawn –at the Coral Gables Museum where
we met organizer Al Diaz, a Miami Herald photojournalist and one of our guides,
Everglades Historian Cesar Alejandro Becerra on Saturday, January 30th. We
boarded a comfortable van for the first leg of our adventure. Enjoying
pasteles, breakfast sandwiches and fruit as we traveled west, we listened to
Cesar recount the challenges and successes of the early pioneers as they
constructed the “Tampa to Miami” or Tamiami Trail across the Everglades.
As we moved along the Trail, we marveled at the advances that have been made in
the last one hundred years.
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| Sunrise in the Everglades by Enrique Monasterio |
Arriving at the Miccosukee Village, we met our Everglades host and
guide, Houston Cypress. The morning chill and dampness had us all
shivering as we loaded our gear aboard a large airboat, which would be our base
for the next several hours. Earplugs in place, we pulled away from the dock in
the darkness. Our photography guide, Nikon Ambassador and Zoo Miami
Communications Director Ron Magill, had assured us that we would be rewarded
for the early hour by being in the right place at the right time to watch the
sun come up. No one could have predicted the breath-taking beauty we witnessed.
First the grey then the red then a whole rainbow of colors played out
across the water, grass and cypress trees where we sat. As Ron gave us tips and
pointers, shutters clicked. I will admit that at one point I just sat and
drank in the sight, totally mesmerized by the changing light and colors.
Along with my photographs, I will carry that sunrise in my mind’s eye for a
very long time.
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| Enrique Monasterio with Cesar Alejandro Becerra & Houston Cypress |
When the light was fully up, we traveled through the area in the airboat
photographing birds and early morning beauty until we arrived at our next
destination – a hammock island called Little Pot.
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| Our guide Houston Cypress photographed by Max Freund |
We spent some time
there exploring, shooting pictures, and listening to Houston tell about his
life as part of the Otter Clan. Another treat was in store as Al had
arranged for us to share a wonderful lunch prepared by Houston’s mother.
Delicious!
Re-boarding the airboat, we started back, stopping to observe lilies and
lily pads and experimenting with the light as Ron shared tips from his
experiences as a wildlife photographer. His enthusiasm and knowledge were
infectious. Participants were drawn into trying new techniques that resulted in
stunning captures…the wows and ohhh’s as we looked at the results of our work encouraged
more experimentation.
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| Ron Magill photographs flora as he leans over the side of the airboat. Al Diaz Photo. |
We returned to the Coral Gables Museum and were greeted by Al’s wife,
Cindy Seip who arranged coffee, tea and goodies for us to enjoy. We
toured the museum’s Tamiami Trail exhibit, then moved into the conference room
to enjoy a presentation by Ron Magill. To say that the next hour and a
half sped by would be an understatement. Listening to Ron share his
expertise and photos was both delightful and inspiring. Ron’s attitude is
that we can all do what he does so he shares freely and
unselfconsciously. His love for his subject comes through in every shot.
He wove stories into the sequences and showed how to improve pictures both with
framing and with different settings and techniques.
The
day wrapped up with gifts and prizes and a visit to the Leica Store on Miracle
Mile. We came away knowing that because we had spent this day together,
we would all be better photographers.
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| Marc Serota, at left, and the Polaroid University video crew document the day. |
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Main photo above, back left to right, is Enrique Monasterio, Pamela Wentworth, Frederic Friedmann,
Ron Magill, William Freund, Max Freund and Ruth Blenker. Front left to right are, Al Diaz and Elkin Pabon.
Slide Camera Sling and Clutch Hand Strap by Peak Design
Pixel Pocket Rocket and Modular Pixel Pocket Rocket Memory Card Holders by Think Tank Photo Prints by Image Pro International T-Shirts and Earbuds by Polaroid University    |
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