BugShot California May 9-12th 2019!!!
• Workshop is limited to 32 participants
• Workshop begins at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, May 9th, 2019 and concludes Sunday at 1:00 p.m. May 12th, 2019
• Workshop is based out of Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center. It is housed in a former country club, is located adjacent to the park in the town of Borrego Springs. The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is adjacent to the research station and has 932 plant taxa including a number of species unusual in California, such as the elephant tree more typical of Baja California. Late winter and early spring bring spectacular wildflower blooms and throngs of visitors. 331 bird species such as greater roadrunners and golden eagles are on the park checklist. Reptiles and amphibians include over 60 different species such as chuckwallas, desert iguanas, and the red diamond rattlesnake. The 60 species of mammals range from kit foxes and mule deer to the majority of the endangered desert bighorn sheep remaining in California. The workshop will not take place in the State Park but it is an example of some of the diversity you may encounter.
Join professional photographers Alex Wild, Thomas Shahan, and John Abbott for a 4-day workshop exploring arthropod photography at Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center!
Topics may include:
Macro & microphotography equipment
Composition
Lighting & flash
Working with live insects
Special techniques: focus-stacking, high-speed flash
Field sessions in forest, meadow, and aquatic habitats
Evening photo-sharing presentations
and more!
Events kick off with a Thursday (May 9th) evening welcome and will continue through mid-day on Sunday (May 12th). Registration covers participation in all workshop events, meals, and lodging at Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center.
Lodging
All participants will be 6 to a room, dorm style with 3 bunk-bed in each room.
BugShot + Housing at the reserve is $895
BugShot NO housing $845
If you choose to get your own housing there are several hotels near the research center. Stanlunds Inn and Suites is a hotel that is commonly used for other events at the research center.
Student Waiver
One student scholarships are available to cover registration fees only, you will be responsible for housing. More information if you click here. Or you can contact kendra@abbottnature.com for further details.
Cancellation policy is as followsCancellation policy is as follows:-
• 6 weeks prior to event: 100% refund minus $50 cancellation fee
• 4 weeks prior to event: 50% refund minus $50 cancellation fee
• no refunds after April 9th, 2019
If you have any questions you can contact kendra@abbottnature.com
Thursday May 9th: Hello!
5:00pm Arrival Anza Borrego
6:00 Welcome & Dinner
8:00 Instructors’ Top Tips
8:15 Open time (night photography, blacklighting, build diffuser) (Thomas) or
Entomology 101 (John) or Photography 101 (Alex)
Friday May 10th: The Basics
7:00-8:00 Breakfast
8:00 Introduction to Anza Borrego
8:30 Field Session 1: group A (Alex), group B (John), group C (Thomas)
11:00 White box (Alex)
11:30 Create your ultimate diffusion!
noon Lunch
1:00 Composition & Lighting (Thomas)
2:00 Field Session 2: group A (John), group B (Thomas), group C (Alex)
4:30 Open
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Natural History Talk: (John)
8:00 Open (night photography, blacklighting, build diffuser, sleep)
Saturday May 11th: Special Techniques
7:00-8:00 Breakfast
8:00 Natural History Talk: (Alex)
8:30 Field Session 3: group A (Thomas), group B (Alex), group C (John)
11:00 Special Techniques: high-speed flash (John)
noon Lunch
1:00 Post Processing and work flow (ALL)
2:00 Special Techniques: Photo Stacking (Thomas)
3:00 Open practice: studio, field, or meet with an instructor
5:45 Group photo!
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Natural History Talk: (Thomas)
8:00 Open (night photography, blacklighting, sleep) or Post Processing
Sunday May 12th: Windup
7:00-8:00 Breakfast
8:00 Gadgetry and Gear discussion (John, Thomas, Alex)
9:00 Panel Discussion – topics to be determined by group interest
10:00 Open practice: studio, field, or meet with an instructor
noon Lunch
1:00 Closing comments, clean-up
*subject to change*
All participants will be 6 to a room, dorm style with 3 bunk-bed in each room.
BugShot + Housing at the reserve is $895
BugShot NO housing $845
If you choose to get your own housing there are several hotels near the research center. Stanlunds Inn and Suites is a hotel that is commonly used for other events at the research center.
Click here to register
The fee for the workshop includes:
• Daily one-on-one and group instructions from Alex, Thomas, and John.
• Daily instruction on macro photography
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner on days of the workshop are included (as indicated on itinerary).
• Double occupancy hotel style housing.
The fee for the workshop does NOT include:
• Transportation to/from location
• 6 weeks prior to event: 100% refund minus $50 cancellation fee
• 4 weeks prior to event: 50% refund minus $50 cancellation fee
• no refunds after April 9th, 2019
On-site Bunk Style
The rooms are bunk style with 6 people per room in 3 bunk-beds. Dorm rooms share common bathroom and shower facilities. We will have women dorms and men dorms. We have limited number of spots for housing on-site. If you stay in the dorms you are responsible for your own bedding, pillow, towel and toiletries.
Hotel
There are numerous hotels in the area. If you choose to get your own housing there are several hotels near the research center. Stanlunds Inn and Suites is a hotel that is commonly used for other events at the research center.

Equipment Recommendations
At a minimum you will need to bring a camera and lenses capable of close-in photographs, as well as an off-camera flash. We recommend an SLR camera with a 1:1 or greater macro lens. Alternately, a set of extension tubes, bellows, or a reverse-mounted lens kit can provide suitable magnification. Point-and-shoot camera with a Raynox filter and flash mount are also acceptable. Please contact me if you have any questions about equipment. kendra@abbottnature.com
Clothing & Supplies
• Weather will be hot and humid. I would recommend breathable long pants and long sleeve shirt if you are going to be in the field.
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Water Bottle
Directions to Anza Borrego
Here is a link to the goole map location.
Below is a google map of where Anza Borrego is in relation to Sand Diego. There is an airport in Palm Springs but San Diego or LA might be more cost effective.