Understand Photography presents Bastions, Birds and Buildings A Photographic Exploration of St. Augustine, FL with Ed Malawskey and Joe Fitzpatrick May 4, 5 & 6, 2012 In the dark of night you move into position. A shadowed mass starts to take form in front of you as the sky gradually turn from inky black to the muted colors of predawn. Suddenly the sun bursts over the horizon, bathing the ancient walls of the Castillo de San Marcos in the golden light of daybreak. A scant few hours later you find yourself in the midst of a Florida swamp, surrounded by alligators. All around you are trees filled with wading birds, the bellowing of the alligators and calls of the birds in sharp contrast to the quiet solitude of the fortress where your day began. You watch in awe as a snowy egret alights at a nest of chicks, only a few yards from where you safely stand. The chicks cry for attention as the egret drops food into their upturned beaks. Sunlight brings alive the stained glass windows of the centuries old cathedral. Shafts of light, turned the colors of the rainbow by the stained glass, dapple the interior. The flickering glow of the votive candles reflects off gleaming gold in the sanctuary. A quiet city block in the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States. You wander around and through nine houses dating from 1790 to 1910. Your eye delights in the wealth of architectural details and the quiet serenity of small gardens and hidden alcoves. The sun's rays, filtered by the leaves of the age-old overhanging trees, create ever changing patterns on the statuary and pathways. These images and more are yours to capture when you join Ed Malawskey and Joe Fitzpatrick on Understand Photography's Bastions, Birds and Buildings Photographic Exploration of St. Augustine, FL. The 2012 exploration will take place on May 4, 5 & 6 and space is limited to twelve photographers (six per instructor). The $475 cost of the photo exploration includes expert, personal instruction by Ed and Joe, accommodations (dbl occupancy), continental breakfasts, admission to all venues, parking fees, and applicable taxes. Lunches, dinners and transportation are not included. If you prefer not to share a room, single accommodations are available for a $90 surcharge. Place your deposit now to ensure your spot. Friday3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Check in @ Sleep Inn, self guided shootingBreak for Dinner6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Orientation Seminar @ Sleep InnSaturday6:00 AM - 7:30 AM Sunrise at Castillo de San Marcos (sunrise is 6:39 AM)Break for Breakfast9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Alligator FarmBreak for Lunch1:30 PM - 5:30 PM Old St. Augustine (Cathedral Basilica & DOW Historic Homes)Sunday9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Alligator FarmAll good things come to an end, for now. Price of the photo exploration includes accommodations (dbl occupancy), continental breakfasts, admission to all venues, parking fees, and applicable taxes. Lunches, dinners and transportation are not included. The published itinerary is meant to provide an outline of this exploration. Capturing great images requires great light and great light is very much weather and time dependent. We may alter the itinerary and shooting sites to take best advantage of local conditions. Sunscreen, bug spray, comfortable footwear, Retainer to reserve your spot in the May St Augustine trip. Final payment of $325 due March 15, 2012. St Aug Retainer 154.74 Payment in Full St Aug Pay in Full Ticket 484.95 St Aug Final Payment 334.12