Waterfalls of the Finger Lakes Regional Event (June 13-16, 2024)

Leader | Travel & lodging | What to expect | Preliminary itinerary

Registration is now open

Event Overview

Join Chris Murray for a spring photography tour in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York State.  We’ll photograph the many stunning waterfalls in this magnificent region of streams, waterfalls, and iconic gorges.

Amongst the rolling hills and panoramic vistas of the glacially-carved Finger Lakes tumble some of the most scenic waterfalls in the country.  There are over two hundred named falls, including Taughannock Falls, the highest in New York State. The sheer number and diversity of waterfalls make this region special, and the possibilities for unique images are abundant. Each waterfall has its own character; some drop like bridal veils, others sluice over ledges, and some carve dramatic chasms.  In springtime, lime-green beech leaves frame the cascades.

Cost:
Early Bird Rate: $629 NANPA & ASMP Members/$829 Non-members by May 12, 2024

After May 12, 2024: $729 NANPA & ASMP Members/$929 Non-members

Maximum number of attendees: 10

Last Date to Register: June 12, 2024

Dates:

• Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 6:30 pm to Sunday, June 16, 2024 at noon.
• (optional) Post event Image Sharing and Feedback Webinar for participants Thursday June 27, 7pm (ET)

Registration and Meet & Greet
Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 6:30 pm
Hotel Breakfast Room

©Chris Murray

Leader

Chris Murray –

Chris Murray is a photographic artist, instructor, and writer working primarily in the woods, lakes, mountains, and streams of his home state of New York. His work has appeared in several magazines including On Landscape, Popular Photography, Shutterbug, Adirondack Life, New York State Conservationist, and Thousand Islands Life, among others. Chris leads photography workshops through the Adirondack Photography Institute and teaches classes at the Thousand Islands Arts Center.

Chris’ interest in photographing landscapes is derived mainly from his love of the natural world, the same love that led him to choose geology as his first profession. For Chris, the appeal of photography lies in the opportunity to create art in an environment that ceaselessly inspires him. In photography he strives to make images that are a reflection of his sensibilities and how he sees the world. His goal is not to document literal appearances, but rather make photos that are a creative expression of his emotional response inspired by the subject. Chris’ photography tends toward the quiet and intimate, scenes within a scene with a creative focus on simplicity and detail.

Travel and lodging

We will be based in the charming city of Ithaca, NY during this regional event.

NANPA is holding a block of rooms for event participants for $209 per night + tax

• (7) King bed rooms
• (3) Double queen bed rooms

Rate includes:

• Complimentary breakfast daily.
• Complimentary microwave & refrigerator in all guest rooms.
• Complimentary use of the exercise facilities.
• Complimentary parking.
• Complimentary WIFI.

Hotel details will be shared with registered participants.
The last date to book a room in the NANPA room block is Sunday May 12, 2024.

NEAREST AIRPORT:

• (ITH) Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (10 minutes away)
• (SYR) Syracuse Hancock International Airport (1.25 hours away)

Transportation to and from the hotel and during the event is not included and is the attendees’ responsibility. Car rental is available at the airport.

EVENT TRANSPORTATION:

Transportation to and from the hotel and during the event is not included and is the attendees’ responsibility.

RIDE SHARING:  We will be starting each day from the event hotel. Ridesharing is encouraged to reduce the size of our vehicle presence and improve the traveling/following experience. You are welcome to either drive or ride with someone. This is also a great way to meet people and make new friends during the event!

Note that NANPA does not have insurance for carpooling arrangements and assumes no liability for them. Carpooling, ride sharing or anything similar is strictly a private arrangement among the participants. Participants assume the risks associated with this travel.

MEALS:

All meals except dinner on Saturday, June 15 are on your own.

©Chris Murray

What to expect

Photography Locations:

The Finger Lakes Region features 11 pristine lakes in the heart of upstate New York. Formed during the Ice Age, huge glaciers carved out the landscape, chiseling out large lakes, rolling hills, and grooves for waterfalls. Located at the southern ends of the lakes are the iconic gorges that are home to some of the most scenic and famous waterfalls in the country. The abundance of state parks allows visitors to explore waterfalls on maintained trail networks for easy access and breathtaking photographs.

Some of the locations that we will most likely photograph include Taughannock Falls, the Cascadilla Gorge, Robert H. Treman, and Buttermilk Falls.  We’ll also visit some beautiful lesser-known falls.

Note: Watkins Glen State Park is a gem of a state park in this area, but, due to group permit restrictions, it will not be part of our event itinerary. Having said that, we encourage you to consider planning some time to visit it on your own, but be aware that visiting the park involves a considerable number of stairs.

Your leader will have visited the areas prior to the event and the field trip locations will be based on what’s most photogenic at the time, weather conditions, etc.  These will be announced during the Registration/Orientation.

HEALTH AND FITNESS:

Though locations visited during this workshop are readily accessible, the terrain may require some short hiking.  Participants MUST be in good physical shape and able to climb and descend moderate inclines.  They should wear sturdy boots and use caution on slippery rocks.

WEATHER & CLOTHING:

Historical average temperatures for Ithaca, NY in June vary from a low of 53 to a high of 76 degrees.

It’s preferable to dress in several warm layers as temperatures can change significantly and quickly. A rain jacket and rain pants are recommended, as are waterproof hiking boots with a good grip. Two pairs of footwear are wise, in case one gets wet. Sandals and muck boots are great for wading in the streams. A hat is also recommended.

CAMERA GEAR:

• DSLR or mirrorless camera, full frame or cropped sensor.
• There will likely be photo opportunities for your full range of lenses, from extreme wide angle to telephoto and macro. We use lenses from 14-400mm (full-frame equivalent) for waterfalls and streams.
• Circular Polarizer Filter
• Neutral Density Filter (s)
• Tripod

OTHER RECOMMENDED GEAR:

• Laptop for downloading and processing images

GENERAL:

This event is designed for all levels of photographers – amateur, intermediate, advanced and professional – interested in improving their photography skills or looking for location guidance to capture images of wildlife and landscapes.  If you are new to photography, be sure to ask Chris for help. He will be available to answer questions, explain techniques and in general help you improve your photographic skills.  If you already have plenty of photography experience, Chris will ensure that you’re in the best locations at the best times for those perfect shots.

Please keep in mind that this NANPA Regional Event is designed to be a photo tour, not a photo workshop. In other words, there are no formal instruction sessions planned, there are no assignments, you will not be receiving any handouts or the like. That being said, your leader Chris Murray has experience as a photography workshop leader and is available to answer questions and give you guidance. If you need help, please advocate for yourself and speak up and ask for help – Chris is happy to help. Be aware that many of your fellow participants may also be accomplished photographers in their own right and may be able to help you too.  Part of the regional event experience is the camaraderie that comes from sharing experiences and lessons learned among participants.

This tour is open for 10 participants to give each plenty of time with the leader and to retain flexibility based on weather and the best opportunities.

Please know your camera before you arrive and bring your manual, just in case we need to look up something.

Attendance and participation at NANPA Regional Events is limited to registered attendees only.  Anyone wishing to participate in any portion of, or travel with a registered attendee during the group event must contact the NANPA office and pay the full registration fee.

©Chris Murray

Preliminary itinerary

PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE:

Please note schedules are fluid due to weather conditions, and other variables.

Thursday, June 13, 2024

• 6:30 p.m. – Meet at the hotel breakfast room for Meet and Greet, welcome, introductions and opening remarks by Chris followed by a short presentation – “Photographing the Waterfalls of the Finger Lakes”
• Participants should plan on having dinner before the meet & greet.

Friday, June 14, 2024 and Saturday, June 15, 2024

• Breakfast at 6am, leave for morning shoot at 6:30am.
• Morning Shoot
• Rest Time/Midday shoot
• Late afternoon shoot
• Dinner on your own (Friday), group dinner (Saturday)
• Processing time (optional)

Sunday, June 16, 2024 (Father’s Day)

• Breakfast followed by final morning shoot
• Image review session
• Event wraps up at noon

Regional Event Cancellation and No Refund Policy:  

NANPA will not offer any refunds for registrations for this event regardless of when the cancellation is made or the reason for the cancellation. NANPA reserves the right to cancel any event or activity due to insufficient registration or any unforeseen circumstances. NANPA will offer refunds if NANPA has to cancel the event. It also has the right to substitute presenters if those originally scheduled cannot attend. Registrants may purchase event insurance as part of the registration process through NANPA’s partner, Allianz. More information on this option will be shown during the checkout process for the event registration.

NOTE:  If you do not purchase event insurance at the time that you pay for your registration, you will NOT be able to go back and purchase it with Allianz later.

If you choose to purchase travel insurance separately, you can do so with your own insurance carrier, or NANPA members can receive a special travel insurance rate through USI Affinity/Travel Insurance Services