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"Annual" Northern Michigan Gathering 2007

Listed on my calendar!

Bob
 
Hi Bill, is there anything specific we will need to bring besides lot's of film

I assume that everyone attending will need to find lodging as well. Any recommendations since things seem to fill up quickly.

I am really looking forward to this. I am just getting ready to make a LF purchase so I will probably have alot of questions.

Also, have you ever done any shooting in the Pictured Rocks park up in the UP? I am thinking I may try to incorporate a visit up there in conjunction with this and wonder what it would be like there in late June early July.

Thanks so much
 
snowymtphotos said:
Also, have you ever done any shooting in the Pictured Rocks park up in the UP? I am thinking I may try to incorporate a visit up there in conjunction with this and wonder what it would be like there in late June early July.
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Two things you will need: good hiking boots and bug repellent. Most good areas to shoot from shore require lots of walking. The rocks face northwest, so late in the day is best. There is a boat tour from Munising - best trip is the sunset cruise, gives the softer evening light over your shoulder. Also this time of day brings out the textures in the rock better, as well as warmer colors for color shooters. Shooting from the boat will require hand-held and faster film.

Bob
 
I've been to pictured rocks and just love it up there. I don't tend to be much for touristy "boat rides" but it's worth taking the boat tour out along the shore, especially near sunset. Sand point is great. Also chapel rock and beach, and mosquito beach are interesting. Grand sable dunes is worth checking out as well. I might go through there as well.
Jamie
 
snowymtphotos said:
Is this area full of those little black biting flies/nats?
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Late June is usually still bug season in the UP (depends on how much warm weather there is in June). So you will probably still encounter them in well shaded areas. The mosquito is the 'state bird' up there, how much you see of them depends on how much rain. Hot, dry weather usually suppresses all that but brings more of the stable flies. They look like house flies except they tend to bite - mostly exposed skin at the lower extremities so shorts are not recommended. If the weather is cool, long sleeves, a hat and good bug spray usually keep you fairly comfortable.

Bob
 
snowymtphotos said:
Is this area full of those little black biting flies/nats?
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It is not too bad around us as far as the black flies. You do run into them on the beach on calm nights, but they're nothing a good bug repellant won't cure. Fly season is winding down in the latter part of June. Up in the UP, particularly on Superior can get pretty bad up into July. Hope this helps.

Bill
 
I'm planning on being up there. It is a fair drive for me for a long weekend, but I'm sure it will be worth it. Is there anything I need to plan for? I can either camp (pop up or tent) or hotel it.

Sounds great -- Mark
 
Mark Fisher said:
Is there anything I need to plan for? I can either camp (pop up or tent) or hotel it.
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Hi Mark, I'll be sending out notice of the gathering in the next couple of weeks. It pretty much lays out lodging options, etc. Camping is available on my property, but keep in mind that facilities are rustic. More to come.

Bill
 
Hi Art,

It would be great to have you! The nearest airport is very close in Pellston, Michigan... you can get a car there or we can pick you up.

PLN for the airport code.

Bill
 
Dinesh said:
Feel like driving Art?
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Definitely not from CT! I'd be flying in. Hmmm...got to find a rental car when I get there though. Plus I'd only come for the weekend - Friday to Sunday, maybe Thursday - still planning.

Regards, Art.
 
Art, you would likely fly into Detroit and change planes there. Traverse City would likely have a better choice of flights and rental cars. Just another option to consider.

Bob
 
Lopaka said:
Art, you would likely fly into Detroit and change planes there. Traverse City would likely have a better choice of flights and rental cars. Just another option to consider.
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Bob's got a point, but Pellston is pretty well equiped airport these days. Major rental cars and 4 flights from Detroit daily via NWA. It is only 6 miles from us, Traverse City is almost 90.

Bill
 
That's good to know - I wasn't aware Pellston's service had grown so. Cherry Capital Airport does more PR.

Bob
 
I've had a lot of notes from folks about this year's gathering. It is still on and you can find lodging and area information at this LINK. I've been offered a block of rooms at Dead Link Removedat a discount if we can fill 10 of them. Think on this if you are not planning to camp and let me know via PM as soon as you can. If we hit 10, I'll book the block. I'd also like to have a few things planned for us as a group for this year. Anyone with suggestions or that would like to do a demo of some kind, feel free to make a pitch.

I'm off to Iceland in a couple of days and plan to get together this year's information package soon after my return.

Till then...

Bill
 
I still want to do a cirkut shot of the group, with a few people running around. I could also go out and look for photos to shoot and show others how the cameras work. I have a number of Al vistas and kodak panorams as well, and have started shooting with them. I have in the past put together a panoramic photo presentation- more of a slide presentation talk, if anyone is interested.
I'll be bringing a couple of cirkuts, roundshots, al-vistas (al vistas are large format antique swing lense cameras), and maybe some graflexes.
Jamie Young
Madison, Wi
 
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Jamie, I would really like to watch and learn how your cirkut's work and see your presentation.

On a side note: Of those attending the gathering at Bill's, are any of you also attending the View Camera Conference in Louisville? It's a week after.
Since Louisville is so close to Cincinnati, I am definately planning to go.

Cody



 
Looks like I'll be there-ish

I'm having my annual family vacation about 5 minutes down the road from cross village that week. I'd like to join in on some of the festivities. I've recently had a film reawakening after several years of shooting, well, you know. I recently acquired a Graflex Pacemaker 4x5 that I've been shooting polaroids with to sort of stick my toe back in the water. I'm working back up to film. I'm interested in darkroom work though I've only developed film. I shot a good amount of 35mm and 6x7 before 2004. So basically, yeah, I'm a very enthusiastic large format noob. Thankfully not knowing what I'm doing never stopped me before!

-James
 
Hi James! You will be more than welcome. Family from the area... or just a favorite spot chosen for the festivities? Anyway... more will come soon on all of this.

Bill
 
billschwab said:
Hi James! You will be more than welcome. Family from the area... or just a favorite spot chosen for the festivities? Anyway... more will come soon on all of this.

Bill
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We live in Saginaw, but several years ago my wife scoured the internet and found a great deal on a large lakefront cabin. We've rented it for one week a year ever since and her family joins us. There's so much to do in the area including Mackinac Island, lighthouses, the bridge, fort, waterfalls, beaches, there's a lot to do and it's quiet if you don't want to do anything. Plenty to take pictures of!
 
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