Spring/Summer East-Coast Gathering

[BrendanPK]

Latest News:
Ok, most seams to be set, I have not herd from everyone about the weekend, so I will be PM'ing them shortly
Sponsors
I have herd from some sponsors so far, Officially:
> LexJet is providing us with a 17" roll of paper for the 16x20's that everyone gets to make. www.lexjet.com
> Trek-Tech Is Sending a TrekPod GO! to give away! Trek-Tech : Birding, Hiking & Photography Products
> Lensbabies will be supplying 2 of their latest 3G models to test out and give away! Lensbabies >>> Selective Focus SLR camera lenses
>Crumpler will be sending some of their new great camera straps Crumpler Products Page
>LowePro is donating a FastPack 350 (in pentax red) Lowepro - Fastpack 350
>Lexar has donated 2 pro SD cards, one 2gb, and one 4gb SDHC. Lexar, USB flash drive, flash memory card, digital film, card reader
>Epson is providing us with a Loaner digital Projector model 76C so we can do a slide-show and program demos.
I have herd back from a few others that I have asked, they are in the process right now to see what they can do, good news on most accounts! We should have some nice swag to try and give out. I am contacting both Pentax and Samsung asking is they wish to send some samples for everyone to test out (sorry I doubt that I could get them to give one away)
I will update as I get confirmation.

Also I have a rough t-shirt design for the event.
Front will have what is pictured in attachment; the back will have the logos of the sponsors.
I have approached a few printing companies to see about screen (1-2 color) vs. direct (full-color) printing and see what it will cost. Screen print will be on red or black shirt, full-color can only be on white. I plan to order the following (for a decent price order of 20, plus to give a few to the sponsors... (All sizes are men’s, sorry ladies) 3-M, 5-L, 10-XL, 2-XXL
I also plan to offer the plain design up to Adam for a t-shirt w/out the date on it.

[BrendanPK]

Confirmed that are going: [PD= Paid]
(Please let me know if more than just yourself are coming)

BrendanPK (me) + 1?
MRRiley +1
Bud + 2 [all PD]
kayjop [PD]
cardinal43 (Sat Only) [PD]
photo_mom (Sat Only) [PD]
pfoiles [PD]
Workingdog +1 [PD, +1 on-site]
mel (sat Only)


Poss 2 others from over dpreview forums.

Feel free to invite and spread the word!
Would like to have as many there as possible.
I just need to know ASAP. Also Rooms are filling fast, so book your room ASAP too

[pfoiles]

Just wanted to introduce myself as the latest to sign up for the East-Coast Gathering. I am Peter Foiles currently of Frederick MD, previously from the Hudson Valley region of NY and born and bred in Oregon. I got my first camera as a 16th birthday present (Canon FtQL) and have owned and shot Nikon, Fuji, Leica and Hasselblad cameras over the years. Most recently I have ventured into the land of Pentax starting with the K10D with the DA limited set about a year ago. I added the 35/2, 50/1.4 and 50-135/2.8 and most recently the K20D and 16-50/2.8. (Anyone interested in a K10D or 16-45/4?). I find the Pentax kit a great compliment to my Canon gear (don't ask about that equipment list).

I was active in camera clubs in NY serving as President of one and recently served a term as President of the Frederick Camera Clique. I look forward to meeting everyone at Shenandoah!

[Workingdog]

Mr and Mrs Workingdog will both attend the Shenandoah gathering. Please add us to the confirmed list. now I just need to make the kennel reservation... thanks!

[BrendanPK]

Last Call for attendance before I place a T-Shirt order. If your not on the list I dont have you down as coming! Spring/Summer East-Coast Gathering
I am unsure of room-space, but workshop is still open and will be (minus some perks like t-shirt and dinners up until the weekend of the workshop)


Also if you haven't already, I need everyone's sizes for t-shirts ASAP


And Please thank and patrognise our sponsors listed here:
Spring/Summer East-Coast Gathering

[BrendanPK]

Feel free to bring your sig. other along if he/she is not fully participating in anything but the dinners and hikes, they are only Cost of meals only. Paid on site is fine.
You must make sure no additional charges for the resort apply (normally price is for 2, but still check)

So far it looks like we have 2 wives coming (probably to curtail their husbands from spontaneous LBA, lol) maybe they can go together and have fun during our geek-festing

Thoes bringing non-camera people
MRRiley +1
Workingdog +1

[BrendanPK]

Crumpler has just donated a 4-million dollar home Bag for Everyone who is participating, spouses not included, (total 9 as of now) who is coming. Crumpler Products Page


Now I will show everyone a few tricks there so we can send them a new photo with a Pentax instead of a Nikon in it

(photos from Crumpler)

[mel]

Is it too late to join the fun for Sat only?

I also have a large vehicle that seats 8 and can transport people. I promise to get up early enough to arrive before sunrise! If someone can let me know when sunrise is.

[BrendanPK]

We will meet
Friday: Pinnacles pick nick ground 5-7pm (dinner served)
Saturday and Sunday 9am meet at Skyland dinning hall area, large fireplace/coffee bar

If you are arriving early Friday, I will be taking a hike to a waterfall (which may be done again on sat. if it is easy enough (I got a tip on a easier way this weekend)
Please call my cell to find where to meet up before the 5pm dinner time
PDF form to fallow with everything Via email/PM

[BrendanPK]

Attendees: YOU MUST download this form, print it out and bring it with you Friday/Saturday.
It has a check-list of recommended items, a schedule of events and the required "legal" stuff
(1 per person including non-workshop spouses)

Please note: Saturday Only folks, please arrive by 9am at Skyland Lodge, we will meet at the fireplace/coffee area in the dinning-hall/gift-shop building

Main workshop will be on the "strobist" and related material, Bring a note-pad your camera, a lens or 2 and flashes. You will have time to get/change gear before the hike at 11:30sh

[BrendanPK]

I need a headcount for Friday Cook-out! Also feel free to bring a dish to share, I am providing hotdogs, hamburgers, fixings, chips and drinks (soda/water)

Dinner for Saturday details: Dress: upper-casual (clean, no t-shirts/cutoffs)
We need to arrive at Big Meadows Lodge at 5pm to make sure were seated by 5:30 as a group (again were in the middle, to big for a reservation as a couple, too small as a big group)
Choice of:
>Lamb & Eggplant “Lasagna” Bolognese; Layers of Crispy Eggplant, Sautéed Spinach, Hardy Lamb and Mushroom Ragù and Mozzarella Cheese.
>The New Deal Turkey Dinner; Slow Roasted Breast, Locally Grown Vegetables, Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes, Celery and Sage Dressing, Pan Gravy,
Cranberry-Orange Relish
Comes with choice of coffee or tea (ice tea too) I also think it has a salad with it, but unsure.
>If you want extra Appetizer, desert or soda/alcohol it will be on a separate check that you pay (Sorry I was keeping costs to a minimum for this gathering and some corners had to be cut) If you have special food requirements (I have yet to get any) The workshop will cover up to $24 of your meal

After dinner we will leisurely walk threw/around the meadow hoping to get some nice wildlife at dusk (Bring a tripod, long pants, solid shoes and bug spray)
Slide show will be interesting as space has fallen threw (our free space was booked with a paid wedding reception) but we will manage.

Don’t forget to bring a bag lunch (suitable for eating on the trail) for Sat. and that you need to figure out breakfast’s for yourselves. We will have snacks and doughnuts Sat. at the workshop.

Also one other note for clothes: Swimsuit is recommended to bring in the event we do a waterfall (you can “swim at your own risk” in the pool-areas of the falls)

[BrendanPK]

Lensbaby Mini Workshop on Sat afternoon or Sunday (depends on interest/hike times

Don't forget I will also do portfolio reviews Sunday if wanted. Digital or Paper is fine with me.

[BrendanPK]

Update, I have muffens for everyone Sat. (1/ec) so you can eat a light breakfast sat.

[photo_mom]

Don't want to steal Brendan's thunder, so I won't show any pictures until he and the rest get done on Sunday. I was only able to go for today and had to leave just after dinner. But Brendan put together one heck of a gathering. The t-shirts rock, the giveaways were exceptional (just love my new crumpler bag and my lensbabies hat!!), and the sessions on flash/strobist methods were just cram packed with info and neat tips, especially the one at the top of the mountain. Just having someone talk about any technique can be dry and boring, and hard to follow sometimes. Having them show you helps cement the lesson in your brain, but then when they let you try it yourself and help walk you through it, that is when it really sticks. (Unfortunately, it also made me want to go out and buy 2-3 540s and a couple of pocket wizards!)

What was so great about this get together, however, was that even though I had never met anyone besides Brendan it felt like we all knew each other. Everyone just jumped right in and started talking like we'd been friends for years. Lenses and cameras, flashes and other extraneous items were shared with no hesitation.

Can't wait until you get to see the results!

Thanks Brendan and it was great to meet and spend time with all my new friends!

[mel]

I second everything Photo-mom said and more. This was a fantastic event. It was informative and most of all it was a LOT of fun. We may not have gotten to exactly everything but it didn't matter because it was such a great time (And yes I want to go out and get the flashes and pocket wizards as well as about 6 new lenses and maybe a second body while I'm at it).

I think the hardest part was remembering everyone's REAL names and not calling them by their forum handles.

Thanks from me as well to Brendan and all the sponsors of the event. I think there will be some really hilarious pictures forthcoming.