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Alaska Photography Workshops

“Every day was filled with wonder.” –  Denise L., Trimble, MO.

Photography workshop in AlaskaWhy choose a small ship adventure aboard the David B for your next photography workshop?

  • Because the 65-foot David B will take you to wild, remote, and unbelievably beautiful locations in southeast Alaska, including Glacier Bay National Park.
  • Because you will have the time to immerse yourself in nature while you practice the art of photography.
  • Because our instructors are there to help you as much or as little as you want so that you can focus on your craft.

As far as travel on the boat goes:

…there is no mail to read and answer; no newspapers to excite you; no telegrams to fret you or fright you—the world is far, far away; it has ceased to exist for you—seemed a fading dream, along in the first days; has dissolved to an unreality now; it is gone from your mind with all its businesses and ambitions, its prosperities and disasters, its exultations and despairs, its joys and griefs and cares and worries. They are no concern of yours any more; they have gone out of your life; they are a storm which has passed and left a deep calm behind.

-Mark Twain 1898
Following the Equator

We think that Mark Twain expresses life aboard best, and after the year that was 2020, we would like to offer you all of that, plus a fun, creative, and active way to enjoy creating photographs.Photo workshop in Tracy Arm Alaska

For more details about any of our photography workshops, keep scrolling, visit DavidBCruises.com, or contact us at 360-474-7218 or send us an email.

Warmest Regards,
Captains Jeffrey and Christine Smith
Owners/Operators Motor Vessel David B

 

Alaska’s Fjords with Pack Creek Bear Viewing

Photography Workshop with bear viewing
Opportunities to capture memorable images of the stunning scenery and epic wildlife (think: whales, brown and black bears, porpoises, moose, sea lions, otters, mountain goats, eagles, wolves, etc.) will be plentiful as we trace the complicated waterways of the northern Inside Passage.
Dates:
May 28-June 4, 2021
 – 2 spaces left!
May 27-June 3, 2022

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Southeast Alaska’s Fjords with Adventures NW Magazine
Photography workshop in Alaska

The Tracy Arm / Fords Terror Wilderness is one of southeast Alaska’s premier locations for landscape and wildlife photography. This remote wilderness is only accessible by boat and is one of the best options to photograph tidewater glaciers, deep canyon-like fjords, and wildlife, such as humpback whales, killer whales, and brown and black bears.
Dates:
June 27-July 4, 2021 – 4 spaces left!

June 26-July 3, 2022

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Glacier Bay Photography Workshop with Matt Meisenheimer Photography

Glacier Bay Photography Cruise

Explore Glacier Bay National Park and take beautiful photographs. This hands-on workshop will give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in dynamic landscapes and search for iconic wildlife.


Dates: July 7-14, 2021.  2 spaces left!.

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Glacier Bay Photography Workshop with Adventures NW Magazine

Lamplough Glacier in AlaskaDuring this interactive workshop, you’ll have an opportunity to make photographs aboard the M/V David B as we cruise the awe-inspiring waters of Glacier Bay, exploring and photographing from the boat, skiff, and on land.
Dates:
July 17-24, 2021 – 4 spaces left!

July 16-23, 2022

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San Juan Islands with Adventures NW Magazine

San Juan Islands Photography Workshop
The San Juan Islands, located in Washington state, are a world-famous cruising destination and also an absolutely amazing place for nature and landscape photography. Because we believe in exploring and examining the beauty of nature, we’ve teamed up with Adventures NW Magazine for an exciting, hands-on photo workshop aboard the M/V David B.

Dates:
September 30-October 3, 2021 – 6 spots available!

September 29-October 2, 2022

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Getting Underway From Kynoch Inlet

Every year on our way to Alaska, we do a 12-day cruise up the Inside Passage for people who are interested in learning how to cruise the Inside Passage. There’s so much to see and we really only scratch the surface of British Columbia’s coastal beauty.  Kynoch Inlet is one of our favorite destinations. It’s remote, wild and secluded. It’s a perfect place to find solitude. Here’s a short time-lapse of us getting underway from Kynoch Inlet in BC’s Great Bear Rainforest. To learn more about this trip visit our Learn to Cruise Page.

Boots Off the Ground – Podcast

A small cruise ship at anchor in the Inside Passage
David B at anchor in the Inside Passage – May 2018.

One of the benefits of running the David B is getting to meet people and develop friendships with so many who have traveled with us. Some friendships are long-distance and we keep in touch through email or social media. Some of our David B friends are nearby. We see them in the neighborhood pub or grocery store in the off-season. Some of our David B friends encourage us to come and visit them at their homes in the winter and late fall when we are not operating the boat. That happened last week when we got to visit with Bill G., who came with us our Learn to Cruise trip last May. While we were enjoying Bill and Andi’s amazing hospitality we sat down to talk with Bill about his experience aboard the David B. You can listen to our conversation in the latest episode of our Podcast.

 

 

Northwest Navigation Podcast - Pack Creek BearsListen: Boots Off the Ground

Dreaming In Glacier Bay – Adventures NW Magazine

Article in Adventreus NW Magazine about our Glacier Bay Photography WorkshopLast year we did our first Photography Workshop in conjunction with Adventures NW Magazine. Here’s a link to their website with an article describing what it was like to spend 8-days learning about photography and post-processing photographs in Glacier Bay on the David B.

http://www.adventuresnw.com/dreaming-in-glacier-bay/

After reading this article, we know you’ll want to go on one of our Photo Workshop cruises, so be sure to check out our 2018 schedule and itineraries for photography workshops.

Alaska’s Fjords and Pack Creek Bear Viewing Photography Workshop

https://northwestnavigation.com/alaska-adventure-photography-cruise/

Glacier Bay Photography Workshop

https://northwestnavigation.com/glacier-bay-photography-cruise/

 

 

Photographing the Kittiwakes in Glacier Bay

Margarie Glacier in Tarr Inlet. David B Small Ship Photography Cruise
Calm morning at anchor in Tarr Inlet with Margarie and Grand Pacific Glaciers.

One day in May we anchored the David B in Tarr Inlet. We were in the middle of our Glacier Bay Photography Cruise. It was a beautiful, clear, sunny day with both the Grand Pacific Glacier and Marjorie Glacier in view. Marjorie had been active. The floating ice that had calved off was scattered all around the inlet. Most of it was of small bits of brash with the largest icebergs about the size of a city bus. On both large and small chunks of ice were little gulls called black-legged kittiwakes — my favorite bird of the moment. Not far from our anchorage there was a cliff with hundreds more, some on nests, some circling in the air, making the cliff face a distant bee-hive of activity.

Several flew past the David B making their distinctive “ki-ti-waak” call. The call is how they got their name. They frequent places like Glacier Bay to nest during the summer months then spend their winters off-shore.

Kittiwakes nesting in Glacier Bay Alaska
Kittiwakes nesting in Glacier Bay

Not long after the anchor was down we all got into the skiff with our cameras and favorite lenses to skiff over to Marjorie Glacier. On the way we made a special side trip to the cliff with the kittiwakes. With our lenses pointed up and with stiff necks, we shot photos. From my sea-level vantage some of their nests seem to cling precariously to the cliff. We listened to the chatty colony. In the skiff, we were lost in our own photos, watching, listening and concentrating on our own individual birds. We checked exposures, and asked the instructors questions while we took in the dramas that were unfolding in front of us. There was the thrill of wondering what was going to happen next.

Phtographing kittiwakes in Glacier Bay on a small ship cruise
Two Kittiwakes in a mid-air fight

Occasionally two kittiwakes would engage in an aerial dogfight. The combatants would lock beaks and come tumbling and cartwheeling out of the sky, sometimes hitting the ground or water, or even tumbling down the cliff and landing in the fjord. At one point a bald eagle flew towards the colony. Would the eagle steal a chick, or would it just perch? How would the colony respond? We trained our lenses, and talked about what was happening. The eagle circled a few times, to the great displeasure of the kittiwakes. Their cries were almost deafening, then finally it perched on a ledge away from the colony. It kept to itself and sadly was too distant for a good picture even with my zoom.

With all the excitement, I kind of lost track of time, so I’m not sure how long we spent at the cliff before moving on to Margarie Glacier, but it long enough that we got to enjoy watching, photographing, and chronicling a tiny snapshot of life in a black-legged kittiwake colony. I came away with a deeper love for these birds and the lives they live, and I’m sure the others in the skiff with me came away with their own interpretations and appreciations.

Kittiwakes resting on ice in Tarr Inlet, Glacier Bay. David B Small Ship Photography Cruise
Kittiwakes resting on ice in Tarr Inlet

As I go through my photos from this year’s Glacier Bay Photography Cruise I can’t help but feel the growing excitement that we’ll be back again next spring for two more Photography Cruises in Alaska with instructors John D’onofrio and Alan Sanders. One in Glacier Bay and the other in Tracy Arm / Fords Terror Wilderness and the Admiralty Island / Kootznoowoo wilderness. I’m excited because it’s a chance to get out in the wilderness, use my camera, see nature, and learn more about taking better pictures. If you’d like to know more, visit our Glacier Bay Photography and Alaska Photography pages and our schedule page for dates and availability, or contact us.

-Christine