I will try my best to join you guys.

Well, there are lots of ideas here. Donald suggests September for Yellowstone. I would suggest later in October, as the elk then are in rut and the colors are in their prime. I am already pretty tied up from the middle of September until the middle of October with meetings and guests from overseas. May gives the same visitor use level benefits as September and October, and probably a bit lower, but in my mind, that is not too much of an issue.

As for meetings during the day, that is probably an issue, as generally speaking when i am in the park for photography, my philosophy is that no daylight should be wasted. In May, for example, the wildlife is out all during the day, not just during the mornings and evenings. May also allows for more daylight.

All that said, any time in Yellowstone is better than no time. msmoto, sounds like flying is cheaper than driving for you. The appropriate airport is Bozeman, Montana. If people would like to rent a van, I can help with arrangements for that as well.

I will probably go down there in January for some photography as well.

As an example, from Greensboro, North Carolina, USA to Delhi, India is about USD $ 1500.00 or if I fly business class...$6500.00.

If I travel in my motorhome to Yellowstone, it is about $2,000.00 in fuel for the round trip. And, seven nights in Yellowstone is about $600-$800 plus food.

The timing of the meeting is almost not a problem for me, but for many this is dependent on many factors.

The format could be one of a structured time from say 9 AM to noon during which time some of us could do 45 minute presentations as to what we do, or how we do certain things. The early mornings and late evenings are the times most will be out shooting, I would guess. Just some thoughts....

Humm, since I have not been that active in the past few months, I was not aware people were planning a forum meeting/photo trip. I must say sounds like fun but I won't be able to attend until 2014 but maybe when I return there will be another event planned.

As to Yellowstone and Glacier, places I have been many times, I would suggest a fall trip in September after all the kids are back in school and family summer vacations are over. Fewer people in the park makes it easier to find a hotel room, fewer people at overlooks and rest stops and on trails makes it easier to position your tripod right where you want it, deer and elk antlers are fully grown and polished, bears seem more impressive because they are bulked up with their winter fat and coat. You may be able to pick up some yellow fall leaf color and maybe some dusting of snow on the high mountains for landscapes.

Dear all,

As i mentioned before, I am willing to arrange things for a meeting/trip into Yellowstone, focusing on landscapes and wildlife. Most likely around the middle of May, say 15-25 May. I can help with the accommodation arrangements in a place with wifi, most likely in Gardiner Montana, as it is more conveniently located to the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone, which is prime wolf, bear, elk and bison habitat, has sweeping views and is easily accessible.

Yeti

tommie - that's exactly what I wanna figure out right now.
from this what we already wrote we have basically two destinations:
- local (for most folks): Yellowstone - late May/April
- international (for most folks): India
I can coordinate the Indian meeting, could most likely also coordinate the US - though I never been to Yellowstone, and I'm not familiar with certain locations. My knowledge of Yellowstone is somehow limited to Yogi Bear, I've watched 20+years ago :)
As for the Yellowstone, any date between: 17 may - 5 june and 17 june - 6 july is fine with me.

As for costs... well, can't talk about US (though I guess it shouldn't be more than 120-140 usd / night with food, accommodation and car rental). If we talk about India, than $1000 / 14 days for ground transportation, decent though not luxurious accommodation and food is more than enough. This + airfare cost to Delhi + visa cost to those who need one and we have full package. So from Europe the total cost shouldn't be more than $2000. Not the cheapest, but a bargain comparing to tourist prices.

Let's see..D4, 24/1.4, 70-200, TC's Tripod, D400?, Yeah, i think I can get this in my handbag......

Last time I flew was to a medical meeting in Belgium in 2003.....mmmm

There are several issues in attempting to figure out a location for an international meeting. First is the determination of who will actually attend from the group who say they will. Second is to determine a consensus of those who will actually attend as to where they want to go.

The results of understanding these two issues leads to a final determination as to location and costs. A method which might work would be if some folks would act as coordinators finding a variety of locations, the logistics of lodging and food, then present these to the forum. From my perspective, and as I travel in a motorhome, somewhere in the US or Canada would be ideal. And, while we are limited to short mountains, we do have a lot of very fascinating areas from a photographer's viewpoint. Possibly a venue which allows field trips of great photo opportunities within a hundred miles (160 km) or so.

And, maybe a variety of very informal meetings where those who wish to travel a long ways can get together and those who are on a budget can also have some interactions.

Who knows...?

One more thing about India. There is one region where summer is the best time to travel - Jammu & Kashmir. I have some ideas about this destination, and if we make enough participants we could go there somewhere between 18 july - 8 august.

Guys, I'm sticking it to the top as this topic is dead for a month and if we wanna meet we need to get this running and I need to get tickets and reserve time :D
As for India, I'm always open, though unless You don't wanna get too hot the best time to go there is around september or even better october or april/may. I also started to plan my travel calendar for next year, and I have two long distance locations in my head.
- jan/feb - can't put too much details here, as my wife is peeping NRF from time to time and it's her b-day gift
- 17 october -07 november - Khumbu Valley, Nepal
I can pretty much fit 1-2 more long distance trips, but need to know this by the end of this year.

I would add that Adamz suggestion of somewhere like India would be good another place on my hitlist.

Well given the positive feed back on Yellowstone, I would like to nominate this location for our first gathering. Moreover, given Yetibuddha knowledge of the area, one could not ask for a better person to help setup our agenda, as well as, jonnyapple (2 hours away) help coordinate this. Now all we have to do is coming up with the date. How about early June or middle to late August?

Hi all,

I live in Kalispell, Montana, 35 miles or so from Glacier National Park. It's nice and so is Yellowstone. Both are pretty busy during the Summer months. Finding lodging isn't easy on short notice.

The mountains have a good dusting of snow now; we got over 8 inches a few days ago. Depending upon what types of landscapes you want to shoot, you could 'Get Lost' here.

My best,

Mike

I think it would be nice to do more than one. That way people don't have to travel around the world who can't or don't want to. This isn't me saying sour grapes, either, since I'm only a 2 hour drive from Yellowstone. My summer semester ends around July 20 and I'm more or less free until Labor Day.

@ Yetibuddha I was planning on learning from you... Your landscapes are gorgeous. But, maybe we can do the Glacier trip for a couple days. I have to figure where to park my motorhome on the east side of Glacier.

One thought in my head is to possibly work on letting folks know where we are headed and then if someone is interested they can get together for a day or so. I travel in a motorhome, towing a car behind. Unfortunately, it is too large to get on just any road so I have to base camp and venture out in an automobile. I will be in Boise, Idaho for several days, visiting friends...the second week in August with Glacier to follow.

The NRF International Conference sounds interesting. I suppose this means I have to get in an airplane..... last time was to Belgium in about 2003. But maybe an old person can get her act together and fly around the world one more time.

My next trip is to Detroit for the NAIAS. Might see one of our members up there again, if he would like.

Well folks, I would be willing to help people around in Yellowstone the middle to late May period--June 1 I am off overseas for work for a couple of weeks and I am totally occupied with work in July. I can make arrangements at local lodging places, most likely in Gardiner as it is nicely suited for the Lamar Valley, etc. where a lot of wildlife is located. I have been to Yellowstone dozens of times so know my way around pretty well. If you are interested, perhaps we do things through PM and email. OntheRopes, there is some really neat architectural photography possible at Old Faithful.

Msmoto, if you plan to visit Glacier in August, my schedule is free then and would be priviledged to spend some time with you there and learn from you.

Sendai, Japan.

Well, for me its mainly landscape but I wouldn't mind a little architectural on the way in/out.
For me Yellowstone / Teutons would be good (I don't know Glacier. I always used to fancy Utah/Arizona etc but kind of think its been done to death.
I also would like New England area in Autumn (fall to the locals)

In fact anywhere photogenic really so that leaves plenty of scope.

I would think that the objective is camaraderie plus "camera"derie. With a little notice, I can probably participate anywhere where I don't need inocculations...

+1 yellowstone, though preferably a little bit later maybe (June, July) if I could choose, anyway - generally any day between 20th one month and 5th next month is ok due to my work obligations.

what I can also suggest is a more international meeting - India or Nepal for example, the life there is damn cheap and there's more than one photogenic place, a 1-2 week itinerary will be not more than $1000-$1500 depending on places to see (plus airplane tickets), we could meet up in Delhi/Kathmandu and move forward.

Yetibuddha said:
Well I am up for expeditions--see note from several months ago a few messages above. I like landscapes as many know. Am willing to facilitate get togethers around Yellowstone/Tetons/Glacier. May and October are great times.

I'm all in on Yellowstone.

Just a thought, Minneapolis would be a good place in the summer and has direct flights from Europe and Canada. Some of us could drive there and then we'd have transportation for everyone. Lakes, scenery, old churches, Minneapolis has it all and it's not hot in the summer.

Anywhere is good for me, just a thought.

Now, Glacier, this is on my travel schedule for mid August of 2013. I plan on a couple days to drive up and back on Going to the Sun Road where I rode my motorcycle through in 2008. Photo wise... cannot be beat....

But the Eastern half of the USA is the "business" area and may be easier to access from overseas than the Western half aka "God's Country"

Well I am up for expeditions--see note from several months ago a few messages above. I like landscapes as many know. Am willing to facilitate get togethers around Yellowstone/Tetons/Glacier. May and October are great times.

Chicago is a stunning city. A fantastic art museum, aquarium, buildings, and for those who do...night spots. And, rates for hotels are about 50% less than New York City. Atlanta is even less expensive and about as close as anything. Lots to do in Atlanta...