Up at dawn

This morning everyone got out of bed at about 3:30 a.m. (yes, parents, it's true!). We headed to Sand Beach to watch the sunrise. Although the morning was mostly foggy (okay, all foggy) we learned a lesson in being prepared and always anticipating beautiful light. We also managed to make some great images of the sand, moving water, beach and each other!

Students in action

Hello all,

We are filling our days with photography of all kinds. So far we've photographed Acadia National Park, both in the forests and along the shores, downtown Bar Harbor, sunset from the top of Cadillac Mountain, the Bass Harbor Lighthouse and the locals on Little Cranberry Island, to name a few.

The students are really learning about their cameras and becoming more open to approach people. Technically, they are using their shutter speeds and apertures to achieve the photos they want. We've been amazed with the improvement we've seen even since they arrived.

Today we made time for a bit of fun with swimming and a 10-mile bike ride on the beautiful carriage roads of the island. A few students rode bikes for the first time and loved it!

Expert Amy Toensing and more student photography

Highlights from yesterday include expert Amy Toensing joining us and meeting Acadia Park Ranger Noreen Hogan at Seawall. We hope you enjoy the photographs (most of which are taken by students) below!

National Geographic Expert Amy Toensing

Acadia Park Ranger Noreen Hogan

photo by Jason

photo by Reed

photo by Leah Sheppard

photo by Emily

photo by Jonathan

photo by Leah Stansky

photo by Victoria

photo by Sean

photo by Sarah

A Video Hello to Moms and Dads

Hi, Mom and Dad! | NG On Campus: Bar Harbor from Elie Gardner on Vimeo.

Student Photography

Here are a few of the many, many great images captured by our students yesterday. We wish we could post all of them!

photo by Evan

photo by Madeline

photo by Mackenzie

photo by Natalie

photo by Samantha

photo by Valerie

Photos from the first day

Hello all,

Today we started the day laying out ground rules and making goals for our time here in Bar Harbor. The students drew a circle (which turned into a rather cute bear, see photo below!) and together we brainstormed a list of qualities that we wanted in our circle, such as creativity, patience and love. We also decided on a few of the things we'd rather leave out, like disrespect and gossip. Afterward, we got out and played a few icebreaker games. In one of the photographs, we are playing a fun game called Evolution.

Then, after a technical talk, we turned the students loose in the Bar Harbor community. Tonight, we'll critique their first assignments. Look for some student photos on the blog soon!

-Elie and Mike

Greetings from College of the Atlantic

Today all 15 students made it to the dorms at College of the Atlantic, our home base for the next 10 days. As the students arrived, card games began. We all shared dinner together at Take-a-Break, College of the Atlantic's dining hall which has been rated best college food by the Princeton Review.

After dinner we got to know one another by sharing pictures of our families, friends, pets and other interests. By the end of the day many of the students had found connections to each other. Two girls, who happen to be roommates, are both from towns called Wayne. Two girls have apple allergies. Another set of roommates both play field hockey.

It's a fantastic group of students, and we can't wait to get out into the Bar Harbor community tomorrow with our cameras.

Until soon,
Elie and Mike