BTA Explorama: iPhone/iPad Photography Meets Foodies Delight

Explore your world with sight and taste!

May 3, 4, 5, 2022

Old River House, Kennebunkport, Maine

Cost

$295.00: Includes five meals and workshops (No lodging included)

$495.00 (Single occupancy): Includes two nights lodging at the Old River House, five meals, & workshops

$742.00 (For two people sharing a single room with one double or queen size bed):

Includes two nights lodging at the Old River House, five meals, & workshops (Note the savings of $124/each for two people)

Participants are welcome to book in nearby lodgings.

Day students are welcome.

Join BoomerTECH Adventures guides Jill, Ed, and Chris for a relaxed and enjoyable retreat on the coast of Maine where you can choose among a variety of hands-on workshops in two areas—learning to make the most of your iPhone/iPad Camera app and international cooking with local ingredients.

On the technology side, you will work with Jill Spencer and Ed Brazee, BoomerTECH Adventures guides. You will have a number of workshop options as well as time for 1-to-1 tutorials and troubleshooting on your own devices. Workshop options include mastering the many features of the camera app, tips and tricks for taking awesome photos, plus exploring ways to turn so-so images into stunning photos to share with family and friends.

On the cooking side, you will learn some new recipes and techniques with Chris Toy, Stonewall Kitchen Cooking School Instructor, private chef, and author of six cookbooks. Several recipes will be from his recent cookbooks which will be available for sale and signing.

The Old River House, fully updated, was constructed in 1848. Today it is filled with amazing antiques and art that transport you back to the glories of Kennebunkport in the Victorian age. It has a rich history full of fascinating stories of seafarers, travelers, and perhaps a ghost. Stroll through two adjoining parks, pick out your favorite yacht that you might sail away in your dreams, or walk downtown to visit shops, eateries, and boutiques. The Old River House and its environs are wonderful for experimenting with your iPhone/iPad Camera app. Leave with an abundance of new ideas to try with your camera app.

The charming kitchen provides a wonderful space for Chris and his workshop participants to prepare fragrant and delicious meals for the photography for ll workshop attendees. The “foodies” will learn new techniques and recipes such as Chinese Hot Pot — a way to easily entertain a group with varying food preferences. Have you ever made pasta from scratch? You will when you join us in Kennebunkport.

Here are the particulars of the Explorama:

Feel free to mix and match workshops. One day concentrate on photography and the next on cooking. Or, stick with one of these strands the entire time.
Along with the workshops, there will be time for one-on-one consultations on questions you have about the digital world.
There will be generous break times to explore Kennebunkport and/or practice photography strategies.
Enjoy meeting and getting to know some very interesting, creative, and fun people (and new friends)!
Here’s the schedule:

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

1 pm: Arrival & check-in at the Old River House

2 pm: Welcome and sign-up for sessions

3 — 5:30 pm:

Photography — In-depth look at the features of the iPhone/iPad Camera app

Fast & slow access to the app
Portrait vs Landscape orientation + when to use each
Focus & Exposure
HDR
Live Photos

Cooking — Preparing and serving Hot Pot

6 pm: Hot Pot Dinner

7:30 pm: Movie night–enjoy watching a great movie or explore downtown Kennebunkport.

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

8 am: Enjoy a French toast breakfast with all of the trimmings prepared by Chef Toy.

9:15 — 12:00 pm:

Photography– Tips for Taking Stunning Photographs

Grid
Rule of Thirds
Leading Lines
Symmetry
Triangles
Focus on the Foreground
Use of reflections
Portraits

Cooking–Preparing lunch

Maki Rolls/Poke Bowls
Egg Drop Soup

12 — 1 pm: Lunch

Egg Drop Soup
Maki Rolls
Poke Bowls

1 — 2:30 pm Break & One-on-One Consulting

Sign up for an individual Q/A session related to your digital world
Free time–explore the area, take a nap, practice your new-found photography skills, or bask in the sun

2:30 — 5:15 pm:

Photography–Editing

Cropping
Perspective
Adjustments
Filters
Markup

Cooking–Preparing dinner

Hand made pasta
Creating delectable sauces

5:45 — 6:15 pm: Showcase of participants’ photographs

6:15 — 7:15 pm: Phenomenal pasta dinner

7: 30 pm: Optional photography session — Ways to share your photos

Slide shows
Presentations
iMovie
Facebook

Thursday, May 5, 2022

8 am: Dig into frittatas extraordinaire prepared by Chef Toy.

9:00 am: Closure and feedback

Checkout by 11:00 am

“I was faced with almost 900 photos on my iPhone and having trouble organizing them and choosing where to store them. Fortunately, I was referred to BoomerTECH Adventures whose consultants’ patience and calm immediately put me at ease, not too fast, so I was able to take in new information. Chris, Jill, and Ed are excellent teachers and they gave me confidence on how to approach and answer my tech questions. Diane S., Maine

“As a cooking instructor, Chris Toy has the uncanny ability to show people that cooking can and should be fun! His understated, down-to-earth teaching style translates well to make cooking approachable, accessible, and enjoyable for people from all walks of life. He is a true teacher with a commitment to showing people the beauty that can be created and savored with simple, fresh ingredients every single day. Chris has mastered the art of infusing his dishes with real hands-on creativity in a way that resonates with everyone – even those who have never liked the kitchen.” Kelli P.

Details about the Old River House

Space is limited–nine rooms. Register early!
All rooms have one double or queen-sized bed.
Bedrooms are on the second and third floors (no elevator).
Bathrooms are shared and each room has a sink.
Workshops and meals will all take place on the first floor.
Off-street parking is available across the street.

COVID Precautions

We will use the Maine CDC guidelines. Please check them. As of March 7, Kennebunkport is in a part of the state that is of medium risk:

If you are at high risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions.
Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
Get tested if you have symptoms.

We will update these precautions as we get closer to the date. If conditions warrant additional steps, we may require a negative test 48 hours in advance of May 3. Our participants’ health and well-being are of utmost importance to us.

BTA Explorama: iPhone/iPad Photography Meets Foodies Delight