By Dave Schwab | SDUN Reporter

Uptown is getting the “Untour.” Combining photography and cross-country cycling, the Untour is coming Oct. 17 thanks to Lincoln, Neb. resident and professional wedding photographer Khara Plicanic.

Plicanic calls it the Untour “because this… adventure is truly unconventional, unexpected, and we’re fairly certain it’s going to be unbelievably awesome,” Plicanic said. She added she and her husband Emir are also “undeniably addicted to travel and undoubtedly passionate about teaching this touring workshop, which is unlike any other we’ve ever heard of.”

The Plicanics will pedal from San Diego to St. Augustine, Fla., stopping in eight cities offering free photography classes along the way. The Plicanics anticipate their cross-country jaunt will take two and a half months, camping out along the entire way.

The couple’s first tour stop will be the San Diego Media Arts Center at 2921 El Cajon Blvd. in North Park at 7:30 p.m. Khara Plicanic, an author and educator instructing both professionals and amateurs, will share “10 tips for instantly better photos” from her new book.

Earlier that same day at 4:30 p.m., Plicanic will host a lecture for her wedding industry photography colleagues.

“I’m teaching two different classes to two very different audiences, professionals and amateur hobbyists,” she said, adding she’s found the per¬fect way to meld her love for teaching, adventure and travel through the Untour.

“It was just an idea I had that it would be fun to ride our bikes across the country,” she said. “Then I thought it would be really cool to teach classes along the way. It was really just a passion project, one of those things you do just because you truly love it and believe in it.”

Tina Clarke, education and outreach director for San Diego Media Arts Center, said the Untour couldn’t have picked a better place to start.

“When Khara contacted me I thought adding a photo workshop was a great fit for our venue, adding something just a little bit different,” Clarke said, noting the workshop “is a very unique way of having fun and being able to learn all the little neat tricks about photography.”

Clarke said the center is pleased, to host her trendsetting workshop promoting both recreational and professional photography.

The Untour is also being supported by San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit promoting cycling awareness and education.

Andy Hanshaw, the Bicycle Coalition’s executive director, said, “We’re hoping the Plicanics [cross country] tour will inspire cyclists to attend their workshop to help them get the most out of their cameras as well.” He added that he knows lots of cyclists who take photos on their rides who could benefit from the workshop.

Plicanic said the photography message she is coming to Uptown to deliver is simple.

“I’ve seen so many people abandon perfectly good cameras thinking if they buy a newer model it will give them better photos,” she said. “The whole point of my class… is to learn how photography and your camera function so that you can get great photos using whatever camera it is that you already have.”

Registration for both Plicanic’s classes, along with detailed class descriptions, photos and videos is available at www.theuntour.com.