I believe when you take a workshop or a class from someone (the optional kind, not the forced to because of school kind) you are looking to learn about their style, how they think, what information they use and have accumulated about a topic so you can apply it to your own photos. My workshops can be customized for groups and individuals so that you can get the knowledge you need to progress your photography skills. Some of the topics workshops can cover are listed below:
Private Workshops:
One on one learning experience for shooting in the field, learning processing techniques and getting your work critiqued. These are also great if you have something specific mind or a subject that may require certain weather/sky conditions.
Semi Private Workshops:
Bring a friend with you!
Groups of 3-6:
I like to keep my workshops small to ensure I can help everyone, especially when out in the field. It also keeps the area less busy so it’s easier for everyone to work on different compositions and hopefully not get in each other’s way.
The Technical:
- Balancing ISO, aperture and shutter speed.
- Using semi-automatic and manual modes.
- Understanding concepts like depth of field, focus stacking, blending, etc.
- Composition and planning.
- Night photography techniques:
- The 500 (ish) rule.
- Methods for focusing in the dark.
- Milky Way, Star Trails, Aurora
- Image critique.
The Processing:
- Lightroom Flows:
- As a precursor to Photoshop editing.
- As a standalone editing flow.
- Photoshop Flows:
- Understanding how to make a basic flow and what tools to consider for different images.
- Understanding different styles, methods, techniques and how to make an image your own.
- Blending.
- Star Trail editing methods.
- Masking.
- Panorama stitching and editing.
- Noise reduction.
The Field
- Leave no trace.
- Compositions and perspective.
- Capturing a great foreground along with the stars/milky way/etc.
- Focusing and composing your image in the dark.
Light painting. - Camera settings and dealing with high ISO noise issues, light pollution, etc.
- Headlight/flash light etiquette – how to preserve your night vision and be mindful of your fellow shooters.
- Shooting panoramas.
Gear Requirements/Recommendations:
- DSLR or Mirrorless Camera
- If you will be renting a camera and/or lens for the workshop please make sure you familiarize yourself with it prior to going out at night.
- Lenses:
- Wide Angle Lenses: for landscapes, night scapes. Range of 8-24mm recommended.
- Mid Range Lenses: for landscapes, portraits,
- Long Lenses: for landscape, detail, wildlife, portraits. Recommended range examples are 70-200mm, 100-400mm.
- Prime Lenses: lenses with fixed focal length.
- It is recommended to remove all filters (including UV) for night photos but it is not necessary if you are concerned about your glass.
- Timer/Remote/Intervalometer.
- Sturdy Tripod:
- Generally for workshops we will not be walking very far from our vehicles and I usually take my heaviest and sturdiest tripod for night/long exposure photography.
- Batteries:
- I always carry at least two for the camera. Have extra for your remotes, headlamps, etc.
- Extra memory cards.
- Headlamp:
- Flashlights are ok, but a hands free light will be useful. It is preferable if you have one with a red light option.
- Snacks, water, hot beverages, etc.
- Bug spray depending on the season.
- Gloves, warm layers, hats, etc. Be mindful of the temperatures and that we will be standing around outside for extended periods of time. (Note: stay warm by your tripod workouts are free 🙂 ).