Our programs workshops, tours, expeditions, and explorations
emphasize photography on location, in the landscape. By seeking
to balance the attraction of beautiful locations with excellent
instruction, we help our students come away with the kind
of images they've always wanted. Although it is possible to
learn the grammar of the photographic language in a classroom
removed from the subject matter, as with any language, photography
is best learned when exercised in real situations, in small
groups, with those already fluent. It is possible to learn
as much from a one-week workshop as from a one-year community
college course because of the concentrated time, the hands-on
experience, and the individual attention. All of our programs
are hands-on, and some are limited to as few as two participants.
Whether your choice is color or black & white, large or
small format, film or digital, at our workshops we will
make certain that you are completely comfortable with the
grammar and syntax of the photographic language, the how
to's, as we help you move towards the ultimate goal of using
photography to express yourself individually in the most
poetic way possible.
Photography is capable of extreme subtlety and incredible
beauty. While it is possible to create such beauty by chance,
it is better to achieve it by a method. As with any other
language, you must learn to read and write with precision
before you can clearly express whatever meaning you intend
in whatever style you desire. We will help you learn to
make the best possible photographs. If you have questions,
give us a call.
What you will learn in our workshops
Our workshops are based on the philosophy that students
learn more by doing than simply by being instructed.
Although we photograph in some of the most beautiful locations
in the world, the emphasis of our workshops remains on teaching
photography in places where you have the opportunity to
make extraordinary images and enjoy yourself. At our workshops
you will learn:
- How to control depth of field with any lens and any
camera
- How to control exposure and contrast
- How to increase your percentage of great images
- How to control color balance
- How to get the best quality from your lenses
- Which filters to use and when
- Why exposure meters may not work properly
- How to expose for difficult subjects
- How to use the Zone System and the Tone System
- How to slow down and really see images
- How to make stronger compositions
- How to use and select tripods and heads
- How to use and control large format cameras
- How to make the most of smaller formats
- How to turn your slides and negatives into expressive
prints
In short, how to make photography and photographic equipment
second nature so that they become tools with which you can
enjoy expressing yourself. Every workshop session includes
the opportunity to have the instructor personally review
what you’ve been doing and suggest how you can improve.
The instructor will explain his personal methods and approaches
during photo sessions and using examples from his own portfolio.
During expeditions and international tours, the instructional
materials and teaching-time available are frequently constrained
by travel requirements; nonetheless, our leaders make every
effort to ensure that you will receive the same quality
instruction that you would receive during a domestic workshop.
Because the groups are small, you can expect individual
attention; participants at all levels are able to progress
at their own speed.
What if you already "know" photography?
We have intentionally designed expeditions and explorations
for those photographers who already know the basics and
more. As with all our programs, we have chosen specific
destinations because of their rich photographic opportunities
and specific dates because of their conducive photographic
conditions. The goal of expeditions is to help you be at
the right place at the right time. The goal of explorations
is learning to find the right places and the right times
in unfamiliar territory. By traveling and working with a
small group, you'll be able to take advantage of each other's
experience, exchanging tips and ideas, learning new methods,
and gaining new insights that you'd otherwise miss by traveling
alone. As with all our programs, the leader of expeditions
and explorations is a professional photographer.
Going beyond the more limited scope of typical workshops
and tours, Master Classes are designed for those who may
have become proficient at taking photographs but want to
learn more about making photographs, about elevating simple
but competent travel images to art. The sessions following
fieldwork concentrate on editing and producing finished
artistic images using either traditional darkroom or electronic
techniques.
For more information about any of our programs or help
with registration, please contact
us.
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