Images of Nature - Instruction - Workshops
Views of Nature Photography
Basic Nature Photography
This course is designed for the amateur photographer who wants to learn to get the best images possible with their current camera. We assume our students are using point and shoot cameras or entry level digital SLR cameras. The primary intent of this class is to provide an understanding of the creative controls on your camera, basic composition and where to go to get wildlife and scenic images.
Intermediate Nature Photography
This course assumes the students have either taken our introductory courses or have experience with adjustable cameras (DSLRs). We give a brief overview of the craft of photography (exposure, depth of field, white balance, etc.) and spend a good deal of time on field techniques, the use of light and image composition. The class is typically given over a three-week period (three hours of classroom time per week) and includes one or two half-day field trips.
Macro Photography
Close-up or macro photography is a special activity that requires both technical understanding of the process as well as a good eye for composition. This is an in-depth class that is tailored to your group. Typically, there are three, two-hour sessions and one or two field trips. Classroom and field work experiences will provide you with the skills and knowledge to capture images of the small world of flowers, bugs and other subjects of your choosing.
Wildflower Photography
Participants will learn to use the creative controls on a camera to capture beautiful images of flowers from panoramic views to close up details. Delve into the software tools for focus stacking (allowing nearly unlimited depth of field) and discover the amazing world of wildflower photography.
Bird Photography
This course is an extended version of our shorter beginner class. It will provide students with some of the more advanced tools and strategies to bring home great images. Have you been enjoying watching and listening to birds in your yard or local park? Birds are one of the most abundant yet challenging photographic subjects. This course will provide students with the tools and strategies to bring home great images. The class is designed to extend over three 2 hour sessions with a 4 hour field trip.
Instructional Programs
Short Programs - One hour
Basic Digital Photography
Our Basic Digital Photography program is an introductory course that looks at what makes a strong image. We cover camera basics, the craft of making images and basic composition. This course is great for beginners using point and shoot cameras or more advanced DSLR or Mirrorless cameras.
Beginning Nature Photography
The Beginning Nature Photography program is similar to the Basic Digital class but has a more outdoor emphasis.
Beginning Macro Photography
Our Beginning Macro Photography program explores close-up image making for those with a desire to get into this exciting part of digital photography.
Intermediate Light and Composition
Intermediate Light and Composition – Our Intermediate Light and Composition program looks at using light as a tool and at image composition. Three things go into making a strong image, light, composition, and “moment.” This program will look at the first two in detail and let you use them to discover the moment. The presentation is designed for those who have a good grasp of the craft of digital photography (exposure, depth of field and so forth) and who want to move from the snapshot stage to making stronger images.
Photographer's Guide to Focusing - Depth of Field, Hyperfocal and Focus Stacking
Depth of field and hyperfocal distance are two things that beginning photographers (and not just a few experienced shooters) find confusing. This program will give you the tools and techniques necessary to get those landscape and flower shots you've always wanted. In addition we'll present a primer on focus stacking, a software tool to achieve almost unlimited depth of field.
Zoo, Aquarium and Aviary Photography
In most major cities there is a place where animals abound, and we can photograph them any time of the year. Zoos, aquariums, wildlife sanctuaries and aviaries offer the photographer a variety of subjects but with caveats. These venues have, in the past, been focused on providing visitors the chance to see creatures normally seen only in exotic and difficult to reach places. Thankfully the mission has changed and most of them are now working to ensure species survival and use their animals as ambassadors to teach as well as entertain. Enclosures have evolved from concrete cages to more animal friendly habitats. Photography in these places is rewarding but still comes with many challenges. This program will provide insight into the techniques to deal with backgrounds, barriers and other distractions and still come away with great images.
Bird Photography for Beginners to Intermediate Photographers
Birds are one of the most abundant yet challenging photographic subjects. This course will provide students with the tools and strategies to bring home great images.
Flower Photography
Starting in Spring and going all the way to Fall, flowers continue to present great photo opportunities. In this short course we’ll look the craft of flower photography and explore the artistic use light and creative composition for making images of these gifts of nature.
Photographing Colorado’s Mountain Towns
We have expanded our travel program on Colorado's Mountain Towns to provide our audience with a vision of these towns from the photographer's viewpoint. They are all full of photo opportunities. As with our travel program, this presentation takes the audience to over a dozen towns and explores their history, current status, a glimpse into their future and of course, looks at the opportunities for great photographs. We also discuss the ins and outs of travel to these towns and provide some recommended camera gear for the journey.
Photographing Southern New Mexico (and a little of west Texas).
We’ve expanded our travel program on this part of the southwest to include the photographic opportunities, challenges and solutions, at Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands. We’ll also talk about photography at Hueco Tanks Texas State Park (rock art, desert flora and geologic formations), and the space museum in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Both Carlsbad and White Sands are challenging places to photograph. This program will give you hints and techniques to help bring home great shots!
Photographing Death Valley and the Eastern Sierra
Our program on Death Valley and the Eastern Sierra, as seen from the Owens Valley of California, provides photographers with the tools and travel tips needed for successfully documenting this ruggedly beautiful region. From the lowest point in the United States to the highest peak in the lower 48, we’ll explore how to photograph the natural and historic subjects available. We also cover logistics, safety and general travel issues associated with this region.
Fall Color
A class on the equipment and techniques for getting strong images of fall foliage and other autumn subjects. This course can be expanded in the fall to include a field workshop session.
More In Depth Programs 2 - 4+ Hours
With or Without Additional Field Work