Gray Tree Frog
Nikon D810 and Nikon 105mm f/4 micro

Macro Workshop... 2 Days Later

February 06, 2017 in February 2017

On February 4th, 2017 I taught another “learn and shoot” workshop for West Photo, my favorite “brick and mortar” camera store. Held at Bachman’s Floral, Gift and Garden headquarters, the location offered my twenty-two students a ready supply of interesting macro subjects. As a special surprise for the participants, I invited my biology student, and neophyte herpetologist, to join us on location. Armed with four tree frogs and two geckos, she provided some live models for the shoot. Lasting nearly five hours, it appeared that everyone gleaned a little something they could add to their toolkit of image-making tricks.

Gray Tree Frog and Cherry Blossoms
Nikon D500 and Nikon 200-400mm f/4 VR

My lessons included discussions about vision and intent, macro-techniques and stretching depth of field in the digital darkroom. Following our day-long shoot, I noted four aspects of my talk that seemed to resonate the most with the participants.

Shoot for you and be intentional about what you want to photograph.
Live view is your friend! Use the camera’s live view mode to magnify the subject and ensure that the point of interest is in sharp focus.
The inconvenience of a tripod is worth the hassle. By working slowly to adjust the legs and square the subject, the shooter becomes more thoughtful and in tune with the image making process.
Simple tools and little tricks are still valid in the digital era. Extension tubes are an inexpensive way to make any optic a macro lens, and the hand attached to your arm can help you parallel your subject to the sensor’s plane.

Orchid... Focus Stacking
Nikon D810 and Tamron 180mm f/3.5 macro

Gray Tree Frog and *Forsythia viridissima*
Nikon D500 and Nikon 200-400mm f/4 VR

Thanks to all those who signed up on Saturday, I look forward to crossing paths in the future. Special thanks goes to Tamron, Manfrotto and Bachman’s for sponsoring the event.

Join Me at the Minnesota Zoo

September 05, 2015 in September 2015

On September 26th and 27th I will be leading a Wildlife Photography Workshop. The workshop is sponsored by WestPhoto in Minneapolis, Tamron and Manfrotto.

We'll pack Saturday 26th with lessons on composing and exposing for wildlife, using knowledge about animal behavior to nail the "decisive moment," and discuss the essential gear for producing compelling wildlife images. On Sunday the 27th we'll meet at the Minnesota Zoo to apply what you learned in the field. If you're in Minnesota at the time, or would simply like to get motivated about making images, contact Sean at WestPhoto to reserve your spot [(612) 379-2321]... oh, and one more thing... if you are a bargain hunter, you'll love this. The price of the two day workshop and image review the following Saturday also includes admission to the Zoo and is a whopping $70.

Click Here for all the Contact Information

Sunrise on the St. Croix RiverShot with a Nikon D800E & 17-35mm f2.8 mounted to a Gitzo GT1932 Tripod — Sunrise on the St. Croix River
Shot with a Nikon D800E & 17-35mm f2.8 mounted to a Gitzo GT1932 Tripod

Day 3 - Landscape Workshop

August 09, 2015 in August 2015

I just want to send a big shout out to Rohit, Ellen, Angie, Eric and Sharon who joined me at West Photo in Minneapolis, MN for day three of the Landscape Workshop. In this session we focused on post-processing and sharing the images we made together in field.

Special thanks to Sean Patrick who made the arrangements at WestPhoto, as well as Tamron and Manfrotto for sponsoring the program.

Almost Filled...

July 09, 2015 in July 2015

It's not the "Last Call," but it is getting pretty close. My Visualizing Landscapes workshop is filling fast, but four spots remain. If you're interested in learning the basic techniques for making compelling compositions in nature, learn / review exposure theory and practice techniques in the field join me in the afternoon on July 17 and morning of July 18. Lecture and discussion sessions will occur in the WestPhoto Classroom in Minneapolis to be followed by a morning shoot near Stillwater, MN. Check out the --> FLYER <--

Hope to see you on the 17th.

Join Me on a Landscape Workshop

June 16, 2015 in June 2015

On July 17 and 18 I will be leading a Landscape Photography workshop. The workshop is sponsored by WestPhoto in Minneapolis, Tamron and Manfrotto.

We'll pack the afternoon of Friday the 17th with lessons on exposure, composition, essential gear and visualizing landscapes and spend Saturday morning applying what you learned in the field. We will meet bright and early in the historic town of Stillwater, MN to photograph the St. Croix River and look for interesting light in town or further north. If you're in Minneapolis at the time, or would simply like to get motivated about making images, contact Sean at WestPhoto to reserve your spot [(612) 379-2321]... oh, and one more thing... if you are a bargain hunter, you'll love this. The price of the two day workshop and image reviews the following Saturday is a whopping $50.

Click Here for all the Contact Information

Powered by Squarespace