The Yosemite Photography Workshops
with

Award-winning landscape photographer from Fresno, CA.
Photoshop CS3/4, Lightroom instructor
I've been backpacking and photographing the High Sierra for 28 years.
My work has appeared in National Geographic, Outdoor Photographer, Sports Illustrated, Digital Photo Pro,
and many other publications.

See http://philhawkinsphoto.com

Feel free to call 559-307-7773 for more information.

The 2010 schedule; see below!
By popular demand, I am adding more workshop dates
 

"...Not knowing quite what to expect, it surpassed any expectations that I had. I learned loads in those 5 days, not only about my camera, but how to shoot and some great Photoshop tricks, and I've been into photography for years. We had great fun too, we had a lot of laughs.  I just hope I get the chance to do another one of your workshops. I highly recommend this to anyone that wants to learn how to be a better photographer, have fun and see Yosemite."   - Lem Lattimer  

-and-

"Again, I can't tell you how much fun I had.  Look forward to doing it again sometime, perhaps in the UK? Italy?
...great memories from a wonderful week that I'll never forget."   - Leana Di Benedetto

-and-

Phil- Thanks for an amazing experience.  Our small group of four was great fun!  Not only was I able to develop my photographic skills under your expert and easy to understand tutelage, but I was able to explore the wonders of Yosemite at just the right time and at just the right place to capture photos I had only dreamed of taking in the past.  Thanks for a great time!!!" - Scott Jenkins

-and-

"I just wanted to pass along a heartfelt thank you for the wonderful time I had in the Yosemite Falls weekend workshop.  I not only had a great time seeing the park, getting to know you and making new friends, but I genuinely feel that I’ve returned a better photographer then when I arrived for the workshop.  My overall skills have improved and very importantly I’ve learned more about “seeing” the subject and the patience it takes to truly become open to a landscape scene. 
Thanks again and I hope to see you soon." - Tom Collins

-and-
 

"I want to thank you for the great time that I had on the Yosemite workshop.  I'm not so sure that I was ready for that type of shooting but I learned so much.  Every time I describe my experience to someone I can hear the excitement in my voice grow as I tell them about the workshop.  And I have sent numerous people to your website and hear nothing but praise about your photography.  It was truly an honor to be able to spend that time with you and hope that I can enjoy that experience again in the future."
-Raul Lopez

-and-

"Just wanted to say thank you, it was the best experience I have had, I learnt a lot. It was wonderful to be at the right location at the right time which made a huge difference. Looking forward to more workshops with you in future and I would definitely recommend this to any photographer who wants to shoot in Yosemite." - Sunkara

Hands-on, one-on-one photography instruction conducted in awesome
Yosemite National Park, California

For more on Yosemite, see
yosemitefun.com

* Intensive 5-day and weekend workshops in different seasons
* Go places only a 28-year, award-winning, local Yosemite photographer will know
* Learn how to get those "Wow!" shots.
* Night instruction; shooting during a full moon, capture star tracks, get the elusive "Moonbow" from Yosemite Falls
* All week long workshops include Photoshop instruction.

You'll learn
Concepts of exposure; the histogram and how to read the graph.
ISO speeds, aperture and shutter speed, how to ignore the numbers and get GREAT shots.
Composition; learn the rules and then how and when to break them.
Use of polarizing filters.
Use of neutral-density and split-density filters.
"Dragging the shutter"; extended exposures, even in full sunlight.
How to make sure you got "the" shot in any given situation.
Learn the value of patience; how to read the weather
Reflections in small pools or on the majestic Merced River
Yosemite's waterfalls; the different ways to capture flowing water; Moonbows and "Sun" bows
Night photography; shooting the Milky Way, stars, and moonlight
Shooting for black and white conversion
Wide angle and telephoto lens use.

Plus, ALL workshops feature instruction on how to capture and process stitched panorama photos!

Custom workshops can be arranged outside the published schedule. 
If you have a group or special timeframe that does not coincide with the scheduled workshops dates, let me know and we'll schedule a special date or group session.

What we do, how we are different

The Yosemite Photo Workshops are different; please read below so you will not be disappointed when attending. Beginners are welcome! We shoot at night! First, we are for any level experience photographer.  If you don't know the difference between an aperture and a hole in the ground, fear not.  There is no such thing as a dumb question.  We welcome brand new photographers.  Sometimes we have photographers who are well familiar with their equipment and only need to be shown where to shoot.  Or, they know the equipment, but have never shot night photography, so they need instruction.  But no matter your level of experience, you will come away with new knowledge about how to get the most out of your equipment and your effort.  Newbies are welcome and encouraged to attend! We have a strict limit of 15 spaces per workshop. For the most part, we do not get up at the crack of dawn.  Yosemite National Park is a west facing park, and the light is best during late afternoon and sunset.  During the summer, we will be shooting sunsets until 8:30 and 9pm, sometimes at Glacier Point, which is an hour's drive from Yosemite Valley.  We often do not get into bed until 11pm or midnight.  Night shooting adventures can keep us out until the wee hours if people want, so getting up at 5am is almost never an option.  (Many workshops will grind out an 18-hour schedule every day, leaving you burned out.  We want to have fun and not be pushed to the limit of physical and emotional endurance).  The opportunities for good sunrise shots is far less than what we can find at sunset.  Most mornings we start about 10am, and after a hard day hiking, or on the 3rd or 4th day of a weeklong, we might not start until 12noon.  Basically, we start late and stay out late.  HOWEVER, having said that, the exception might be during winter; if by chance, a strong winter storm clears out over night leaving a pristine blanket of snow on the valley, we will be up before dawn.  Nothing is quite so beautiful as Yosemite Valley early in the morning after a good snowfall.  We will know the night before if this is going to be the case... NO Itineraries; The whole reason one comes to Yosemite is to find the best opportunity to get the best shot.  And that is dictated by the weather.  We wait until we know what the weather is going to do and then decide on the next day's itinerary at that time.  If you want structure, schedules and rigidity, do not sign up for these workshops.  I will teach you how to get the most out of your camera and your efforts, and the way to do that is maximize what mother nature gives you. For instance; on the weekend workshop June 12 to 13, 2009, we had planned to shoot Upper Yosemite Fall from the trail.  But it became evident that rain might keep us off the trail, so we drove to Tuolumne Meadow, down to Mono Lake and shot some incredible cloud shots before the rain caught up with us in late afternoon.  Flexibility.  This is what we do. We help each other.  Experience levels differ, and when someone needs help, we help each other.  I'm a Canon guy, but someone else may know Nikon much better than myself and will help you out.  I can honestly say, that by the end of every workshop in 2009, the attendees have all become friends, and stay in touch after returning home.  We've had attendees from three foreign countries (England, Scotland and Japan), and from all over the US.