Yosemite National Park Landscape Photography Workshops Classes

YOSEMITE PHOTO WORKSHOPS

Learn Landscape Photography from a 38 year veteran of Yosemite National Park

Our 16th Year

Named one of “The 50 Awesome Workshops Around the World”
Photoshelter, 2014 and 2019

Reduce time thinking about your camera and increase time thinking about your subject matter. Get mind-boggling shots.  

We're Different; Here's Why

Personalized Attention

All workshops are conducted by me.  I do not use “workshop leaders”.  I offer help and guidance to all who ask.  Some people know their equipment and only want to know where to go.  Others are new to digital photography and have many questions.  I give my attention to anyone and all.  There is no such thing as too many questions!

Beginners Welcome

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. 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.

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.  You will be able to take advantage of my 37 years shooting Yosemite to know where to be, and when.  Understanding these patterns comes from long experience, enabling me to know whether we need to race to the next location or simply wait for conditions to evolve. We issue two-way radios to drivers in the car pool allowing me to communicate with students when I see changes in weather.

Experience

37 years experience in Yosemite backpacking, fishing, camping, hiking, photographing, etc. in all areas of the park including the backcountry, high country and front country in all seasons.

I’ve been leading workshops for 15 years in Yosemite serving over 789 students from the world over.

What to Expect

The thing I can absolutely guarantee is that I will get you into all areas of the valley and at the right time, weather permitting; that’s all shooting vistas, all major Yosemite geographic views that your time will allow, conditions permitting. The workshops will cover the valley thoroughly with very little hiking.

In 2022, Glacier Point Road was closed for major road repair and reconfiguration of the road and parking lot.  This was a huge project, and it was planned for reopening in 2023. It is now fully open, and, for the spring workshop, all we have to do is hope they finish plowing while we are there. For the Fall workshop, there will be no problem getting there, but in winter, the road is closed.  We’ll hopefully still be able to visit the Tuolumne Meadow area and Tioga Pass area if the road is open.  And, if everyone wants to go, we can even make a side trip to Mono Lake and have dinner at the Whoa Nellie Deli!

For the most part, we do not get up at the crack of dawn in the Yosemite workshops.  Yosemite National Park is a west facing park, and the light is best during late afternoon and sunset.  During the spring workshop we will be shooting sunsets until 8:30 and 9pm, sometimes at Glacier Point, which is an hour’s drive from Yosemite Valley.  Sometimes we do not get into bed until 11pm or midnight.

The goal of my workshops is to teach you to reduce the time thinking about your camera and increase the time thinking about your subject matter and still get mind-boggling shots.  
 
I will teach you how not to agonize over settings and still get the highest quality image your camera can capture.
 
This workshop is for beginners and seasoned photographers. If you’re new to photography or maybe just new to your camera, I guarantee when you leave you will be familiar with your camera and shooting techniques that will ensure you get the highest quality image your camera can generate. Beginners will receive all the individual attention they will need to become confident behind the camera. We cater to all levels of proficiency. You will learn from others and from myself.
  • 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 and neutral-density filters
  • “Dragging the shutter”; extended exposures (motion blur), even in full sunlight.
  • How to make sure you get “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 (seasonal conditions permitting)
  • 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.
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