Yosemite Photo Workshops

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Yosemite Photo Workshops

Our 16th Year

Learn landscape photography with a 38-year veteran of Yosemite National Park.
Reduce the amount of time thinking about your camera and increase the amount if time thinking about your subject matter and still get mind-boggling shots.  

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Workshops Schedule
“I am sending you a thanks for all I learned at my Yosemite trip in 2012 and the shot of confidence you gave me in my black and white photography.
 
It is 10 years later, I’ve since won numerous international awards for my landscapes and portraits.
 
Last year, a FOX TV show, Monarch, bought two landscapes and two portraits. You can see two of them on the trailer for the show. It premiere on September 11.
 
I recently signed a contract with a NY gallery to be represented at their Venice Biennale collateral exhibition, “International Identities “. I will have four portraits in the
 
exhibition from September 8-14.
 
 
Thank you and wishing you all the best,”
 
Keith Manning 
"As Debbie and I drove away on Sunday night it was like leaving family.  Phil, when we set up for the first time at Yosemite falls, you were so patient with me as I stumbled through my menu. You listened to me and heard that I wanted to learn how to blur water. You made sure I had that small task accomplished when we were at the Merced. I could go on with twenty other similar circumstances.  I am sure blurring water is photo 101, but you made me feel like I had just accomplished the impossible.  We can’t wait until  we meet again. Thank you Phil and thank each of you for making our first photography class unforgettable."
Ross Meier
"Thanks again for the workshop! I've never had so many awesome landscapes from a single photo trip"
-Chris Stark
I very much enjoyed the workshop and would easily recommend to friends. Your knowledge of both photography and Yosemite was outstanding, but most important was your patience, attitude and energy for teaching. Thanks again and I look forward to another trip.
Tim Weir, from Sugar Land, TX
"On a scale of 1 to 10, this was a 15!"
-Dan, from Atlanta
"I could not have asked for anything more. It was perfect."
-Edoardo, from Cortina, Italy
...I still remember it was one of the best weeks of my life! I met some people that I thoroughly enjoyed and learned more than I could have imagined!
-Kevin, from San DiegoWorkshop student from 2012
"Great workshop....worth crossing two continents and an ocean!"
-Karim El Baradei, from Egypt
"I would NEVER have thought to use a 400mm lens on a sunset shot till you showed me how good it could be. I can't believe it!"
Paul, from Sacramento, CA
Even though I only got to be with you for two days, it was the best photo experience I've had to date and I learned tons.
Dennis Gauhan, from Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Phil, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the workshop. My wife and I had a wonderful time and I came out of it with some photos that I suspect will end up on my walls.
James Landers, from So. California
My wife Rosario and I are very grateful for your teachings, generosity and help. I’ve got a radical change in image quality that I’ve never obtained before. I will like to go again to another workshop in other season. Thank you!
Joaquin Vila, from Veracruz, Mexico
We learned a lot!! Yes, a lot!! - Met great people -- Simply had a GREAT time! Now, as soon we can process the 1400 photos we took...
Betsy Regla, from Southern California
I had a great time with a pro like you as well as all others in the group. It's not an exaggeration, but i never had such a great group gathering. I learnt a lot of techniques from you and others in the group. Being this first photo workshop, i realized one thing that this field is an ocean where your knowledge is never complete. I need to work a lot to improve my skills...a long way to go.
Shashank Kishore, from Newark, DE
I still have vivid memories of your Yosemite photo tour. One the best experiences in my life.
Randy LeMmoine, from New York City
I wanted to reach to you and forward my appreciation and gratitude for the outstanding workshop that you conducted. Thanks again!
Rajat Khana, from northern California
Thanks again for a really fun photography workshop in Yosemite. I learned a lot, and was very pleased with the pictures I took. I must admit I was a bit intimidated to take the workshop because of my complete lack of photography skills! Thanks for your suggestions and guidance. I think Henrik and I will be joining you again in the spring to learn some more.
Barbara Jones, Monterey, CA
I had such a great time at Yosemite. You were very informative and helpful and it was great just shooting the breeze with you in the cold rain at Tunnel View. The other students were also very friendly and helpful. What a diverse group of people! I would like to take another workshop with you in the future. Thank you very much for the great adventure!
Michael Reddick, from Houston, TX
Just wanted to thank you again for a fantastic week! I have to say, you do know Yosemite when it comes to the valley light! You knew exactly where and when to be there with respect to the prevailing light and weather conditions. I don't know how many times I uttered WOW. You are a awesome photographer and you always seemed ready to help. I did learn quite a bit and feel the week was well worth the cost.
Mike Thompson, from northern California
It's awesome seeing your pictures and a pleasure taking your class. David and I are looking forward to taking another class in the future. It was a great experience. Wishing you the best.
Vicki and David Christopherson, from Chino, CA
Thank you very much for a great week. Many aspects of the week were top notch: the locations, the group, and the instruction. I feel much more comfortable with the camera. I have a much better idea how to frame a shot. My next project is to learn Photoshop. Thank you for the introduction. And thank you and Cathy for a fantastic week.
Brad Rockwell
"Thanks Phil for the shots and the great job. Your local knowledge and your patience with us made it an excellent experience. Hope to have another opportunity to shoot with you in the future."
Fr. Charlie Goraieb
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We're Different; Here's Why

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!

Personalized Attention

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.

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.

No Itineraries

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.

Workshops Schedule

What to Expect

We'll See It All

The thing I can absolutely guarantee, is that you will get exposure to all areas of the valley, 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. They opened the road with 30 minute delays in mid-summer, but the park service has been closed-lipped about when they plan to be fully reopening. So, we’ll just have to see how  things are when we convene. 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 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.

My Goal For You

The goal of my workshops is to teach you to reduce the amount of time thinking about your camera and increase the amount if 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.

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 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.
"I loved every freezing second...learned a ton. You may have ruined me for other instructors."
Juliefrom Fresno, CA
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