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| Nature Photography Workshops… Getting
Your Money's Worth |
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A nature photography workshop taught by a qualified teacher can take years off the learning curve and help you realize your goal of making pleasing photographs much sooner than otherwise possible. Here are a few suggestions to help you pick a workshop and then make it a great learning experience. Pick an instructor who has a style you enjoy and would like to emulate. When you are considering a workshop, look at the prospective instructor’s work. Are they images of subjects you would like to photograph in locations you would enjoy taking pictures? Are the images well composed, sharp, and exposed properly? Can you say "I would like to make images like those"? Choose small workshop sizes. All things being equal you will get better attention in smaller workshops. A teacher who knows more than just photography? Many workshop leaders are exceptional photographers and qualified teachers. And a few, in addition to having the above mention qualities may have special knowledge that you will find useful. Such as an instructor who is native to the area that you are shooting, and can share in the history of the area, or who just knows the best locations. Or perhaps a naturalist, who can help you understand your subject and how to use that knowledge to make better images. Know your equipment. To get the most bang for your buck, the workshop is no place to learn the functions of your camera, lenses or flash. You should know how to override the DX coding, and at the very least, know how the exposure modes, metering modes and exposure compensation functions work on your camera. You can learn camera function from a manual, and that is free. Location, Location, Location. This is a very important point. Pick a workshop where it is possible to make the kind of images you want to make, a location where you can comfortably make those images. Florida in the winter and spring is the best place in the world to make images of beautiful birds, awesome sunrise and sunsets and many other subjects. But if you love photographing majestic mountain ranges it is the wrong place for you. Or if you think August is the month to come to Florida, you will be far from comfortable. Ask the workshop leader questions. Don’t be shy, you are paying for knowledge, if you don’t understand, did not hear, or a subject you are interested in was not covered, ask! Stay close to the instructor. I have observed nature photography workshops when the students seem to scatter. I still don’t understand that. You can learn much just by watching and imitating your instructor. Besides that, if you need personal attention no time is wasted tracking down the instructor. Bring Images. Bring images for critique. Many times an instructor can find problems or areas that may need a little improvement just by looking at your images. Have fun and take lots of pictures! Bring plenty of film/digital media and batteries. Ask questions, stay close to your instructor and fire away! Take as many photos as possible. When you get home, review your images. Decide what you did well and what you need to continue to work on. Post your images for critique on web sites like PhotoMigrations.com. And don’t forget to share (show off) your new found skills and beautiful pictures with your friends and families. |
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Editor's Comment: Let us know what you think! Please email the Editor to let us know your thoughts. James Shadle is a Florida native. He grew up in rural Hillsborough County, playing in woods and fields where homes and businesses now stand. He has always loved being out in the wild, which he attributes to his father. You see, his father was an alligator poacher. He and his siblings would wake up to one-footers in the bathtub, a three-footer in their pool, and an eight-footer's hide being cured in the shed. He too loves to stalk wildlife but, unlike his father, he hunts with only a camera and shoots only film. He has been married 28 years to his lovely wife Donna who shares his love for nature. She accompanies him on most of his expeditions, but he can't seem to get her to go wading with him in the Everglades. They have two boys, Aaron 25, and Blake 22, who is his constant companion in the field. As a father and husband, he highly recommends exploring Wild Florida as a family. Recent accomplishments
James is an active member of PhotoMigrations and invites you to visit his website located at: Wild Florida Photography. |
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