June 1 -3, 2012

Just because you have just captured some great images during the “Magic Hour” does not mean it’s time to put away the camera and quit shooting.  Some of my favorite images are from “Night Photography”.  The same scene you shot during the daylight will take on a whole new dimension after dark.  With digital photography, subjects that were nearly impossible to shoot a night, are now obtainable by nearly everyone.

This workshop is designed to teach you what you need to know to make fantastic night or lowlight images.  You will learn to set your camera manually for long exposures nessery for night photos.  You will learn techniques such as “Light Painting”and night sky photography. You will learn how to photograph fireworks, the moon, people at night, and much more.

Additional Topics Covered Include:

• Equipment
• Safety
• Things to take on a night shoot
• Exposure
• Exposure Bracketing
• Understanding the Histogram
• Bulb Exposures
• Focusing in the Dark
• White Balance
• Mirror Lockup
• Long Exposure Noise Reduction
• High Dynamic Range (HDR)
• Image Stacking

You will learn techniques such as:

• Photographing the moon
• Photographing the night sky
• Photographing star trails
• Photographing fireworks
• Photographing neon lights
• Photographing people at night without flash
• Photographing lightning
• Light Painting
• Using motion blur creatively

You will learn post processing techniques:

• Basic exposure adjustments
• Recovering highlight and shadow details
• Correcting white balance even with mixed lighting
• Noise Reduction
• Recovering lost color
• Converting to Black and White
• Sharpening

Workshop Itinerary

Friday June 1

We will meet a 6:00 pm at my personal studio/classroom and have a short class on setting your camera for night photography.

We will then travel to downtown Fort Smith for a night photo shoot, until approximately 11:00 pm.

Saturday June 2

We will meet back at my personal studio/classroom and spend the afternoon with more in depth instruction into special techniques for different types of night photography and due some processing of images from the night before.

We will go to dinner and then travel to the location of our night shoot, planning to arrive well before dark.

Sunday June3

We will meet back at my personal studio/classroom and have some more classroom instruction and process images from the night before.  We will break for dinner at around 6:00 and head out for a third night shoot after that.

Workshop Information:

Workshop Policies  and Information

About the Workshop

Our workshops are based on digital photography, the assistance that I can  provide and the immediate feedback of digital make “in the field”  workshops one  of the most effective teaching formats available.   Whether finding the correct  exposure, looking through the viewfinder  for the perfect composition, or  learning how to use the equipment, you  can’t beat real world experience.   Classes are kept small, it’s all  about personal, individual attention.

Digital offers a number of benefits for learning photography including:

• Immediate feedback on exposure and composition
• Immediate critique from the instructor an other participants
• Ability or afternoon or evening reviews and projection
• Automatically capturing all shooting information (Meta Data)
• Ability to manage work flow while still on location

Group Size

We keep our group size small, this provides for a high degree of  personal  attention and a great amount of flexibility in making the  workshop the best  possible experience for the participants.

This workshop is limited to a maximum or 8 participants.

Changes to the Itinerary

In order to offer the best experience possible for the workshop participants  we reserve the right to alter the itinerary when our judgment warrants it.  This  could be due to unforeseen circumstances,  closures, weather or other conditions  beyond our control.  We may also alter due to new or unexpected photographic  opportunities that may arise.

What is Included

Your workshop fees include full instruction and location guiding.  Upon  receipt of your deposit, you will be supplied a trip checklist to assist with  your preparations. Before the workshop, all participants receive a course  syllabus, detailed itinerary, technical articles, and more.

What is Not Included

Transportation to and from the workshop, transportation during the workshop, lodging, meals, incidental expenses  and items of a personal nature.

My philosophy on lodging and meals is that by not including them in the workshop each participant is free to choose their own level of accommodation and choice of meals.  I have some participants stay in high end motels, while others prefer camping or RV’s.  If these items were included in the workshop fee, it would simply be increased to cover the expenses plus a margin to be sure I did not loose money.

Health and Physical Considerations

All participants should be in generally good health, walking and moderate  climbing may be necessary in outdoor workshops and you will be responsible for  carrying of your own equipment on location shoots.  If
you are taking any  medications be sure to bring a supply sufficient for the duration of the  workshop.

If you have any concern about your ability to participate in a workshop  please contact us before registering.

Equipment Needed

To get the most from the workshop you should have a Digital Single Lens  Reflex  (DSLR) camera, tripod and an assortment of lenses.  That being said, it  is the photographer not the camera that makes the photo.  You will need a laptop  computer to use, remember to bring all software, drivers, cords, and camera  manuals when attending any workshop and you should be technically proficient with  your laptop computer and editing software ( Adobe Lightroom 3 is reccomended and what will be used in any class work).

Transportation During Workshop

We do not provide Transportation on field trips, carpooling will be done  among participants for these workshops.  If you do not have a car let us know  and we will be sure there are  enough seats with other
members during the  workshop.

Lodging

Lodging is not provided, you will need to make your own reservations, we will  be meeting in Fort Smith AR, and be eating most meals there.

Meals

Meals, drinks, and snacks are not provided, and are the responsibility of the  participant.   You may eat on your own or we can go as a group.

Registration, Payment, and Refund Policy

You can register any way you like, just so I get your information, you can use the online registration, the contact form, email,  postal mail, or call me on the phone (479-414-6889) either to register or just ask a question.  Registration is done on a first come basis, so register early to secure your space.   A deposit of 20% is required to reserve your space, and full payment is due 30 days prior to the workshop. Enrollment is limited in our workshops, so once you have been accepted your participation is important to us – we are counting on you to attend.

If you must withdraw from a course, we must receive written notice of your cancellation, and then apply the following refund policy:   We do not make refunds on workshop fees. We do not make partial refunds for unused portions or services of a workshop for any reason whatsoever. If we are able to fill your space in the workshop we will give full credit towards another workshop. If we are not able to fill your space we will issue 50% credit towards a future workshop.

Non Photographer (Spouse, significant other, or friend)

We welcome spouses to join you on the workshop experience however  “workshop  activities” are limited to registered, paid attendees.  You may have a non  photographer accompany you to all activities but they
must pay for the  workshop.  If they wish to accompany you on the trip  but not attend the workshop  activities, but stay with you, finding  other activities during the day,  and   meet for meals and social type  events that is perfectly acceptable.

Cancellation Policy

In the unlikely event that we need to cancel a workshop we will refund all monies paid, in full. Notification of our cancellation will be made via either a telephone call or an e-mail to you at least 14 days prior to the beginning of a workshop other than an emergency. We cannot be responsible for phone messages and e-mails not being received in a timely matter due to your service providers. We cannot be responsible for non-refundable airline tickets unused or other travel arrangements because of a workshop cancellation.

All workshops have a minimum participation level which must be met or the workshop will be canceled.

Liability Waiver

All participants will be required to sigh a liability waiver before beginning  a workshop.  We will not be liable for injury, accident or theft resulting from  participation in our workshop program.

An additional waiver will be required for the shoot at Fort Chaffee.

Weather

The more the better, at  least as far as the photography goes.  Workshops will not be canceled and no  refunds will be made due to weather, we will not be responsible for any  additional costs that may be incurred by weather delays or cancellations due to  weather, flight delays, or other. Participants should come to the  workshop prepared for all weather conditions. We will generally update everyone  within a few days of the workshop so that they know what type of weather to  expect.

Trip Extensions

We may be able to extend your trip in the area, if you would like more time  and personal instruction.  Please contact us for more information and rates  before the workshop.

Smoking

We prefer that you do not smoke, however if you must please abide by the  following guidelines.  Smoking is not allowed in or near vehicles,  during  instructional sessions, during group meals, or at other times  when in close  quarters with other workshop participants.