Big Sur Photography Workshop
Big Sur conjures up romantic notions of dramatic scenery, incredible vistas, and a rugged coast. Big Sur also has a number of spectacular beaches, complete with towering rocks, massive arches, and golden sands. These singular features make Big Sur an overwhelming joy to photograph. Join us as we explore and photograph some of the most interesting and jaw-droppingly beautiful coastline California has to offer.
Josh and Jim were GREAT. Easy to talk to and had alot of enthusiasm toward instruction. [They] made us feel comfortable and were more than willing to share their knowledge and creativity. They made a point of spending time with each participant.
~ Bob and Paula S.
Dates
Winter 2012 Dates Coming Soon!Workshop Features
Small Class Size
We keep our workshops to a 4:1 student to instructor ratio and cap the workshop at 8 total students, so there is plenty of time for individual questions.
Creative Camera Settings
Learn how basic camera settings can influence your final image...in the field.
Elevate Your Compositions
Learn how to create engaging compositions that draw viewers into your images. Create depth, perspective and a sense of being there.
Additional Info
The Workshop
This workshop will help beginning and intermediate photographers create wonderful images of the beautifully unique Big Sur coast. The workshop focuses on producing striking and powerful compositions, as well as telling a story with your photos. There is also a strong emphasis on understanding your camera's settings in order to break into new creative realms. This workshop is limited to 8 students.
Itinerary
The day begins about 7 hours before sunset at a common meeting point. We then carpool to Pfieffer Beach, well known within the photography community for its "glowing portal". We will spend about 3 hours at Pfieffer, pointing out the highlights and working one on one with the students. Mid-afternoon we head back to the cars for snacks and to drive north. Depending on conditions we may stop at another Big Sur icon, Bixby Bridge, for a classic Big Sur view. Then it's off to gorgeous Garrapata State Beach. Garrapata is a wonderfully photogenic beach thanks to its white sands and unusual black rocks. We'll stay at Garrapata till 30 minutes after sunset, working with shutter speeds, compositions, and capturing the sunset colors. Once it's too dark to shoot anymore, it's time to call it a day. Depending on conditions and the time of year, this itinerary may be reversed in order to take advantage of the Pfieffer Beach lightbeam, which occurs just before sunset in the winter months.
Topics Covered
• Transforming your artistic vision into memorable photographs• Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO - their relationship to one another and how to change them for exposure control
• Metering and getting a correct exposure
• Histograms, how to read them, and how to fine-tune exposure
• Creative depth-of-field effects using aperture control
• Capturing motion within your photos using different shutter speeds
• Timing waves to capture crashing spray, water streaks, and sandy reflections
• White balance and creative coloration
• Creating perspective, depth, and a sense of "being there" in your photos
• Creating powerful compositions with impact
• Composing to control your viewer's attention in your photos
• Compositional balance, tension, and visual flow
• How to use filters to capture dramatic light or create long-exposure effects
Workshop Requirements
• Digital SLR camera and lenses (wide and ultra-wide angle lenses are highly recommended)• A sturdy tripod
• Footwear with good traction (waterproof or rubber boots recommended) and warm socks (very important!)
• Creativity and a positive attitude
• Ability to walk 1-5 miles over uneven terrain
• Warm clothes in layers and a rain jacket
Highly recommended items
• Filters (ND, Grad ND, Polarizers)• Remote shutter release
• Camera rain sleeve
• Flashlight
• A change of clothes, especially shoes and socks
What’s Included
• Quality, professional, 1-on-1 photography instruction on par with your level as a photographer• Water and snacks throughout the workshop
• A fun, positive, interactive learning environment
Fitness level
This workshop is appropriate for photographers of most fitness levels. We will walk approximately 2 miles over the course of the workshop. This includes walking on sandy, uneven, and slippery terrain. Depending on the fitness level of the group, we will choose locations that are accessible to everyone. All participants are expected to be able to carry their own camera and personal gear during the workshop.
Your Instructors
Josh Cripps and Jim Patterson are professional photographers from Santa Cruz, California. They have been teaching together since 2010 (and separately since 2008) and have developed a tag-team approach to helping students understand photography concepts. Through a combination of theory, philosophy, examples, and on-the-spot feedback, they help students reach those "a-ha!" moments that take their photography to the next level.
Jim Patterson
Josh Cripps