by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Oct 21, 2012 | Nature, Photo Workshops, Wildlife
Catch my wildlife photography lecture at Assateague Island National Seashore on 3 Nov or join my Natue Photography Workshop on 16-18 Nov (weekend program) at the same location.
Learn tips on how to capture exciting images of your favorite wildlife subjects. Includes info on attracting, locating, and approaching animals plus stalking techniques and using photo blinds.
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For info Contact: Christina Hulslander 443-614-3547 www.assateagueislandalliance.org
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Oct 21, 2012 | Uncategorized
My recent photo tour in South Dakota late September reminded me of what a fantastic destination it is– overflowing with both landscape and wildlife photo opportunities. This is the third workshop I conducted and from this experience, there are bound to be more. The trip included the Badlands, Black Hills, Wind Cave, Needles, Spearfish Canyon, and Rushmore.
With regard to photographing wildlife, here are some tips to help you spot animals in the field. Look for:
Out of place colors, tones, and forms (Bighorn Sheep & badger)
Movement (Coyote)
Noise (Prairie rattlesnake)
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Sep 14, 2012 | Nature, Photo Tours, Photo Workshops
West Virginia Autumn Photo Workshop
Canaan Valley, Blackwater Falls, Dolly Sods
12-14 Oct. 2012
w/ Irene Hinke-Sacilotto
Limited to 10 participants.
One of my favorite photo workshop destinations is Canaan Valley, Blackwater Falls State Park, and the surrounding countryside in the West Virginia Mountains. The locations have been selected to provide workshop participants with a wide selection of photo subjects varying from beautiful mountain scenery to semi-tame deer. I scheduled the workshop to coincide with autumn color. Activities will begin at sunrise to take advantage of the warm early morning light. Field experience will be mixed with helpful critiques mid-day Sat. and Sun. afternoon. For convenience we will be staying at Canaan Valley Resort, centrally located and a relatively short drive to each of the photo destinations.
CANAAN VALLEY
Located in the Appalachian Mountains, Canaan Valley Park is a 6,000 acre sanctuary with over 18 miles of established trails through the marshes, woods, and meadows. The valley is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, raccoons, groundhogs, chipmunks, beaver, skunks, herons, waterfowl, salamanders, and an occasional black bear or bobcat. In October, days are cool and pleasant, with some early morning frost. At 3,200 feet above sea level, the Canaan Valley is cooler than surrounding countryside and the trees change color earlier than in other parts of the state. In autumn, visitors are treated to a kaleidoscope of color, crimson maples, burnt-orange oaks, and golden aspen. It’s rutting season for Whitetail Deer so they are more visible in the fields. Beavers, muskrats, and bears are active, busily gathering food for the winter. Migrating Canada Geese and other waterfowl are common sights flying overhead on their way to feed in the Blackwater River and surrounding wetlands.
BLACKWATER FALLS
Within a 30-minute drive from out hotel is Blackwater Falls State Park. Strategically placed overlooks provide views of the Blackwater River as it cascades over boulders and plunges 60 feet over Blackwater Falls. Other trails and viewpoints throughout the park provide additional opportunities to capture the fall color in combination with the Blackwater River Valley and surrounding mountains.
DOLLY SODS
Nearby on a high mountain ridge is Dolly Sods Wilderness. Because of its altitude and exposure to harsh weather, this remote area resembles the arctic tundra more than typical West Virginia. Huge lichen-covered boulders are strewn about in a haphazard fashion; low blueberry and cranberry bushes cover the ground; and deformed one-sided trees stand as testament to the harsh winters. Cold weather comes early to the high country and in Oct. leaves of many low growing shrubs turn crimson and glow when back-lit by the late afternoon sunlight. Trails lead to rocky overlooks for interesting lighting, abstract forms, and panoramic views of the surrounding Appalachian Mountains.
SPECIAL NOTES
The group is small so I can give in individual attention to each participant, working with each person at their skill level. Include will be several exercises to accompany the field work. Ample time will be available for questions. The itinerary is flexible and will be adjusted according to the location and availability of subjects, the weather, group interest, and other factors. Hiking will not be strenuous but some trails may be rocky or wet in spots. Any hiking will be slow paced with plenty of time for rest. Anyone may abstain from an activity and select an alternative that is less strenuous. Boots with firm ankle support are recommended. Dress warmly in layers. Participants should bring 5 samples of your work. These will be used during the orientation and as time permits.
TRANSPORTATION: While on site, we will car pool to each location. However, each participant is responsible for their own transportation to and from home. Once registered, contracts, health forms, & additional details will follow.
ACCOMMODATIONS: At Canaan Valley Resort (block of rooms are reserved for the class & included in the price.)
SCHEDULE
Friday, 12 October
7:00-8:30 PM (Orientation Program)
Saturday, 13 October
Sunrise to 10:30 AM (Field – Canaan Valley)
10:30-1:30 PM (Lunch & Critique)
1:30-Sunset PM (Field – Seneca Rocks, Dolly Sods, Canaan Valley)
Sunday, 14 October
Sunrise to 10 AM (Field – Blackwater Falls)
Noon-2:00 PM (Critique & Wrap-up)
Double – $536 Single – $686
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Aug 24, 2012 | Uncategorized
Just taught a digital editing class for Norfolk Botanical Gardens on Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 (3, three hours sessions in the evening). It’s a perfect photo editing program for majority of amateur/intermediate photographers who wishes to edit images for the web, e-mail and prints up to 16X20. It’s inexpensive costing less than $100 compared to the professional program, Adobe Photoshop CS (>$600) which is used by graphic designers. It is relatively easy to learn and students were amazed at the power of this program which allows you to crop, lighten/darken images, add saturation, add contrast, sharpen images, cover defects, and manipulate images with layers and layer masks. If it has any short-comings, it is that it’s a 8 bit program with less detail available for editing compared to a 16 bit. For most people, this will not matter. The program can be used in combination with Lightroom 4.
There will be a refresher digital editing class in the winter 2013. Also for fun shooting, join me at Tangier Island in September or West Virginia for fall colors in Oct. See my web site www.ospreyphoto.com
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Aug 14, 2012 | Uncategorized
Last weekend I had an opportunity to speak at the Art In Nature Photo Festival Education Conference sponsored by the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury. The conference was very informative with great people, an abundance of information, and a photo contest with more than 1,000 entries. Speakers were enthusiastic and very knowledgeable, plus there were outdoor hands-on workshops as well. Topics included close-up, wildlife, and landscape photography, lighting, photo editing and more. I spoke on Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, discussing its habitats, the animals, and photo opportunities. The program was based on my book, “Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, An Ecological Treasure.”
I suggest you make a note on next year’s calendar to attend this event. Check out my schedule for other programs including Tangier Island in September with the Ward Museum and Bill Wallen as the second instructor, West Virginia Autumn in October, and Chincoteague & Assateague Island in May. See my web site for details on these and other offerings: www.ospreyphoto.com
