Overview

The Potomac Highlands region of West Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains is one of the most scenic areas of the central Appalachians, at its best when brilliant autumn colors adorn the landscape. We invite you to join us for this exciting photo workshop, timed to operate during the peak of fall foliage among mountains densely covered in yellow birch, red maple, black cherry trees, spruce, and eastern hemlock trees. Color is everywhere at this time of year, framing the five-story waterfall and blowing in the mountain breezes.

In addition to visiting the iconic Blackwater Falls itself, we will take advantage of the best seasonal conditions in the surrounding mountain and valley landscapes, including excursions to Dolly Sods Wilderness and Canaan Valley, the highest large valley east of the Mississippi.

National Geographic photographer Michael Melford and renowned landscape photographer Justin Black will lead this workshop. Both have photographed extensively in the area, and are very familiar with an array of potential locations. Working one-on-one with participants, Michael and Justin aim to improve your photographic vision and composition skills, understanding of how to use changing qualities of light and weather to your advantage, and ability to effectively control exposure. They will also focus on creative exposure techniques to create mood, essential gear and creative tools, fundamentals of digital workflow, digital exposure blending and panoramic stitching, and lots of photography in the field followed by constructive group critiques.

Click the “read more…” tab below right for more information and to see the photo gallery!

Field sessions begin the evening of the first day. Thereafter, we plan to be out to photograph first light and evening light each day. During mid-day hours, Michael and Justin will make presentations on light, composition, and creativity, digital workflow, and maximizing image potential through effective post-processing. Critique sessions will follow before we return to the field for photography in afternoon and evening light. Friday morning will be the final field session, followed by critique until we adjourn at 2:00 pm.

Scheduled during mid-week to avoid weekend tourist traffic, our base of operations will be Blackwater Lodge in Blackwater Falls State Park. We will also venture out to Dolly Sods, a U.S. Wilderness Area with sweeping vistas, wild blueberry bushes in crimson autumn color, rock carved by wind and ice, and spruce-edged sphagnum bogs. Another superb location nearby is the Canaan Valley, the highest sizable valley east of the Mississippi River, where extensive wetlands, a large wildlife refuge, and numerous botanical communities provide an array of photographic possibilities.

The workshop includes hands-on instruction in the field, classroom lectures, critiques, single-occupancy lodging (prorated fee available for double-occupancy or for those who do not require lodging), all meals, snacks, and beverages. As always, both instructors will be present to teach and assist students throughout the workshop. The class size is limited to a small group of ten to ensure that everyone gets the time and attention they need, both in the field and the classroom. We supply materials in advance of the session regarding digital camera set-up and techniques, equipment recommendations, and other guidelines to ensure that everyone is ready to make the most of the experience.

Please contact us promptly to reserve your space, or register by clicking on the button located at the top-right of this page. A deposit of 50% is required at time of booking to reserve space, with balance payable 60 days prior to workshop start date.

The workshop begins at 2pm on Monday, September 25th, and ends by 2pm on Friday, September 29th, 2017.

Note: Visionary Wild, LLC operates this workshop under a single-use permit issued by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.