Overview

Colossal redwoods thrust upward into the coastal fog. The pink blooms of wild rhododendrons take on a translucent glow against the dark greens of the forest. Dramatic seastacks and driftwood accent the wild Pacific coast. One of the world’s most creativity-inspiring and evocative landscapes, Northern California’s Redwood Coast is truly a photographer’s playground, rich with diverse photographic opportunities and a dynamic interplay of sun and fog. Scheduled during the peak rhododendron bloom and mid-week to avoid weekend traffic, we will make the most of our  morning and afternoon field sessions at locations among old-growth redwoods, lupine-covered hillsides, seastacks and cliffs, and the North Coast’s wild beaches. This is the perfect setting for a fun, upbeat, and supportive workshop focused on developing creativity and honing skills. Participants will learn to take control of the finer points of composition, exposure and tonal control, and specialized techniques for approaching this sublime coastal landscape.

This outdoor classroom is a highlight of our Vision series, a special program of advanced instruction focusing on refining your personal creative vision, composition, digital workflow and image processing, designed and presented by renowned photographers Jack Dykinga and Justin Black. Your instructors have photographed the Redwood Coast extensively and know it well.

Note: Jack Dykinga is often joined by co-instructor John Shaw at this workshop, though John may not be available for these dates. Should his availability change, he may replace Justin Black as the second instructor for this workshop.

ABOUT VISION WORKSHOPS

The creation of a truly great finished photograph is part of a process from initial concept and vision through execution in the field to digital workflow and creation of a high-quality, final master file ready for printing or publication. Vision workshops address the two greatest challenges faced by photographers as they advance. The first of these is the tendency for original creative vision to reach a plateau in development, and the second is a digital workflow in need of streamlining and refinement to make the most of your images.

On Creative Vision:

When we experience images that really move us, we are aware that they have impacted us, though we may not know what it was in the image that made it so powerful. In other words, we know when it works, but can be difficult to quantify. I try to teach the time-honored components of fine photography to build successful compositions…even in ordinary situations. People ask me, “What’s the difference between a pro and an amateur?” My response is, (a) the amateur has better equipment and (b) the professional photographer must create a publishable image every single time. To be successful, the professional must be the practitioner of a disciplined approach to situations that will result in compelling images that inform and move people. This workshop is designed to unleash that creativity in my students. – Jack Dykinga

Jack will focus on advanced seeing and ways to unlock creativity in situations that require conceptual and compositional ingenuity on the part of the photographer. In other words, he’ll answer the questions, “How do I make a great photograph when the subject matter and composition don’t suggest themselves to me, and how do I avoid photographic clichés when the situation offers up  a beautiful composition that is almost too obvious?”

On Workflow:

As photographers have switched to digital, one fact has become apparent:  we are drowning in files.  We’re shooting more images than ever, and digital file sizes are increasing with each new generation of cameras.  Without a smart, logical workflow – and a familiarity with programs such as Lightroom and Photoshop – we will quickly be overwhelmed with data.   – John Shaw

We will teach a logical, effective workflow that ensures the highest quality for your work, as well an image archive that is stable, consistent, and retrievable over the long term, and that ultimately liberates rather than burdens.  He will cover step by step the process from shooting RAW files in the field to optimizing the final image in Lightroom

Workflow topics to be covered include:

• Exposing for digital
• Processing the raw file
• Color adjustment strategies
• Using the tools in Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom’s Develop Module
• Creating high-resolution multi-image composites, such as panoramics and focus stacks.
• File formats for shooting and for archiving
• Downloading for automatic image organization
• Cataloging of images in Lightroom
• Keywording and captioning of images
• The many uses of metadata
• Color spaces for the best results in different media
• Using Photoshop to finalize the image: dodging and burning, adjustment layers and layer masking, controlling luminosity and contrast, sharpening for output
• Color-managed workflow from input to output

The workshop includes eight field sessions, classroom lectures and ample hands-on instruction, critiques, single-occupancy lodging (prorated fee available for double-occupancy or for those who do not require lodging), and all meals and drinks. Justin Black will be present to serve as assistant instructor and to ensure everything runs smoothly. As always, all three instructors will be present to teach and assist students throughout the workshop.

Any enthusiastic photographer will feel right at home in this workshop. Jack and Justin are experienced at successfully accommodating a range of experience levels in photography workshops. 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.

This workshop will be operated under a commercial use authorization issued by Redwoods National and State Parks.