As photographers, one common challenge we all face when capturing the natural scene is the neverending battle with conditions outside of our control. Wind, weather, harsh or flat lighting, moving subjects, stray distractions, and even time constraints all seem to conspire against our efforts to create beautiful works of photographic art.
Each of these challenges requires planning, discipline at the time of capture, and careful editing strategies to produce final photos that mirror your vision. By embracing and adapting to these realities, some of the most powerful images can be made even under the most challenging conditions.
In this five-session course, you will learn techniques that arm you with tools and approaches for successful nature photography:
- Strategies for wind—short vs. long exposures to convey movement or freeze the action and intentional camera movements to introduce movement into your image
- Photographic control under challenging weather conditions—what you need to know to shoot in the snow, wind, and rain
- Precise color control—photographing at the golden hour, predawn, and after sunset; correcting color shifts; individual color saturations; and color aberration shifts
- Scenic dynamic range—creating predictably successful images when lighting is flat or exceptionally high-contrast
- Field workflow—successful planning leads to successful images. Having a plan for your outings frees you to create on the fly
- Post-production—using editing software to maximize the impact of images made under challenging conditions
With a balanced approach of classroom and field photography sessions, you will be challenged to learn new techniques, and then put them into practice in an environment that is supportive of your individual vision.
This course will explore both color and monochrome (black and white) image production. You will be given a few short assignments for your field sessions that help steer you through the concepts taught in this course. The field sessions will also offer ample time and opportunity for you to produce your own work with complete freedom.
This is an intermediate- to advanced-level program; foundational photography knowledge and skills are required.
This program meets in person at the Arboretum.
Instructor: Dan Pollack, photographer
Age: 16 and older
Course number: P380
