Blue Planet Photography workshops, trips, classes, and seminars are inspirational resources for the beginning, intermediate, and advanced photographer. I offer scheduled classes, seminars, local and traveling workshops, and one-on-one instruction.
Please follow the links below to browse and register for my available classes and workshops. I'm offering a 5% Referral Bonus for workshop bookings. Go here for details.
Classes are 2 to 8 hours of instruction over 1 to 4 sessions. Classes are typically scheduled for a particular time and place, held in a classroom setting (sometimes in my home) or outdoors when appropriate. Classes are intensive, packed with more information than you can digest in one sitting. Handouts and other materials are references to use when working through the principles and techniques learned. Class schedule.
Workshops involve practical, hands-on application of the principles and techniques learned in class sessions. Ranging from 2 - 12 days or more, workshops are held locally (Boise, Idaho), regionally (Utah, Nevada, Montana, Oregon, Washington) and at various locations around the U.S. and abroad. Workshops are generally held outdoors, although indoor classroom sessions are not unheard of during a workshop. Indoor sessions can be as informal as a meeting in a hotel room or cabin, a discussion at a restaurant, or as formal as a session in a meeting room, auditorium, or on the beach. At this time, workshops don't include lab time or image printing, but that could change based upon the workshop and venue. Workshop schedule.
Workshop locations I select are places I want to explore or have explored, that offer something different to see, photograph, and exprience. I don't go to a location with specific expectations or cookie-cutter routes. There are, of course, areas at given locations that I prefer to photograph but, as an explorer, I would rather be a traveler than a tourist. I like to travel to relatively unknown or obscure places or to known locations but look for non-stereotypical views that allow you to open your senses, toss out preconceptions, and find your own treasures.
I offer scheduled classes, seminars, local and traveling workshops, and one-on-one instruction. If you'd like to read my philosophy on workshops and what you can expect from a Blue Planet Photography workshop, please continue reading.
Blue Planet Photography workshops, trips, classes, and seminars are inspirational resources for the beginning, intermediate, and advanced photographer. We are Breaking the Barriers to Creative Vision.
My Philosophy
The world is an interesting place and we all have something to
say about it. Some of us write, paint, sculpt, construct, speak, shout,
sing, dance, draw, film or photograph. Photography can be your voice, it
can be your relaxation, it can be your career. Whatever your artistic
passion or interest, photography helps you become more observant and appreciative
of your surroundings, if you're open to it. Mundane objects and locations
become interesting, long drives become enjoyable, and a life is enriched
by what is seen anew. I believe, as conservationist Aldo Leopold did, that
humans are not separate from nature "but plain member and citizen
of it", which fits my interest in photographing everything from majestic
mountains to hot rods, and still life to human life.
What I see when I look at the world around me is what you see in my photographs. Each individual interacts with and comprehends their surroundings differently, based on past, present, and future experiences. My past experiences in wildlife biology, museum work, gold mining, high tech, community service, and various other jobs, have given me a broad and specific sense of the world. Wildlife research taught me to be patient, photography taught me to be observant. My photographs are the result of my interaction, a dialogue, between me and my environment. If we are observant and patient, we can participate in the many conversations going on around us.
When photography is discussed, you often hear the terms "craft" and "art". To me, craft is the technical aspect of photography; shutter speed, aperture, ISO, depth of field, focal length, overall camera operation, etc. To be a proficient artist, a photographer needs at least some knowledge of, and skill with, craft.
Art is the application of craft. This, for me, is the fun part and the most difficult aspect of photography (or any artistic discipline). Art cannot be taught directly because it comes from you, not me. I can teach you the craft, but I can only help you discover ways to access and improve your vision, to better interpret what you see with your eyes with what you capture in the camera.
Photography is a 24/7 pursuit.
By that I mean a photograph can be created
at any time of day or night under most any circumstance or environmental
condition. The possibilities are, indeed, nearly endless. Much like
how a tripod provides a steady, firm, base for your camera, to take
advantage of that endless resource you need a relatively solid foundation
of knowledge and basic skills from which to build and improve on.
If you've already built your foundation, the only direction is up. I can help you reach new heights. If you are just starting out, or have been shooting in Auto Mode and want to get into Creative Mode, I can help you build a strong foundation to grow from. As artists we never stop learning and pushing ourselves to try new things and improve our skill set.
I am a member of the North American Nature Photography Association and I ascribe to their Principles of Ethical Field Practices and Environmental Statement. These documents provide guidance to the concerned nature photographer and encourages the use of photography for science, nature appreciation and environmental protection.
My Style
My
instructional style is fairly informal. I tailor workshops to the needs
of all participants as much as is possible. Group sizes are small since
photography is inherently an introspective, solitary venture. Small groups
allow for individual attention, socializing with other participants, and
in-depth discussion. I encourage a Zen-like approach to exploring your
subject; opening your senses and awareness, letting go of pre-conceptions
and pre-visualizations that may or may not meet expectations, being aware
in the moment to all possibilities and, with your technical knowledge,
able to create new and meaningful photographs.
What You Can Expect
The one predictable aspect of nature is its unpredictablility. But, with
uncertainty comes mystery and awe, serendipity, rare opportunity, and challenge.
So, from Mother Nature you can expect anything.
Classes are packed with more information than you can digest in one sitting. That's why I schedule and encourage sessions a week apart. Having time to practice the principles and techniques learned from one session, before you head into another, makes it easier to digest and become familiar with. One-on-one sessions can spread this out even further, or be done intensively over consecutive days.
Location workshops and trips are held at a "Photographer's Pace", which means we photograph each location at a relatively unhurried pace, allowing you time to explore, find your subjects, and get to know a place. Early mornings, long days, and late evenings are typical.
From me, you can expect:
- paitence, understanding, humor, respect, guidance and instruction
and assistance with, but not limited to:
- camera functions, operation and care/cleaning
- composition
- observational skills
- exploration skills
- patience skills
- looking at and understanding light
- finding/honing your photographic vision
- flash (on and off camera)
- camera techniques
If you're ready to learn, explore and have fun, Contact me to set up a one-one-one workshop or small group tour, or check out my Classes and Workshop offerings.