Olympic Coast & Rainforests
Olympic Coast & Rainforests
May 3-8 , 2024
5 full days
Minimum Deposit $500. Full Tuition $1600
Adventure and variety are in store for this crew! The Olympic coastline has the most awe-inspiring Sea Stacks I’ve ever seen. Rising out of the surf like giant monoliths, there is no questioning why this is one of the most photogenic environments on Earth. When you’re done playing around the Sea Stacks, we’ll travel to the interior to visit one of several rainforests, including the Hoh Rainforest and its famous Hall of Moses where giant trees and abundant wildlife await. We will also photograph the rugged coastline and it’s incredible sea stacks at First, Second and Third Beaches, along with Ruby and Rialto Beaches. Crescent Lake and some gorgeous waterfalls will also be part of this adventure. If you’re looking for an well-rounded trip exploring the Olympic Rainforest, this trip is for you!
Overview
In this Workshop, we will be exploring the many hidden nooks of the Olympic Peninsula. In my first visit, I was taken aback by the enormity and lushness of it all. The Sea Stacks and jagged rock lined the coast. The moss clung to anything possible hanging and blowing in the wind. The woodland scenes with ferns and moss covered the forest floor. To say the least, I fell in love with this place. Nature here spoke to me and I think it will to you too. This crew will learn how to “see” in the landscape and find organization out of the chaotic woodland scenes here. We will visit some of the most beautiful waterfalls you’ve ever seen, where we will be exploring the many hidden possibilities using filters to vary water speed and blend the images for a beautiful final result that is powerful and intriguing for the viewer.
This special region has it all packed into a relatively small area. You’ll need all of your lenses on this one, as we’ll be exploring the intimate details of the rainforest to seascapes with towering monoliths. This is the perfect place to try out your neutral density filters and photograph long exposures on the untouched shores of Olympic National Park. We’ll also head to the Alpine region of the park on a day’s excursion to get the amazing views of the lower Cascades. These mountains are insanely gorgeous and jagged and look just lovely painted by a long exposure sky over their snow-capped peaks.
Join me on this once in a lifetime adventure and capture the incredible beauty of Olympic National Park!
Topics we will cover
Learn how to create powerful compositions and bring your artistic vision to life.
Visualizing your composition, capturing and guiding the viewer.
How to identify: Balance, leading lines, shapes and visual flow.
The use of Neutral Density and ND Graduated filters to enhance and control light.
How to “see” light and make use of it in your composition.
Histograms, how to read them and why they play an important role
Focus Stacking for extreme front and back focus
How to use lens compression
How to blend focal lengths
How to create beautiful Long Exposures to unveil a hidden visual world
Photographing the night sky: Stars, Milky Way, Star Trails and Time Lapse Photography
Light Painting in the Twilight and night Landscape
How to research potential shoot locations
How to read the weather
Image Critique
Post Processing and Digital Workflow in Lightroom and Photoshop
About this Workshop
Fitness
Average fitness level is great! Distances range from the car up to 2 miles one way. Some trails are rather easy and a few can be quite steep.
Terrain
The terrain is dirt, roots, and rock and can vary from easy to moderatly steep. There are safe places to photograph the waterfalls and others for the more ambitious at heart. We recommend a high skill level anywhere near the water, and the utmost precaution as the waters can be deep and really moving.
Experience
Aspiring - Advanced. As with most landscape photography, some effort must be put towards a primary location. Some trail experience and knowledge around high volume rivers is helpful.
Group Size
6 people. We keep the group size small so that everyone gets plenty of shoot time at all locations without feeling rushed or smothered. Safety is a primary consideration also.
Weather
The weather on the Olympic Penninsula can be very inviting and it can also hit some extremes. We will be monitoring the weather very closely prior to and during the Workshop. In almost all cases, the Workshop will go forward. We love good stormy weather and fleeting light, but will never put our guests in any type of situation that would be life threatening. We chose May to take advantage of the best photography conditions. The nights and early mornings can be quite cool. May can be a beautiful mix of excellent photography conditions with fog and cool morning. Be prepared for anything and use our Pack list to help plan your trip.
There are usually great clouds around the coast, but in the event of a full day of sun, we’ll be showing you how to maximize unique compositional techniques to focus on rainbows, mist, and other fun detail work that you can only do when the sun is out!
Plan on a waterproof jacket and pants with layers you can peel off as the day goes. We recommend full leather waterproof boots if possible.
Covid 19
We require our guides to be masked at any time we are unable to be at a 6’ proximity. Some restaurants may require masking. We will have hand sanitizer available throughout the workshop. Carpooling is recommend as long as you accept the risk. Our staff is fully vaccinated and we will maintain the guidelines that the CDC issues regarding indoor and group masking. We will also adhere to any local guidelines and rules. Whenever possible, we will maintain an appropriate social distance during the Workshop.
Itinerary
What’s included
Photography instruction with Landscape Photographer Tommy White.
Lightroom and Photoshop training.
3rd party programs like TK Actions, Luminar and Nik.
5 Full days of Photography and field Instruction on the coast of Oregon.
One on One field guidance in framing, settings, visual flow and “seeing” in the landscape.
GPS field guidance to track our shoot locations.
Drinks and Snacks are provided during Workshop.
Identifying important subjects both near and far.
Capturing textures, shapes and patterns.
Visual interpretation of the landscape. How to “see” and use the light.
Guidance and safety throughout the entire trip.
Limited field equipment and accessories for your use.
What’s not included
Participants should plan to provide their own transportation. Carpooling will be available at your own discretion.
Meals during the trip. I will always have drinks and snacks on hand, but plan to travel with your own favorites as well.
Lodging - We will provide information for you on Lodging upon registration. As photography is all about the weather, we will plan to move about for the best conditions. We will have a secured place to stay on the night of our arrival and the night before our departure.
Park and admission fees. We are fully permitted in State and National Parks, but occasionally there are other fees per individual.
Alcoholic beverages.
Travel Insurance (Highly Recommended, but optional).
Personal Items.
PACK LIST
Click HERE to view the Packlist
Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel your booking, the Deposit is non refundable on all Seasonal and Group Photography Workshops. If the cancellation is less than 90 days, you will receive a full refund minus the deposit and 15% admin fee, when your spot is filled. If the cancellation is more than 90 days, you will receive a full refund when your spot is filled, or, you may move to another available workshop (minus a 15% admin fee) in the current calendar year. The remaining balance on the new Workshop is due upon transfer.
If you are booked for a Private Workshop and you need to cancel, you may reschedule your workshop one time within the current calendar year during an available time.
