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World-class instruction, incredible Adirondack beauty...
Adirondack Spring Weekend
May 10-12
Schroon Lake, New York
with Johnathan Esper
Overview
Springtime in the Adirondacks is a wonderful
season, with the vibrant, fresh green colors of new spring foliage.
Abundant wildflowers, including trout lilies and trilliums, dot the
forest floors. And spring snow melt from the mountains overflow
streams, creating compelling creek compositions of rushing spring
waters, mossy rocks, and swirling foam. These are the scenes we plan
to photograph, unique to the freshness of springtime. During this
three-day Adirondack photo workshop, we will photograph and discover
together a diverse landscape of grand lakes, rolling hills covered
with brilliant spring greens of maple, beech, and birch forests, and
brooks rushing through peaceful forests. Based out of a charming
Adirondack-style bed and breakfast in the small town of Schroon
Lake, we'll create images of the local region as well as locations
in the Pharoah Lakes Wilderness region, along the Hudson River,
Thirteenth Lake near North River, Belfry Mt Firetower views of the
High Peaks, and the Blue Ridge Rd. This photo workshop focuses on
in-the-field photography and situational instruction working
alongside your leader, while also seeking to balance this with image
brief critiquing and editing sessions as weather and time allows.
Photographic topics that will be covered while shooting include
classic landscape photography techniques including composition of
both grand landscapes and detailed intimate scenes, slow-shutter
effects on water, capturing the fresh spring green of forest scenes,
and forest wildflower photography, as well as advanced topics like
HDR (High Dynamic Range) imagery and panoramic photography for those
who wish to learn more. We'll also keep a lookout for any native
wildlife to observe or perhaps photograph, including deer or loons.
Weather-permitting, we will photograph through the sunrise and sunset hours, and throughout much of the day, allowing for some breaks for meals and simple relaxation in nature.
Leader Johnathan Esper has an intimate knowledge and love of the Adirondacks from growing up in, and now photographing them. He is a recognized and established local Adirondack landscape photographer, who is frequently published in the region's premier magazines, and leads photo trips around the world and close to home. Johnathan is very enthusiastic to share his photographic experiences and knowledge, both location-specific and for capturing the spring colors, and will meet you and work with you at whatever level you are at to help you create fine images and compositions.
Instructor
Program Type
Workshop
Who Should Attend
All skill levels welcome. Users of all types of cameras are encouraged to attend, however digital SLR cameras are preferred for their ability to maximize the learning possibilities of this workshop.
Amateur
You can find your way around the camera, but there are features you don't understand or know how to use. You don't feel that you can adequately capture what you see. You're hoping that the instructor can give you guidance on the when and how of using specific camera features, while also helping you to understand how to compose a good photograph.
Description of skill levels - click here
Beginner
You are new to photography and have so many questions you're not even sure where to start. You are not comfortable with your camera. You're not sure what makes some photographs look great and others not so great. You're looking to the instructor to help bring some order to the confusion and set you on a path.
Amateur
You can find your way around the camera, but there are features you don't understand or know how to use. You don't feel that you can adequately capture what you see. You're hoping that the instructor can give you guidance on the when and how of using specific camera features, while also helping you to understand how to compose a good photograph.
Intermediate
You feel pretty comfortable with most of your camera features, although you may have questions about some of the details. You've taken some photos that you're quite pleased with. You are mostly looking to the instructor for new ideas and constructive help with your compositions.
Advanced
You know how and when to use your camera features. You are pleased with many of your images. You might be looking to work in some new locations. Or maybe you’d like to tap the energy of a group of talented people to add to your creative toolbox.
Computer Skills
A basic understanding of digital workflow will be helpful.
Other Considerations
Locations visited during the workshop are relatively accessible and do not require any strenuous hiking, but participants should be prepared for shorter walks on woods paths and chilly or wet spring weather.
Group Size
10 max.
Registration Fees
$475
Deposit of $250 required at time of registration. Deadline for
early registration discount is March 10. Click
here for information
on any other discounts that may be available.
Itinerary
Day 1
Participants gather at Silver Spruce Bed and Breakfast in Schroon Lake. Quick meet and greet and opening presentation on photography in the area by Johnathan Esper. Dinner break at a local restaurant, then sunset photo shoot around Schroon Lake.
Day 2, 3
Early morning sunrise photo outing, followed by
breakfast. Day field trips to Thirteenth Lake, Upper Hudson River,
Pharoah Lakes, Blue Ridge, or Schroon Lake regions, with breaks for
lunch and dinner and as weather allows. After-dinner sunset shoots.
If inclement weather forces us indoors, Johnathan will assist
participants in downloading and optimizing images in Photoshop.
Participants may also contribute to a group critique/editing session
of their images, for the evening of day 2.
Workshop ends right after sunset on day 3, although participants may feel free to leave earlier if their schedule or a longer drive warrants it.
Note - The actual itinerary may vary considerably from this due to weather and other conditions that cannot be anticipated.
