Workshops and Public Appearances
Online Instruction: I will be offering online instruction on a variety of topics including Aperture , Photoshop, and photography starting soon! You’ll be able to access training materials at your own pace and choose the amount of interaction you want.
Individual Instruction: I will be offering individual instruction over the internet on a variety of topics. For more information, check back here.
On Location Workshops:
July 19- 25, 2009, The Next Step, Taking Full Advantage of Digital
This workshop is designed to help you take full advantage of digital - both in the field with your camera, and in the digital darkroom on a computer. Knowing what's possible in the digital darkroom affects how you shoot in the field. The digital era enables us to go beyond the limitations of cameras in many ways. For example if there's too much contrast in a situation, we can shoot several different exposures and combine them to create an image closer to what our eyes can see - or even better! Similarly if we need more depth of field than what we can get using a single shot, we can shoot several images and combine them into one shot with an impressive range of focus. But there's still more that's possible on the computer. We can use various techniques to simulate studio lighting after the fact for nature photography! So if the lighting is less than ideal on your subject, but you're not sure you'll be able to photograph the subject in better light another time, take the shot and then improve the lighting in Photoshop using one of the filters least used by nature photographers or by painting with light.
This course is designed for people who have already taken at least a basic course in Photoshop (or Lightroom or Aperture), or who have used it frequently, and who are familiar with the basic operation of their camera. We'll be spending some time in the field shooting as well as some time in the lab learning various ways to add impact to your images and take them to the next level. You'll be amazed at what you can do that's beyond the basic exposure adjustments you may be currently making! We're going to have a lot of fun as you make your images come alive! Everyone always wants their images to be just a bit better than the next guy's who was photographing a similar subject ... this course will give you the know-how to have the edge!
The course will be held at the photogenic McDonald Wildlife Digital Institute in central PA in conjunction with Joe and Mary Ann McDonald. For more information and to register, contact info@hoothollow.com
August 28 -31, 2009 Northern Lights and Fall Tundra Instructional Photo Tour
Limit 6
Cost: $2485*
Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime workshop to photograph the spectacular Northern Lights and gorgeous fall tundra! After you fly to Fairbanks, your workshop will begin with a small plane trip to our destination in the Arctic Circle. During daylight, the mountain ranges, lakes, and fall color in the tundra provide breath-taking views and both scenic and macro opportunities. In addition there is a wonderful ghost town that we’ll photograph. At night, while no one can guarantee Northern Lights, this workshop will offer a great opportunity to see phenomenal Aurora displays because it takes place directly below the Aurora Oval. Each day there will be classroom time to discuss photo techniques, digital workflow, and image critiques, with emphasis on tips for shooting and optimizing night images.
Included in the cost of the tour is your flight from Fairbanks, lodging (double occupancy), food, a river boat excursion to the ghost town, an additional flight seeing excursion, use of a special lodge for Aurora viewing, photographic and digital instruction, and your return flight to Fairbanks. There will be two instructors so there is an impressive 1:3 instructor to participant ratio. We expect this workshop to sell out quickly!
We’re offering an optional extra day on September 1 with a possible caribou flight see trip (at additional cost.) For more information and to register, email us.
Public Appearances:
February 15 - 22, 2009: NANPA - North American Photography Association
I’m honored to be an instructor for the high school scholarship students again this year. If you come to the summit, please find me and say, “hi!”
March 20 - 22, 2009 NFRCC - Niagara Frontier Regional Camera Council
“Nice Shot ... What Now?” This talk will focus on assessing your images with an eye towards what you need to do to make them pop. Most of the techniques I’ll use can be done using any of the most common programs, including Photoshop, Elements, Lightroom and Aperture. In addition I’ll be showing the advantages of using some plug-ins including various Nik filters.
June 27, 2009 - Erie Summer Festival of the Arts
“Taking Photos You (and Others) Will Want to Look At Again and Again” This is a free talk open to the public, that’s part of the Art of Photography section of the festival.
July 10 - 12, 2009 NECCC (New England Camera Club Council)
“An Introduction to Aperture” and “The Best They Can Be” Ellen and her son, Josh, will be giving several presentations demonstrating both the thought process behind and the actual techniques they use to optimize some of their award winning images. They’ll showcase techniques that are compatible with many of the currently popular software programs (including Photoshop) and highlight ways to take advantage of some of the latest features. They’ll also demonstrate Aperture and you’ll quickly understand why it’s at the center of their workflows.
