Adirondack Photography Institute Spring Greenery Weekend Workshop
May 10-12, 2013
Schroon Lake, New York
This workshop is being conducted through the Adirondack Photography Institute. Go to the trip page there to register for this trip.
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.
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
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.
