NEW ZEALAND AUGUST WORKSHOP - READ MORE
August in New Zealand is analogous to February in the Northern Hemisphere. While located at the same latitude south of the equator as Wyoming is north, the elevations of our photography locations are much lower than in Wyoming and with the relatively warm waters of the Pacific Ocean surrounding the island, New Zealand’s winter temperatures are much warmer than they are in the Rocky Mountains of the American West. Except for our high-mountain helicopter landing zones, all of our photo locations in the valleys surrounding Wanaka and Queenstown are usually snow-free during winter with temperatures ranging between 45 & 50 degrees during the day and droppng into the high 20s at night. Temperatures are usually about 10 degrees colder at Mount Cook. While most of our photo vantage points in the valleys receive scant snowfall in winter, they are surrounded by peaks towering up to 10,000 feet above them; peaks which receive prodigious quantities of snowfall each year, approaching 500 feet (yes, feet!) in some locations. This explains the vast glaciers which blanket the highest parts of the Southern Alps. While New Zealand is indeed located in the Roaring Forties, mid-winter often provides good spells of fine weather between storms. If you think the air in New Zealand is crystal clean in summer (which it is) wait until you see the sparkling clarity of winter.
Our main goal during this workshop will be to assist you with image composition in the field throughout the day in a wide variety of lighting conditions; not just during the magic hours of sunrise and sunset. In other words, we won’t spend the midday hours reviewing images on our laptops in our lodge with the shades drawn; we’ll be out in the field, every day, exploring and learning how to compose images in some of the most stunning landscapes on earth. This means you’ll not only experience a tremendous variety of photographic opportunities, you’ll return home with a larger variety of images than you ever imagined possible from 11 days in the field. Jim will work closely with you at each of our locations, offering suggestions on how to improve your image compositions in real time before you trip the shutter release. If we encounter difficult weather conditions which prevent us from being outdoors, or based on the desires of the group, he can also conduct image reviews and critiques or offer instruction on Lightroom/Photoshop techniques.
With a maximum of 8 participants, you can look forward to working one-on-one with Jim at each location as he provides instant feedback on the intricacies of image composition; the most subjective and challenging aspect of landscape photography. He’ll offer guidance on how to work in a variety of lighting conditions throughout the day and will teach you how to “see” what’s around you; how to slow down and begin noticing details which you might have otherwise missed. He’ll also provide detailed information on the technical aspects of camera functions, histograms, exposures, depth of field, white balance, filters, etc. We’ll discuss specialized digital techniques such as merging images to create very high-resolution files; what to look for when shooting for B&W conversions; using Live-View to aid in composition; and focus stacking to achieve extreme depth of field. He’ll offer insight into what inspires and motivates him and will help each participant to develop a style of their own.
Our philosophy is to offer an unsurpassed photographic experience for discerning travelers. We work overtime to ensure that your entire experience will exceed your expectations. We personally conduct each workshop; we do not hire others to do this for us. We are confident you’ll recognize the increased service level this arrangement provides. We care, very much, about your experience and satisfaction.
Our workshops are about much more than spectacular photography; or as one of our guests once put it; “Your workshops are a wonderful, photographic, social, and cultural adventure“. We look forward to having you join us.
Too see more about what you’ll learn on our workshops, visit this link: Learn More
To see why we have so many return guests, check out our Guest Testimonials