Rod Planck has taken 28 years of field experience photographing nature and condensed it into this unique and intensive 1-day seminar. This instructional slide program follows the field process of nature photography—from the moment you find a subject that inspires you to the creation of an image that is properly exposed, razor sharp (where and when it needs to be) and dynamically composed with strong visual integrity.

Rod teaches field techniques that work for both film and digital photography. You will discover new ways to explore and experience the wonders of the natural world from Rod's unmanipulated and non-commercial perspective. Regardless of your skill level or imaging format this seminar will help you take your photography to a higher level.

Program Schedule:

Seminar Times:
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.: Registration
9:00 - 5:30 p.m.: Program Presentation

(Morning Session 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)

 

The Moment Of Discovery

Focal Length Selection

The subject is your inspiration (or at least it should be). Whether you photograph landscapes, small subjects, or wildlife, to grow creatively you must expand your concept of what a subject is or can be. After finding a subject you then need to select a focal length (a lens). This section teaches why focal length selection should be decision borne of creative necessity.

• Defining image quality • Why new technology is no substitute for good photographic technique • Defining composition • Growth in your concept of subject • Taking creative advantage of the situation • The mechanics of composing in the field • When to use complexity or simplicity in an image • Why it's the focal length that matters, not what kind of lens • How different focal lengths affect an image

Camera Placement

The Elements Of Design

Fine Tuning The Image 

Once you have found an inspiring subject to photograph and you have given great thought to your choice of focal length, you now must place equal importance on deciding where the camera should be placed and how the elements you have selected should be visually arranged. You will learn how to visually create stunning images that feature the hallmarks of any great nature photograph: simplicity, balance and visual harmony. Aperture selection and the use of tilt lenses will also be covered in this section.

• The importance of precise camera placement • The best tripods for field work • Identifying the compositional planes within an image • The visual mechanics of photographic composition • Subject placement and the elements of design • Traditional verses non-traditional framing • Subject placement and the elements of design • Visual movement • Traditional verses non-traditional framing • Using the apertures as creative tools • How and when to use a tilt lens

12:30-1:30 p.m.: Break for Lunch (on your own)

(Afternoon Session 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.)

Getting The Exposure You Want

Once you have your subject, focal length, camera placement and aperture selected, then and only then does getting proper exposure become relevant. Even with the sophisticated metering systems of today's modern cameras, consistently capturing properly exposed images remains one of the toughest challenges in photography. Rod teaches you how to use your camera's metering system to achieve proper exposures consistently. Rod will also explain why it is critical for digital photographers to read the camera’s histogram while in the field and then show you how. He’ll also explain why you expose differently when shooting in raw versus jpeg.

(A step by step description of this program is included in the seminar handouts.) 

• What is proper exposure? • Why your camera's exposure meter is the most accurate meter for achieving proper exposure • When to use the manual mode and when to rely on auto-exposure • Some important exposure guidelines • How to read a histogram • Three intuitive questions to ask yourself every time you meter • The best method of compensating • When and how to use center-weighted, evaluative and spot metering systems • The three most common metering scenarios • Being creative with exposure

Photographing The Little Things In Nature As Well As The Feathered And Furred 

Rod discusses special equipment and techniques for photographing small subjects such as wildflowers and insects as well as what equipment and techniques work for photographing birds and mammals. How and when to use fill flash in nature photography will also be covered in this section. 

• When and how to use extension tubes, teleconverters and multi-element close-up lenses • Do you need a macro lens? If so, which focal length is best? • How to get more magnification from your macro lens? • What are the most useful focal lengths for wildlife photography? • When stalk and when to work from a blind • How to get the best quality when using teleconverters • Auto focus -- when to use it and when not to • The best tripod heads for action wildlife photography • How and when to use a tilt lens

 

Shedding A Little More Light ... Review And Program Wrap-up 

The quality of light is the primary component of any superb nature photograph, regardless of what imaging format you use. During the day's final session, Rod will give you helpful insights on the importance of quality natural light in nature photography. Rod wraps up with a review of key points from the seminar.  

A formal question and answer period will follow the day's final program.

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Added Value: Seminar Handouts

Because there is so much information presented, you'll receive a complete set of seminar handouts to review later on. A valuable supplier list for nature photographers is included. Also, you may tape record the session for later review.

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Cost:

TBA: 1-day seminar fee includes tuition, seminar handouts, morning coffee and a chance to win one of many door prizes.

You can register by calling (906) 293-3339, or you can register online.

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