Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Nelson County, Virginia, this retreat-style workshop is perfect for the photographer looking to slow down, focus and dig deeper into what, how and why you photograph so that you can release the creative seeds and grow as a photographer & visual artist. If you’re tired of rushing to capture moments and feel like something is missing in your work or your approach to finding subjects and expressing your vision, this is for you. Limited to no more than five, you’ll find the pace just right, have plenty of hands-on instruction in the field, learn creative ways to post-process your images and relax. We’ll even have Lensbabies to play with during our time together.
Join Jamie Konarski Davidson for a time of wonder, growth and exploration in an amazingly energizing place. The star location for this workshop is Pharsalia, an antebellum plantation in Tyro, Virginia, where we have unfettered access. Spring blooms are abundant and blanket this magical place. Beyond Pharsalia, we visit a wonderful waterfall, ivy-covered church, historic grist mill and meander along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Most meals provided. Prepare for creative stretching exercises and challenges.
If you’re not a winter person, it’s probably been a few months since you’ve taken a single photo. But, you’re in luck. Spring is just around the corner, and it won’t be long before blooms of daffodils, tulips and cherry blossoms begin dotting the landscape. But, instead of settling for the same old photos this year, why not try something a little different?
I recently began experimenting with a program called Topaz Impression. I briefly touched on this program in my article, “The Final Frames,” in the last installment of eNEWS last year. Topaz (topazlabs.com) makes over a dozen programs that can really add a unique flair to your images, but when it comes to nature photography, Impression is probably the most useful. Taking its name from the impressionistic-style of painting that emerged in France in the mid-19th century, this program can transform an ordinary-looking photo into a stunning work of art.
Most nature photographers go out of their way to avoid the harsh, unforgiving contrast of direct sunlight. The resulting blown highlights and blocked up shadows have ruined many potentially great photos. This type of lighting may work for certain landscape images, but for floral portraits, the soft, even light of an overcast day is generally preferred.
As one of the year’s last flowers to bloom, chrysanthemums offer a last chance to hone your floral photography skills before winter and the following spring. That is, of course, if you live anywhere in or near the Northeast.
Mums are fun flowers to photograph. They come in many different colors and styles, allowing for a variety of creative options. Some of the most common are garden chrysanthemums, which usually grow in neat, tight clusters of similar colors. A popular technique is to move in close and fill the frame with them. You’ll want edge-to-edge sharpness, so use a small aperture opening for maximum depth of field.
