Olympic Coast & Rainforests

Adventure and variety are in store for this crew! The Olympic coastline has the most awe-inspiring Sea Stacks I’ve ever seen. Rising out of the surf like giant monoliths, there is no questioning why this is one of the most photogenic environments on Earth.

When you’re done playing around the Sea Stacks, we’ll travel to the interior to visit one of several rainforests, including the Hoh Rainforest and its famous Hall of Moses where giant trees and abundant wildlife await. We will also visit Quinalt Rainforest which is one of my favorites. The trail system through there is full of old growth trees dripping with moss right beside a beautiful stream and a picturesque waterfall. The last time I was in there a pigmy owl landed right in front of me. This is also the home of the gorgeous Quinalt Lake which is usually covered in fog early in the am and if you’re lucky you may just catch a glimpse of the occasional Elk that wonder down for a morning visit.

During our trip to the beautiful waterfront we will visit Second beach, along with Ruby and Rialto Beaches where the beaches are just full of sea polished stones of all varieties. The sound they make as the water retreats over them is just heavenly. They also make for beautiful leading lines in the surf during Sunset. Along our route, we will also visit Lake Crescent and several classic waterfalls that are not to be missed! If you looking for a well-rounded trip to see it all, this one is definitely for you!

Overview

In this Workshop, we will be exploring the many hidden nooks of the Olympic Peninsula. On my first visit, I was taken back by the enormity and lushness of it all. The moss clung to anything possible hanging and blowing in the wind. The woodland scenes with ferns and moss covered the forest floor. To say the least, I fell in love with this place. Nature here spoke to me and I think it will to you too. This crew will learn how to “see” in the landscape and find organization out of the chaotic woodland scenes. We will visit some of the most beautiful waterfalls you’ve ever seen, where we will be exploring the many hidden possibilities using filters to vary water speed and blend the images for a beautiful final result that is powerful and intriguing for the viewer.

This special region has it all packed into a relatively small area. This is the perfect place to try out your neutral density filters and photograph long exposures on the untouched shores of Olympic National Park. We’ll also head to the Alpine region of the park on a day’s excursion to get the amazing views of the lower Cascade Mountain Range around Hurricane Ridge. These mountains are insanely gorgeous and jagged and look just lovely painted by a long exposure sky over their snow-capped peaks. Spring at Olympic is very unusual, being a Rainforest it does rain quite a bit. Therefore, the moss is truly next level and creates gorgeous compositions in the most unique locations. You could literally spend all day wondering through the foggy forest looking for them. On the coastline, it’s kind of a different story. There always seem to be storms looming out to Sea adding a sense of drama to the frame. And, of course Rainbows! Big, bold and beautiful… I believe I caught at almost every location we visited last year. If you are looking for something different and an experience that you will never forget, do consider this trip. It is certainly one that needs to be on the Bucket List!

Join me on this once in a lifetime adventure and capture the incredible beauty of Olympic National Park!

Topics we will cover

• How to research potential shoot locations

• How to read the weather

• Learn how to create powerful compositions and bring your artistic vision to life

• Visualizing your composition, capturing and guiding the viewer

• The use of Neutral Density and ND Graduated filters to enhance and control light.

• How to identify and control: Balance and visual flow

• The use of filters to enhance and control light. How to “see” light

• Histograms, how to read them and why they play an important role

• Focus Stacking for extreme front and back focus

• How to use lens compression and when to use it.

• How to blend focal lengths and exposures to maximize Dynamic Range

• How to create beautiful Long Exposures to unveil a hidden visual world of intrigue and wonder

• Photographing the night sky: Stars, Milky Way, Star Trails and Time Lapse Photography

• Light Painting in the Twilight and night Landscape

• Image Critique and Visual Experience

• Post Processing and Digital Workflow in Lightroom and Photoshop, including third party softwares

What’s Included

• Photography guidance with Landscape Photographer Tommy White

• Lightroom and Photoshop training

• 3rd party programs like TK Actions, Luminar, and Nik

• 5 Full days of Photography and field Instruction on the coast of the Olympic National Park

• One on One field guidance in framing, settings, visual flow, and “seeing” in the landscape.

• GPS field guidance to track our shoot locations

• Drinks and Snacks are provided during Workshop

• Identifying important subjects both near and far

• Capturing textures, shapes, and patterns

• Visual interpretation of the landscape. How to “see” and use the light

• Guidance and safety throughout the entire trip

• Limited field equipment and accessories

What’s not included

• Participants should plan to provide their own transportation. Carpooling will be available at your own discretion

• Meals during the trip. I will always have drinks and snacks on hand but plan to travel with your own favorites as well.

• Lodging - We will provide information for you on Lodging upon registration. As photography is all about the weather, we will plan to move about for the best conditions. We will have a secured place to stay on the night of our arrival and the night before our departure

• Park and admission fees. We are fully permitted in State and National Parks, but occasionally there are other fees per individual.

• Alcoholic beverages

• Travel Insurance (Highly Recommended)

• Personal Items

Cancellation Policy:  If you need to cancel your booking, the Deposit is non refundable on all Seasonal and Group Photography Workshops.  If the cancellation is less than 90 days, you will receive a full refund minus the deposit and 15% admin fee, when your spot is filled. If the cancellation is more than 90 days, you will receive a full refund when your spot is filled, or, you may move to another available workshop (minus a 15% admin fee) in the current calendar year. The remaining balance on the new Workshop is due upon transfer.

If you are booked for a Private Workshop and you need to cancel, you may reschedule your workshop one time within the current calendar year during an available time.