Landscape & Night
Photography Classes, Workshops
and Photo Tours
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Photo
by workshop student Autumn Bonnema from atop Sentinel Dome May 12,
2012. Lumination of the old Jeffrey Pine was with a
flashlight.
The Yosemite
Photography Workshops
and Photo Tours
with
"I learned more
in the first two days with you than in the last 3 entire workshops I
have taken." - Sonia, workshop student
January, 2012
"I can and do
travel anywhere in the world and yet I chose to come back to Yosemite
for a second Phil Hawkins workshop - something must be right."-Derek, from Glasgow, Scotland; workshop student February,
2012 and November, 2011.
"I am
blown away; totally blown away!" -Kelvin, workshop student
Nov. 2010.
Award-winning landscape
photographer from Fresno, CA.
Photoshop, Lightroom instructor
I've been backpacking and photographing the High Sierra for 29 years.
My work has appeared in National Geographic, Outdoor Photographer,
Sports Illustrated, Digital Photo Pro,
and many other publications.
Feel free to call
559-307-7773 for more information.
The 2013/2014 schedule
see below! By popular demand, I am
adding more workshop dates
Hands-on, one-on-one
photography instruction conducted in awesome
Yosemite National Park, California
For
more on Yosemite, see yosemitefun.com
* Intensive 5-day and weekend workshops in different seasons
* Go places only a 32-year, award-winning, local Yosemite photographer
will know
* Learn how to get those "Wow!" shots.
* Night instruction; shooting during a full moon (conditions
permitting), capture star tracks, get the elusive "Moonbow" from
Yosemite Falls
* All week-long workshops include Photoshop instruction.
You'll learn Concepts of exposure; the histogram and how to
read the graph.
ISO speeds, aperture and shutter speed, how to ignore the numbers and
get GREAT shots.
Composition; learn the rules and then how and when to break them.
Use of polarizing
filters.
Use of neutral-density and split-density (grad) filters.
"Dragging the shutter"; extended exposures (motion blur), even in full
sunlight.
How to make sure you got "the" shot in any given situation.
Learn the value of patience; how to read the weather
Reflections in small pools or on the majestic Merced River (seasonal
conditions permitting)
Yosemite's waterfalls; the different ways to capture flowing water;
Moonbows and "Sun" bows
Night photography; shooting the Milky Way, stars, and moonlight
Shooting for black and white conversion
Wide angle and telephoto lens use.
Plus, ALL workshops
feature instruction on how to capture and process
stitched panorama photos!
Custom workshops
can be arranged outside the published schedule. If
you have a group or special timeframe that does not coincide with the
scheduled workshops dates, let me know and
we'll schedule a special date or group sessions.
What
we do, how we are different
The
Yosemite Photo Workshops are different; please read below so you will
not be disappointed when attending.
Basically,
the goal of my workshops is to teach you to reduce the amount of time
thinking about your camera and increase the amount if time thinking
about your subject matter and still get mind-boggling shots. I
will teach you how not to agonize over settings and still get the
highest quality image your camera can capture.
Beginners
are welcome!
We shoot at night!
First, we are
for any level experience photographer. If you
don't know the difference between an aperture and a hole in the ground,
fear not. There is no such thing as a dumb
question. We welcome brand new photographers.
Sometimes we have photographers who are well familiar with their
equipment and only need to be shown where to shoot. Or, they
know the equipment, but have never shot night photography, so they need
instruction. But no matter your level of experience, you will
come away with new knowledge about how to get the most out of your
equipment and your effort.
Newbies are welcome and encouraged to attend!
We
have a strict limit of 14 spaces per workshop.
Read This: For
the most part, we do not get up at the crack of dawn.
Yosemite National Park is a west facing park, and the light is best
during late afternoon and sunset. During the summer, we will
be shooting sunsets until 8:30 and 9pm, sometimes at Glacier Point,
which is an hour's drive from Yosemite Valley. We often do
not get into bed until 11pm or midnight. Night shooting
adventures can keep us out until the wee hours if people want, so
getting up at 5am is almost never an option. (Many workshops
will grind out an 18-hour schedule every day, leaving you burned
out. We want to have fun and not be pushed to the limit of
physical and emotional endurance). The opportunities for good
sunrise shots are far less than what we can find at sunset.
Most mornings we start about 10am, and after a hard day hiking, or on
the 3rd or 4th day of a week long, we might not start until
12noon. Basically, we start late and stay out late.
HOWEVER, having said that, the exception might be during winter; if by
chance, a strong winter storm clears out over night leaving a pristine
blanket of snow on the valley, we will be up before dawn.
Nothing is quite so beautiful as Yosemite Valley early in the morning
after a good snowfall. We will know the night before if this
is going to be the case...
NO
Itineraries
The whole reason one comes to Yosemite is to
find the best opportunity to get the best shot. And that is
dictated by the weather. We wait until we know what the
weather is going to do and then decide on the next day's loose itinerary at
that time.
Yosemite
National Park is it's own climate. Clouds, rain, snow, fog, mist
etc comes and goes in fleeting moments. Understanding these
patterns comes from long experience and research enabling me to know
exactly where to be when, and whether we need to race to the next
location or simply wait for conditions to evolve. You will be able to
take advantage of my 32 years shooting Yosemite to know where to be
when, and what to expect as conditions evolve. My past students
can tell you things can change on a dime. We issue two-way radios
to drivers in the car pool which enables me to instantly communicate
with students when I see changes in light, clouds, etc. We also
use these radios for folks who wish to roam and explore alone,
enabling them to maintain communication with the group and myself.
Many times we have been on the way to some area to shoot based on
current observations, then en route, seeing a change, I have issued
instructions that we are going somewhere else based on what's going on
NOW! We are flexible, always observant, and react quickly to
avail ourselves of the best opportunities for the best shots possible.
We
also hike. Although people differ in their abilities, hikes are
generally about a mile or less. Some can be steep and require a
modicum of fitness, although I can tell you several times that for
folks who felt they could not make the hike, we split up their gear,
carrying it for them, and several times we have actually
assisted students walking up some of the steeper grades, literally
bearing 50% of his or her weight as we go up. No one is excluded
from hikes and if we can do it, we will get you there. I don't
want ANYONE missing out on a potentially spectacular shooting scenario.
People in my workshops are extremely nice and helpful, and
generally will do whatever is necessary to help a fellow student with
access to the various, more dificult-to-reach shooting locations.
I can absolutely guarantee you that my workshop students are the
nicest, friendliest and outgoing people on the planet. Lifelong
friendships have been created many times as a result of attending my
workshops. I have frequent repeat students.
If you want structure, schedules and rigidity, do
not sign up for these workshops. I will teach you how to get
the most out of your camera and your efforts, and the way to do that is
maximize what mother nature gives you. Flexibility.
This is what we do.
We
help each other. Experience levels differ, and when someone
needs help, we help each other. I'm a Canon guy, but someone
else may know Nikon much better than myself and will help you
out. I can honestly say that by the end of every workshop,
especially on the week long workshops, students have all become friends, and stay in touch after
returning home. We've had students from foreign countries
(England, Scotland, China, Ireland, Canada, Australia and Japan), and from all
over the US.
The
workshop begins at 6pm the evening before the first full day of
shooting and ends after sunset on the last day. Travel should
be
arranged to arrive on the day before the first full day of shooting and
depart the day after the final day. Food is handled by each
student. You are on your own for breakfast. Lunch
is either
a sandwich on the trail or at the food court, and dinner is usually at
the food court or the fancier Mountain Room restaurant. In
spring we can also eat at Curry Village.
Upcoming Workshops 2013 (Status
as of 5/14/13)
if
you want to see what past students have captured, scroll down to "Past
Workshops" and choose one corresponding to the workshop your are
considering.
5/10
to 5/12
2013
The
Yosemite Spring Waterfall Weekend 3 full days $395 ((only
3 spaces left)
Waterfalls
are starting to flow more, and some of the lower trails to Vernal Fall
and Columbia Point will be melted out, so we can go more
places! But
it still gives us a good chance for changing weather, storms and
snow can still hit
Yosemite. An excellent time to stretch your legs and
knowledge in Yosemite!
And, crowds are still
very scant, parking will be very easy and no lines to anything!
5/13
to 5/17
2013
The Yosemite Spring
Waterfall Week Long 5 full days $795 (space
still available, but don't wait till the last minute, this workshop has
been a sellout the last two years!)
4 full
days of shooting and 1
day of Photoshop instruction. There's moving water
everywhere... Waterfalls are at full blast, there's the
possibility that Glacier Point Road and Tioga Road (Highway 120) will
be open, although in recent year's we haven't been so lucky.
But most valley trails are open and there's plenty of moving water to
shoot! The park is getting green, days are longer and crowds
are still low... and bears are waking up are frequently seen
grazing in the meadows at sunset. Bear sightings are probable!
6/3 to 6/7 2013
The
Yosemite Early Summer Week Long 5 full days $795 (Space still available) The
waterfalls are still going strong, there's a good chance the rest of
the park will be open, meaning access to Glacier Point Rd, the park is
green and trails are opening!
Plus, the crowds have still not peaked, mosquitos are not out
yet and you never know about the weather! We do a lot of work
on motion blur, filter use and night shooting. Weather can be
anything; one year we had a freaking snow storm! This
workshop is the perfect cure for cabin fever!
9/30 to 10/4
2013
The
Colorado Fall Colors Photo Workshop 5 full days($2,895.00) (space still available.
Maximum capacity is 10 students! Price includes all food
and
lodging) The Fall Colors
workshop is the premier fall colors workshop in Colorado. We shoot on
80,000 acres of PRIVATE LAND in the southern Colorado Rockies that,
except for last year's workshop, has never been photographed.
We have exclusive use of this land for the workshop!
We will be the only people using the facility.
We'll shoot endless fall colors, and sunsets like you've
never seen before from the 11,000 foot elevation. Plus, the
elk are in the rut (mating season) and crowd the meadow in the evening
where we will be waiting! Wildlife, fall colors and
spectacular sunsets! You won't believe it.
For more information,
please see http://yosemitephotoworkshops.com/colorado.htm
A
50% deposit is required to reserve your space.
11/1 to 11/2
2013
The Yosemite Fall Colors
Weekend Workshop 2 days($435) (space still available, but do
not wait till the last minute, the last two years this workshop has
been a sellout) The
park is still 100% open, the crowds are gone and the weather is
unpredictable. The fall colors come late to Yosemite and the
first part of November is when we usually see the peak This
is
also a time of year when the weather can change quickly, all very good
for photography!
11/4
to 11/8
2013
The
Yosemite Fall Colors Week Long 5 full days($795)
(Space
still available; limit of 14 students)
The park is still 100% open, the crowds are gone
and the weather is unpredictable. The fall colors come late
to Yosemite, and the first of November is whe we usually see the peak.
This is also a time of year during which the weather can be
very unpredictable. Perfect for photography! Plus,
one full day of Photoshop instruction included.
2014
1/10 to 1/11 2014
The Yosemite Winter
Weekend 2 full days ($435) (Space Still Available;
limit of 14 students) Winter in Yosemite is an
incredible experience. You have the park to yourself; the
crowds are gone and winter weather creates some of
the best opportunity for photography unique anywhere. Storms,
possibly new fallen snow, mist, etc. make for shots you won't believe.
We'll shoot various locations throughout Yosemite valley with
reflections, waterfalls, and we'll practice motion blur.
Don't miss it!
1/13 to 1/17 2014
The
Yosemite Winter Week Long 5 full days ($795) (Space still available; limit of
14 students)
A week of incredible winter weather! We might have to battle
winter storms, snow, rain, cold weather, etc. But we''ll be
rewarded with AMAZING shooting conditions! Plus, no crowds!
No waiting in restaurants, parking and on trails. I LOVE
winter in Yosemite and you will too!
2/10
to 2/14
2014
The Yosemite Horsetail
Fall Week Long 5 full days($795)
(Space
still available; limit 14 students)
Although we will shoot a wide variety of Yosemite vistas and subject
matter, the famous Horsetail Fall shot will be the focus of this
workshop. We will shoot the fall from two or more vantage
points, weather permitting. So, join us as we shoot one of
the most challenging Yosemite photography opportunities.
Again, we'll have the park to ourselves, although the various Horsetail
Fall shooting locations are crowded but full of fun people!
It's an extreme challenge; all the conditions have to fall into place
at just the right time. If the Gods smile on us it'll be
spectacular!
Take a look at this video for more on Horsetail Fall:
Lodging Lodging is up
to each individual participant. However, we have reserved
accommodations for workshop participants at Yosemite's Four
Seasons Vacation Rentals where, for the price of a
tent cabin at Curry Village, you can get a condo w/ kitchenette, sat.
TV, and full bath. Rates are about $135 a night, lower in winter
(non-holiday). See http://yosemitelodging.com
and tell them you are part of the Yosemite
Photo Workshop w/ Phil Hawkins. I encourage participants to
stay here so as to make it easier for us to all convene and conclude
the days activities with a minimum of travel.
Transportation You are responsible for
getting to Yosemite National Park. American Airlines has
great connections to Fresno through Dallas, Texas. For those flying in
from distant locations, it is recommended you rent a car. I
have found that once in a while participants have to leave early for
family emergencies, sickness, etc and so as not to disturb the agenda
for remaining participants, your ability to travel independently is
important and required.
As for
local transportation, we will carpool to the various shooting
locations. Otherwise, we will use the local Yosemite valley
public transportation system.
Schedule
The workshop begins at
6pm the evening before the first full day of shooting and ends after
sunset on the last day. Travel should be arranged to arrive
on the day
before the first full day of shooting and depart the day after the
final day.
Food
Food
is handled by each student. You are on your own for
breakfast. Lunch is either a sandwich on the trail or at the
food
court, and dinner is usually at the food court or the fanicier Mountain
Room restaurant. In spring we can also eat at Curry Village.
Photoshop
Instruction All week-long
workshops will include at least one day of Photoshop CS4/CS5
instruction and image critique.
Items to Bring
Although it does not matter what equipment you have, you will get the
most out of it if your camera has manual exposure settings and shoots
RAW and the ability to connect a cable shutter release.
Obviously, bring your wide-angle lenses. Best
tripod you can muster w/ extra clamp plates (that go on the
bottom of the camera).
You'll be very disappointed if you lose your one and only tripod clamp
plate... (This happened one time)
***Cable
release***
(I emphasize this due to so many students not bringing them.
You will not get the maximum out of the class unless you
bring a
cable release. We will use them for all shooting situations.)
Split-density (Also called
"Grad") filters; one 2-stop and one
4-stop with soft gradations. These should be the Cokin or Lee
flat-glass filters.
You will not need the holders, so don't buy them. I will show
you how to use filters w/o the holders. Neutral density filters;
one 4-stop one 8-stop if possible; these should be the screw-in type. Polarizing filter;
buy the size for your largest diameter lens (82mm?) and then a
step-down adapter for use on smaller lenses (77mm, 67mm etc).
Don't forget your lens shades
Extra memory cards and spare camera batteries
Bring your camera's owner's manual; this will help solve problems with
settings.
Bring
several lens cloths and cleaning liquid; I will have liquid, but bring
your own cloths, if possible please.
Be sure you have a wearable backpack photo case for daily hiking trips.
Though
it's not crucial, you will find that you will want to look at your
images at the end of every day to enforce what you learned...
So
bring a laptop
computer. Don't forget your CF card
reader!! People forget these all the time!
Rain
and cold weather gear, both for your equipment and for you.
Winter shooting could involve standing out in the rain or snow.
Water-proof hiking boots would be very useful, especially in winter.
Testimonials
"This
was way, way beyond my expectations!" -Brad Warner
-and-
"Thanks
again for the workshop! I've never had so many awesome
landscapes from a single photo trip." -Chris Stark
-and-
What
an amazing weekend! I had a fantastic time. The photography
opportunities were unbelievable, however the opportunity to meet so
many other awesome individuals was unsurpassed . It was a pleasure to
meet all who participated. The artistry that I saw was fantastic. Great
people and great fun! Phil thanks for the education on taking the best
picture possible. Your uncanny way to know weather, well I should have
more faith. I now look at the clouds in a whole new light. The
knowledge of filters used to enhance photos was so much fun. I am
hooked now. Thank You again for an amazing time!
I
would recommend this class (opportunity) to any and all who want a
lifetime experience!
Thanks
again Phil!" - Roberta
Hair
-and-
"Thank you so very much for a
most educational and fun photo workshop. Mena and I enjoyed
every moment of the workshop, but more so, your company and photography
skills. Your knowledge of the area enabled us to be at the right place
at the right time to capture some stunning shots. Our only
regret was that our time in Yosemite was all too short.
By the way, on the last day
out of Yosemite there was a bear sighting and we were able to get some
photos before it was chased away. That was a fitting end to
our Yosemite adventure. Thanks again for the hints and tips,
as well as teaching me to actually “see” the scene through the
viewfinder and to shoot in the manual mode… you’ll be happy to learn
that I’m still doing so. We hope to be able to join you in another of
your workshops in the not too distant future (read Patagonia ;-))
All best wishes and warm
regards" - Earl and Mena
-and-
"Thank
you for the great time I had photographing Yosemite National Park. You
provided perfect timing for photographing the many sites we were able
to reach during the workshop. It would not be easy to find these sites
with good lighting without your experience. I also enjoyed meeting
everyone in the workshop and sharing with like minded photographers.
Perhaps we'll meet again during the winter season and photograph the
snows of Yosemite." -Earl Merritt
-and-
"Phil,
Fabulous workshop. Sharon and I had a great time, learned a lot, got
some great shots! Definitely would recommend to anyone ..." -
Ken Haley
-and-
"...Not
knowing quite what to expect, it surpassed any expectations that I had.
I learned loads in those 5 days, not only about my camera, but how to
shoot and some great Photoshop tricks, and I've been into photography
for years. We had great fun too, we had a lot of laughs. I
just hope I get the chance to do another one of your workshops. I
highly recommend this to anyone that wants to learn how to be a better
photographer, have fun and see Yosemite."- Lem Lattimer
-and-
"Again,
I can't tell you how much fun I had. Look forward to doing it
again sometime, perhaps in the UK? Italy?
...great
memories from a wonderful week that I'll never forget."- Leana Di Benedetto
-and-
Phil-
Thanks for an amazing experience.Our small group of four was great fun!Not only was I able to
develop my photographic skills under your expert and easy to understand
tutelage, but I was able to explore the wonders of Yosemite at just the
right time and at just the right place to capture photos I had only
dreamed of taking in the past.
Thanks for a great time!!!" - Scott Jenkins
-and-
"I just
wanted to pass along a heartfelt thank you for the wonderful time I had
in the Yosemite Falls weekend workshop. I not only had a
great time seeing the park, getting to know you and making new friends,
but I genuinely feel that I’ve returned a better photographer then when
I arrived for the workshop. My overall skills have improved
and very importantly I’ve learned more about “seeing” the subject and
the patience it takes to truly become open to a landscape
scene.
Thanks again and I hope to see you soon." - Tom Collins
-and-
"It was nice meeting you
! I've enjoyed very much ! I will receive my
developed films on SAT. night in Osaka ! I will let you know
more in details later soon. I would like to say JUST "Thank
you very much" for your kindness. With my best regards," -
Shiro Tanaka
-and-
"I
want to thank you for the great time that I had on the Yosemite
workshop. I'm not so sure that I was ready for that type of
shooting but I learned so much. Every time I describe my
experience to someone I can hear the excitement in my voice grow as I
tell them about the workshop. And I have sent numerous people
to your website and hear nothing but praise about your
photography. It was truly an honor to be able to
spend that time with you and hope that I can enjoy that experience
again in the future."
-Raul Lopez
-and
"Just wanted to say thank you, it was the best experience I
have had, I learnt a lot. It was wonderful to be at the right location
at the right time which made a huge difference.
Looking forward to more workshops with you in future and I would
definitely recommend this to any photographer who wants to shoot in
Yosemite." - Sunkara
Terms and Conditions
In the unlikely event that
the workshop does not fill enough spaces to warrant continuing (which,
in 7 years, has never happened), the
class will be canceled and a full refund given. You will be notified at
least two weeks in advance if a workshop is not going to take
place. The Yosemite Photography Workshop is not
responsible for non-refundable airline reservations in the event of
workshop cancellation. I strongly recommend retaining trip
insurance.
Participant-initiated
cancellations of weeklong workshops received prior to one month (30
days) before the workshop will receive a refund minus $300 ($100 for
weekend workshops) unless the spot can be refilled, in which case 100%
refund will be given. Due to the unusual complexity and
extensive planning required for these workshops, no
refunds will be offered for participant-initiated cancellations after
30 days prior to workshop date unless the spot can be re-filled.
Bears
Bears are a natural part of the national park environment.
It's not likely, but it is entirely possible we will see
bears. There are NO Grizzly bears in the Sierra Nevada
range. Our species is 100% Black Bears, also known as 300
pound furry chickens. For more information on putting this very
misplaced fear into proper perspective, see this link: http://www.yosemitefun.com/bears.htm
This information is written specifically for Yosemite National
Park. If you follow the protocol for food handling we will
have no problem with bears.
Weather
Yosemite
Photo Workshops accepts no responsibility for extreme weather
conditions that prohibits us from moving about as we wish, or accessing
certain areas of the park. Each student accepts
responsibilitiy
for providing your own tire chains in winter. Carrying them
at
all times is required by park policy, and at various times you may be
asked to show them in your car at checkpoints established by the park
rangers.
It
is not uncommon for Yosemite National Park and surrounding areas to
experience extended periods of electrical failure during bad weather,
particularly in winter. Yosemite Photo Workshops accepts no
responsibility for inconvenience resulting in park closure or extended
periods of road closures. If the workshop is unable to
function
due to either weather or park closure (which, in 7 years of operation,
has never happened), a spot in a future workshop will
be offered to affected students. No refunds will be given.
Yosemite Photo Workshops
operate under a Conditional Use Authorization (CUA) permit #8800-11-290
issued by the
Office of Special Park Uses,
Yosemite National Park,
El Portal, CA.
Workshop liability insurance provided by Great American Insurance Group
