About the Course
September is the first official month of autumn. As the foliage begins to change from deep greens to gold and copper, we take advantage of this beautiful time of year with a sunset walk. We'll be focusing on creating wide angle landscape compositions, paying attention to backgrounds, and challenging ourselves to work with the busy-ness that the textured natural landscape offers. *A tripod will come in handy for this photo walk, but is not required.
This photo-walk is geared for those who are learning to use a DSLR/mirrorless camera, where they can ask in-depth questions and gain valuable tips. During this workshop, we will be covering the following (and more!):
Types of Lighting
Compositions (Leading Lines, Rule of Thirds, etc.)
Shutter Speed
Depth of Field
Tripod-Use
September is wonderfully crunchy in color and texture. There is so much to capture! As we practice the basic foundations of photography, we will be exercising skills surrounding wide-angle landscape compositions, golden hour lighting, and small details. This course will be slow paced, allowing time for plenty of questions, and one-on-one critiques and tips as we go. An interest in natural woodlands/native plants is not required, but will make the experience highly enjoyable!
This photo-walk is estimated to be between 1-2 hours long, with frequent pausing and standing along forested trails. Physical abilities required will be standing, walking, and bending or crouching down. Warm clothes and comfortable, "rugged" footwear that you wouldn't mind getting wet or muddy is a must! Guests are encouraged to bring their own backpack snacks and water bottle. There will be no bathroom available on site.
Date: Sunday September 21st
Location: Herman Covey Wildlife Management Area, 295 East St Belchertown MA
Time: 5:30-7:30pm
Frequently Asked Questions:
What does "Gratuity-Based" mean?
As a self-taught photographer with nearly 20 years of gaining helpful advice and critiques from photography forums, blog writers, YouTubers and the like- it wouldn't feel right to put a price on this knowledge for others that I've gained for "free" over the years. With that said, there is no upfront cost for these workshops, and there is no obligation to tip- no questions asked. However, if you truly enjoyed the experience and want to show your appreciation, a small donation or gratuity is always welcomed, though not mandatory; it's considered a kind gesture to the instructor for their time and expertise. If you do choose to tip, the amount is entirely up to you based on your satisfaction with the workshop.
What Camera Equipment Should I Bring?
This course is geared for those with a DSLR camera. If you own multiple lenses, I encourage you to bring them along. (2 lenses: a basic kit lens and a zoom lens is most ideal!) If you don't have multiple lenses to bring, that's okay. I learned a lot with just one simple lens for a very long time. I will be thrilled to guide you on how to maximize your creative potential with minimal equipment. *A tripod may be useful for this photo-walk, but is not necessary!
Cancellations/Weather:
A minimum of 3 guests in attendance will make this event worth while! With this said, if there is insufficient interest in this workshop OR poor weather (rain, thunder, extreme heat, etc) you will be notified via text and/or email of cancellation. Courses unfortunately will not be rescheduled to later dates.
Your Instructor
Sam Smalley
Sam Smalley is a self-taught landscape and portrait photographer based in western Massachusetts. With 19 years of experience particularly in landscape and nature photography, her general interest ignited when she was very young. Nothing else in her creative career would influence her the way macro images first did, which she discovered whilst flipping through her father's National Geographic magazine collection around 9 years old. At the age of 16, she got her first camera (a Samsung point and shoot), which was all she needed to learn the basics of lighting and compositions, catapulting her forward to eventually acquiring her first, second, and third DSLR cameras. Her enthusiasm overflows especially when she's able to share in the process with others. Sam believes there's a photographic opportunity in every situation. The art of being present and patient enough to construct it into a single frame is the most necessary ingredient to each photograph we want to make.