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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Nature Photography...And More!

On one of our many long road trips to a photo shoot, we started talking about a whole list of “wouldn’t it be cool if’s…”. “Wouldn’t it be cool if Canon came out with a 100-400 lens without a variable aperture, wouldn’t it be cool if we could integrate a hydration pack into our photo belt harness, wouldn’t it be cool if there was a Chick-Fil-A at the next exit, I’m starving…”, you know really earthshaking stuff.

Only slightly sleep deprived, we then come up with the thought “Wouldn’t it be cool if there was a boot camp style course for nature photographers. You know…the kind of thing where you could go and learn everything you ever wanted to know about nature photography.” So after a few more miles, and a lot more brainstorming, the “Total Exposure” concept was born.

In “Total Exposure” our goal is to provide the aspiring or seasoned nature photographer with exposure to as wide a range of nature photography subjects and techniques as possible (get it…exposure to a wide range of subjects…Total Exposure…exposure settings on a camera….okay, it was late and we were trying really hard to be clever :^) ).

This is an ongoing series of workshops that will be held at locations all over the country. We have selected locations that give us the flexibility to photograph a huge variety of subjects in a reasonable distance from our “base camp”, so we can devote plenty of time not just to the photography, but also to covering all the other stuff you need to know as a nature photographer. We break each segment down into core areas; technical, field craft, light and composition, and special techniques. With this breakdown, we help you build a foundation where the technical becomes intuitive and you can focus on composing great images.

For "Total Exposure - Rocky Mountains" we will provide you with opportunities to photograph a wide variety of subjects, and educate you on the tips and techniques to capture great images of each of them. From elk, mule deer, coyotes, and bighorn sheep, to waterfalls, mountain vistas, soaring 14000 ft peaks, and alpine tundra meadows covered in wildflowers, we will have a tremendous variety of subjects to cover every style of nature photography

Landscapes - We will explore what goes into the creation of beautiful landscape images, from sweeping vistas to capturing intimate forest scenes. To quote Les, “It’s all about the light…”, and in this segment we will hone your eye for light and ways to use its direction and temperature to set a mood for your image. You will receive an in-depth study of landscape composition concepts and techniques, helping you create and capture your creative vision of the amazing landscape scenes we will visit. Top this all off with a review of the technical side of things, making sure you understand concepts like exposure and white balance, so the technical aspects of making great landscape photos become intuitive instead of a struggle with settings and camera buttons. We will review everything from equipment and exposure settings, to how to find those stunning places and “work” a scene, along with special techniques like HDR photography and creating panoramic images.

Wildlife - Every nature photographer has those moments when everything comes together for the shot. When the wolf raises its head to howl in early morning light, or the elk bulls clash antlers during the rut, or the butterfly landing for a moment on a flower, perfectly lit. It’s these moments that keep us going, to hike over the next hill, to spend a minute longer in the blind, to get up in the morning way before most “normal” people, grab the camera, and hit the trail. In the wildlife segment we will give you the tools you need to capture these “moments”. We’ll explore the core areas of wildlife photography, starting with the technical to ensure you have a good knowledge of the settings and equipment it takes to make great images. Along with this will be an in-depth study of field craft, the tips and techniques we use to find animals and get in position to capture amazing images. We’ll also cover photo tips for different types of animals – from bald eagles, to bighorns, to bears – how to stay safe around these animals, how to read their body language, and how to anticipate their behavior so you can be ready for that “moment” when it happens. In the composition portion of this segment, we’ll look at how to make dynamic and intimate wildlife images, using leading lines, angles, elevation, and more, to create wildlife images that have dramatic moods, action, and intensity.

Macro – At its simplest form macro photography is just another way of saying “close-up” photography. However, it can be a highly technical form of photography with concepts that can be a little intimidating, but which can open up a hidden world of beauty we rarely see. In the macro segment we explore the techniques that go into making macro photos, such as amazing close ups of insects, abstract photos of flowers, or patterns and geometry in the tiniest of nature subjects. We’ll discuss the technical side of this art, with emphasis on subjects like depth of field, exposure choices, working distances, flash techniques and settings, and equipment choices from lenses to supports. In the field craft portion we’ll cover finding subjects, understanding the behavior and comfort zone of different insects and small animals, and ethical techniques for photographing these fragile creatures and plants. Because macro photography can encompass everything from butterfly photography to abstract images of wood grains, we’ll explore a wide range of composition techniques; discuss using angles of light and contrast to set moods, how to compose beautiful backgrounds to make your subject stand out, and ways to frame patterns and geometry in nature to make compelling photos.

Beyond Just the Photography Side of Things… - In addition to teaching you photography techniques in the field, this workshop will cover a variety of other techniques that every nature photographer needs to know, during both field and class discussion sessions. Each day will include tips and techniques on a wide range of subjects including, concealment techniques such as blinds, ethical ways to attract and approach wildlife, post processing, digital workflow, printing and finishing your work, managing your image collection, and more. Questions about something else not covered here, no problem. We will have open discussions each day where you pick the topics and pick our brains, ensuring we tailor this experience to exactly what you need to grow as a photographer.

Our goal for this workshop is to have you leave with full minds, full memory cards, and a full appreciation of the many techniques used in nature photography. 


Price - ALL INCLUSIVE! You get there, we take care of the rest!  $2295 which includes 5 nights lodging, transportation during the workshop, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks). Transportation is not included from the airport to RMNP.

Photography Skill Level - Any, Beginner to Pro

Activity Level - Moderate, some strenuous hiking is optional. We will be at high altitudes at times, plus taking short hikes through some rocky and steep locations