AMAZING COASTLINES & TOWERING REDWOODS
A spring photography workshop of the beautiful Oregon Coast and California Redwoods
2025 Dates TBD
The Oregon Coast is a wild and untamed gem in the Pacific Northwest, one that can surely challenge a photographer’s creativity as fog and mist are more common than epic sunsets. From grand landscapes to intimate small scenes, this workshop will have it all. I am offering a small group workshop to explore this landscape with a flexible itinerary to chase the best conditions up and down the coast. The many sea stacks and raging surf in this location offers limitless compositional possibilities. We will have the ability to cover a lot of ground and photograph the best subject matter we can find, whether it be foggy redwood forests, the milky way above the Pacific Ocean, or a blazing sunset over towering sea stacks on the beach.
On this 6 day, 5 nights Photography Workshop you will be guided you to some of the best spots along the coast and also have the opportunity to explore some lesser known locations. Our loose plan will be to find a great sunrise location and then stay on the move along scenic Highway 101 for other interesting subject matter to photograph during the day - the goal is to find the best photography spots on the Oregon Coast! Weather will dictate where we move each day, but our three main hotel stops will be in the towns of Yachats, Bandon, and Brookings, all scenic locations in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. The group size will ensure plenty of individual attention and instruction for those that attend and helping clients create beautiful images will always be priority number one. Additionally, because of the weather, there can be difficult shooting conditions, but there will always be something to photograph. The goal of the workshop is to give you the ability to explore, learn, and fine tune your photography skills both in the field as well in post processing development to bring your images to life. Helping clients create a portfolio of images they are excited and proud of is priority number one on all of our workshops (along with having a good time).
INSTRUCTORS: CHRIS BYRNE
GROUP SIZE: 8 PARTICIPANTS
INCLUDED: Expert instruction and in field guiding, classroom post processing sessions. Single occupancy lodging (5 nights) is optional and charged at cost.
NOT INCLUDED: Airfare, meals, transportation, camera gear
COST: $2950 (No Lodging) / $3750 (Single Room Lodging Included)
DEPOSIT: A 50% deposit is required to secure a spot, with the balance due 90 days prior to workshop.
ITINERARY
We will meet the afternoon of Friday May 31 in the town of Yachats, Oregon. From there, we will follow Highway 101 all the way down to northern California and hit Cape Perpetua, the Samuel H. Boardman corridor, Bandon, Del Norte Redwood Forest, and plenty of places in between. Expect some back tracking and repeating of some favorite spots. Each afternoon we will check into our new hotel, grab some food, and rest up a bit before heading out for sunset. If there are clear skies, then photographing the milky way will be a possibility as well (depending on the moon cycle). In the afternoons and evenings we will also mix in post processing instruction in both Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop for those that are interested. The workshop will end after our sunrise session on Wednesday June 5 near Brookings, Oregon.
USEFUL INFO / PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY
The sun rises at approximately 5:40am and sets at 8:40pm during this time of the year. Add in driving time to and from locations and this will make for very early mornings and late nights. Temperatures typically range from the 50’s to 70’s but can be colder, windy and rainy. Prepare for variable weather.
Physical difficulty of the locations will be easy to moderate. It is important for participants to be in good physical health. While many locations will be a short distance from a parking lot, there won’t be any long hikes but there may be some short steep sections to get down to beach areas.
AIRPORT / ACCOMODATIONS / FOOD
Participants should fly into either Portland International Airport (PDX) or Eugene (EUG). We will meet on Friday May 31 in Yachats, Oregon which is approximately a two and a half hour drive from Portland, and one hour forty-five minute drive from Eugene. We will be carpooling as much as possible and this will be coordinated prior to the workshop so that not everyone may not need to rent a car. A standard mid-size rental car will be sufficient. Lodging is optional on this workshop and will be included for those that choose it for the nights of May 31 - June 4, checking out on Wednesday June 5.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
A wonderful week chasing light and photographing some of the most dramatic seascapes in the United States. Nothing quite compares to the rugged Oregon Coast with its incredible scenery and always-changing weather. Our small group will be nimble and able to cover a lot of ground. Having a flexible travel plan gives us the opportunity to move on a whim and be in the best position to create memorable images. With the saltwater smell in the air and the sea birds chirping over head, standing on an Oregon Beach in the springtime is one of the best environments to learn and grow as a nature photographer. This corner of the Pacific Northwest is hands-down one of the most scenic places to explore and improve your landscape photography.
As stated previously there will be early mornings and late evenings but the days are structured to not wear anyone out and get the most enjoyment of the surroundings and scenery. I will provide tips in the field to capture images correctly "in camera" with the goal being that part becomes second nature and students can then focus on the creative aspects of landscape and nature photography. Post processing instruction will run the gamut of importing and organizing files into Lightroom to processing images in Lightroom and Photoshop and finally prepping images for the internet or for print. I am an open book and willing to share any tips or tricks he's learned to help you turn your photos into art!
FIELD & CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION WILL INCLUDE:
Creating compelling compositions and storytelling through images
Controlling your camera in manual mode
Understanding and using the Histogram
Finding foregrounds
Filters - when & how to use them and avoiding their pitfalls
How lens selection affects the scene
Technical Tricks: Bracketing, Focus Stacking, Perspective Blending
Understanding and using light
Capturing Difficult Scenes (getting all the pieces in the field to put together in post processing)
Lightroom - importing and organizing
Lightroom development tools
Cleaning up images - cloning tools, warping and stretching, eliminating distractions
Blending images in Photoshop
Dodging and burning
Using layers and masks
Mindful sharpening (depending on the output)
Image Critiques
RECOMMENDED CAMERA GEAR, ETC
DSLR or Mirrorless Camera (full frame preferred)
Zoom Lenses ranging from wide angle (12mm) to telephoto (300mm)
Drone
Camera manual
Memory cards
A very sturdy tripod
Cable Release Trigger
Filters: Circular Polarizing Filter (must have) and Solid ND filters for long exposures
Lens cloths, rocket blower, etc.
Computer with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop
Notebook
RECOMMENDED GEAR - CLOTHING, ETC.
Quick dry, lightweight long pants and shirts
Fleece or warm jacket
Shoes that can get wet, muck boots are ideal
Waders
Hat
Sunglasses
Rain coat
Bug Spray
Sun Block
Umbrella
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
Camera Equipment
Airfare
Meals and snacks
TOTAL COST:
$2950 (No Lodging) / $3750 (Lodging Included)
50% DEPOSIT IS REQUIRED TO RESERVE A SPACE
FINAL PAYMENT IS DUE 90 DAYS IN ADVANCE
REGISTER NOW:
MEET THE INSTRUCTORS
CHRIS BYRNE
Hello there! I’m Chris and I spent way too many years aimlessly wandering the earth and working for the man before finding my true passion in nature and landscape photography. My love of nature started very early in life as I would study the photographs in my dad’s huge collection of National Geographics, and also spend as much time as I could out exploring in the woods with my younger brother. Fast forward many years and after getting a finance degree in college I went to work in the stock market for over fifteen years (and didn’t get rich). During my time, I saw first hand two of the most devastating financial crises in our country’s history, and after the second go around I completely lost interest in my profession and desperately needed something more. I found myself in a place in life without any inspiration or excitement for what I was doing.
Then on a trip to Glacier, Montana I rediscovered my love of nature. However, the photographs I was trying to get just didn’t do the place any justice. It was then that I decided to get serious about photography and quickly poured all of myself into the craft, learning as much as possible as quickly as I could. I was a super sponge and had a new passion for life! As soon as I became proficient in my skills, I wanted to share my knowledge and began teaching others. Now I lead workshops to some of the best places on the globe.
I am proud to be able to inspire others and spend as much time as I possibly can with each person in helping them connect with nature while teaching the techniques to capture the images that they want to create. Seeing people make breakthroughs in their art is something that I cherish. I truly believe that nature is good for the soul. The more you explore, the more you will be inspired. Join us on an unforgettable photography adventure!
CANCELLATION POLICY & TRAVEL INSURANCE - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
We reserve the right to cancel the workshop if minimum participants are not met or in the event of an emergency. In the event that a specific guide cannot personally attend, then a replacement guide will be the first option. If a cancellation does occur, participants may either use the fee towards a future workshop or receive a full refund. We are not responsible for travel expenses incurred and therefore strongly recommend travel insurance to cover such costs.
A $200 change fee will be charged for changes or cancellations. Participants who cancel prior to 90 days before the workshop will receive either a full refund or credit to a future workshop minus the change fee. Any cancellations within 90 days of the workshop cannot be refunded under any circumstances. Only if we are able to fill the vacancy, will the participant will receive a credit to a future workshop minus the change fee. Workshop credits are good for one calendar year from the date of the missed workshop.
Any cancellations within 30 days of the workshop (for any reason) will forfeit their entire registration fee as it is extremely difficult to fill the space on that short of notice. If a true emergency arises last minute we will do our best to work with you granting a partial credit towards a future workshop, but this is not guaranteed. Again travel insurance is strongly recommended.