2024 Big Sur Photography Workshop
I'm sad to pass this information along to you but the 2024 Big Sur workshop must be canceled. The only access to the Big Sur coast is along California highway 1 which hugs the steep slopes of the Santa Lucia Mountains the plunge directly into the Pacific Ocean. In such a terrain landscapes are a given factor. On January 14, 2023 a massive landslide was triggered between Limekiln State Park and the small community of Lucia by a major storm. There were two other landslides that resulted from the storm but they were quickly dealt with. But the Paul's slide posed major challenges. It wasn't until early December that CalTrans could publish a tentative completion date for the project but with the caveat that it will not be further delayed due to the weather. The tentative date is the end of spring, 2024. As a result, it is not practical to run the Big Sur workshop in January as scheduled.
Details
- When: January 16-19, 2024
- Where: Big Sur, CA
- Maximum Class size: 6
- Instructor: Ralph Nordstrom (award winning fine art photographer and educator)
- Cost: $995.00
- Deposit: $250.00 USD (non-refundable)
Does not include lodging, transportation, meals or incidental fees.
Lodging: We will work our way up the Big Sur coast, beginning in San Simeon to the south and ending at the north end in Monterey. You will receive instructions to book your room when you sign up.
Transportation: San Simeon is about a 3 1/2 hour drive from San Francisco International Airport. The return drive from Carmel is about 2 hours.
Physical Difficulty: Moderate. Several locations require hikes of up to two miles on canyon trails. Some locations can be hazardous for those with poor balance. Good balance and moderate stamina are required. If balance is a concern trekking poles are recommended.
More Information
The Big Sur Coast of Central California must be seen to be believed, must be experienced to fully appreciate. Legendary Highway 1 clings to the slopes of the Santa Lucia Mountains that dive into the Pacific Ocean below. The highway snakes its way north from San Simeon to Carmel. Isolated redwood groves lie hidden away in small side canyons. Waterfalls are waiting to be discovered a short hike from the highway. And below there is always the Pacific surf pounding the rocky cliffs.
To quote author Henry Miller, who has a library not far from the town of Big Sur, "Big Sur is the California that men dreamed of years ago, this is the Pacific that Balboa looked at from the Peak of Darien, this is the face of the earth as the Creator intended it to look"
We begin our journey in the town of San Simeon at the south end of the coast line. The first full day is a journey up the coast to Monterey, exploring many of the exciting adventures that Big Sur has to offer, especially at the southern most end. This area is often not included in other workshops. In the remaining days we take a closer look at the northern half of the coast. We also make time for some classroom work where we can share our photographs for comments and dig deeper into topics of interest.
You can find photography workshops with big name photographers and prices to match. But you will be hard pressed to find photography workshops that offer greater value than ours.
Located along the central coast of California, Big Sur offers the most dramatic landscape on the entire Pacific Coast. This is a great place to broaden your technical and creative skills and unleash the artist within you. And January is the perfect time to be there. The light is extraordinary and crashing surf is exhilarating. Come join us for a truly memorable and rewarding experience.
My Commitment to You
- Conduct a safe workshop.
- Get you to the right places at the right times
- Send you home with new skills and insights
- Add some great photographs to your portfolio
Topics Covered
- Exposure basics - ISO, aperture and shutter speed
- Histogram - interpret and identify exposure problems
- Refine exposures - exposure compensation and HDR
- Sharpness - creative use of depth of field and blurs
- Fantastic light - recognize it, capture it, make the most of it
- Strong composition - direct the viewer's eye, create unity, balance and visual tension
- Digital darkroom workflow
- My goal is to customize the learning sessions to the group's needs and interests
Recommended Gear
- Digital camera - SLR or mirrorless
- Sturdy tripod
- Wide angle lens; e.g. 16-35mm
- Normal lens; e.g. 24-105mm
- Telephoto lens; e.g. 70-200mm or greater
- Circular polarizer filter
- Variable ND filter for blurring waterfalls and surf
- Shutter release
- Camera bag
- Camera manual
- Laptop computer with processing software (Lightroom, Photoshop, etc.)
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Sun protection
- Rain gear for you and your camera