Ralph Nordstrom Photography Workshops

California Redwoods Photography Workshops June 2024.

2024. California Redwoods Photography Workshop

Details


  • When: June 4-7, 2024.
    (4 days and 4 nights)
  • Where: Crescent City, CA
  • Maximum Class size: 6
  • Instructor: Ralph Nordstrom (award winning fine art photographer and educator)
  • Cost: $995.00 USD
  • Deposit: $250.00 USD (non-refundable)

Does not include lodging, transportation, meals or fees.

Lodging: Our base of operations is the Best Western in Crescent City, CA. You will receive instructions to book your room when you sign up.

Transportation: The recommended flight destination is Medford, OR. It's about a 2 hour drive from Crescent City. Other options include Arcata/Eureka airport about 90 minutes south, and San Francisco or Portland both about 7 hours away. There is also a regional airline into Crescent City

Physical Difficulty: Moderate. There is a lot of walking.  Most of the shooting is along trails within state and national parks. The trails are all easy to moderate.  Good balance and moderate stamina are required.

More Information


The coastal redwoods of Northern California are some of the most stately and serene trees on Earth.  They are also the tallest.  On a clear day they tower over 300 feet into the heavens.  But you are more likely to experience them in the gentle fog in which they thrive, where sunlight streams through the branches and leaves trails in the mist.

We will photograph several different groves, each with its own personality. None of them have never been logged and therefore house majestic old growth trees. But there's more to photograph. Battle Point lighthouse guides the fishing fleets safely back into the harbor. Sunsets from Preston Island can be spectacular with a host of sea stacks extending into the Pacific. And if we're lucky we'll see the Roosevelt elks that live in the area. There is even a lovely little waterfall. There is so much that this precious land has to offer and so much to photograph.

A typical day begins with a morning shoot and ends with sunset. Some days we will photograph all day while on others you will be able to share your photographs and we can cover topics of interest. While in the field we provide one-on-one help with the areas that are important to you. Our goal is to broaden your technical skills and unleash the artist in you.

Springtime is a great time to be there.  And while it's not possible to predict when Mother Nature will roll out spring, there is a chance to see the delicate rhododendrons contrasted against the mighty redwoods.  Spring is in the air and the light is fantastic.

You can find photography workshops with big name photographers and prices to match. But you will be hard pressed to find workshops that offer greater value than ours.

So join us in the California Redwoods in June. You will be inspired and amply rewarded.

Redwood Tree
Rhododendrons
Serene Path
Guiding Light
Battery Point Lighthouse
Cypress
Redwoods
Damnation Creek Grove

My Commitment to You

  • Conduct a safe workshop.
  • Get you to the right place at the right time
  • 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. 16-25mm
  • Normal lens: e.g. 24-105mm
  • Telephoto lens: e.g. 70-200mm or larger
  • Circular polarizer filter
  • Variable Neutral Density Filter (optional)
  • Shutter release
  • Camera bag
  • Camera manual
  • Battery recharger
  • Laptop computer with processing software (Lightroom, Photoshop, etc.)
  • External drive (recommended)
  • Sturdy hiking boots
  • Sun protection
  • Rain gear for you and your camera