2024 “Joy in the Little Things”
Macro Photography Workshop
SOLD OUT
Please email Colleen for waitlist
DATES: February 17-18, 2024
BEGINS: At 8:00 am on February 17.
ENDS: About 4:00 p.m. on February 18.
COST: $495/person
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Easy. Best suited for sure-footed individuals who are capable of carrying their gear short distances and squatting or kneeling on sandy/rocky surfaces. Walking will be limited to short distances (less than a 0.5 mile) and on defined walkways.
MAX PARTICIPANTS: 10 people (co-ed)
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Do you delight in the little things in nature? If so, join photographer and author of Wild in Arizona: Photographing Arizona’s Wildflowers Colleen Miniuk for this Arizona-based weekend exploration of macro and close-up photography. We'll polish up our skills and learn new ones ahead of what will hopefully be a bountiful wildflower season across the country. Come get ready for spring!
Before the workshop begins, participants will enjoy at their own leisure an online workshop orientation and presentation filled with macro tips and tricks to help get your technical and creative juices flowing.
Then, on February 17 and 18, our group will gather at the beautiful Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, AZ to put those ideas into practice. Cactus, agave, and yucca abound! So many beautiful little things to make a big impact in your photographic expressions!
In an learning-intensive, supportive, and small group setting, where pushing ourselves to try new things will be encouraged, attendees will learn how to:
Use helpful macro-specific gear like macro lenses (Lensbabies welcome!), extension tubes, close-up filters, focusing rails, and more.
Develop deliberate and meaningful compositions in confined spaces to create a sense of depth and meaning
Control focus and short depth of fields in single and multiple frames (e.g. focus-stacking, image blending)
Manage lighting conditions throughout the day—even midday!--using tone checks, Notan, reflectors, diffusers, and artificial backgrounds
Incorporate intentional camera movement (ICM) and multiple exposures for abstract expressions
While participants will receive constructive comments on their images in the field, we'll meet up a week after the workshop concludes to review and critique a selection of workshop images created by participants.
As with all my workshops, the curriculum will be developed from the participants interests (collected through a pre-workshop questionnaire) and tailored to both individual and group needs. All levels from beginner to professional--and all camera types from iPhones to fancy dSLRs--are welcome for this celebration of the small things in nature.
WORKSHOP INCLUDES:
Recorded pre-workshop presentation on macro photography techniques (to be sent to registrants at least a week prior to the start of the trip)
Professional in-field photography instruction and guidance
Admission to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum on February 17 and 18
Post-workshop online critique session (to be held on February 24--session will be recorded and distributed to all registrants regardless of attendance at the critique)
An invitation to join the closed "CMS Photography: Workshop Alumni Forum"
WORKSHOP EXCLUDES:
Participant's lodging
Participant's meals
Airfare (the PHX airport is about an hour drive from Boyce Thompson Arboretum)
Transportation to/from/during the workshop
Trip insurance
CANCELLATION POLICY
All cancellations must be provided in writing. Cancellations made:
At least 61 days prior to the workshop start date: A full refund of the workshop fee, minus a $100 administrative fee, will be granted.
60 days or less prior to the workshop start date: No refunds will be issued. If the vacated spot happens to fill prior to the workshop, then a full refund, including the workshop fee minus a $100 administrative fee, will be granted.
Any requests to transfer a participants registration to another CMS Photography workshop will be treated as a cancellation. The above policy will dictate which monies, if any, shall transfer.
Although rare, CMS Photography reserves the right to cancel a workshop for any reason at our discretion. Should we decide to cancel a workshop, we will refund your registration fees in full.
Also, CMS Photography also reserves the right to modify a workshop itinerary based on local or federal restrictions beyond our control (e.g. COVID-19 restrictions, government shutdowns, closed sites). Should a registrant choose to cancel because of these changes, our standard cancellation policy outlined above applies.
There are no exceptions to these policies.
CMS Photography strongly encourages you to purchase trip insurance with a "Cancel for Any Reason" clause immediately after paying your deposit to protect yourself in the event of unexpected circumstances preventing you from attending our workshops. Consider contacting AAA, your credit cards, or other notable trip insurance companies for appropriate policies.
TESTIMONIAL FROM PAST ATTENDEES
“The macro workshop was amazing. I learned so much including the importance of looking for light and shadow. Colleen is an excellent workshop leader. Beyond her vast knowledge, her enthusiasm and joy are contagious. She really helps us sort out what we are trying to say with a photo. I would happily take this workshop all over again.” ~Jean L., 2023 Macro participant
“I have played with macro photography in the past but usually got frustrated because I didn't really know what I was doing. This workshop gave me a good foundation in macro and now I'm looking forward to continuing the journey.” ~Nancy S., 2023 Macro participant