Nature Photography
Week 1
This class will focus on all aspects of Nature photography, from photographing flowers to waterfalls, we will focus on more than just wildlife. We will take a look at the works of some great photographers, both currently in the field and historic. The first class will focus on optimizing our gear, and learning some basics of the techniques and ethics of nature photography.
Homework: Take a dozen photographs of a single flower, tree, plant or natural vista from different perspectives.
Week 2
We will focus on Flora & Fauna today. From Flowers, Forests and Fungi to Feral Friends. We will go over the best ways to photograph them. We’ll also learn a few quick tips for post processing our photos, giving us a better idea of how to capture our images in the future.
Homework: Research a photographer on a specific aspect of Nature Photography.
Week 3
Field Trip
Today we put our skills to the test, weather permitting, we will be visiting the Celery Fields, where there will definitely be landscapes and flora, and hopefully some fauna as well. We will practice what we’ve learned and take a photo walk in nature, practicing our mindfulness and respect for the environment.
Homework: Choose your favorite photos from our trip to review next class.
We will review our photos, highlighting what worked (and maybe what didn’t). We’ll edit a few photos from our trip and then focus on landscape photography, a genre that embodies the phrase “easy to learn, difficult to master.”
Homework: Sign up for another class :)
Week 4
Resources
Online Guide: Favorite Local Birding Hotspots - Sarasota Audubon | Sarasota, Florida
PDF - Common Plants of the Celery Fields (usf.edu)
PDF - Checklist of Birds of Sarasota County (sarasotaaudubon.org)
Products:
WANDRD Gear (good camera bags)
FLM CP30-S4 II 10X Carbon Fiber Series II Tripod 32 30 910 B&H (bhphotovideo.com)
Benro CLT303 3-Series Induro Classic Carbon Fiber Tripod (bhphotovideo.com)
Amazon.com: ZEISS Pre-Moistened Lens Cleaning Wipes, 600 Count : Electronics
Youtube:
Channel - Kim Grant - YouTube (Landscape, Nature, Philosophy)
Channel - Simon d'Entremont - YouTube (Wildlife, Birds)
Channel - Nigel Danson - YouTube (Landscape)
Channel - Jamie Windsor - YouTube (Technique)
Channel - Andy Mumford - YouTube (Landscape, Travel)
Channel - Thomas Heaton - YouTube (Landscape)
Channel - James Popsys - YouTube (Travel, Nature)
Channel - Courtney Victoria - YouTube (Nature)
Channel - Alyn Wallace - YouTube (Astrophotography)
Channel - Pat Kay - YouTube (Post-Processing)
Channel - Mark Denney - YouTube (Landscape, Post-Processing)
I Went To My Local Pond 4 Days In A Row For Photography - YouTube
THE ESSENTIAL WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY TIP EVERYONE NEEDS - YouTube
Photographing Smithsonian Gardens' orchid collection ft. Hannele Lahti - YouTube
How to Research Wildlife & Stay Safe with Kristi Odom - YouTube
Back button focus: You'll NEVER go back! - YouTube
What Every Photographer Can Learn from Ansel Adams - YouTube
Camera Settings For Creative Bird Photography with Frans Lanting | CreativeLive - YouTube
How to Use a Wide Angle Lens - YouTube <—— Great demonstration of a polarizer towards the end