I took a hiatus from visiting Katmai last year; not necessarily as a consequence of the pandemic, but due to some other trips that I had to fit into my calendar. I’m as excited as ever to return this salmon season to check on on the bears I’ve observed on a regular basis for years now.
This year’s trips are already sold out – however you can guarantee your spot now to join me on this exclusive workshop photographing the denizens of Katmai National Park in 2022. Space is very limited, and while most workshops end up selling out as their dates approach, the Katmai tours often fill up very early on – don’t miss your opportunity!
As usual, there are two tours back to back happening next August. Not only is this a fantastic opportunity to photograph these animals and capture their very unique personalities and character traits – it’s also a chance to meet like-minded photographers who simply like to share in the knowledge and adventure of travel and wildlife photography.
Social engineering scams are one of the hazards of the internet. It seems a scammer has been using my name in a modeling scam. I can say unequivocally that I am NOT doing model shoots for Adidas or any other apparel company, especially those based in Russia.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a year now since Parimal started Earth Is Our Witness – an opportunity to speak and connect with photographers from all around the world, whom all have a passion for the way that photography connects humanity and our planet. We’ve seen some beyond-belief photos only to heart he very real stories behind them; some tragic, many epic – but all with the overlying theme that we are connected and in the end, not so different in our dreams and aspirations.
Given the complexity of locations, schedules, and time zones it’s been no small feat for Parimal to get many of the EIOW alum together for a couple of zoom reunion parties, and you’re welcome to join!
SESSION 1 – Friday, June 25, 6 pm PST / 9 pm EST
SESSION 2 – Sunday, June 27, 10 am PST / 1 pm EST
Join the live stream at these times, or if you’re not able to make it they will be there to view later. Of course, joining live means you wont miss a thing and can also participate in the live Q&A!
If you can make it and support EIOW and all of the hard work that Parimal has put into it, we would love to see you there live – tell your friends, tell your family, check out amazing photos and hear the stories behind them.
While I’m always adding new workshop location destinations to my list, it’s inevitable that I end up photographing in many of the same locations time and time again. Part of the draw of an Art Wolfe workshop – especially here in the Pacific Northwest – is the expertise we have on these locations. So how do you find new ways to challenge yourself while coming away with new images from a location that you’re already familiar with?
Aside from the obvious, try to find new conditions and lighting. A night shoot can completely change a composition as the light sky darkens and the scene becomes a study of star and moonlight. Go outside your comfort zone and toss a lens on your camera that you hadn’t really considered, like a wide angle or fish-eye trying different points of view and perspectives.
Most importantly – move! Depending on the lens you are using, moving a few feed can make a huge difference. Move around, turn your body – get low to the ground. Abstract your subject into studies of color, shape, and form. The ideas are endless! Just a small example – I spend so much of my time at home working in my garden, yet it’s always surprising even to myself when the inspiration takes me. I can grab my camera and spend hours seeing it from a new perspective.
How do you keep it fresh? leave a comment below with your ideas! And if you want to join me and explore them in person and see how I get the most out of a familiar subject, I’ve got a Mt. Rainier Fall Color workshop on the calendar!
I’ll avoid the clichés that we’ve heard all year long – eyes focused on moving forward to the next great challenge! We have overcome a lot, so everyone here at the AWI office is happy that families are able to begin to gather safely once again.
If you’re still struggling to find dad that perfect gift, give my events page a look as we have several workshops on the horizon, both here in the Pacific Northwest and abroad! If dad happens to be a photography enthusiast and is tired of being cooped up, what could be better than learning and enjoying a Tequila at dinner with his new pal Art!?
There is also early bird pricing on a special event this October I’ve titled simply “Creative Sessions” that will take place in my home town of Seattle. This event will begin with a Friday evening gathering at my home in West Seattle with food, beverages, and a special presentation followed by a day of lecture before being released to independently shoot. We will reconvene on the following day for another lecture and critique.
Today is “Nature Photography Day” – I think I might have something to accomodate! This day was designated by the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) to promote the enjoyment of nature photography, and to explain how images have been used to advance the cause of conservation and protect plants, wildlife, and landscapes locally and worldwide–a cause I couldn’t agree more with and one I’ve been pursuing my entire career.
Thankfully I’m home for a couple days between workshops & I will be posting some new photos from the last three weeks along the Pacific coast of California and Oregon. I encourage everyone to get out there and explore your corner of the world!
Recently vaccinated and ready to get out? We are coming up on the final stretch of West Coast workshops, with limited space left to join me at several haunts up and down the shores of the Pacific. Today begins our Carmel-By-The-Sea workshop – probably too late for this one!
One spot HAS in fact opened up for the ever-popular Abstract Astoria workshop happening next week. It WILL be claimed so act fast if you want it.
On June 17th we head to the Columbia River Gorge that serves as a natural border between Washington and Oregon, home to breathtaking landscapes, several waterfalls and a wide variety of opportunities to photograph both nature and abstract images.
Finally, a little further out at the end of July we will be returning to Port Townsend for another Abstract workshop – this new location serves as an excellent companion to Abstract Astoria, and it’s fast becoming a favorite of our clients. Limited to just five participants, this is an excellent opportunity to get some one on one instruction.
I’m thrilled to be back in the field but I also can’t wait until I’m back home and can reconnect with everyone on another live stream – stay tuned for info on when that will be happening again. Visit the events page for information on all upcoming international & US workshops, and have a fantastic weekend!
In the good old days of film ISO 100 was considered fast and on the margins of the day with every increasing exposure times you had no choice but to pan with your subjects as they moved. Today we’re getting spoiled with digital cameras that yield acceptable images at exceptionally high ISOs.
So this is a reminder to dial back to good old ISO 100, even put on a polarizer to lose another stop or more and put some emotion and action back in your shots. It takes practice – try this technique with the wind blowing a field of flowers, a crowded market, street scenes… it’s not just for animals.
When using a tripod the contrast of tack sharp architecture and blurred people can be very effective. Share your results if you have some as well!
Limited to just six participants, this retreat is designed to combine the best aspects of a relaxing vacation, inspiring seminar, and hands-on workshop all into one inspiring trip.
California’s Central Coast is a location brimming with variety: stunning ocean vistas, abstract photo opportunities, and wildlife, not to mention the fine dining in the company of other enthusiasts. Do you like sea otters? Imagine kayaking amongst them! We are going to a fantastic location where you can comfortably photograph sea otters from kayaks.
With Art Wolfe as guide and guru, you will learn how to clear your mind and photograph in the moment, free of preconceived notions; you will explore how to spot the non-obvious and uncover new ways to expand your visual imagination in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Just two spaces remain before this highly exclusive workshop fills up! If you plan on joining, sign up today – it will sell out!
As you likely know by now I love to create abstract, painterly images. I often find some of my favorite captures in locations that most people might not even notice. This video was filmed on location in Eastern Idaho, however if you’ve attended any of my abstract workshops – you know what I’m looking for! A background in Fine Art and Art History serves me well in these instances, where I can draw on abstract expressionists to see the shapes and colors and contours as something more than a rusty old truck – metaphors and imaginary landscapes abound.
While some abstract captures such as this have gone on to be prints, parts of calendars and more – it’s really the activity of training your eye to see and capture them that is the real value here. Training one’s eye to see the metaphors, colors, and potential of a given shot will only expand your visual vocabulary, and serve as valuable tools in any photo work you do.
