Join three nature photography masters, for a unique weekend of photographic inspiration.
Three of the world’s most renowned nature photographers–Frans Lanting, Thomas D. Mangelsen, and Art Wolfe–have teamed up to present a series of unique weekend events that will change the way you look at photography and what you can do with your own camera.
Frans, Tom, and Art will draw from their wide-ranging experience with subjects and locations around the world to inspire attendees, show them new ways to see, give them tools to create more compelling images, and empower them to use photography to benefit conservation causes and other personal interests. Presentations from each photographer will be mixed with panel discussions, Q & A sessions, and reviews of images submitted by attendees.
This new Masters of Nature Photography Seminar will be held Friday April 12 through Sunday April 14, 2013, in Denver, Colorado at the Westin Denver Downtown Hotel. For more information or to register, please visit www.MastersofNaturePhotography.com.
Early Registration Ends February 28. Register today and Save!
Here is the lineup of workshop offerings in 2013. If you haven’t had the experience of an Art Wolfe seminar or field workshop, make sure to check these out to satisfy that bucket list. Art’s workshops are one-of-a-kind and the testimonials are over the top when participants describe their experience.
Art is about to lead 2 workshops in Myanmar and Japan. These are sold out. So let’s review what is ahead.
PATAGONIA
March 24 – April 3. Spectacular Patagonia! Don’t miss this rare opportunity to visit one of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth with one of the consummate nature photographers in the world. Iconic places like Torres del Paine National Park, Mount Fitzroy,and Los Glaciares National Park. Patagonia offers unparalleled photo opportunities. Join us on this unforgettable photographic tour!
This is coming up soon. There is one slot open in this workshop.
June 28-30. Work in Art’s backyard with his expert assistants and learn the finer points of maximizing early morning and late afternoon light. We will shoot at some of the most beautiful locations in Western Washington, including Hurricane Ridge, Sol Duc River Valley, Salt Point and Lake Crescent. We will spend most of the daylight hours photographing in the field, and schedule photo critiques in the evening after dark. This annual workshop fills quickly!
September 4-14. Namibia lies on the The West coast of Africa. This is the most effective way to take in the immense scenery, culture and wildlife of this sparsely populated and rich landscape. Top-drawer accomodations and private charters maximize the time you spend photographing.
Plus – Art will transform your photography.
Sept. 15-27. This is a rare opportunity to spend time with Art Wolfe on an African Safari with the highest level of accomodations. Our focus is Big Cats (leopards, lions and cheetahs) and Elephants in South Africa and Botswana. A wide variety of wildlife surrounds this extraordinary location.
Art Wolfe has a completely different approach to his educational offerings. His goal is to teach you to see with an improved compositional eye. There are so many places to learn the technical aspects of the craft of photography, but far fewer ones that are directed to the artist behind the lens. His lifetime of composing is distilled into precious nuggets that you can take as tools along with your camera gear. These can become the most important tools you own. With Art’s guidance, you can make great leaps in your photography.
Here are two really great opportunities available this year.
COMPOSING EFFECTIVE IMAGES – FIELD EDITION PORTLAND JAPANESE GARDEN
March 9-10.We are very pleased to announce that for the first time ever the Portland Japanese Garden will be hosting Art Wolfe’s Portland workshop! Many of you already know what a beautiful and serene environment this garden has to offer, think about the possibilities of learning from a photography master in this wonderfully cultivated utopia.
May 18.This popular one day class is rarely available in Art Wolfe’s home town. This time it is Seattle’s turn to host.
Drawing from 36 years of international travel, Art will delve into a vast range of subjects; from discovering the subject to elements of design and even new works such as time lapses. Imagery of nature, wildlife, and the world’s varied landscapes will round out the curriculum to provide the most comprehensive and imaginative class available.
Splash a bit of emerald on your walls with a new print from Art Wolfe! Emerald is the color trend for this Spring!
“Green is the most abundant hue in nature – the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “As it has throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world. This powerful and universally appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors.”
This past weekend I taught a workshop at the beautiful and chilly Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle. During the field shoot I suggested to some that they photograph this particular maple. Their shots shown during the critique so inspired me that I returned to the tree on Monday. Cold and damp, and hidden by spreading boughs from passersby, I spent a couple of hours working the angles.
Patagonia offers a great opportunity to get close to wildlife. It really delivers the goods in that respect: foxes that walk right up to you, guanacos that are chilled out, and over 300 species of birds native to the region. And they are all surrounded by the really dramatic landscapes that are indicative to Patagonia. Big skies, big mountains, and wonderful wildlife. What more could you ask for?
This is one of the most beautiful and enchanted places on the Earth! I look forward to returning to Patagonia.
There is nothing like experiencing a place for the first time. I have traveled all over Western Europe, but the closest I have been to the southeastern nations is Greece and Turkey. Now I am traveling to the native land of my good friend and long time assistant, Gavriel Jecan.
Other than as the home to vampires, gymnasts and despots, Romania remains unknown to most. We will travel to Gavriel’s ancient hometown of Brasov, nestled in the Carpathian Alps. Brown bears come down from the mountains and roam the outskirts of the city. We will be traveling just as the untouched forests in the Carpathians are turning golden, which will lend a great backdrop to the very traditional 12th century villages we will be passing through.
We will visit several orthodox monasteries, famous for their medieval murals, and we will engage the diverse peoples—Roma, ethnic Hungarian and German, as well as Romanian—all along the way. With Gavriel as our guide it will be like visiting a good friend, not like traveling with a standard tour guide.
Those who follow me know that I have traveled much of this world. One of the places that I have enjoyed going to most is Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. It has essentially been isolated from the rest of the world for the last 50 years. Despite this I have always been greeted by warm and friendly people.
Myanmar offers unlimited photographic opportunities and it is one of the easiest places to photograph people. The traditional cultures have remained fairly intact throughout the country. Working with guides and assistants with whom I’ve worked before, we will be visit monasteries where we will work with monks. To witness and photograph a Buddhist monk prayer session is an amazing and memorable opportunity.
Myanmar is going to change in a very short time. We’ve seen it start to embrace the outside world. Therefore, I want to lead a small group of people to Myanmar one last time to share the traditional locations I’ve grown to love. It will most likely be my last trip there. I hope you can join us next February, when leaving cold North America and Europe will be a nice break!
One of the things I enjoy most, besides taking photographs, is taking people along with me to some of my favorite locations. Sharing the experiences I love with others is very fulfilling. I’ve been taking small groups of people to some of the locations where favorite episodes of Travels to the Edge took place. As seen in one of those episodes, Japan in winter is simply magical. Much of the wildlife has been habituated to people, and therefore translates into amazing photographic experiences.
First we’ll visit the snow macaques that live in the mountains about two hours west of Tokyo. Here in an isolated steep cut valley with an amazing mountain lodge are three extended families of macaques, numbering around 50. Because they are the most northern primate on earth, they have the longest, luxuriant fur of any primates, particularly in the winter months. They come down from the pine and oak forests and for a couple of hours a day they hang around a natural hot spring. They have been habituated to people visiting them there, so you can photograph from within inches without interrupting their behavior, which is very animated and fun. It is a photographic bonanza.
After visiting the macaques, we will travel to the northern island of Hokkaido. Hokkaido reminds me a bit of Alaska, full of forests of birch, pine and fir with a back drop of beautiful volcanic mountains. There are also large lakes and wild running rivers, and hosts three species of bird wildlife that are extraordinary to photograph. The Japanese Crane has been symbolized in Japanese culture for thousands of years due to its grace and beauty. Giant whooper swans come in the winter months from nesting in Siberia. They have been fed by locals for years, helping them sustain thru the winter, as well as creating an easy and wonderful photographic opportunity for us! And often Steller’s sea eagles will swoop around the same area. They are massive black and white raptors that winter over on the icy shores of Hokkaido.
The days are short in February on Hokkaido, but the beautiful hues of sunrise and sunset are protracted allowing us hours to capture quite stunning images. After sunset we will have time for a hot bath at the lodge before eating a traditional Japanese meal. After dinner we will have time for lectures and critiques before calling it a day. With the abridged daylight, it really allows for a nice schedule to fit everything in and still have enough hours for a good night’s sleep! Since we travel in and out of Tokyo, you will get to experience the surreal and wonderful contrast that Japan has to offer, not only the very modern and bustling city, but the natural and beautiful countryside.
I invite you to explore this unique and rich habitat with us.
