Big Bend Photography MasterClass
There are few places in the world similar to Big Bend. Remote, empty, and expansive. A desert oasis tucked between the West Texas plains and the Mexican high desert, secretly holding some of the most beautiful yet underrated landscapes in the American Southwest. Big Bend is home to some of the darkest skies in North America. Join us on this 5 day workshop photographing not only the breathtaking night sky, but also the immense Rio Grande canyons, Chisos Mountains, Grapevine Hills and famous Terlingua Ghost Town. This is the perfect time of year for a chance to see peak desert blooms of yucca’s, agave’s, sotol’s, and the picturesque bluebonnets.
This workshop is a photography workshop and so much more. You’ll learn how to take advantage of any condition and return home with amazing memories and professional quality images. It is also about connecting with like-minded creatives and convening with nature. Experience the magic of the Texan desert, night skies and vibrant sunsets – all while investing in your passion for photography.
TRIP DATES
MARCH 7- MARCH 11, 2024
TRIBE SIZE
LIMITED TO A SMALL GROUP OF 10 STUDENTS WITH 3 INSTRUCTORS
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
BEGINNER-ADVANCED
ITINERARY
Day 1
Our workshop begins at 3:00pm with a meet and greet at the Big Bend Adventure & Resort. We’ll discuss our agenda for the next few days and go over camera settings. After a short break, we’ll shoot our first sunset not far from our lodging in the famous Terlingua Ghost Town. After a bit of rest, we will head back out for our first night of Milky Way.
Day 2
We’ll shoot Milky Way into sunrise at one of the best kept secrets of the Big Bend area. Overlooking views of the breathtaking Rio Grande River and Valley. After some rest, our classroom session begins at 2:00pm. You’ll learn how to properly upload and organize your files, utilize luminosity masks and learn how to stack your stars for noise reduction in Starry Landscape Stacker/Sequator during this session. After dinner, we’ll head back out to Big Bend National Park for sunset/twilight shooting. Now it’s time to rest and get ready to return for a few hours of sleep to awake in the late AM for our first Milky Way photography session!
Day 3/Day 4
Friday and Saturday morning we’ll catch some sunrises and meet in the classroom after lunch to go over Blue Hour Blending, Orton Glows, Star Reduction and many other powerful editing techniques. Then round up our camera gear for another afternoon sunset and twilight shoots capturing the most breathtaking landscapes of Big Bend.
Day 5
Wrapping up our amazing weekend, each individual will receive a 1-on-1, personalized session with each of the instructors. This includes a handful of your favorite photos you’ve taken and allowing us to offer a fresh set of eyes and some powerful constructive feedback.
* We will be chasing conditions and constantly monitoring the weather. The itinerary may change based on what conditions are during the workshop.
Planning Your Shoots
- Scouting and evaluating conditions
- Composing an image to grab the viewer’s attention
- Composing an image with a person in frame to show scale and tell a story
- Utilizing apps, such as PhotoPills, for more efficient planning
- Choosing the right lens and filters for the job
- How to shoot with a plan or vision for editing
Capturing Your Image
- Histogram - how to read for perfectly exposed images
- Exposure control - how to use ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed in different scenarios
- Bracketing, Perspective Blending and Focus Stacking
- Focusing at night to capture pin sharp stars and foreground
- Long Exposure - how to capture blue hour & Milky Way
- Blending your blue-hour image with the Milky Way
- Stacking for Noise Reduction - how to shoot the proper frames to stack
- Lightroom and Photoshop - learn our post-processing workflow
- Luminosity Masks
- Dodging and Burning
- Understanding layers and masks in Photoshop
- Finishing touches using clone stamp and removing distractions
- Creating Orton glows and painting with light
- Build Social Media Presence - how to maximize engagement
- How to quickly convert time-lapse stills into a short videos
- Exporting and Editing for Fine Art Printing
MEET YOUR MAIN INSTRUCTORS
ABOUT KENNETH & ROWDY
We are excited to invite you to our 5th annual Big Bend MasterClass! We've found that teaming up with one another has helped add the right amount of variety and perspective when it comes to teaching. Kenneth has been a full time Nomad with a passion for teaching since 2017. Spending months at a time in the Big Bend area each year, it only seemed right to offer a MasterClass on Photography incorporating the explorative knowledge of the area as well as the ability to create powerful compositions and imagery through your lens.
The past nine years Rowdy has been living the dream being a full-time freelance and fine-art photographer. Ever since he was little, he had a deep passion to explore the outdoors. It wasn’t until his college days while attending Texas State University that he’d chase this passion with a camera in his hands. As a professional photographer Rowdy specializes in landscape, wilderness, and astrophotography among the Texas Hill Country, the Big Bend areas, the American Southwest and the Rockies.
Nowadays when Rowdy is not shooting Astro in the Big Bend area, he's back in the Texas Hill Country photographing and filming ranch, commercial real estate and businesses. If you are ever in the Santa Fe, New Mexico area be sure to stop by "Winters Gallery And Studio" on Canyon Road to see Rowdy's artwork displayed along side his Father's. After many years of travel and making a living from the fine-art world, Rowdy added photography workshops with Kenneth to his impressive portfolio.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
All Lodging Accommodations
We have reserved lodging for the duration of the workshop and each person will have a shared room with 2 queen sized beds(You may request your own room for an additional fee). Lodging is nearby an RV and campground, if you wish to change your lodging to that, the price will be adjusted (We will need 30 days notice).
National Park Entry Fees & Photo Instruction
All National Park entrance fees are included.
Portfolio Feedback
Personalized and honest feedback from a 1-on-1 session with both instructors. We will review your top images and give honest feedback on how to improve in camera shots and personalized editing tips.
Social Media Insights
Instagram and growing your social media has been a huge interest for many. We will be touching on the ever changing algorithm of Instagram and how to successfully grow your presence as a photographer in the world of social media.
Our goal is to leave you feeling confident, motivated and passionate about your photography with a new set of ideas and perspective! We will teach simple and actionable techniques to scout out incredible compositions and the process of how to approach and execute unique photos in any environment or conditions. The classroom portion of this adventure will teach you a combination of Lightroom and Photoshop workflows and methods that will allow you to create some powerful images. We decided to keep the group small and intimate, thus allowing us to focus and give you much more access to the 3 instructors and 1-on-1 attention. Instructors will always be with the group providing thoughts and real time critique as the light changes from sunset to the enchanting night skies.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
Transportation
Flights and car transportation are not included.
Meals/Snacks
Meals will often be on the go as we chase light, you will be responsible for your own food.
Travel Insurance
With any trip/adventure, it is recommended you have travel insurance, especially for medical emergencies.
Cost: $2,295
Deposit: $499 to reserve your spot NOW!
SIGN UP
Space is limited and filling up quickly on a first come, first serve basis. With three photography instructors present for the duration of the workshop, you will have plenty of opportunity for 1-on-1 instruction to improve the skills you feel you need to work on!