Workshops

RIDGEWOOD RANCH SPRING 2012 PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

Following the success of our Fall workshop, Ridgewood Ranch Spring workshop is now open for registration

Saturday, May 12 - Sunday, May 13, 2012
Register Here 

Ridgewood Ranch is very pleased to announce another weekend of photographic discovery with George Ward, one of America's leading landscape photographers. An enduring presence in American landscape photography for almost 30 years, Ward's stunning images have been widely featured in national publications, including regular appearances in the Audubon Society and Sierra Club calendars and note cards. Magazine credits include Sierra, Newsweek, Outside, Backpacker, Outdoor Photographer, Nature's Best, Smithsonian and Sunset.

Ridgewood Ranch is famously known as the home and final resting place of the legendary racehorse Seabiscuit and the Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation. The Ranch is also richly endowed with thousands of acres of natural beauty. From old and second-growth redwood groves and enchanting oak-studded hillside glades, to fascinating historic buildings in various stages of preservation, Ridgewood Ranch is an ideal setting for learning to take your photography to the next level.

The Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation is dedicated to preserving the remaining 5,000 acres of Charles Howard's Ridgewood Ranch by restoring historic buildings and conserving the Ranch's creeks, oak woodlands, old growth redwoods and open rangeland. As an added bonus, half of all workshop fees for this workshop helps support the important mission of the Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation.

This workshop is ideal for those with some photography experience who wish to expand their skill set both in the field and afterward with digital processing. With easy excursions into nature we will apply various methods of getting the best image quality that our cameras can produce. We will divide our time between field work and indoor presentations and discussions. Topics will include capture and processing in raw format, important basic photoshop techniques and selecting the best gear. We will begin both days with nearby excursions into the countryside to flex our creativity.

A guiding principle of this workshop is that in our pursuit of beautifully composed photos, we naturally find ourselves directed to work on those areas we most need to strengthen. For each of us this may be different. Some may need help with contrast extremes while others struggle with depth of field, and so on. Some emphasis will be on the various qualities of natural light and effective composition. We will learn to look a little closer to find the right subjects, angles and perspectives. This is the true joy of photographic creativity. George will challenge and inspire you to take your photography to the next level.

Here are some important details:

Dates: Saturday, Saturday, May 12 - Sunday, May 13, 2012

Times: Saturday and Sunday 6:00 am to 5:00 pm
            (with breaks from 12 – 2:00 pm each day for lunch and break)

Fee includes:
– All photography instruction
– Morning tea/coffee, pastries, drinks, snacks and lunches.
– Presentation of George's work as an illustrated lesson in the different approaches to many  
   situations in the field
– Presentation of the participant's work with critiques.

Base: Ridgewood Ranch, 16200 North Hwy 101, Willits, California.
( 5 ½ south of Willits, CA and 2 ½ hrs north of San Francisco off Hwy 101)

Recommended Accommodations and Dining:
Baechtel Inn & Spa (800)459-9911 www.baechtelcreekinn.com
and many other excellent choices in Willits.
The Purple Thistle Restaurant (707) 459-4750

Topics covered:
– Timing, techniques and equipment for successful outdoor photography
– Composition, exposure, depth of field, contrast control
– Capturing and processing in RAW format
– Important basic techniques with Photoshop

Trip Difficulty: Mostly easy walks at 2,000 ft elevation

Requirements:
– DSLR camera (with owner's manual)
– A basic working knowledge of your camera

Recommended to Bring: (not required, but highly recommended)
– Tripod and Cable Release
– Graduated Neutral Density Filter (soft and hard if you have them)
– Laptop Computer (don't forget all those pesky cords)
– Image editing software, preferably Photoshop (any version CS through CS5)
– 5-10 images you wish to share
– Binoculars (not essential, but great to have)
– Sturdy footwear or boots, warm clothing, hats for sun and cold, sunscreen, water bottle.

Number of Participants: 10 (min. 5)

Fee: $395, Deposit: $100 deposit will be refunded up until 14 days prior to the workshop.
Payment is due in full upon arrival. Check/Cash, Visa/MC are accepted. 

Pay online using PayPal HERE 
To mail check, send to: Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation 16200 North Hwy 101Willits, CA 95490Memo: Nature Photography Workshop

For additional event information contact:
Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation at www.seabiscuitheritage.org
seabiscuit@instawave.net or call 707.459.5992
or
George Ward
Voice: 415.488.7188 | george@georgeward.com | www.georgeward.com
524 San Anselmo Ave., Suite 209, San Anselmo, CA 94960