Photograph the tropics here in Colorado…

This unique workshop takes place at the Westminster Butterfly Pavilion (only minutes outside Denver). It is a wonderful opportunity to learn the basic skills needed for macro photography and enjoy a couple hours of quiet meditative photography in the “rain-forest jungle” of the pavilion.  The conservatory is privately reserved after hours just for our workshop. The 7,200 sq/ft rain forest conservatory houses over 1,600 live butterflies and 200 varieties of flora, all of which make for exciting photo opportunities.

Why Learn Macro Photography?  It is difficult these days to produce a truly unique image. It seems that anything and everything you capture with your camera has already been done a thousand times on photography websites worldwide. Enter the world of Macro Photography. Regardless of where you live there are thousands of amazing AND UNIQUE images to capture only yards from your door. It’s an entirely new world when you’re up close.

Who should take this class:

• Anyone wanting to improve their macro and close-up photography techniques.
• You do require a basic understanding of your camera to take this course.  This is a beginner-intermediate macro class but not a beginner photography class.

1 hour – classroom instruction
2 hours – field instruction in the rain forest conservatory

Topics include:

• Understanding macro/close-up techniques
• Depth of field extremes
• Dealing with motion
• Macro lighting – field techniques
• Homemade macro tools
• Macro equipment overviews
• Important Note: This class will focus on “field skills”.  It does not tackle studio lighting or post production skills used for certain macro techniques.

Prerequisites:

• This workshop assumes you have a working knowledge of your camera’s functions and understand the basics of exposure and depth of field.  This is the wrong workshop to learn basics for the first time.

Equipment Recommended:

• A macro lens AND/OR closeup filter AND/OR extension tubes.
• It is also recommended to bring a telephoto lens 200mm or longer if you have one.  Some of the shots you will find will be better captured from a distance using a long lens.
• Tripod.

NOTE!: An additional $11 entry fee is required by the Butterfly Pavilion upon entry.  Since you are already paying to get in, you might as well come early and enjoy more of the pavilion before the class begins.