Join us as we learn how to Increase our Range of Expression!

Ian Plant

Many photographers are nervous about getting into drone photography, but it is actually easy to do, and it offers creative opportunities not available to land-based photographers.

In this class, pro photographer Ian Plant demonstrates how you can use a drone for creative photography. He covers:

• Tips on buying a drone and useful accessories
• Basic guidance regarding drone registration, licensing, and regulations
• Composition tips for making drone photos that stand out
• How to use light creatively for drone photography
• Practical tips for finding good drone photography locations

Bio:

Whether hanging over the rim of an active volcano, braving the elements to photograph critically-endangered species, or trekking deep into the wilderness to places most people will never see, world-renowned professional photographer Ian Plant travels the globe seeking out amazing places and subjects in his never-ending quest to capture the beauty of our world with his camera.

Known for his inspiring images and single-minded dedication to creating the perfect photo, Ian has reached hundreds of thousands of people around the world in his mission to inspire and educate others in the art of photography. Ian's work has appeared in numerous photo magazines including Outdoor Photographer, Popular Photography, and Landscape Photography, among many others. Ian has spoken at leading photo conferences including KelbyOne, Out of Chicago, and many others.

Ian is also the author of dozens of books and instructional videos and founder of Photo Masters.

Learn more about Ian and his work on his website. 

Ian will be supporting the Sumatran Orangutan Society with 10% from the registration fees donated to help their mission.

Cost: $17 (or as part of the entire series for only $47!)

Randall J. Hodges

Randall will cover the all-in-camera techniques he uses to capture his remarkable images without the need for post processing. He will show some of his favorite images along with the techniques used to capture them.

Bio:

Randall J. Hodges has been capturing images of the Western United States and Canada as a full-time professional photographer for over 20 years. Most of his work comes from time spent hiking and backpacking the wilderness areas of the West where he has hiked and photographed over 34,500 trail miles. Randall’s work has been Published over 4,950 times worldwide in books, magazines, calendars, greeting cards, post cards, newspapers and much, much more. His work appears in publications like National Geographic, Nature Photographer Magazine, Northwest Travel Magazine, Oregon Coast Magazine, Hawaii Magazine, Photo Monthly Magazine, Outdoor Photography Magazine, Photo Professionals Magazine, Seattle Magazine, 1859 Oregon Magazine, Washington Trails Magazine, In the Pacific Northwest Magazine, Seattle Met Magazine just to name a few. Randall has won countless awards for his photography. Randall does not alter his work in any way and considers himself an “All in Camera Shooter” as he spends the time to wait for the right light and color and uses “Old School Techniques” rather than post-processing to capture his remarkable images. Only the smallest adjustments are made to ensure the finished print matches the back of the camera as closely as possible.

Randall’s work has been featured in countless galleries and art shows around the West. He speaks at photography conventions and seminars. Randall teaches his “Out in the Field” Lessons and Adventures around the West where he shares his old-school techniques on digital cameras with his students. His new book “Images of the West” is a 208-page full color landscape photography book, featuring 20 years of his amazing and unforgettable photography of the West.

Randall owns the Randall J. Hodges Photography Gallery in Downtown Edmonds Washington and the Images of the West, by Randall J Hodges Gallery in beautiful Cannon Beach, Oregon.

I wanted to take a moment to explain why I am All-In-Camera Shooter. Because it's fun!! It is what sets me apart from all the other photographers that do post-processing and Photoshop. I started my career as a photographer in film days and I shot on Kodak Slide Films. I was a late bloomer to digital and by the time I switched I was already known as "the not digitally altered guy". When I did have to switch to digital, I did not want to lose this title. I figured out how to setup and run a digital camera as if it was my old slide film camera right down to programming the color pallets of my film right into my digital camera. Being an All-In-Camera Old School Style Shooter, is a style that makes me one of the last true All-In-Camera Teachers in the United States. Publishers also love my work, and my style has helped me become one of the most published photographers in the country. You can read more about why I chose to be an All-in-Camera shooter in my blog post, "Why All-In Camera". Out in the field, seeing my work finished right in the camera is such a big thrill for me, I do not have to wait until later on the computer to know if I have "Nailed It" and "Put it in the Bank!"

“Take only Pictures, Leave Only Footprints.”

You can learn more about Randall and his work on his website.

Randall will be supporting Washington Trails Association with 10% from the registration fees donated to their mission.

Cost: $17 (or as part of the entire series for only $47!)

Charles & Melissa Needle

With recent advances in technology, smartphones are becoming a legitimate tool for creative self-expression for photographers at all skill levels. In this in-depth “beyond the basics” session, avid professional photographers Charles and Melissa Needle will explore how making images with your phone can help you become a better photographer and review various apps you can use to craft mind-blowing imagery.

In the first part of their presentation, Charles & Melissa will explain some of the technical aspects of iPhone photography, including hidden native camera features, best practices, accessories to take your image-making to the next level, and workflow/printing considerations.

In the second part, Charles and Melissa will take a deep dive showing you how to use several key shooting and editing apps in "live" demonstrations with their phones mirrored on the screen. A sampling of apps covered will include: Snapseed, TouchRetouch, Average Cam Pro, Slow Shutter Cam, Artista Impresso, Prisma, Color Splash and more. Following their presentation, you’ll have full access to the recording, which will allow you to review each step along the way and try using your own images.

Whether you're a landscape photographer, macro photographer, portrait photographer, food photographer or architectural photographer, you'll leave this jam-packed session with new knowledge that will empower you to make images you never imagined possible with your smartphone!

Note: Charles and Melissa are iPhone users; therefore, portions of this will be iPhone centric. However, you'll certainly benefit if you own an Android phone, because they’ll review equivalent apps when applicable and cover several apps that cater to both platforms and devices.

Bio:

Charles Needle is an award-winning, Colorado-based fine art photographer, author, speaker and workshop leader with a unique eye for design and artistic interpretation. His popular “Art of Nature” creative macro workshops have attracted students nationwide.

In 2018 and 2021, Charles earned honorable mentions in the Macro and Visual FX categories of the prestigious Annual International Mobile Photography Awards Contest. He was also a semi-finalist in the 2014 Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards photo contest. In 2011, Charles was selected as a finalist, among 15,000 entries worldwide, in the International Garden Photographer of the Year photography contest, sponsored by The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (London, England). This exhibition traveled throughout the United Kingdom.

A popular conference and camera club speaker for more than two decades, Charles has authored three cutting-edge instructional books: Tiny Worlds: Creative Macro Photography Skills (Amherst Media, January 2015), Impressionistic Photography: A Field Guide to Using Your Camera as a Paintbrush (March 2014), and Creative Macro Photography: Professional Tips & Techniques (2011).

An accomplished speaker, photography juror and teacher with international workshops in Monet's Garden (Giverny, France for 20 years in a row, with exclusive private access), Keukenhof Gardens (Holland) and The Butchart Gardens (Canada), Charles is a North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) Showcase Award winner for 17 years in a row, and placed in the Top Ten and Top 26 image categories for two of those years.

Charles’ photographs have selected for publication in Nature’s Best, Outdoor Photographer magazine, Nature Photographer magazine, Inner Reflections Engagement Calendar, The Chicago Tribune, SELF Magazine and are in private and public collections nationwide and abroad.

Melissa Needle is a part-time professional photographer who stared her journey at the age of 12 with the family camera. She has lectured on smartphone photography at numerous camera clubs and at the New England Council of Camera Clubs annual conference. She currently leads the Greater Lynn Photographic Association (MA) smartphone specialty group. She has assisted her husband, Charles, in workshops, classes and zoom sessions since 2016. She enjoys literal image making but really enjoys exploring her creative side with various smartphone apps. Her smartphone images have been recognized with various awards including a Top-24 Image Award in the 2020 North American Nature Photography Association Member Showcase Competition. 

Learn more about Charles and his work on his website. 

Charles and Melissa will be supporting the North American Nature Photography (NANPA) Foundation with 10% from the registration fees donated to help their mission.

Cost: $17 (or as part of the entire series for only $47!)