The Pacific Northwest is home to thousands of species of plants in a broad palette of colors, shapes, sizes, and textures. Join photographer Mark Turner for a weekend learning and practicing techniques for photographing wildflowers in their natural environment. Our field sessions will be in locations with a wide range of subject matter for artful details, plant portraits full of both beauty and information, and visual explorations of the interrelationships of several species in their habitats. The emphasis will be on discovering new ways to see the flowers, techniques for creative composition, separating subjects from distracting backgrounds, and controlling natural light.
Other topics will include ethical field practices and understanding technical descriptions to help create scientifically relevant images. Slide shows will introduce techniques, and then we’ll then go into the field to put them into practice. In the evening a group critique of the day’s work will provide rapid feedback. Participants should be familiar with operating their camera and bring an assortment of lenses from wide angle to macro to telephoto. A tripod is essential. Either digital or film cameras are welcome, but digital SLRs are preferred to facilitate the evening critique.
This program is also available as the introductory slide show and lecture only or a one-day field workshop only. The field workshop is limited to 12 participants. Some groups have scheduled the intro slide show for the general public, followed by the field session for a smaller number of participants.
Both of the photography programs can be tailored to students with either pocket cameras or digital SLRs. The key concepts of composition and working with light are the same no matter what camera is employed.
Native Plant and Garden Lectures
