Florida's Birding & Photo Fest official guide 2020 | Page 19

A Friendly Introduction to Manual Settings | Photography Seminar Photographing Birds in Flight & Motion | Photography Seminar Location: Celebration Hall at St. Anastasia, 5205 A1A South Location: Celebration Hall at St. Anastasia, 5205 A1A South FRIDAY 3 TO 4:30 P.M. SATURDAY 3 TO 4:30 P.M. Price: $25 | Max No. People: 30 | Difficulty Level: Beginner This introductory session is unlike any other class you have entertained taking about how to use Manual settings (e.g., aperture, shutter speed and ISO). Why? Because most “intro to Manual” classes out there today have you dividing into the “deepest end of the pool” immediately and within 15 minutes have participants overwhelmed and ready to quit photography for good. How do I know? I’ve heard horror stories from many of you who have come to me after these classes, asking for a lifeline before they quite altogether. As a result, I’ve designed a fun “Intro to Manual Settings” class that is actually helpful and makes logical sense. It’s not intimidating, doesn’t involve a plethora of math, and introduces you to the ways in which you’ll have creative control over your camera- rather than your camera having control over you. Via a fun, lighthearted, engaging and interactive environment, participants will learn: o How to first identify characteristics that make for “good” images o Identifying your personal preference and tastes for various types of images (e.g., implied motion vs tack- sharp action, sharp subjects with blurred backgrounds vs sharp subjects with deep backgrounds full of details, etc.) o The purpose (and creative side effects) of ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed o How to visually deconstruct an image to identify what types of settings may have been used to create it o Using Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Auto ISO as alternatives to “full manual settings” o How to visualize your final image before you photograph it- and how to prioritize what setting to set first, second and third. (This is an incredibly important aspect of using manual settings that many do not teach.) Suggested Gear List: Optional, but helpful: Camera, any lens, notepad/pen. Price: $25 | Max No. People: 30 | Difficulty Level: Intermediate Photographing birds in flight (BIF) and motion can be challenging for even the most experienced photographers. This session will break down what settings and techniques may work best for you with regard to photographing birds in flight. Via warm, friendly and supportive instruction, this class will help get you on your way to photographing birds in motion beautifully! Designed for those with DSLR and mirrorless cameras, we will focus upon the following skills: o Focus settings: AF-C or Al Servo o Setting the proper focus points o Best aperture and shutter speed settings for photographing birds in motion o Finding the bird in the frame before you can photograph it o Composition, panning, and related techniques for artistic effect o How to envision the design, look and feel of your image prior to shooting o Hands-on practice in-the-field, and more Photographing Birds in Flight & Motion at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm | Field Workshop Location: St. Augustine Alligator Farm, 999 Anastasia Blvd. SUNDAY 8 TO 11 A.M. Price: $100 + Annual Photo Pass | Max No. People: 10 | Difficulty Level: Intermediate Photographing birds in flight (BIF) and motion can be challenging for even the most experienced photographers. This session will break down what settings and techniques may work best for you with regard to photographing birds in flight. Via warm, friendly and supportive instruction, this class will help get you on your way to photographing birds in motion beautifully! Designed for those with DSLR and mirrorless cameras, we will focus upon the following skills: o Focus settings: AF-C or Al Servo o Setting the proper focus points o Best aperture and shutter speed settings for photographing birds in motion o Finding the bird in the frame before you can photograph it o Composition, panning, and related techniques for artistic effect o How to envision the design, look and feel of your image prior to shooting o Hands-on practice in-the-field, and more Suggested Gear List: camera, charged batteries, memory card, a lens with appropriate magnification for bird photography (e.g., 300-600mm range), tripod is optional but recommended: gimbal head or ball-head is suggested, your camera’s manual, and dress appropriately for the weather and terrain. Photographing Nature in “High Key” Style | Photography Seminar Location: Celebration Hall at St. Anastasia, 5205 A1A South SATURDAY 10 TO 11:30 A.M. Price: $25| Max No. People: 30 | Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Advanced High key photography involves creating images where there is a dominance of white or bright tones. It is a type of photography that goes against most “traditional” styles of nature photography and requires the right circumstances- the right light, subject, and setting – in order for the magic of High Key photography to work. But when it does, the results can be spectacular! This class will introduce participants to the genre of High Key photography, which can be one of the most artistic forms of nature photography that can be done in-camera. Participants will learn: o Which lighting conditions are best (and worst) for high-key photography o The settings that are generally recommended for creating high key work o Which foregrounds and backgrounds work best for high key photography o Composition tips for this style of photography o Post-processing trips to create the final look PHOTOS: LISA LANGELL 19