From Ordinary to Extraordinary: Nature Photography Webinar Feb 21, 28

So, you're back from that nature photography workshop with hundreds of photos on your memory cards... what's next? The photo above was taken near Badwater during our recent workshop in Death Valley National Park in California. But how do you take that ordinary-looking RAW file and turn it into fine art? The photo below was taken under brilliant skies at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. The image was processed using default camera setting.
The resulting image lacks proper contrast and colors. It's dull and uninteresting - hardly representative of the spectacular conditions of the real moment. But, with a few tweaks in the RAW converter, the photograph advances to a whole new level.
Here, the colors look clean and vibrant, and the contrast is much more appealing. The scene is much more inviting. Our upcoming Nature Photography Webinar Series (Feb 21 and Feb 28) is designed to help you bring out the details and colors in every part of the image. These webinars offer something for every skill level - from amature to seasoned expert. If you are interested in joining us, you can find all the information you need at the link below:

Registration: Nature Photography & iHDR Workflow

As always, RECORDED Sessions will be available for review by registered students for at least 4 weeks after the Webinar. About one week before class begins, registered students will be invited to download notes, sample images, and instructional videos for via ftp.

Session 1 – Nature Photography, Equipment, and Research
SUNDAY, Feb 21, 12:00 (Noon) PM - 2:00 PM (EST)
Session one is for students of all skill levels, and will focus on the basics of Nature Photography. After a brief discussion of composition and light, we will move on to discuss the equipment we use and how we use it. We will also talk about what it takes to shoot landscapes, and the research that helps us choose our shooting locations.

Session 2 - RAW processing
SUNDAY, Feb 21, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EST)
During session two, we will teach students of all skill levels how to work with RAW files. We will explain the difference between file types and introduce the basics of Adobe Camera RAW, before walking students through the processing of sample images. Students will work together to make decisions about color balance, exposure, contrast, and more as they work together on images provided by the instructors.

Session 3 – Layers and Masks in Photoshop
SUNDAY, Feb 28, 12:00 (Noon) PM - 2:00 PM (EST)
The material presented in session three is critical to the understanding of our iHDR process. This session is recommended for intermediate and advanced students – and those who have completed sessions one and two. Students will learn the basics of layers and masks in Adobe Photoshop. Sample images will be provided, and students will work alongside the instructors as they learn to use layers, and create and refine masks. Students will learn simple and practical blending techniques, and will receive an introduction to manual High Dynamic Range blending.

Session 4 – iHDR
SUNDAY, Feb 28, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EST)
Session four is our most advanced session. Students who wish to attend should have completed sessions one, two, and three – or should have a solid understanding of layers and masks, and a basic understanding of Adobe Photoshop and how it works. We will focus on processing bracketed images using our Intelligent High Dynamic Range blending techniques. Students will use critical skills from sessions two and three to process bracketed RAW images, and blend them using layers and carefully refined masks.

We HIGHLY recommend completing sessions 2 & 3 before attending session 4. We won't have time to go back and cover the concepts covered in sessions 2 & 3.

We hope to see you online!